I’ll start this as I often do with posts like this by saying that you absolutely do not have to do anything with your happy mail other than write a letter. I say this every time as the letter itself, the connection and the friendship, is what it’s all really about. Stop there if that’s all you want to do, and enjoy that. This is for those of you who like the idea of getting a bit more creative and having a bit of fun with your mail, but aren’t too sure where to start. If you want to spend just a few minutes ‘levelling up’ your happy mail, then this is for you so read on…
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Theme It All
This is a really simple way to give your happy mail a more ‘together’ look.
You can create a theme for your mail, and it needn’t be difficult or overly artistic to do this. You might know that your pen pal loves cats, so decorate or doodle paper and envelopes with cats, add a couple of cat stickers to your letter and there you go, it’s a theme. Or perhaps you have a postcard you’d like to send them, can you theme the paper and envelope around that? It might be that you choose to keep it all in a certain colour palette, a letter and envelope decorated with a purple theme? If they love their gardens, I shared a botanical themed pen pal with me a while back that might give you some ideas. The possibilities are endless!
Make It Colourful
You don’t have loads of time to ‘pretty up’ your letter or envelope, but you can choose colours.
Even if you choose to write your letter all in black ink (be mindful that some people can struggle to read brightly coloured ink, though you’ll know your pals and be able to adjust this for them) you can still use a colourful pen to write their name, address the envelope and maybe add a few colourful dots, spots and wiggly lines to the envelope.
This one’s perfect if you don’t have any supplies to hand but just want to give your post a little lift.
Upcycle Your Paper
All paper can be used for your snail mail, so what do you have to hand that could work?
The kind of things I’ve used in the past to decorate envelopes or paper are magazines, gift wrap, junk mail, old seed packets and old notebooks.
You can instantly level up an envelope by using a magazine cutting glued onto it and it’ll take you just a couple of minutes.
I shared this video a while back around this idea, if you’d like to look into this idea, some easy mail art using magazines…
Washi Is Your Friend
You knew I had to mention washi tape, didn’t you? It’s because it’s true, it is your friend here!
One of the quickest and easiest ways to level up your pen pal letters is to use washi tape.
I shared some tips around easy mail art with washi tape a while back and it’s hard to beat this one for simplicity and speed. In just a few rolls of tape, paper and envelopes are levelled up.
If you’re looking to get yourself a few rolls, I love grid washi tape as I find it works so well for mail and journals and then perhaps go for something with lots of different colours and designs to get your stash started. You’ll soon find ones you like and want to add after this. Washi tape addiction is real.
Add Extras
You might like to add a few extras in your envelope to your pen pal.
Always be mindful of postage weights and costs and how well things will travel. I shared things to send with your happy mail here, with loads of ideas of the kinds of things that you could post if you’d like to.
Stickers Everywhere
The humble sticker can change everything. Stickers on our writing paper, stickers as extras, stickers as mail art, they can do it all!
These can help you with the theming idea, and they can brighten things up in an instant. We can all add stickers, it requires very little extra effort and can look so good.
There are endless places to get some stickers and stickers in every shape, size and design, so there’s sure to be something that appeals to you. If you’re looking for a recommendation, I’ve talked about this sticker book over on my YouTube channel as I love it and I have another in that range now and I’m about to get more. They are good quality, peel away easily and there are loads to choose from.
Hopefully that’s given you some simple and speedy ideas for your pen pal letters? If you try them, be sure to let me know!
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