Last week I shared my tips on getting started with snail mail, including what you’ll need and how to find people to write to, so today I want to share a few ideas for the next stage – actually writing the letter. Once you’ve been doing this for a while, it’ll get easier, though it is always fun to keep an eye out for any happy mail inspiration to keep things fun for you and your pen pal. So for old and new snail mailers, here is snail mail: what to send…..
Pen Pal Introductions
If this is your first or early letter to a new pen pal, you’ll be wanting to get to know them and tell them a bit about yourself. It’s entirely up to you how much or how little, at this stage. Perhaps a short letter or note-card saying hello and sharing a few things such as:
Your family
What you do
Your hobbies
Books/Films/TV you enjoy
The area that you live in
Holidays or plans on the horizon
What’s got you into writing letters
And of course, ask questions throughout so that you can get to know the recipient.
It takes time to build up a good relationship, as it would if you were meeting face to face. Stick with it, and it’s lovely to have a friendship flourishing in this way. It’s enjoyable to buy the pretty stationery to write with (of course!), it’s relaxing to sit down and pen a note, and it’s great to receive some happy mail in amongst bills and junk mail!
Snail Mail Treats
It’s fun to send little treats through the post with your letters, too, so here are a few ideas of items you might like to include:
Paperclips
Washi Tape
Tea Bags/Hot Chocolate sachets
Stickers
Packets of Seeds
Postcards
Badges/Pins
Stamps
Pretty Paper
Sweets
Crochet/Knits
Recipes
I have also posted about Pocket Letters and Mail Tags here, and both are great as ice breakers and as something a little different to send every once in a while.
What do you like to include with your snail mail?
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I need to get back into writing snail mail again – I’ve really let it slide in the last few months as things have been so busy. So useful to have ideas about what to send too though. I do love pocket letters as a way of sending little things – haven’t tried mail tags though so that is another idea to add to the list 🙂
It is nice to get back into it, happy to inspire!
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