What To Write To Your Pen Pal

I regularly run pen pal sign ups here  (you can check this page for details of monthly activities) and share snail mail tips and Where to Find Pen Pals. So let’s assume that you are now all set and have a pen pal to write to. But the question is, what to write to your pen pal?

What to write to your pen pal - a little snail mail inspiration and ideas for letter writing. Love happy mail!

Well, the first tip here is to be yourself. Just as when you meet a person face to face, be real as it’s the best way for a friendship to form.

These are real friendships, as anyone who has been pen palling for a while will tell you, and just because you may be miles from one another and may have never ‘met’, you can still be friends in this way.

So start as you mean to go on and imagine yourself meeting someone for the first time.

writing paper and pen

A few suggestions of what to say about yourself to your pen pal:

Your family situation
Work, study, whatever you get up to each day
Your favourite pastimes and hobbies
Why you’re pen palling, and whether you write to other people
A little about your home town/country
Anything significant that’s going on in your life at the moment
That you’re looking forward to hearing from them!

With these, do pop in questions as you’re going through as you’re likely to want to know the same things about your new pen pal.

Do remember you’ve plenty of time to get to know one another, so you do not need to share your entire life story, hopes, dreams and wishes in one ling missive!

So initial letters sent, you’ll now know a little more about one another. From there, your letters will probably flow more naturally as you respond to one another’s news and questions. If you’re looking for other topics, then try…

 

Ongoing pen pal chat:

Breaks, trips and events that you have enjoyed
Any TV shows/films you’ve been watching
Share what you’re reading at the moment
Family and personal news
Updates on ongoing tales that you’re sharing
Things you’re looking forward to
Plans and changes on the horizon

In all of the above, just ask the same questions of your pen pal.

If you’re on the lookout for a little more inspiration, then you can now get The Pen Pal Pack in store, along with a range of Pen Pal Fun Packs. 

Get The Pen Pal Pack Here! The pack takes the question out of ‘what to write?’ as along with writing paper, it includes fun mail tags and sheets to either complete or send, or both! There are two complete designs in one pack, here’s a little glimpse….

Pen Pal Printables

As an added extra, you might also like to try little things like Mail Tags and Pocket Letters going forward as they are fun to prepare and to receive.

And my final tip on what to write? Enjoy it.

This is a fun hobby to have and it is lovely to both pen a letter and to receive some happy mail. Savour the moments and have fun with your snail mail. 

Are you snail mailing?

If you’re new to Bring Back Paper, you can find out more about it all here. You can join our Facebook group here and you can sign up to join my mailing list below, for all the latest news, updates, ideas and activities. 

 

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18 thoughts on “What To Write To Your Pen Pal”

  1. Reading this post made me realize that I haven’t had a pen pal in ages! I used to write to my pen pal all the time. The tips you shared are really on point. Aw, I kinda miss it now! Too bad I missed the sign up but if you do another in the future, I’ll definitely join in ^^

    1. Oh yes, I’ll run another one as people have loved it and I think there’s a real interest in putting pen to paper like this again. Look out for it!

      1. I too would like to sign up. It sounds amazing. I’ve always wanted a penpal! Will you be doing this again soon?

        1. I tend to run these sign ups once or twice a year at the most, they take up huge amounts of time!

          In the meantime, you can ask for pen pals over at the Bring Back Paper Facebook group or take a look at my Bring Back Paper Memberships as they offer an ongoing pen pal sign up.

  2. I absolutely love snail mail! It’s so nice to receive little goodies in the post and to write to people all over the world!

    It can get expensive though as there’s so many cute must haves for snail mailing!

  3. Lovely ideas! I used to have lots of pen pals when I was a child but I don’t have anyone that I write to regularly now. I need to get into the habit of sending more letters!

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  7. I’m so happy I ran across this blog. I love the idea of pen palling, snail mail, etc. It has become almost a lost art, and I would like to be apart of reviving/keeping it going. I’m a retired grandmother, living alone, so thank you for this opportunity.

  8. Hi – my name is Joan, I have been pen palling for about 20 plus years and love it. I really enjoy decorating my stationary and envelopes. When my mail box is empty I am a bit disappointed but that gives me something to look forward to the next day.

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