Postcards and The Art of Correspondence
Many in modern society quip that postcards are just vacationers bragging about their life, however traditionalists maintain that they are a sentimental courtesy. The purpose of a post card is to let the recipients know that they are still being thought of, and kept close to heart, even though they may be thousands of miles away. The writer has taken time out of their voyage to think about the folks back at home, and often consider how nice it would be if they could share in the experience.
Postcards Can Reflect Art & Culture
The embodiment of that sharing is the postcard. If you are staying at a Disney resort you'll often find complimentary postcards in your room's stationary kit, and the gift shops of Walt Disney World offer fantastic opportunities to express many sentiments on dozens of Disney postcards. My favorite postcard is from the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Shorter than a regular letter, postcards allow writers to express what's happening on their trip in just a few short sentences, yet offer a unique greeting with more care and heart than an email.
How To Write A Post Card:
- Begin the message with warm greetings, you could ask about how things are at home.
- Write about something interesting that is going on at your location. Keep the message short and free of unnecessary details.
- Avoid making repetitive statements.
- Conclude the message with warm wishes and a pleasant farewell.
- Sign the card with your name, and the names of other vacationers in your party.
Post cards have been popular in the United States since their deregulation in 1907. At that time, the split back was created, allowing correspondence to be written on the address side of the card, prior to that correspondence was only allowed on the side with the image.
Postcards Illustrate Your Travels
Did you know that postcards are the world's largest collector item after coins and stamps? Postcards also make a great souvenir and continue to be a lovely way to send greetings to those you care for from around the world. Even though recent years have brought with them sizable increases in postal rates, and free e-cards dominate modern card giving, the popularity of the postcard continues to rise.
I love postcards, both sending them and getting them in the mail. I find them to be charming and considerate. Do you send post cards? Do you like to get postcards? Leave a comment below and let me know what kind of correspondence you enjoy!
DonaldDork wrote on Thu, 10/20/2011 - 05:31:
I love to send postcards.. it's a fun and inexpensive way to tell people at home you're thinking of them.
I have several friends that collect them, so before any trip I am sure to purchase several postcard stamps to carry in my wallet. This way, I'm always ready with a stamp so I can drop the cards in the mailboxes in the parks! I try to make the notes funny.. I'm quite sure anyone that handles the card reads it as well! I was recently in Nashville, and I handed a stack of postcards to the desk clerk to include with the mail.. and she made no effort to hide the fact that she was reading each one as she walked to the back! I have a "secret message" that I include in every postcard to one of my friends too.. sometimes that's the only thing I write on the card.
Another thing that I do is.. I send cards to myself. They are fun to receive once I get home! I like to write what I"m doing that day, or something funny that happened... it's a fun way to remember the trip!
Some of my more organized friends buy two of the same card, send one to themselves then put together a memory book... one side showing the sent card with the writing, and using the other card to show the picture.
hmmmm I need to get more organized.
Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 10/20/2011 - 17:56:
Those are some great post card tips! I would have never thought of sending secret messages, or sending them to myself to help remember special moments. How creative!
JoAnn C wrote on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 00:13:
I don't send post cards too often when I travel. I do collect them so I always pick up a few while on vacation.
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