I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sat down with a postcard, pen in hand, address already written, stamp licked… and then thought: “But what do I actually write?”
Quick note before we start: I always read the recipient’s Postcrossing profile first. Most people leave hints about what they enjoy (some even list specific requests). It saves time and makes the card feel personal.
But if you’ve been stuck too – welcome to the club. Writing “Greetings from Lithuania” ten times in a row gets old fast. So here are simple, real-life ideas you can scribble before the mailbox swallows your card:
1) The weather (yes, really) 🌦
Cliché? Absolutely. But still fun. Compare today’s weather with yesterday’s. Has autumn arrived? Are we all melting? Some of the postcrossers are asking to put the temperature on the card, so this info really matters!
Let’s series postcard
2) Your day in three words ✍️
“Coffee, packing, chaos.” (Mine today.) Write your three words and add one line for each.
3) Book, movie, or song 📚🎶
What are you reading/watching/listening to? Even a bad pick is still a story.
4) Food talk 🍕
Lunch, a favourite dish, a local snack, or the weirdest thing you’ve tried. People love food chat.
5) A small local detail 🏠
Street name, a funny shop nearby, a local habit or seasonal tradition.
Straw Gardens
6) Weekend plans (or none) 🛋
Say what you’re planning. “Napping counts” is a valid sentence.
7) Postcrossing itself 💌
Your card count, the farthest traveller, or a delivery that vanished in the postal Bermuda Triangle.
8) Ask one question ❓
Coffee or tea? Cats or dogs? City or forest? People love answering.
9) Random fact 🤓
One tiny fun fact you recently learned. (Snails can sleep for years. Mood.)
10) Draw something ✏️
A tiny doodle: flower, stamp, cat, mailbox. Handmade always feels nice.
So next time you freeze, remember: this isn’t a mini-novel. A few genuine lines (or a doodle) is enough to make someone’s mailbox happier. And if all else fails, talk about the weather, as I said. It always works. 🌦💌
So… what else do people usually ask?
After writing hundreds (okay, thousands) of postcards, I’ve noticed that many Postcrossers end up googling the same questions. Let’s put some answers here in one place, maybe it saves you a search or two:
FAQ
What do you write on a Postcrossing card?
A few genuine lines based on the recipient’s profile are enough: your day, a local detail, a book recommendation, or even a silly weather report. For. eg. on my profile you will find this sentence: “If you do not know what to write, tell me what you do with cards you don’t like :)”
👉 Need postcards to get started? Check out my Everything for Postcrossing section.
How long should a postcard message be?
3–6 short sentences usually do the trick. If you run out of words, add a doodle or a small sticker.
👉 My sticker sheets are designed exactly for this.
Is it okay to write about the weather?
Yes! Just make it specific or funny: “I think the sun lasted about 12 minutes today.”
Should I follow profile requests?
If you can, yes. It makes the card feel thoughtful and increases the chance of a happy Hurray.
Where do I find postcards for Postcrossing?
Postcrossers love a variety of themes: landscapes, animals, illustrations, and seasonal cards. You’ll find plenty in my Postcard shop.
What if the card I sent gets lost?
It happens. Postal systems aren’t perfect. After 60 days, it will expire, but the act of sending still counts as part of the fun.
Can I send extras inside an envelope?
Yes, if the recipient’s profile says they enjoy it. Small things like tea bags, stickers, or washi samples are common. Just be mindful of postage rules.
👉 For cute extras, check out my memo pads or washi tapes.
Do I have to send only postcards?
For Postcrossing, yes, it’s the rule. But for penpals or friends, you can mix it up with greeting cards or decorated letters.
👉 I’ve recently added greeting cards if you like a folded format.
Do I have more questions?
Feel free to write a comment or instagram message!
