I started Pocket Letters when I got into pen paling in 2017 and loved it so much!
Today I’ll be teaching you how to make them and what you need. So let’s get started!
Today I’ll be teaching you how to make them and what you need. So let’s get started!
What's a Pocket Letter? Pocket Letters are a new way to send letters to your new or
existing penpals. It's a penpal letter in pocket format. Basically, you fill all the pockets
of a 9 Pocket Trading Card Protector and send the whole page to someone who wants
to swap with you. This can be a one-time exchange or you can keep exchanging
Pocket Letters. You fill the pockets with anything you like (stickers, tea bags, a note,
washi tape samples, pictures, die cuts, charms,etc.) A short note or letter is included
and tucked into one of the pockets. Then the Pocket Letter is folded up and sent in an
envelope. It's the perfect way to send and collect letters from other Pocket Letter Pals
(ie people who are sending mail in this format) around the world and a convenient way
to store them. They fit perfectly in a binder! You can also do mini pocket letters! Yes!
I said mini! They are one row of three baseball card pockets!
existing penpals. It's a penpal letter in pocket format. Basically, you fill all the pockets
of a 9 Pocket Trading Card Protector and send the whole page to someone who wants
to swap with you. This can be a one-time exchange or you can keep exchanging
Pocket Letters. You fill the pockets with anything you like (stickers, tea bags, a note,
washi tape samples, pictures, die cuts, charms,etc.) A short note or letter is included
and tucked into one of the pockets. Then the Pocket Letter is folded up and sent in an
envelope. It's the perfect way to send and collect letters from other Pocket Letter Pals
(ie people who are sending mail in this format) around the world and a convenient way
to store them. They fit perfectly in a binder! You can also do mini pocket letters! Yes!
I said mini! They are one row of three baseball card pockets!
What's a Mail Tag? This is probably the second most asked question. Mail tags are
popular in the penpal community. It's a specific set of questions that you ask your
penpal. Then when your penpal replies, that they can answer your Mail Tag and
ask you some questions in return. It's like, "TAG! You're it! Answer these questions
for me!"
Some questions I tend to ask are:
popular in the penpal community. It's a specific set of questions that you ask your
penpal. Then when your penpal replies, that they can answer your Mail Tag and
ask you some questions in return. It's like, "TAG! You're it! Answer these questions
for me!"
Some questions I tend to ask are:
-What are your TOP 5 Favorite movies?
-Best book you read last year?
- Chocolate or Vanilla?
-4 things you do on a lazy day.
-Best book you read last year?
- Chocolate or Vanilla?
-4 things you do on a lazy day.
These questions can be as creative as you like.
Make the questions on the shorter side, and only ask a few.
If you're only doing a one-time swap, then Mail Tags aren't practical since you'll only
be exchanging once, unless you include your answers to your own questions as well.
But it is a good idea if you're planning on swapping Pocket Letters indefinitely.
You don't have to include a Mail Tag at all. You can substitute it for a pretty card or you
can include literal paper tags for your pal to use in paper crafting instead. It's up to you!
Make the questions on the shorter side, and only ask a few.
If you're only doing a one-time swap, then Mail Tags aren't practical since you'll only
be exchanging once, unless you include your answers to your own questions as well.
But it is a good idea if you're planning on swapping Pocket Letters indefinitely.
You don't have to include a Mail Tag at all. You can substitute it for a pretty card or you
can include literal paper tags for your pal to use in paper crafting instead. It's up to you!
Do I have to decorate each pocket and the backside? No.
Some people use double-sided paper. Others just stuff a pocket with goodies to
avoid decorating each pocket. It's up to you. Anything goes!
Some people use double-sided paper. Others just stuff a pocket with goodies to
avoid decorating each pocket. It's up to you. Anything goes!
What do I say in the letter portion if it's just a one-time swap? If you're doing a one
-time swap, then make your letter more of an informal introduction.
Here's what I tend to write:
-time swap, then make your letter more of an informal introduction.
Here's what I tend to write:
Hello! Thanks so much for swapping Pocket Letters. I appreciate it. Here's a little about
me. My name is Courtney and I live in IL with my beloved soon to be husband.
I enjoy papercrafts, snailmail, and planners. When I'm not working or crafting,
I like to blog, plant, have lazy , and play with my dog etc. etc....
Thanks again for swapping with me and I hope your Pocket Letters collection
continues to grow. The letter doesn't have to be long, unless you want it to be.
me. My name is Courtney and I live in IL with my beloved soon to be husband.
I enjoy papercrafts, snailmail, and planners. When I'm not working or crafting,
I like to blog, plant, have lazy , and play with my dog etc. etc....
Thanks again for swapping with me and I hope your Pocket Letters collection
continues to grow. The letter doesn't have to be long, unless you want it to be.
How much is postage to send a letter domestically (within the US)
& internationally (worldwide)?
It depends on the weight. If you can make your contents on the flatter side and use
lightweight paper, then it should be less than $1 (within the US). If it's bulkier, it may
be more. International rates for flat letters (in envelopes no bigger than a 10) are
$1.15. If it's heavy and bulky it could be up to $10. It just depends. International
shipping is pricey and you'll have to go to the Post Office a few times just to
make sure. Once you get the hang of it, then you can just mail your letters
from home. Also, in my experience, some postal workers are more
lenient than others. Some felt the letters for bulky items and one even made me
fill out a customs form for a paperclip being sent internationally. Others don't "feel
up your letters" (Haha!) at all. Most postal workers are very polite
(they get a bad rep, I think) and will help you with any questions you have.
Please check with your local post office for official rates!
& internationally (worldwide)?
It depends on the weight. If you can make your contents on the flatter side and use
lightweight paper, then it should be less than $1 (within the US). If it's bulkier, it may
be more. International rates for flat letters (in envelopes no bigger than a 10) are
$1.15. If it's heavy and bulky it could be up to $10. It just depends. International
shipping is pricey and you'll have to go to the Post Office a few times just to
make sure. Once you get the hang of it, then you can just mail your letters
from home. Also, in my experience, some postal workers are more
lenient than others. Some felt the letters for bulky items and one even made me
fill out a customs form for a paperclip being sent internationally. Others don't "feel
up your letters" (Haha!) at all. Most postal workers are very polite
(they get a bad rep, I think) and will help you with any questions you have.
Please check with your local post office for official rates!
Do I have to send washi? Stickers? Tea? Paperclips? Etc. No. No. And no again. These are just things I typically send my regular pen pals and popular items to send penpals in the general snailmail community. They're lightweight and easy to mail. But they're not required, but oh so fun to receive! As long as you tuck a letter in one of the pockets, you're good. Just fill the pockets with anything you'd like.
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