Dateline: February 1st around the world and the start of LetterMo!
Thank you to all who have registered to join our community of letter writers – newbies and long term LetterMoians.
Remember that you need to log in to the members only forums
For the newbies and a refresher for those returning, look for the START HERE thread in the forums
Say hello in the Introduction thread
Remember to write your return address in your letter in case the envelope gets separated from the envelope
Record your new penpal addresses in a separate location other than on the website.
Write back to everyone you receive a letter from.
LetterMo embraces the spirit of letter writing. We encourage you to do your best and what fits with your life – and adjust accordingly when life happens. If you miss a day, write two the next or make your goal for a total number of letters if you’re unable to write everyday. If you can’t get out to the post box or you live in a rural area without regular pickup, adjust your goal for a total number and get your letters out as soon as you are able.
A special thanks to all the volunteer administrators who do so much work behind the scenes – from the website to the Facebook groups – who make this wonderful snail mail project possible.
It’s hard to believe that it is already February tomorrow! Are you ready? Here’s a quick checklist:
Postage stamps – Did you know? You can pick them up in more places than just the post office. Supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores. They may not be the fanciest ones, but at least your letters can be sent out. (Just check on the rates for domestic or international). You can order your stamps online too.
Pens and Ink – while we love a good fountain pen or gel pan, there’s nothing wrong with using a good ol’ ballpoint, even if you, ahem, picked it up from the dentist office (and we love a typewritten letter too).
Stationery – again, it doesn’t have to be fancy! Lined notebook paper or a page from your sketchbook. You can make envelopes (here’s a tutorial, or simply take apart one and trace) and some countries have pre-stamped envelopes.
Postcards – easy to write a short note; some countries have pre-stamped postcards that can be sent anywhere in the world.
Washi and stickers – fun and nice, but not necessary.
The letter writing community is lucky to kickstart the year by having two different programs during the month of February. Why February? It’s the shortest month of the year and often not the best weather, so letter writing is a great way to pass the time while staying cozy indoors.
So what are the two different programs? A Month of Letters, or as we call it LetterMo around here, was started by writer Mary Robinette Kowal who took a month break from the internet. International Correspondence Writing Month or InCoWriMo, is an obvious nod to NaNoWriMo for the inspiration to write every day.
So what are the differences between #LetterMo and #InCoWriMo? See the chart below.
You can see there are various elements of LetterMo that require a team of dedicated volunteers who run things behind the scenes. It is a strong community built over the years that welcomes newcomers each year and shares their knowledge of the program and love of mail.
You may wonder, do people participate in both? There are definitely people who do the crossover as well as write and send out more than one letter a day! If you want to see some of the mail that is sent out, visit our Instagram profile and check out our stories – #LetterMo2023. Tag us if you want to share and we may repost!
With people around the world discovering or rediscovering the joy of the written word received by post, we hope letter writing will no longer be classified as a “lost art” but more of a revival.
If you’re stuck for what to write about, check out the calendar of occasions below!
Let us know in the comments where you can get stamps other than the post office in your country, especially outside of North America or UK.
Are you ready? Come join the fun – sign up today! See you in the forums!
As February 1st draws near, how is your planning going for the month? Have you got names pencilled in your calendar? Signed up at LetterMo to become a member and requested new penpal addresses? Other than the basic introductory information, you may wonder what you can write about.
Here is a list of occasions that you can draw inspiration from. Remember to thank your Mail Carrier on February 4th! Send fan mail to your favourite Weatherperson (5th). Share a recipe for your favourite plum pudding (12th) or Margarita (22nd). Express your gratitude for Caregivers Day (18th) and support for World Day of Social Justice (20th).
There’s always something interesting to write about and share! Which is your favourite occasion listed below? Let us know if there something else you celebrate in your region.
Can you believe it? February is almost here! Have you got your
Postage stamps ✅
Pens✅
Ink✅
Stationery✅
Postcards✅
Washi and stickers✅
Signed up for a letter writing challenge
The letter writing community is lucky to kickstart the year by having two different programs during the month of February. Why February? It’s the shortest month of year and often not the best weather, so letter writing is a great way to pass the time while staying cosy indoors.
So what are the two different programs? A Month of Letters, or as we call it LetterMo around here, was started by writer Mary Robinette Kowal who took a month break from the internet. International Correspondence Writing Month or InCoWriMo, is an obvious nod to NaNoWriMo for the inspiration to write every day.
So what are the differences between #LetterMo and #InCoWriMo? See the chart below.
The various elements of LetterMo requires a team of dedicated volunteers who run things behind the scenes. We are also lucky to have built a strong community over the years that welcomes newcomers each year and shares their knowledge of the program and love of mail.
You may wonder, do people participate in both? There are definitely people who do the crossover as well as write and send out more than one letter a day! If you want to see some of the mail that is sent out, visit our Instagram profile and check out our stories – LetterMo 2021 or check out #LetterMo2021
With people around the world discovering or rediscovering the joy of the written word received by post, we hope letter writing will no longer be classified as a “lost art”
Are you ready? Come join the fun – sign up today! See you in the forums!
Let us know in the comments what you are doing to be ready for February 1st.
In the Looking for A Reason Write post, you will see that today, February 4, is a special day for Letter Writers! It is THANK A MAIL CARRIER DAY!
We’re so very thankful for carriers who bring us and in some cases, pick up, our happy mail to start it on its journey to the next town or around the world. During these pandemic times, the mail service has helped to keep people connected and feel less isolated while we are unable to get out and see our friends and family.
We discovered this activity and wanted to share with you as it is perfect for today, especially if you have some littles that could use a distraction! Show your gratitude for the mail and package carriers working hard to keep us connected with this colouring page. Display your finished sign on your window, mailbox or door as a message of support and thanks, not just today, but every day.
