52 Weeks of Mail

I think this is such a wonderful event. As a member of the Etsy Greetings Team I had to share this as:

Of course we all love the internet, but there are many among us who just love to send and receive cards and letters.

When you think about it, it’s amazing to realize how easy it is to send cards, letters, and greetings anywhere in the world. Sometimes it takes a while to get there, admittedly, but there’s nothing like the look and feel of handwriting on paper. It’s not as fast as the internet, of course, but it’s just as easy, it’s accessible to everyone, and it’s deeply personal.

You might not know that World Post Day is coming up on October 9, marking the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s establishment in 1874. The union aimed to create and maintain a structure for the free flow of international mail around the world.

The Etsy Greetings Team, a collection of over 100 artists from all over the glove who collaborate to promote the art and craft of card making, is celebrating World Post Day by issuing a challenge that we are calling 52 Weeks of Mail. This idea sprung from one member’s desire to keep in touch better with friends and loved ones, and to be intentional about relationships. The idea is for people to commit to sending at least one personal note, card, letter, or postcard to people they know, once a week for a year. Of course, you can send MORE than one, but that’s up to you. Just think how happy this will make the Postal Services around to the world—not to mention those old friends!!

Here are three ways you can participate:

 1. Send your card to Grandma (or whomever), enclosing a second card with a stamped envelope, so that she can send a card to someone else! Be sure to explain in your card what you are doing, so she will know why you sent her a brand new card.

 2. Get your kids involved! Tell them stories of how snail mail was all there was when you were a kid. Let them write letters or send cards to grandparents, friends, etc. This will help keep the “art” of letter writing and sending alive.

3. Encourage friends, relatives and co-workers to join in on the fun, and challenge each other to see who can stick with this challenge, all the way through to October 7, 2012!

Do YOU have a great idea on how to participate?  Please feel free to
share it with everyone on the 52 Weeks of Mail Facebook page.

And guess what! You can find lots of great handmade cards to send out to your friends and family at Etsy Greetings Team’s web page. Be sure to tweet your friends about 52 Weeks of Mail, using the hashtag #52weeksofmail, or share on any other social media you use.

And do keep in touch!