Last year, I introduced World Postcard Day on my blog. I went over the history of mail and why World Postcard day is Celebrated on October 1st.

This year, I want to give a COMPLETE guide on how to participate this year. That includes where to find postcards, where to send them, how to send cards, and I will take you along with me as I write a card using the Postcrossing website step-by-step!

Since I will be posting this call to action a week in advance, there is plenty of time over the weekend to gather cards, stamps, and get ready to celebrate the joy of snail mail.

Where Do I Find Postcards?

There are many ways to access postcards, and they may be closer than you think.

I have found postcards in (USA):

• Gas Stations
• Book stores such as Barnes and Noble and locally owned bookstores
• Some large department stores such as Walmart
• National and State Parks
• Small gift shops
• State or city Welcome Centers

There are also lots of websites that sell postcards, such as:

• Amazon
• Etsy
• Redbubble
• Changingworld.com, I am obsessed with their “Greetings From” space cards
• andersondesigngroupstore.com, they have some awesome national parks designs

Among many other websites!

Where Do I send Postcards?

So now you have a nice stack of cards, but where do you send them? Everywhere! Including but not limited to:

• Friends and family– This is the most safe-zone friendly option. When was the last time you recieved something fun in the mail that wasn’t spam, bills, or the occasional wedding invite? The same probably goes for your friends and family. Even if you text back and forth every day, live in the same area, or especially if you haven’t seen them in a while, make their day by sending them some happy mail. If you live close by, you don’t even have to use postage, just slip it into their mailbox as a surprise to let them know you are thinking about them.

• Postcrossing.com– This is my most used website for sending postcards, and is the website that began World Postcard Day in the first place. With this website, you can send and receive postcards from around the world! This is the website that I will be using to give you the how-to in terms of postcard writing, so I will save the full details for later.

• Swap-bot.com– This website is another most-used website for me, though not only for postcards. This is the website that I swap my ATCs and zines, and there are many more kinds of swaps there. This is not a randomized website like Postcrossing, you enter swaps made and facilitated by other swappers. Lately there have been Gateway Errors while trying to enter the site, but there is still a good active population there.

• Facebook groups- I know this is a popular way to join in swaps, especially for avid collectors of stamps and even postcard brands. I have not joined any groups or swapped on Facebook though.

How?

Allow me to introduce you to the anatomy of the postcard:

You have your image side, and the message side. Below is a photo of the message side.

Most postcards will have a line down the middle. You write your message on the left side, and on the right side you write the address of the recipient. The stamp goes in the upper right corner.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a postcard to send is its size. Within the US, postcards can be sent using a postcard stamp if the card does not exceed 4.5 x 6 inches. Anything larger will require a Forever Stamp or additional postage.

All postcards being sent internationally that do not exceed 5 x 7 inches use one International Stamp.

One Misconception I’ve Experienced

When I was sending out my own designed cards from my pet’s birthday party, I gave some to my boyfriend to send out to whoever he wanted. After they were received, one person said that in their state, you have to put your return address on all mail including postcards, and basically said that he did something wrong. I will debunk that.

For postcards coming or going anywhere in the world, you do not need to have a return address. It is completely optional, and depending on the length of your message, there may not be space anyway. If you choose to add one, keep it small and away from the address section of the card so that the machines don’t misread it.

There is a disheartening feeling to be had when you go to your mailbox excited just to see your own mail sent back to you, postage wasted. Ask me how I know. Actually don’t, it hurts to think about!

The Message

Speaking of messages, what do you write? Here are some of the most common things I add to postcards:

• Hello from ___
• Weather
• What has been going on that day
• Weekend plans
• Notes on something from their Postcrossing profile, a question about themselves.
• Something unique to my location (geography, events, holidays)
• Movies/shows I’ve watched recently
• Well wishes for the recipient

Alright, let me show you everything we’ve learned into practice!

Write a Postcrossing Card With Me Step-By-Step

Since Postcrossing is the main host of this holiday each year, I want to take you with me to send a card through their website.

After you create your profile, the steps are pretty simple! All you do is click “Send a Card”, then you agree to the terms that you will send a card out to the recipient.

I am going to expose myself, I am not organized at all! I store all of my cards in this vintage collapsable basket that I’m pretty sure is meant for sewing materials. I shove all of my postcards, international and US postcard stamps, some pens and highlighters and there’s probably some stickers floating around in there too.

Most of my blank postcards are vintage and come from a huge box that I convinced my dad to bid for at a local auction when I was maybe 15. Lots of the cards had writing, but many didn’t and I had a fun time sorting through all of them. I have also collected cards from vacations and little day trips, some have been gifted to me, and some just magically appear ;). No, really, I have no idea where they came from.

When you get your first recipient, you will see their bio for their profile as well as their address and the Postcrossing code that is unique to your correspondence with this person. Sending and receiving a postcard on Postcrossing is completely random, and only the sender receives an address.

I pulled a profile from China, cool! I read their profile and they said they like animals and are big stamp collectors. I will go through my cards and pull a few that they may like. Really, you can send any clean, blank postcard that you have, you don’t have to go out and buy specific cards just because people ask for it. Postcrossing is about connection, not necessarily collection.

The preferences and likes/dislikes that you may see on profiles is just something to go off of if you have a large variety of blank cards or as a topic to talk about on the card itself.

After sifting through my cards, I decided on this manatee card I got during my beach vacation this past summer. This is just personal preference, but if I am sending a card internationally, I am more likely to send a tourist card from my own travels. When I send within the USA, I will choose a card that’s specific to my area.

The first thing I write on the card is the address and the postcrossing code. I write the postcrossing code twice in different spots on the writing section of the card, somewhere along the edges. Without the code, your card can’t be registered and you can’t receive one back! If you would like, you can also add small stickers or line the border of the card with a marker, but it is completely optional. Then you write your message!

“Dear ____,

Hello from (Your location)! My name is ____ and today is a nice early Autumn day. I got this postcard while ______ I read that you like _____, I also enjoy it! I work as a/ am in school for _____ and I enjoy it/wish to do something different. One unique thing about my area is _____(Landmarks, festivals, local spots, cultural). I hope you have a great day.

Happy Postcrossing,

________”

That is just an example of a complete message. Depending on space, you may write less or more. What you share is up to you! I have received cards with people sharing the dream they had last night, childhood stories, or simply a list of fun facts about their area.

I finish my postcard off with one of my new stamps!

I hope she enjoys it, and I find satisfaction with the fact that I have an ocean stamp paired with an ocean card lol!

Now I will drop this card off in the outgoing mail, and try to be patient!

Conclusion

Phew, who knew there was so much to say about a small flat rectangle that has a picture on it? Well, I guess I kinda knew, I do talk about postcards all the time😜! Hopefully I covered all the bases for anyone wanting to start sending postcards and didn’t know how to start. I remember being scared to request my first card on Postcrossing, I have no idea why!

Don’t forget, October first!