Last week I received a special email: a note from Postcrossing congratulating me on my 17th anniversary with the project. Seventeen years! When you think about the fact that Postcrossing itself is celebrating its 20th birthday, it means I’ve been part of this amazing community for most of its life. That’s a long journey of postcards, stamps, and stories traveling across the world.
To mark the occasion, I decided to do something a little playful: I drew 17 addresses and will pick a postcard for each person based on their profile. Some profiles make the choice easy, others are more of a challenge, but that’s exactly the fun of Postcrossing. In this post, I’ll share the postcards I’ve chosen and the thought process behind them. Maybe it will inspire you for your own next sends!
Before we jump into the addresses, let me say this: I’ve always enjoyed the mix of freedom and challenge that Postcrossing profiles bring. Some members write long lists of wishes, others keep it short and sweet, and a few simply say “anything will do.” In the end, it’s never about finding the “perfect” card, but about making a thoughtful choice and sending a little piece of your world to someone else. So, let’s start!
🇨🇳 China
Profile wishes: Shaped or special cards, festival & celebrations, culinary arts, traditional attire, coffee, scenery of your country, UNESCO sites, animals, vintage photos.
My choice: Roofs of Vilnius Old Town – Nebula Postcard
Why this card?
I had many options to choose from, but decided to send this postcard showing Vilnius Old Town. It matches the request for “scenery of your country” and at the same time it represents a UNESCO site, since Vilnius Old Town is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. A little piece of my city to travel all the way to China.
🇺🇸 USA
Profile wishes: Very open! The member welcomes all kinds of postcards and especially enjoys little extras like tea bags, stickers, bookmarks, stamps, or anything unique from another country. Their profile also shows a love for travel and collecting things from around the world.
My choice: A cat postcard 🐱
Why this card?
Since the profile was very broad and full of enthusiasm for all kinds of mail, I decided to go with something friendly and universal: a cat postcard. Animals are mentioned throughout their profile, and cats are always a safe (and cute) choice. While I won’t be able to send all the little extras they listed, I hope this card brings a small piece of happiness to their mailbox.
🇩🇪 Germany
Profile wishes: A wonderfully detailed list including museums, tea, autumn themes, cemeteries, cacti, nighttime skies, dinosaurs, comfy armchairs, formally dressed gentlemen, hedgehogs, raccoons, sleeping cats, and many more. Clearly, a collector with a wide and thoughtful range of interests.
My choice: Autumn TEA Postcard 🍂
Why this card?
When I read “autumn themes and colours” and right after that “tea pots, tea mugs, tea bags”, I couldn’t help but smile, this card fits both so perfectly. A calm cup of tea surrounded by autumn leaves and berries feels like a little snapshot of their wishlist. Sometimes the match just happens so easily.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Profile wishes: Famous buildings, lighthouses, ships, airplanes, oldtimer cars, Formula 1, wild animals, birds, and even pin-up or nudes.
My choice: A postcard with a fox in the snow. 🦊❄️
Why this card?
The profile is packed with architecture and machines, but when I saw “wild animals” on the list, I knew exactly which card to pick. A fox in the snow feels strong and calm at the same time, a small reminder of how beautiful wildlife is, even in the simplest setting. Also, there was a note – no zoo, so I am happy to send a photo of a free fox.
🇫🇮 Finland
Profile wishes: Music, village life, streets, mosaics, moon illustrations, Alice in Wonderland, Friends TV show, theatre, animals (especially rabbits and dogs), and watercolor cityscapes.
My choice: A whimsical Alice in Wonderland postcard with the White Rabbit and Alice falling past mushroom houses. 🐇🍄
Why this card?
When I saw “Alice in Wonderland” on the list, I didn’t have to think twice. This illustration is playful, watercolor-soft, and magical in just the right way. It matches the profile perfectly – both the love for Alice variations and the fondness for dreamy illustrations.
🇧🇾 Belarus
Profile wishes: No strict preferences, just happy to receive postcards showing different places.
My choice: A postcard of Ukmergė – my hometown in Lithuania. 🏡
Why this card?
Since the profile is open to any place views, I decided to send something personal. Ukmergė isn’t the most famous city in Lithuania, but it’s where I grew up, so this card carries a little piece of my story too. I like the idea that the recipient will get a glimpse not just of Lithuania, but of my own roots.
🇷🇺 russia
Profile wishes: This time I didn’t focus on the list of interests.
My choice: A postcard with the silhouette of a girl running with a kite against the evening sky. 🌅 It is not from my shop.
Why this card?
To me, this image embodies freedom and peace. Sending postcards is a reminder that beyond borders and politics, there are people who want to live their lives in safety, joy, and kindness. I believe skies should stay calm, without fear, and I hope this card carries a small message to russia.
🇹🇼 Taiwan
Profile wishes: Wild animals, insects, flowers, maps, indigenous themes, comics, music-related cards… and in general, they are happy with anything.
My choice: I picked a postcard showing an illustrated A–Z of beetles.
Why this postcard?
Since they mentioned insects among their favorites, I thought this beetle alphabet would be both fun and unusual. It’s not just about showing one insect – it’s a whole collection of quirky beetles, each with its own personality. I like the mix of natural history and illustration style here. Personally, it reminded me of the children’s encyclopedias I loved to flip through when I was little. Hopefully it brings a smile and maybe even sparks curiosity about the tiny creatures that share our world.
