Uninspired DIY: Writing Letters in 2015

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I realize that many of you know how to write letters and believe that writing letters should be a basic understanding within the world. However, ever since the emergence of the internet, people don’t need to write letters as much as we used to. The internet makes communication with those far from us easy, fast, and free. 

Nevertheless, there is something special and personable about writing letters to someone that you care about. Take Sam Shakusky’s and Suzy Bishop’s love affair in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom (2012). It was innocent and sweet, and it all started out with correspondence letters between the two. 

(https://hypethemovies.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/moonrise-kingdom-suzy-and-sam.jpeg)

Writing letters is a nice gesture that doesn’t need require romance to be special. They can be send to your friends, parents, enemies…

As of lately, some of my friends have moved away. It’s hard to keep in touch. We all have school. Therefore, I figured that letter writing was a nice sentiment to use as compensation. The letters will remind my pal about the great aspects of our friendship as well as serving as a medium for miscellaneous conversations. (Although, I haven’t really gotten around to writing any, I did buy the materials I needed for writing and I also informed myself on how to mail them.) Therefore, I’d like to share with you the ways to write and send letters in 2015. 

Bonus: I also included a playlist so that you can have fun with this process. (Yes, this playlist totally features the score from Moonrise Kingdom to spike productivity.)

Materials 

• Paper
• Pen
• Envelopes
• Stamp(s)
• Pictures (if applicable)

(There are many ways to get these materials. The simpler solutions would be to just buy a stationery set, or buy a one dollar pack of fifty envelopes, or simply get the paper from the printer. However, since I yearn to be cute and I couldn’t find any inexpensively cute stationery sets, I decided to customize my letters with adorable materials that I found at Office Depot. Which include these cloud-printed envelopes and these pink-colored sheets of paper.)

Instructions

1. Think of something to write and write it.

Thinking of content to have in your letter might be somewhat overwhelming. It’s like, “What aspects of my life do I share with you, friend?” Well, I’ve taken it upon myself to help you ease the brainstorming process with a nice and simple outline. (Do remember that you don’t have to follow this outline because you’re an individual and you can make your own decisions. All of these are just suggestions.)
Don't forget to be as honest and frank with your writing. We all appreciate humblebrags but remember that you're writing to your pal, not your enemy.

a. Introduction

It's up to you to decide the content of the introduction. Fret not guys, you do not require a thesis. Letters can definitely act as “Lonely Scattered Thoughts”. (A word Kristal coined in her article about theses.)  

Maybe start off by reminding the person about your appreciation and love towards them before you get to the nitty gritty.

b. Recall past event that you shared with the one that will receive the letter
This is made so that the other person remembers how much they appreciate and miss hanging out with you.

c. Anecdote(s)
Anecdotes are fun because they create a connection of happiness and nostalgia between you two. 

d. Updates
Share with your friend the new updates of your life. Don’t be afraid of getting deep and real with them.

e. Offer suggestions and ask hypothetical situations
This is all part of the pretty scheme that makes the other person correspond back.

f. Conclude
Say what you must to wrap up your thoughts.

I wrote a sample letter showcasing the usefulness of this outline. You can see it below. (Or if the print is too small for your eyes then you can read the letter and all of its contents here.)

2. (Optional) Include pictures, magazine scraps, newspaper scraps, CD’s, etc..

Envelopes can secure within themselves our letters and whatever images we decide to attach. Just remember that if you do include an attachment please explain it for whoever your writing for. You don’t want the person to end up confused by the image you provide. (Unless you want them to end up confused.) For example, in the sample letter that I provided above, I included a photo that I found of my mom being a fashion blogger before it was cool. I made sure to explain the image within the letter so that my friend doesn't end up confused.

3. Insert the letter and all attachments in the envelope

Basic tip: Fold your letter(s) like you would fold a flyer.

4. Seal it in an envelope

Lick the seal. Or add cool holographic stickers because the glue from the seal tastes gross.

Money Saving Tip: If you’re using the U.S. Postal Service make sure you’re using a rectangular envelopes to mail your letter. Square envelopes, doesn't matter if they're smaller in size than some rectangular envelopes, are more expensive to mail.

5. Add the Addresses

It’s crucial to know the address of the person that you’re sending the letter to. If not then there is no point of writing the letter because they will never get it. 

Their address goes in the middle of the envelope. The format of placing the address goes as follows. (This format is solely used for the correspondence of people living in the United States)

Person’s Name

Address 

(P.O. Box if applicable)

City, State, Zip Code

On the left hand side of the envelope should be the return address. Or were you put your address. This format is the same as the first one.

Your Name

Address

(P.O. Box if applicable)

City, State, Zip Code

6. Stamp it

(This is the most boring and expensive part of letter writing.) Stamps are a fee used by the Postal Service which signifies that your letter is ready for mailing. Each stamp has a specific estimated value and it also serves as a measuring device to see how much weight your letter hold. Letters that are within 1 oz. only require one stamp. If your letter is heavier, you may require additional stamps.

There are different ways in which you can get the stamps. Your local Walgreens probably carries $9.20 stamp booklets that have 20 stamps within them. Or if you go to your local Postal Service they’ll charge you $0.49 per stamp.

(This was so boring to write.)

7. Mail it. 

Place letter(s) in the nearest Blue Mailbox to you.

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I hope you all have fun writing your letters. If it all fails then that's fine. You can always use social media or email. (However, if you're using email then, you're definitely stuck in the 1990s). 

<3

- Vianey

Vianey is a nineteen year old self-identified ranter who can be easily wooed by funny three-dimensional TV characters. When she is not watching sitcoms, bugging her pets, or dancing sporadically she posts every Friday on Kaleid-Eh-Scope.