Writing a letter is such a thoughtful way to express your feelings, and something that the recipient will cherish so much due to the time and care you have spent on it. A blank sheet can however be a bit daunting, and you may feel a bit lost in terms of where to begin, and so here are 8 ideas for writing one:
- Encouragement letter: Everyone goes through challenging times, and sending a letter to uplift someone's spirits & offer support will mean the world to them. Share words of encouragement, remind them of their strengths, and offer any assistance or resources that might be helpful.
- Apology letter: If you have done something wrong and want to apologise, sending something handwritten is a thoughtful way to express your remorse and show that you actively want to invest your time to make things better. Be sincere, acknowledge your mistake, and then outline steps you are taking to rectify the situation.
- Love letter: Write a heartfelt letter to someone special in your life to express your love and affection. Everyone is different, some love to go to town with a beautiful poem, some 100% do not! The term ‘love letter’ can make you think of overly romantic and clichéd writing, but it really doesn’t need to be like that. This is an opportunity to reminisce about shared memories, and let them know what makes your bond so special.
- Congratulations letter: Yes you could send a text (and you still can for speed in the instant), but imagine how happy they will be to then also receive a letter congratulating them on a significant achievement or milestone. Something they can keep and look back on in later life and instantly be drawn back to that moment by your letter in their hands. Acknowledge their hard work and dedication, highlight their accomplishments, and express your pride in their success.
- Sympathy letter: Offer your condolences and support to someone who has experienced a loss or is going through a difficult time. Sometimes it is really hard to face someone when they are grieving as you simply don’t know what to say, and this can sometimes lead to avoiding that person as you find it awkward to try to find the right words. Expressing your sympathy and letting them know you are there for them will mean so much and just the acknowledgement will be great fully received.
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Friendship letter: Write a letter to a close friend to let them know how much they mean to you. Share funny stories, inside jokes, add mini photos, and express your gratitude for their friendship. Remind them that you're always there for them.
- Thank you letter: Write a letter to express your appreciation to someone who has done something kind or helpful for you. Be specific about what they did and how it positively affected you. Let them know how grateful you are for their actions.
- Just because letter: Sometimes, it's nice to write a letter for no particular reason other than to let someone know you're thinking of them. Share updates on your life, ask about theirs, and express your fondness for them.
Don't forget that the envelope is an important part of your letter too; in terms of being a space where you can be creative. Add little illustrations, do some flourishing for the name to make it extra special, add a wax seal to the back (remember this will change it from a 'letter' to a 'large letter' in terms of postage costs.) Have a look on Pinterest or Instagram under 'envelope art' for inspiration.