Postcards are for much more than just your travels these days. They’re becoming a more popular way than ever for people to get in touch with their friends and family on a regular basis, for special occasions or just to touch base. But… writing a postcard can actually become quite an intimidating experience when you finally come face to face with its blank side. That’s why we’ve created this guide on how to write a postcard to a friend or a family member.
Not found the right postcard yet? The MyPostcard app lets you design your own postcard with the help of 70,000+ templates, so you can add your own photos and memories. Once you’ve added a message and recipient, we professionally print and send your card for you anywhere worldwide. The best part? If you’re lost for words, you can simply use one of our free messages and quotes available to past into your card on the app.
How to write a postcard when you can’t think of anything to say…
Often the most difficult thing is actually starting! You can open your postcard with ‘Dear/est’, a simple ‘hello’ or ‘hey’ or something a little more romantic like ‘To the one I love’ or ‘To my best friend in the world’
Below you’ll find some ideas on how to start a postcard, beyond your greeting.
#1 Where are you?
Whether you’re traveling or writing from home, how about starting off by simply telling your postcard pal where you are?
If you’re traveling, talk about the hotel you’re staying at, maybe mention the awesome outdoor pool they have or the to-die-for cocktails that the waiter makes to order.
If you’re writing your postcard from home talk about the room where you’re sitting as you write their card, or where you’ve just come from. It will bring a sense of space and intimacy to your friend as they imagine where you were sat as you wrote their postcard.
Here’s a sample text for a travel postcard to a friend:
Dearest Molly,
I’m writing this postcard while looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa from my spot outside the cafe. You know what? It really is very crooked. A waiter just brought me my ‘Crema Di Caffè’ – I don’t have to feel silly saying that now either! I think I was born in the wrong country…
Not space for much more – missing you lots!
Your friend in Italy
#2 What are you doing there?
Send notes to others about your adventures. Consider telling them why you’ve decided to visit that place or what you’ve done while you’re there. Mention what brought you to your destination and how you got there. And most importantly who with!
Or, if you’re writing from home, you can talk about a brief instance that occurred that made you reflect on your day or on your friendship to your postcard pal. Think about the reason you’re writing to them right now!
Here’s another example for you!
Hey gang,
Today we met up with a whole group of tourists who were visiting Rome for just one day like us. Well, we had a lot of fun and visited some awesome places. They were cool… But am I bad person for wishing it was all of you instead? 😀 Next time, you’re coming with us!
Speak soon,
Your friend
#3 What’s happening?
What kind of events, past or upcoming have you participated in lately? Are there any key points you’d like to share that your recipient would be especially interested in? You can try including travel tips for the region that you are visiting. Or if you’re writing from home, talk about local tourist spots that you’d like to show off if your recipient ever comes to visit.
By the way: You can even send them pictures of what’s going down, if this is one of those times when pictures really do say a 1000 words! If you think your photography skills aren’t up to scratch, then read the ultimate travel photography guide for beginners and send your personalized postcard!
Need an example? Here’s a sample postcard message:
Hey Mo,
So you remember we used to talk about visiting Berlin all the time? Well guest who’s spontaneously there… ME! Fun fact – did you know the Berlin Wall that separated East and West Germany is still up in places? They’ve reclaimed it with awesome street art which they call the East Side Gallery. We need to come back here together soon!
Greetings from Germany!
Elle
#4 What’s cooking?
Send recipes and share local cuisine establishments. Add notes about your favorite dishes and which restaurants served them to you. If you’re traveling, what are the local dishes that are served and what’s the best thing about them? Take note of foreign condiments and table manners.
Here’s how to write your foodie postcard:
Dear mom,
You always say I should try it before I say I don’t like it. Well, I’m writing this postcard to tell you, you’d be proud! I’ve tried a ton of new stuff since I’ve been in Asia. I haven’t loved all of them, but there’s this one dish that I will cook for you when I’m home. Aloo Tikki – I added a photo of it on the front of this card. YUM!
Love you lots,
Your favorite daughter
Discover 5 quick tips to make your food photography stand out here. Your photo of the local dishes is sure to look like it belongs nowhere better than on your postcard (or in your tummy) once you’ve mastered them!
#5 Daily greetings
A postcard is a fun and simple way to send greetings at any time of the year. Send well wishes that reflect your thoughts on your nephew’s big soccer game. Or how excited you are about your sister’s pregnancy. Recount special moments that you’ve shared and silly little things that have occurred in your daily routine. Ask for return postcards that answer your questions about what your recipient has been up to recently.
