Creative Ideas to Help You Send More Happy Mail
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What Is Happy Mail?
Happy mail is a package, card or letter that’s designed to make someone smile. It’s the kind of post someone reaches for first when they spot it among the junk mail, bills and bank statements. As well as bringing joy to the recipient, I believe happy mail can have a positive impact on the sender too.
Why Send More Happy Mail?
In an increasingly digital world, it’s lovely to surprise someone with a piece of handwritten mail. There’s nothing better than opening the door after a long day at work to find that someone has been thinking of you and taken the time to send you something in the post.
Receiving mail feels so personal. I’ve kept letters and cards sent over 20 years ago because they were so special to me. I love the way they capture a moment in time. For example, I still have postcards my now husband sent when we were first dating and then engaged. They’re a beautiful snapshot of our early relationship as well as a souvenir of places he travelled.
In my early teens, I had a couple of friends who would regularly send me scripture and encouraging words they'd heard in a sermon or read in a book. I also had a sort of mentor relationship with two older women who were around 16 or 17 at the time. Every so often, I reread their letters, cherishing their wisdom and support all over again. This isn’t something that tends to happen with email or text messages. In other words, sending happy mail has a much bigger impact, and a much longer legacy, too.
Beyond Birthdays and Christmas
Birthdays and Christmas are a great time to send cards, but you don’t have to stop there. There are many other reasons to pop something in the post. Here are a few creative ideas to help you send more happy mail…
- The arrival of a new baby. Why not include a small gift for the new parents? It could be something flat that fits in a greeting card or a small parcel.
- To celebrate a christening or baptism. Not sure what to say? Read What to Write in an Adult Baptism Card.
- ‘Good luck in your new home’. It’s lovely to be thought of in the midst of one of the most stressful experiences life offers.
- ‘You’ve got this!’ The perfect sentiment ahead of an exam, interview or audition. It also works if someone is going through a tough time or facing some kind of challenge.
- ‘I’m so proud of you!’ It’s always nice to congratulate someone on an achievement.
- ‘Get well soon’ or, for people with chronic conditions who are unlikely to recover, ‘I hope this flare passes quickly’. It can also be encouraging to receive a card or letter when you’re going through medical treatment or recovering from surgery.
- ‘Congratulations on your new business!’ Entrepreneurship can be lonely, so I’m sure a few words of encouragement from a friend will be appreciated.
- ‘I’m praying for you’ or ‘I’m thinking of you’. This sentiment works in so many situations and is always nice to receive.
- ‘Good luck at university’. A gift card for groceries or a cheeky takeaway make a great addition in this one!
- ‘Congratulations on your retirement’. This is definitely a milestone worth celebrating!
I Saw This and Thought of You
‘Just because’ is also a totally valid reason for sending happy mail! One of my favourite things to do is keep an eye out for newspaper or magazine clippings I think a friend or family member will enjoy. There’s something extra special about knowing you’ve been in someone’s thoughts and then feeling seen or understood in what they’ve sent.
This works really well with recipes. You could send a friend something you think they’d enjoy making or a recipe you’ve made them in the past that they complimented you on.
Set Yourself Up for Success
If you’re determined to send more happy mail, keep a supply of cards and stamps on hand. You can buy postage stamps from the Post Office or from a discounted stamps website. The latter is a great way to source beautiful, old special issue stamps that are still valid today.
If you need a stash of cards suitable for any occasion or none, I love Georgina Peters’ cards that are made from her original painted artwork. Another favourite is Hannah Longmuir, a Scottish artist who draws from nature. Jenny Bloomfield is a really talented artist, and if you need a card for someone who loves dogs or cats, she is the one to buy from!
Send More Happy Mail with And Hope Designs
I have a large collection of greeting cards suitable for a wide range of occasions, including some that are perfect to send ‘just because’. You can browse my designs here >>> Greeting Cards
You’ll find more happy mail inspiration via the links below:
Could Sending More Snail Mail Help Ease the Loneliness Epidemic?
16 Flat Things You Can Include in an Envelope with a Letter
