Pen Paling Ideas

I have always been a huge fan of snail mail. There is something so fun and old-fashioned about receiving a handwritten note through the mail. Letter writing has played an important role in lives all throughout history. 

Since the dawn of the written language, people have communicated through handwritten notes. Some of the most important historical documents are actually letters. 

I think letters are a beautiful and important form of communication. We have lost so much in the transition to technology based communication. Actually writing letters gives you a chance to think more about what you are saying, and we have the opportunity to share things that are often missed in text messages, emails, and social media posts. In a letter there is space to fill up, so we find ourselves trying to describe the weather, a meal we ate. or the vacation we took. 

I have always loved letters and believed they were important. When I was in early elementary school I wrote letters to each of the three girls in my class at our small Christian school. Ever since, I have loved being a pen pal. At one point I had eight pen pals, living in three different states.

Now I only have two pen pals, but I still enjoy the process of sending and receiving letters so much. So, I decided to make a post about how to send letters, I'll be talking about everything from who to write to, what to write, how to make your letters pretty, and fun extras to include in your envelope. 

Let's get started!

Who To Write:
I think the best way to find a pen pal is to pick a friend you have and just write them a letter asking them to be your pen pal. They don't have to live far away at all, I have had pen pals who live in the same town as me! Pen paling is also a great way to stay in touch with friends who have moved away, or people you met at a camp. 

A really sweet gesture is also to write to an older person who may need a little bit of sunshine. Think older family members, people from your church, or even your neighbors. 

My other idea is to write a younger kid. This is one of my favorite ways to get a pen pal. There is nothing like being surprised with something in the mail when you are a kid, and it's very likely they'll want to write you back. It's also a great way to be a leader and an example in their lives.

Getting Started:
Writing a letter doesn't have to be hard. And although it's fun to be artsy with it, you really don't need any special tools or supplies.  

I love stationary and have lots of fun papers, as well as custom stationary with my name on it, but this really isn't necessary. Simple lined paper, printer paper, or even cards work really well.

Then, just pick a pen. I like using Sharpie Gel pens, or (to be extreme) my quill pen.

What to Write:
Start simple, ask your friend how they are, then talk about how you are. Tell them about your week, ask them fun questions (I'm including a list below.) 

If you want to make it fun, write some words in big letters like I did in the example down below, or write in a British accent asking your friend to read it in their best British accent, (thank you to one of my old pen pals for this idea!)

If you want to add some artsy style to your letters, but aren't a good artist, I highly recommend buying some scrapbook stickers and washi tape to spice things up.

Envelopes:
Addressing your envelope is pretty simple, but it can be a lot of fun to dress it up. I like adding polka dots or color splashes to mine. You can also write the return address on the back of the envelope to make the front more clean.

Questions to Ask Your Pen Pal:
Questions are a great way to fill up your letter and learn a little bit more about your friend. Here are some I like to use that go beyond favorite color and favorite food (though those are good questions too). Feel free to use any and all of them!

• What's one silly thing you can't live without?
• What Disney character reminds you most of yourself?
• What are three words you would use to describe your sense of style?
• What is your town like?
• If you were a potato, how would you be cooked?
• What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?
• If you could have any animal as a pet, what animal would you choose?
• What is something God has been teaching you?
• How can I be praying for you? (if you ask this, make sure you actually pray!)

Extras:
I love sending extra fun things into my letters, here are a few simple ideas that cost hardly anything.

Index cards  - Simply taking an index card and writing different things on them can be a great extra to put in your letter. Here are a few me and my pen pals send each other -

Playlists-

List of Boredom Busters -

​Book Lists -

Happy Lists-

Quotes -

Words and Definitions -

Another fun extra is poetry. You can write these on index cards as well, but lately I've enjoyed using scrapbook paper to do it!

Stickers - these are also really fun to send and receive in letters. 

I also love sending bookmarks either that I got from my library, or made myself. 

​If your pen pal lives in the same country as you, you can send pressed flowers and leaves.

One of my favorite things to send is packaged teabags. Especially if it's a tea I'm loving currently, or reminds me of the time of the year we're currently in.

Sealing it Off:
Then finally, once my letter is stuffed to the brim, I like to seal it with a wax seal. You can buy sealing kits for pretty cheap, and it's so worth it! It adds the perfect personal old fashioned touch to the letter.

See you next week friends!

Do you have a pen pal? What is your favorite thing to send them?

Belle Thomas

Belle is the writer behind An Old Fashioned Girl. She is passionate about Jesus, classic literature, and living a beautiful life.