REASONS TO WRITE
We've compiled our favorite Reasons to Write from past years below.
+ To send a friend a recipe for a great day.
+ To create an artifact and capture a moment in time.
+ To send a sketch of your garden. It will never look exactly the same again.
+ To write to a kid to teach them how fun it is to receive a letter. Ask for them to write back so that they can have fun sending one too.
+ To write a former teacher to let him or her know what you remember about their class and what you’re doing these days.
+ To decorate the envelope.
+ To practice your penmanship, play with letterforms, and have fun expressing yourself on the page!
+ To send a letter with a fun activity in it (the crossword cut out? word search? A tic tac toe game with one square started?).
+ To congratulate someone on an achievement big or small.
+ To send a friend a recommendation for a book that you read, really liked, and think they might too.
+ To say the things that are difficult to articulate in person.
+ To ask an older relative to record a memory.
+ To leave a legacy--make it really good and your letter may live longer than you.
+ To write a thank you to the barista who always makes your coffee just how you like it.
+ To write a haiku about the recipient.
+ To send your favorite recipe to a fellow cook.
+ To keep a travelogue on your next trip and send the entire thing to one lucky reader.
+ To send a letter from your pet to a friend’s pet.
+ To share a moment with someone you can't be with in person.
+ To send a letter in multiple parts - like a serial podcast or tv show where they have to wait for the next episode.
+ To send a self addressed stamped envelope with your letter so you get one back.
+ To send a handwritten “text" – a little note about your day, a one-liner, or a thought to a friend.
+ To try an experiment - to see what the US Postal system will deliver. A boomerang? A Potato?
+ To share a list of the best movies you’ve seen all year.
+ To write a casual invite. Please drop in for tea on Friday between 1-5!
+ To replace an old habit with a new one. Every time you think of biting your nails (for example), write a letter instead!
+ To send a mini interview! Ask a friend basic things you don’t know about them or fun things you’ve been curious about.
+ To send a letter with a specific day of the week in mind – like a letter for a Monday where the envelope might say Open on a Monday only!
+ To send a note with an old photo you found – reminiscing about the time, place or funny fashion in those days.
+ To save the US Postal Service.
+ To send a re-thank you for a gift you received, have already thanked for but use so much you want to thank again.
+ To send a "thinking of you" note – example: listened to a podcast interviewing Mike Watt and was reminded of our college days.
+ To send a cheer up message– a note to a friend who has had a tough go of it lately.
+ To send a note to a business where you recently received great service.
+ To send a note to a child – they don't often get mail!
+ To send a note to an elderly person – related to you or not.
+ To send a letter to your roommate, partner, or spouse – someone who lives in the same house as you.
+ To send a letter to a friend you haven't seen in a while.
+ To send a letter to a friend you just saw to tell them how nice it was to spend time with them.
+ To write a nice note to teachers of all kinds: your kids teachers, your yoga teacher, an old boss who taught you something.
+ To send a note to someone you think of often (and you don't know if they know that you do).
+ To write a note to someone you admire from afar.
+ To write a note to your doctor or acupuncturist to thank them.
+ To send a clipping from the paper, article or horoscope.
+ To write a note to the mail carrier. How many letters do they get?
+ To write to someone who has moved or just gone off to college.
+ To write someone in the hospital or who's dealing with an illness.
+ To send a belated thank you – it's never too late.
+ To mark obscure holidays that don't have cards.
+ To record a remembrance and share a memory.
+ To write a company who made a product you like.
+ To send a letter to someone in the military.
+ To revive a correspondence with an old pen pal.
+ To write a letter to a foreign exchange student.
+ To write someone who isn't on Facebook.
+ To write a letter to your future self.
+ To write a letter to a neighbor telling them how much you enjoy their tree, garden, house.
+ To write a letter to a housebound senior and offer to lend a hand.
+ To arrange a puppy play date.
+ To write a letter with checkbox questions that can be filled out and returned.