45 Things to put in your happy mail

Everyone loves to receive mail, and it's a great idea for when you feel like you have nothing to do. Why not spend some time creating some pieces of mail and brighten up someone else's day? A fun way to up the game is to send what many people call "happy mail"-- it's basically the idea of sending as much happiness as you can cram into one envelope. 

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND HAPPY MAIL

• Having something physical to hold in your hands can help connect you with loved ones in ways technology just can't. 
• It's more intimate a way of communication-- a spritz of perfume, personal handwriting-- it all adds up to make things more special. 
• Let's face it-- it's a romantic, old-fashioned custom that deserves to live. It is relaxing and lovely to do, and it's so enjoyable to receive mail in return!

​
I think a lot of times people think that in order to send a "care package" it has to be larger and cost a pretty penny for shipping, especially if it's international. It really doesn't have to be, though! You can have just as much fun and send just as much joy with a standard envelope. I've collected 45 awesome ideas that are perfect for slipping in a little envelope. They're flat enough to fit, and most of these ideas are totally fine even for international customs. (I have a couple that could be iffy depending on the country you're sending it to, and those are marked with asterisks. Please make sure it is approved before attempting to send). 

If you want a quick, pinnable image, you can pin this one below! 

• Drawings
• Printed Photos
• Teabags, Cocoa packets, or drip coffee*
• Stickers
• Iron on Patches
• Washi Tape
• Coloring Page
• Jewelry
• Hair Accessories
• Postcards
• Bookmarks
• Sticky Notes
• Cute tags or labels
• Cool papers
• Art or magazine/newspaper clippings
• Sheet music
• Music Playlists or song recommendations 
• Confetti or glitter
• Pressed flowers* (Sending these encased in contact paper would probably eliminate the need to be concerned about international customs). 
• Poems
• Gum*
• Balloon
• Glow in the dark stars
• A recipe
• Quizzes and little paper puzzles
• A comic strip
• Plantable seed papers* (You can create paper DIYs with seeds embedded which is potentially better for customs than an actual packet of seeds!)
• Origami
• Maps
• Small Embroidery or cross stitch pieces
• Embroidery or cross stitch thread
• Scavenger hunts
• Stencils
• Stamp rubbers
• Paper Dolls
• Friendship bracelets
• Waterproof/Bumper Stickers
• Enamel Pins
• Cute paper garlands
• Paper clips or Buttons
• Interesting coins
• Mini Wall art
• Some lettering, or a quote
• Secret Code
• Essential oil or perfume samples*

If you're looking for more ideas, I have a whole Pinterest board devoted to snail mail/happy mail! Be sure to take a look. 

Perhaps you've not really been in the habit of letter writing and don't know where to start. Don't worry! ​

TIPS TO GET STARTED WRITING LETTERS

• Create a mail station. This is where you can store stationery, envelopes, stamps, stickers, washi tape, and more. It can be in a box, a drawer, or in a basket on top of a desk. The simple act of having some organization and even better-- having it in a place you can access easily or even keep in view-- is so helpful in allowing you to be able to sit down and actually write letters. 
• Collect some supplies, but don't stress about it! You can stockpile things slowly over time. The beauty of writing letters is that you can be creative, and it doesn't have to be picture perfect. Think outside the box, and you'll find inspiration everywhere. In fact, a lot of supplies can be gotten easily even from places like dollar stores. 
• Write a list of people to send letters to and keep it in sight. It helps to have ideas of people to write because then you have a goal to actually work towards. Don't know whom to write? Here are some ideas. 
  • Grandparents
  • Close family who live farther away
  • Friends you don't get to see often (or maybe just send them one anyways even if they live close!)
  • Missionaries/Missionary kids
  • Cousins and other relatives
  • Your favorite author, musician, etc
  • An online friend 
  • Nursing home residents
  • Military
• If you get a letter in return, try to reply right away. If you can't at the moment, place it in a location where you won't forget about it. 
• If you don't have stamps or you live in a country where you can't put outgoing mail in your own mailbox, start a habit of going to the post office or post box on a certain day. As you write letters, place them together ready to go, so you can take a batch with you to post. Depending on how many letters you write, this could be a certain day every week, or perhaps every other week or once a month.  

Do you have any ideas for what you could send in a letter? Comment below with your thoughts, because I'd love to hear them!