Sending a postcard to friends, family or loved ones on a trip is the perfect way to show your affection and also to give them a glimpse of the places you are visiting. By choosing the one with the appropriate image and knowing the standard postcard size, you will ensure that the card reaches the recipient correctly. Being able to tell your experience in such a small space in a captivating way can also be pleasant for both, both for the writer and for the receiver.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Setting up the Postcard
Step 1. Choose a postcard that represents you or your trip
One of the best things about writing a postcard is choosing the image; think about the person you want to send it to and decide which representation they would like best.
- If you're traveling, find one with a photograph of your favorite place.
- You can buy postcards in supermarkets, souvenir shops and in the streets of the areas most frequented by tourists.
Step 2. Write your message on the back of the postcard, on the left side
Turn the postcard, you will notice a vertical line in the center dividing a white space on the left and a space with horizontal lines on the right. On the right side you will write the complete address of the recipient.
- Do not write on the front side, as postal workers don't even look at that side of the postcard.
- Make your writing as clear as possible. Better to use a ballpoint pen, in order to avoid ink smudges.
Step 3. Paste the stamp in the upper right corner
Buy stamped values in tobacconists or souvenir shops that also sell postcards. If you are abroad and need a stamp from the country of origin, you can order it online; moisten the back of the stamped value and paste it in the box located in the upper right corner of the postcard.
- You can buy the stamps at any post office.
- Placing the stamp in a different place than the top right corner could confuse post office staff and increase the chances of the postcard being lost.
Step 4. Write the date on the left side
This is a nice detail to allow people to relive some memories when they look at the postcard in the future. Put the date in the upper left corner of the post office stamp so the recipient knows exactly when you wrote it. For example, you could write something like this:
- 4th July 2017
- Grand Canyon, Arizona
Step 5. Greet the recipient on the left side
A greeting makes the recipient feel special and appreciated, as well as making the postcard more heartfelt and more like a real letter. Write your greeting in the upper left corner of the back of the postcard, leaving space just below for the message.
- Start with "Dear (name)" if you want to be formal
- If you want to be less formal, use "Hello (name)"
Step 6. Write your message text in the left half
Writing a postcard is an exciting thing because in a limited space you have to be able to send a concise and effective message. When you start writing on the left half, make sure you have enough space and organize what you want to express; you certainly don't want to find yourself in mid-sentence without being able to continue!
Once you've written the text, don't forget to add your signature, again in the lower left corner
Part 2 of 3: Writing the Postcard
Step 1. Start with something personal and touching
Let the recipient know that you miss him or that you are thinking about him during the trip and that you can't wait to see him again. Starting the message like this will make the other person feel loved. Here are two examples:
- "I was just thinking of you"
- "I wish you were here with me!"
Step 2. Tell us about the day you enjoyed the most during the trip
Given the small size of the postcard, it is difficult to describe the whole experience; limiting yourself to a single day or a single memory, you do not run the risk of running out of space. Tell the recipient what you enjoyed and why you remember that day so well.
- Add as much detail as possible, but always consider the space available.
- If the postcard depicts a specific place on your trip, such as the Grand Canyon, consider limiting yourself to your description of that particular place. You can always send more postcards from other places.
Step 3. Enter some news of the weather
You can describe particularly interesting weather conditions, inform the person if it has rained, if it has snowed, or how wonderful the weather is; being able to give the recipient an idea of what the weather is like there will make them feel closer to you.
It is not necessary to be detailed. Just a short sentence like "It's so hot in here!" or "It was so cold I had to wear two coats!"
Step 4. Write about the best meal you enjoyed on the go
Describe where you ate, what you ordered and how it tasted; go into detail to outline a vivid picture of your experience and allow those at home to experience it in a new way.
This is not absolutely necessary, but it can be a great idea if the dish is a typical specialty of the place
Step 5. Conclude the message with your plans for the future
Whether you want to move to a new location or come home soon, it's always a useful detail to put on a postcard. Briefly describe the itinerary of the rest of the trip or at least its outline in order to inform the person of the places where you will be in the future.
If you plan to be back soon, finish the text with "See you soon" or "I can't wait to meet you"
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Step 1. Don't write any information that is too personal
The back of the postcard is visible and anyone handling it can read the message. Avoid jotting down things you wouldn't tell a stranger, such as banking information, intimate secrets, or other details that may favor an identity thief.
If you have to write something personal, consider using a letter. Remember that what is written on the back of the postcard is visible
Step 2. Make sure that the written message does not "invade" the right side of the postcard
It is essential to confine it to the portion on the left to ensure that the postcard reaches its destination; if you write part of the text in the address area, you could make it illegible and confuse post office staff.
If you need to talk about too many things, consider sending a letter as well. Keep the message concise on the postcard and stretch out on the letter
Step 3. If you are staying in a location for some time, consider adding a return address as well
Write it down in the upper left corner of the postcard; if you plan to travel within a month, add the address of your next destination. This detail is only useful if you know exactly where you will be in the future.
If your trip involves many stages, skip this step. By the time the recipient receives the postcard and sends the response, you may have already moved elsewhere
Step 4. Write legibly, especially the address portion
Bad or scruffy handwriting could cause the postcard to be rejected by the post office or to the wrong recipient. If you are concerned that you may not write well, practice on a scrap sheet before writing the address on the actual postcard; make sure the recipient's and sender's addresses are both clearly decipherable.