If you need help persuading them to, try using one of these 8 convincing reasons why you should be writing postcards…
#6 Share interesting facts
Who doesn’t enjoy sharing what they’ve learned with others? Send your friends or classmates super scholarly information that interests you. Create helpful bullet points that give your reader a snippet of the info. Sending some random facts is always fun! This is a great idea if you’re sending a postcard from home.
Speaking of facts, here’s 9 insane fun facts about the post that you don’t know. And your friends won’t know either! Number 6 may be the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard of.
#7 reviews
Write about establishments that you’re visiting or places you’ve stayed. Share thoughts on the staff, cleanliness, and other observations that you’ve made. Try to keep it simple. And remember your postcard is traveling wide open in the post where anybody that handles it could read what is written.
Here’s an sample idea for your postcard review:
Hi everyone,
We just checked out of our ‘exquisite beach-side hotel’. Honestly, I’d give it 3 stars. Rude staff and we got given the wrong room but on the other hand… the pool, the cocktails, the views! Changed my mind, I’m giving it 4 stars. Okay, 4 and a half.
Love you all xxxx
By the way, if you want to read the reviews before going to your destination rather than having to write negative ones after, then trust us, there are ways and means! Here are the 10 vacation apps that you should download before your next vacation.
#8 Writing a postcard with local news
Whether you’re sending a postcard across town or across the world, news events in your local area are also important to people who love you. Talk about headlines or quirky news from the back of the newspaper. Laugh about the newscaster’s shirt on your local television network or whatever takes your fancy!
#9 ‘Wish you were here!’
Traveling creates a distance among loved ones that can only be cured with a postcard. Send a note that reminds your recipient how much you miss them. This could be during a long traveling spell or just because. If you’re traveling, write about scenes and events that remind you of your friend, or your mom, or whomever you’re writing to. Write about how it made you feel and why it was significant in your memory. Use the classic, wish you were here, if you need to!
By the way, if you’ve received a lot of postcards recently, but you don’t know what to do with them all, then we have 16 easy DIY projects for your old postcards.
#10 What’s the weather like?
Everybody likes knowing what the weather is like where their loved ones are. We’ll never know why exactly! But it not only creates a sense of security in knowing the sender is safe but also lets them imagine themselves into the scenery a little. Talk about past storms, snow and hail and what you were doing when it started coming down. Mention how long the air conditioning was running during the last heat spell and hot it was.
A postcard message example? Coming right up!
Hey Dad,
I don’t want to make you jealous, but the weather here in Malta is just amazing! You’d be baking like a tomato by now if you were here. It’s a big improvement on what we thought it’d be when we got here too. It was a bit grey and miserable. Anyway, just updating you so you recognize me at the airport in two weeks with my gorgeous tan.
Sending all my love!
Writing postcards to stay in touch? Here’s when to send postcards and how to write them…
#11 Studies & work
Postcard writing is all about creating a short note that provides enough info for the friend reading it to get a glimpse into your day or your life. Sharing little details about what interests you at work or school is a pretty easy way to keep in touch, especially when you’re busy. Do you have an update? Maybe you got an A in one of your topics? Share your success!
#12 Awards
Whether you’ve received an award or you know someone that has, this is a great time to write a postcard.
Notify others of your accomplishments or congratulate them on theirs.
#13 Games
Create funny quizzes and games with your friends that include trivia or even mathematical equations. Give them a time frame with which they have to respond. Don’t forget the answers to your questions!
#14 Book recommendations
Write to your fellow book lovers briefly describing books that you’ve read and what they’re about. Include information about the author or write out a small snippet from somewhere in the story to lure the recipient in or just let them know what you loved about the book!
#15 Writing postcards for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries
Postcard writing is a perfect way to reminisce about events that you’ve attended with your loved ones. Or to talk about these milestones and how they affected you or will affect you. Write to your daughter about her birthday and how you remember the day she was born. Explain the joy of that special day. This is especially cute if you’re celebrating their birthday from a long distance.
Write to your mom and dad when they celebrate their silver anniversary. Tell them what you appreciate about their relationship and how proud you are of them. Surprise your husband or wife with a postcard professing your undying love. Remind him or her of a comical event at your wedding or anniversary.
P.S. If you need help writing something in your birthday card which really stands out, we’ve written a helpful guide specifically for you!
Wrapping up writing your postcard
Keep your salutations short when closing your note with phrases like “love always”, or “see you soon”.
Don’t forget to date your postcard so that you and your recipients can reminisce about the event later.
When you’re ready to write your postcard, choose a classic personalizable design that fits well with your words and you’re ready to go!
Comments are closed.