For a full size print out, click the image for a link to the Smithsonian Winter At Home Guide and print page 39. (We’re sure there is lots in the magazine that is interesting so you may want to print the entire thing!) Smithsonian Magazine adapted this from an activity created by theNational Postal Museum.
Photograph of boy mailing letter, National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection Photographer: Unknown, c. 1880. Mr. ZIP standing cut-out, Courtesy of National Postal Museum.
Last week, we shared some of the stickers and cards we have seen around the internet on how you can show appreciation in and on your mail (scroll left and all the vendors have been tagged).
Just 10 days to LetterMo 2021! If you haven’t registered yet, do it as soon as possible so you can get started on February 1 and find some new pen pals if needed. Are you trying to fill your planning calendar with people and reasons to write?
If you feel like you need an occasion to write someone, here are some fun days of the month for you to get in touch. Perhaps you can tell your pen pal why you started playing the ukulele (2nd) or why something is one of your favourite foods – whether it’s pizza (9th), gum drops (15th), or sticky buns (21st). There are a lot of fun greeting cards, stickers and washi tape that you can show your love. Perhaps you can share your favourite home made soup (4th) or margarita recipe. With the list below, you can likely find something interesting that you can put pen to paper to write about.
Happy writing!
REVISED: February 1, 2021 to include Lunar New Year (Ox) on the 12th and PenPalentine’s Day on the 15th.
As we’re sure you all know, April is National Letter and Card Writing Month. In 2001, it was officially designated by the U.S. Postal Service as National Card and Letter Writing Month “to raise awareness of the importance and historical significance of card and letter writing.”
Egg Press in Portland started the Write_On campaign in 2014 to challenge their family and friends to write 30 letters/cards in 30 days. Check out the website for a list of great resources from trackers, envelope liners, reasons to write and tools. Follow @EggPress and the #Write_On tag on Instagram so you don’t miss out on inspiration, letter-writing prompts, and some fun giveaways* of Sakura pens! They also have an active Write_On Facebook group full of friendly folks (including several Letter Moians!) to link up with new pen pals, share your favourite stamps, and cheer each other on throughout the month’s challenge!
Did you finish writing to all of your LetterMo penpals and are looking for someone else to write? Perhaps check out our #MailMission page, and write a letter or card to someone who would appreciate a smile in the mail. Write_On also has a list of people in need of some kind words.
Please share and tag your mail-errific efforts this April on your posts on Instagram or in the daily mail call in the LetterMo Facebook group so we can cheer you on: #write_on #lettermo #happymail #snailmail #nationalcardletterwritingmonth
During this unprecedented time of business closures around the world due to the pandemic, we wanted to give a shout out to those small businesses who love and create beautiful cards and stationery for us snail mail lovers. While we do our best to revive the art of letter writing, we’re lucky that we can find beautiful things to send in the mail.
These are a collection of offers that have been spotted on social media, and range from free shipping to percentage off. Some of them are favourites recommended by Letter Moians. Support them if you can – whether it’s to re-stock your stationery stash for National Card and Letter Writing Month in April or beyond, or to share this post with your friends and family who also love stationery. Don’t need anything for yourself? Some shops offer giftcards too! Let’s try to help keep these awesome and creative stationery – and sometimes sassy and salty! – suppliers around. ♥
If you know of any others, from anywhere in the world, please comment below with a link to their online shop.
*Please note: I haven’t had time to check out the details of all the offers. I have included expiry dates if I could easily find them; free shipping may only refer to local areas only, and dollar limits in local currency. ~ Irene
Constellation & Co Home of the Snail Mail Superstar. Free shipping on all orders until April 30, 2020
Paper Pastries 20% off until March 31, 2020 with the code: STAYSAFE20 Free shipping for orders over $50
Regional Assembly of Text Until March 31, 2020, save 40% off everything in their Stationery category with special code Stationery=Paper Sign up for their quarterly newsletter to so you can find out any new products and other future offers.
I don’t think anyone could have imagined that the world would be facing a global pandemic this year. During this time of heightened anxiety and feelings of isolation, we wanted to share that it’s safe to continue to send mail.
In an interview, Dr. Michael Merson, a dean’s special adviser at the New York University School of Global Public Health, told CBS News:
“I have not seen any evidence to support transmission of the new coronavirus through mail and experts universally feel that the risk of spread from mail or packaging that is shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures is remote.”
While some international borders have closed, it is mainly the restriction of people crossing, not goods nor mail. With the exception of mailing/receiving from some points in Asia, most postal systems state that it’s mostly business as usual with the exception of some personal handling (e.g. delivery signatures) and guaranteed delivery times in the USA, Canada, UK, and Germany (top locations of Letter Moians). Check with your national postal service and let us know in the comments. Erotik Film,Erotik Film izle
In fact, during this time of “social distancing,” perhaps there has never been a better time to return to the art of writing letters and help people from feeling isolated.
It was wonderful to read that many of you participated in Mail Missions during LetterMo.
In chatting in one of my Facebook Groups, a member of the Braid Mission mentioned that they had received several “Cards of Hope” from LetterMo members and hearing that news really warmed the cockles of my heart. YAY for you kind-hearted people!
Another Mail Mission that many of your undertook was to send World War II veteran Fred Arsenault a birthday card for his 100th birthday. Cards were sent from Canada, USA and from around the world.
Fred Arsenault with his original request. Fred with his daughter-in-law at his birthday party on March 5, 2020, announcing how many cards he received.
We are happy to report that Fred Arsenault achieved his request to receive 100 cards for his 100th birthday. He just received an extra 90,000 of them! Click this link to see scenes from his birthday party.
