How to Make and Send Happy Mail

Letter-writing is making a comeback, and no wonder. Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a real birthday card, a note from a friend, or a “wish you were here” postcard? It’s always nice to know someone thought of you and took the time to write.

Sending "happy mail," as we like to call it, is an easy and fun way to connect with other people and bring joy into our lives. If you want to join in, all you need is a pen friend or two (or 12!), someone who will appreciate what you send and maybe even return the favor. There are also lots of existing pen friend clubs you can join (a quick online search can point you in the right direction!).

You can make your mail as simple or elaborate as you choose. The possibilities for creating happy mail are endless, and the limits are few. (More on those later.) But because sometimes you can judge a book by the cover — or, in this case, a letter by the envelope — here are some ideas for how to turn up the dial on your letter-writing fun.

Ideas for turning your letters into tiny works of art

• Start with a theme — Pick an organizing idea — e.g., spring time, vacation, a particular color, what have you — and build your letter contents around it. “Spring time” could include a seed packet, a springy poem, etc.
• Decorate your letter and envelope — Whether you add doodles, washi tape, or hand-painted details, every bit makes for happy mail. Think of your letter as a canvas, and then channel your inner artist. The same goes for the envelope. Your little masterpiece might even brighten a mail carrier’s day, too!
• Make it personal — Glue or print a favorite photograph onto your letter paper or card. Then enhance it with a fancy border, a speech bubble, you name it.
• Make your own postcards — Upcycle old greeting cards, or create a mosaic from old magazine pages or scraps of wrapping paper. Add to a piece of tagboard or thick paper, making sure to leave a clean space for the address and postage stamp.
• Tuck in pen pal club goodies — A few stickers, some stamps, a tea bag, a poem, a tiny art print, anything small and relatively flat. Don't be afraid to show personality.
• Get creative with postage — Mix current stamps with vintage stamps for a layered postage look that's both coordinated and creative. Many online retailers offer vintage stamps for sale. The only rule is that the postage must add up at least to the one-ounce, First-Class Mail® rate (currently 82 cents).

What to avoid in sending mail art

Back to the limits. To help ensure your mail arrives safely at its destination, you'll want to keep it as flat as possible. Avoid anything intentionally or unintentionally three-dimensional, so no wax seals, string or ribbon, feathers, buttons, staples, or the like. Odd-sized or -shaped or heavier envelopes may also require more postage. Your local post office can advise you on the correct amount if you're not sure.

Beyond that, just make sure your pen pal's address is easy to find and read, and send your letter on its way. As you likely know, the hardest part — waiting for what comes back — is yet to come...