Postcards. Are they still relevant?

In today’s fast-paced digital world are postcards a relic of connections and communications from a bygone era?

I have a nostalgia from my travelling days when I would regularly send postcards home to family that remains with me. I’ve come to appreciate that these small canvases have uses beyond their traditional purpose of mailing an update back home. I asked friends about the ways they use postcards, here are the ideas we came up with.

Personal connection

Postcards remind us of a time when handwritten correspondence was cherished. In an age dominated by emails and text messages, receiving a physical postcard evokes a sense of warmth and personal connection that lets be honest, emails lack. Whether it’s a vintage postcard from a flea market or a contemporary artwork created by an artist, each postcard carries a piece of history and human touch.

Frame them as small works of Art

Don’t want to send them? Then how about framing them as small works of art. As an artist, I find postcards to be an inspiring medium. The small, compact size presents a creative challenge and encourages me to distill my ideas. Sharing art on postcards allows it to reach a wider audience beyond the confines of galleries and exhibitions.

In addition to artworks printed on postcards, keep an eye out for postcard exhibitions. Usually for charity, these events invite artists to create original work in a postcard format and are sold or auctioned anonymously. The opportunity to own a piece of work by a well known artist is possible. A great way to start a collection. Framed postcard sized artwork is easy to incorporate into a gallery wall in your home.

Recipe cards

Postcards make delightful and practical recipe cards. With their durable material and compact size, postcards are perfect for jotting down favorite recipes or sharing culinary creations with friends and family. Whether it’s a family recipe passed down through generations or a recent addition, writing it on a postcard adds a personal touch to the cooking experience. Additionally, decorated recipe postcards can be gifted along with homemade treats, serving as both a delicious treat and a lasting memento.

Journalling

The intimate size and portability of postcards make them ideal for journaling on the go. Whether you’re traveling or exploring your own backyard, capturing thoughts, observations, and memories on postcards provides a record of life’s adventures. From capturing fleeting moments of inspiration to reflecting on personal growth, postcard journaling offers a unique blend of creativity and capturing thoughts. Moreover, exchanging postcard journals with friends or pen pals can spark meaningful conversations and connections across distances.

Book inserts

Postcards are charming inserts for books, adding a touch of personality and creativity to the reading experience. I regularly use them bookmarks and to my delight found a set of 3 postcards in a book by Franz Kafka purchased when I visited Prague some 20 years ago.

A postcard in a gifted book could be used for a personal note, for books lent, it provides a reminder to whom the book should be returned when finished.

Authors and publishers can include postcards with book purchases as promotional items or collectible memorabilia. A great way to engage their readers and build a sense of community.

Travel Souvenirs

One of the most traditional uses of postcards is as travel souvenirs. While digital cameras and smartphones have made it easier than ever to capture memories on the go, there’s something special about sending a postcard to loved ones from a faraway destination. A postcard can captures the essence of a place in a way that photographs often cannot. Additionally, collecting postcards from different places can serve as a visual diary of one’s travels, allowing memories to be preserved and revisited for years to come.

Acts of Kindness

In a world where acts of kindness are more important than ever, sending postcards can be a simple yet meaningful way to brighten someone’s day and spread positivity. Whether it’s a handwritten note of encouragement to a friend going through a tough time or a random act of kindness to a stranger, receiving a postcard in the mail can evoke feelings of joy, gratitude, and connection. Moreover, the act of sending postcards fosters empathy and community, reminding us of the power of small gestures in making a difference in someone’s life.

Share the list and inspire some postcard love!

In a world where acts of kindness are more important than ever, sending postcards can be a simple yet meaningful way to brighten someone’s day and spread positivity. Whether it’s a handwritten note of encouragement to a friend going through a tough time or a random act of kindness to a stranger, receiving a postcard in the mail can evoke feelings of joy, gratitude, and connection. Moreover, the act of sending postcards fosters a sense of empathy and community, reminding us of the power of small gestures in making a difference in someone’s life.

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