Today, let’s all send a card to a friend
Whether you’re a regular letter writer who donates cards to strangers or uses pen-pal services like PostCrossing, or you last wrote a letter when you were thanking a family member for a gift as a child, now is no better day to send a card to a friend.
National Send a Card to a Friend Day is here, and it’s certainly something we at From Me to You can get on board with celebrating! Of course, for those of us who don’t regularly write letters or cards, it can be a daunting prospect. So here’s some tips to help get you started.
Short and sweet
Writing a short note to someone to let them know you’re thinking of them is a wonderful way to keep a friendship alive. A card is a handmade gift. A chance to share in a way that is just between the two of you, in a world that can be so public. It’s a chance to say, I’m here and you’re not alone - often without even writing those words.
Goodness, delivered without expectation
A card does not have to be responded to. If the person you’re reaching out to has been unwell, or is living with cancer, it might not be the ‘right time’ for them to respond. Your card is an opportunity for them to feel connected to you without the pressure to write back, and even with a simple sentence you can make them realise what you’re offering with the card.
Try finishing your card off with something like:
I hope this letter has brought a little light. Please know, you don’t have to reply. I’ll write again soon.
Make it fun
Okay, we all know there are some brilliant card shops out there - so it’s likely you’ve already picked a great card with a brilliant front cover. The next step is to make the most of the white space.
Fill your card with gossip, silly stories, overheard anecdotes. Add little doodles or decorate the envelope so it’s beautiful inside and out. See if your local post office stocks commemorative stamps, or buy some special issues online, and add some fun that way!
Write from the heart
If you’re worried about what to say, especially if the person you’re writing to is going through a difficult time, think about what you’d like to receive. It doesn’t matter if you feel that the words you’ve chosen are clumsy or not quite right - your card will carry so much more meaning.
We have loads of tips to got you writing cards and letters to your loved ones, so if you’re still searching for some inspiration, take a wander through the blog to
to help decipher how it’ll help you as much as the friend you’re writing to.
Continue beyond Send a Card to a Friend Day!
If you’d like to write with others, we’ve got the perfect opportunity this year!
Every quarter we’ll be running a 75 minute letter writing workshop - with a free stationery box delivered to you beforehand. Whilst we love that you may want to donate your letters, these workshops are purely about the season and making the most of our imagination - so they are not focused specifically on writing to those living with cancer.
Each workshop will give you the chance to learn more about letter writing, and meet other like-minded people getting inspired by all sorts of creativity. You can sign up to subscribe monthly on our Patreon page, or just sign up to the specific workshop you’d like to attend via Eventbrite.
The next event is set for Tuesday 29th March at 7pm BST, and we’ll be focusing our letter writing around the theme of Spring! Together we’ll take our imaginations forward, along with the clocks; who knows where they'll end up!