🇮🇳 India
Profile wishes: History, other cultures, philately, maxicards, Postcrossing meetups, handmade cards, beautiful sceneries or illustrations.
My choice: A postcard full of colorful stamps from different countries.
Why this card?
Since philately is right there on the wishlist, this one felt like a natural pick. Instead of sending just one stamp on a postcard, this design is a whole celebration of them – tiny windows into history, culture, and travel. I like how every stamp tells its own little story, but together they form a collage of the world. It’s almost like a mini museum of paper treasures. I imagine the recipient flipping the card in their hands, recognizing some stamps and discovering others for the first time.
🇨🇳 China
Profile wishes
The postcrosser wrote that they like all kinds of postcards, but their absolute favorite is everything about rollerskating. They also mentioned maps, skiing, and the cartoon “The Mole.”
My choice
I picked a postcard full of colorful retro roller skates.
Why this card?
This profile made me smile the moment I read it – rollerskating is their favorite sport, and I just happened to have a postcard covered in bright, retro-style roller skates. It feels like the perfect match, as if the card was waiting exactly for this person. I love when that happens in Postcrossing: the wish list and my stash align so neatly that I don’t even need to hesitate.
🇺🇸 USA
Profile wishes
This postcrosser shares a warm glimpse into their life: they’re practicing pharmacy, live in California with their Labradoodle, and have two daughters. Their hobbies include volunteering at the local hospital, enjoying sports like football and basketball, and collecting postage stamps.
My choice
I selected a cheerful illustration of a pharmacist surrounded by medicine, plants, and little scientific details.
Why this card?
It felt like the most personal connection, sending a card that reflects their own profession and daily world. It’s a way to say: I read your profile carefully and chose something that represents you. And honestly, I also love when postcards tell a story beyond just a picture. This pharmacy postcard, with its sweet medical illustration, feels like a tiny tribute to the everyday heroes behind counters and in hospitals.
🇩🇪 Germany
Profile wishes
This Postcrosser’s list was full of themes, but one stood out the most: dolphins.
My choice
I picked a card from my animal illustration series showing different kinds of dolphins: Pacific white-sided, common, Atlantic spotted, and bottlenose.
Why this card?
It fits their wishlist perfectly, and I like how educational it is too. It’s not just a cute animal picture, but also a small learning piece. Sending this card feels like a good mix of fun and knowledge, something that matches both their love for dolphins and for “Did you know…” type cards. I have a whole “Alphabet and Chart postcards” category!
Profile wishes
This Postcrosser from Hong Kong likes a mix of themes: nature, portraits, special animals, gardens, forests, anime characters, super-heroines, traditional costumes, fairy tales, small towns, and even sporty or stylish figures. Quite a broad and colorful list!
My choice
I picked a fairy tale–themed card, full of familiar storybook characters and a bright, playful castle rising from the pages of an open book.
Why this card?
Since “fairy tales” are on their wishlist, this felt like the perfect fit. It combines classic characters and a sense of imagination, exactly the kind of card that can bring a little magic to a mailbox.
🇧🇾 Belarus
Profile wishes
This postcrosser didn’t leave any special wishes or preferences in their profile, but I noticed they clearly state they do not support the regime in their country. That already tells me something important about their values and outlook.
My choice
I picked a postcard created especially for World Postcard Day, with cheerful colors and a playful design.
Why this card?
Since the profile gave me no direction, I thought the best choice would be something neutral yet joyful – a card that celebrates the very hobby connecting us. Sending a World Postcard Day card feels like a safe but meaningful way to share a smile and a reminder of the joy in exchanging postcards across borders.
🇫🇷 France
Profile wishes
This postcrosser keeps it simple: their main wish is to receive postcards showing the sender’s own country. Anything else is still welcome, but cards rooted in local culture and views are their clear preference.
My choice
I picked a black-and-white postcard of Klaipėda, Lithuania, a view of the harbor with boats and the Old Mill Hotel.
Why this card?
It directly reflects my country and its coastal charm. Klaipėda is Lithuania’s only seaport, and sending this card is a way of sharing a piece of home with someone who enjoys discovering places through postcards. The monochrome style also adds a timeless atmosphere, making the view even more striking.
🇫🇮 Finland
Profile wishes
This postcrosser keeps it short and sweet: they are an artist, a painter, and they love dogs. Those three words are enough to understand what makes them smile.
My choice
I picked a playful “Dogs Alphabet” postcard featuring different breeds from A to Z.
Why this card?
It felt like the perfect mix of their passions, a card that’s both visually artistic and full of dogs. It’s fun, colorful, and likely to spark inspiration for someone who paints and adores animals.
🇷🇺 russia
Profile wishes
For this profile, I decided not to focus on the listed wishes. Given the current situation, sending to russia is always emotionally complicated for me. I fully support Ukraine, yet Postcrossing rules encourage us to keep the chain of postcards unbroken.
My choice
I chose a postcard showing a silhouette of a girl flying a paper plane into the evening sky.
Why this card?
The image speaks of freedom, hope, and the wish for peace that rises higher than any borders.
All the cards are finally picked and matched with their new owners. Now comes the fun part: decorating. Luckily, I have a good stash of Postcrossing stickers, so each card will get a little extra touch before it travels out into the world. Seventeen addresses, seventeen stories, and a tiny piece of me in each envelope. Time to stick, scribble, and send.
