Snail Mail: Making it Fun, Fast and Creative

Remember when every flip-phone cell provider wanted to up sell the fabulous technology of text messaging? I used to roll my eyes at the practiced spiel and respond, every. Stinking. Time:

Thank you, but no, I’ll never use it. I thought texting sounded like something only a teenager would indulge in, because what adult is going to flip open her phone in the middle of a busy work day to check for a text message from her bestie?

Well.

Never say never, right? Now we text all the freaking time, and love the ease of rapid, on-the-spot communication. We even send invites to our kids’ birthday parties by text. I have to admit, what a brilliant time-saver.

So I will eat my electronic words and proclaim I do love to text, especially now that it’s included “free” in my mobile package. But you know what I love more? Snail mail. The worthwhile kind, not the umpteenth throw away catalog from the retailer I ordered from once or or the mass-mailing from an internet company begging customers to buy more service. I’m talking about the hand-addressed letter in a envelope the shade of unicorn poop, the kind that suggests someone took the time to reach out in a real way. The letter doesn’t even have to be addressed to me…I am thrilled when anyone gets the golden goose egg of snail mail.

I have an aunt who loves mail, both the sending and receiving of it. We’ve gotten lovely hand-written letters from her (signed off with “as always, R”) with coupons and puzzles and fun news clippings tucked within. She takes time to send something thoughtful. Of course, she is a child of the stake-in-the-ground mailbox era, flag up to signal a letter needs to be sent. And so was I, but growing up in the computer age, my generation is certainly more pliable in adapting to the latest of tech…whereas my aunt didn’t want a phone smarter than she was. No wonder it was only recently she gave in and got a “smart” phone.

She has recently fallen ill, and it’s our turn to delight her with snail mail. Yes, sending cards seems old-fashioned, and even pricey. Store-bought cards can cost several dollars apiece, and even postage seems a splurge, especially when the text messaging feature on our phones is already paid for. But a real, honest-to-goodness card or letter doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are some ideas for how to make a fast and fun, thoughtful gesture:

1. Send postcards. You don’t have to be on the road in order to put a few of these in the mail slot. Chose a few from your local gift shop or bookstore so you have something to send in a pinch. Or snap up extra when you are on vacation. Not only are postcards less expensive than greeting cards, the postage to send them is less as well. And who doesn’t enjoy receiving a colorful blast amidst the white-enveloped bills?

1. Save the fronts from greeting cards you receive and make custom creations to send. I do this with all kinds of cards…whether it be a cool birthday greeting or an all-purpose notecard. I’ve even saved fun covers from small notepads for the same purpose. Simply glue the front into plain cardstock, write on the back, and place in an envelope. You can even print a mass of your favorite nature photos and do the same thing.

1. Craft with scraps. Have bits and pieces of construction paper or cardstock left over from your kids’ (or you own) craft projects? Instead of tossing those leftovers into the recycle bin, repurpose them into a unique creation. Cut paper into a variety of shapes, design a collage on a piece of heavy paper and viola, you’ve created a one-of-a-kind greeting for someone special.

1. Extend those free address labels. You could use them the way they are, with the cute little birds or frogs or hearts juxtaposed with your home address. But I like a little bling on the backs of my envelopes, so I cut off the little pictures and use them there. The pics are just the right size, and add that perfect final touch on a personal creation. Then I use the address label as usual.

1. You may be wondering: Ok, I’ve made a card but what about an envelope? I don’t want to take the time to make one. There are a couple things you can do. Buy a box of square-ish envelopes, (like 4 X 5, an attractive size and shape) to have on hand. You can also save the ones that come as spares when you buy custom-made holiday cards. Somehow I end up with an odd assortment of leftover envelopes and they are perfect in a pinch when I make a card to send.

Create and give of yourself. Both are elements to cultivating personal happiness. What better way to get happy than to use our hands and minds to craft a project for someone else to enjoy? I know I look forward to the weekly challenge of making a card from the odds-and-ends I’ve stashed in my office. Give it a try. You’ll not only make someone else’s day but you’ll make yours as well.