It’s essential to remain linked to household and mates, and writing a postcard is a straightforward and significant technique to do it. Postcard designs have flourished since their beginnings within the 1800s, so discovering simply the proper one could be a rewarding process in itself. The truth is, there’s a complete self-discipline—referred to as deltiology—devoted to accumulating and learning postcards!

Right here, we’ll discuss methods to write a postcard, so you possibly can be in contact or ship a pleasant message wherever your travels take you.

Why must you ship a postcard?

Within the late 1800s, individuals started sending “mailing playing cards” to 1 one other in fantastically adorned envelopes, which regularly confirmed a particular landmark or a signature of the place it was despatched from. The interval from 1907 to 1915 is named the “golden age of the postcard,” and it’s when the divided design on the again of the cardboard was created, introducing the postcards that we all know immediately.

That divided again—with room for a message on the left and the handle on the proper—is important to understanding methods to write on a postcard. The area for a message is way more restricted than in a letter (or any digital correspondence), so you want to select your phrases properly. An excellent postcard warms the reader and will get straight to the message. So how can we write an efficient postcard?

The way to write a postcard in 5 steps

A postcard doesn’t must be elaborate to have an effect. It may be a easy greeting, a life replace, or an remark that made you consider the particular person. There is no such thing as a strict construction to writing a postcard, however listed here are some tricks to simply get began:

1
Begin with a greeting

Whereas there is no such thing as a formal postcard format, this nonetheless isn’t a textual content message. Faux you’re operating into the recipient on the road. Ask a rhetorical query, like “How have you ever been?”

2
Select the kind of message you wish to ship

“Pondering of you” messages: Let somebody know that you just miss them, and that you just simply wished to say hello.

Life updates: Positive, we have now loads of alternatives on social media to maintain everybody up to date on our life. However sending tiny updates on to an individual is a way more intimate connection. You’ll be able to even make a ritual out of it, for instance, by selecting somebody to ship an replace to yearly in your birthday.

A easy remark: Perhaps you noticed a sure flower or café that reminded you of a visit you took with somebody—allow them to know! These little moments of connection, particularly when sudden, are invaluable methods to brighten somebody’s day.

3
Wrap it up

Write just a few phrases that basically wrap up the explanation you’re sending the postcard. Examples embody:

• Simply wished to verify in.
• Hope you’re doing properly.
• Pondering of you.
• Thought you’d admire [the observation].

4
Log off

Use no matter feels comfy with the recipient. Some straightforward sign-off options are:

• Greatest
• Sincerely
• Cheers
• Regards

5
Handle it, stamp it, and put it within the mailbox

Right here’s a tip: Earlier than you go in your journey, collect the addresses of individuals you may ship a postcard to. That approach, you gained’t must ask for one whilst you’re on the highway.

The way to format a postcard

You’ve written your message out. Now you simply have to verify it’s acquired.

Write the handle on the proper aspect of the cardboard, subsequent to your message. The format for a postcard handle in the USA is:

Jay Gatsby

123 Center Neck Highway

West Egg, NY

11050

You don’t want an envelope to ship a postcard, only a postcard-rate stamp (the present charge is 48 cents, however costs go up from time to time. Stamps can be found at most grocery shops, gasoline stations, 24/7 pharmacies, and, after all, the put up workplace.

Letters vs. postcards

Postcards are designed for brevity and are nice for fast check-ins or acknowledgments. In case you want more room to inform a narrative, or to let your ideas and phrases roam, then sending a letter is likely to be a greater choice to your correspondence.

Postcard examples

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Expensive Hatter,

How are you today? Mad as ever, I suppose. I’m in Brussels and was simply having tea with a bunch of my mates. Because the tea cups accrued, I remembered our great and complicated time on the desk.

I assumed I’d attain out and say whats up. Pondering of you and wishing you properly!

Regards,
Alice

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Expensive Gretel,

I hope you’re doing properly within the metropolis! I miss our adventures within the forest, however you at all times had greater ambitions. I’m at present mountaineering the Swiss Alps, sourcing for my new wooden store. I’m pleased to say enterprise is booming! Thanks for encouraging me to go for it, and for at all times having my again.

Go to anytime.

Sincerely,
Hansel