Happy World Post Day! Did you know that 9th October is World Post Day? I didn’t until last week when it popped up in an online group I’m in. To celebrate I want to share some Happy Mail Ideas and Tips with you.
What is Happy Mail?
Happy Mail, to me, means sending something to someone designed to make them smile. Perhaps an unexpected letter to a friend, a postcard to family from a trip away, an envelope of little items to make the recipient happy!
I love sending happy mail and receiving it too! I’m a long time fan of proper thank you notes and I still enjoy sending paper Christmas cards each year. Both of these and other stationery related things appear on my 100 things that make me happy list!
Sending Happy Mail can be a great Random Act of Kindness (Kindness Day is coming up on 13th November).
Happy Mail Ideas
Disclaimer – please check the mail/post regulations for the country you are posting from and to before sending any of these items.
Why not send…?
- Handwritten letter
- Postcard
- Bookmark (handmade or shop bought)
- Photos
- Favourite quote
- Some stickers
- Teabag (ideally individually wrapped!)
- Small selection of sticky notes (a few rather than a thick pad)
- Washi Tape (wrap it around a piece of card to keep it flat – rather than sending whole rolls)
- Child’s painting or drawing (family members usually love these and it’s handy when you’re running out of room on the fridge!)
- Ephemera
- Article that the recipient will find interesting
- Blank notelets for the recipient to send their own happy mail
- Favourite recipe
- Small pack of seeds
- Poem (written by you or a well-known poet)
I’ve been lucky enough to receive some of the items above and happily sent some too!
Happy Mail Tips
- Check out the cost of postage to your destination and plan your Happy Mail accordingly.
Today I’ve posted something to Ireland for a World Post Day Swap. I checked Royal Mail to see how much a standard letter would cost (currently £1.55) and the dimensions and weight limits before I chose what to send. - Look for interesting stamps rather than printed postage labels.
If you ask at the post counter they often have folders of stamps for different amounts. I’m hoping to get some special Harry Potter stamps when they come out soon! - Decorate your envelopes.
Try some fancy lettering and perhaps add some washi tape or stickers to make the recipient smile as soon as they see your post. - Don’t overfill the envelope.
A couple of small items or sometimes just a handwritten letter could be enough to make someone’s day. - Check out the bargain shops for cute and cost-effective stationery.
Poundland currently have some lovely Winnie the Pooh stationery in. - Join a Swap.
If you are keen to send and receive some happy mail why not join a swap? I’m part of a few groups on Facebook and there are often swaps happening. Stationery/Pen Pal groups are usually the best ones to look for.
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Do you like sending happy mail? Have you ever received any? Why not post a little something this week to celebrate World Post Day?
Those are some great tips Katie! Thanks 🙂 One of my favourites is to use a special stamp, so I always buy a sheet (16) or block (4) when new ones that I like are issued.
Hi Mairead – thanks for visiting and for your comment! I’m definitely keen to get some special stamps to start using on my Happy Mail – I will need to ask at the Post Office each time I’m there! Have a great day.