If you have plans for a Labor Day getaway, consider packing some pens, stamps worth 56 cents, and an address book to send postcards during your trip!

Postcards—similar to those your grandparents used to send—continue to be cherished by many, even in today’s world dominated by texts and social media posts.

“A postcard has been described as ‘a hug sent through the mail,’” shared Ana Campos, community manager at Postcrossing.com, with YSL News. “Who wouldn’t love to receive such a gesture?”

Despite a nationwide decline in postcard sending, passionate fans are keeping the tradition alive and encouraging others to participate.

Whether you’re just a couple of states away or on the other side of the globe, composing a postcard is akin to writing in a journal, prompting you to reflect on your location and experiences. It’s a wonderful way to capture and convey a moment.

Some may struggle with how to start a postcard. You don’t need to be a literary genius—keep your note brief, warm, and personal. Here are some tips:

Postcrossing is a global network of over 800,000 postcard enthusiasts spread across 208 nations who exchange cards worldwide. This site has been operating since July 14, 2005.

According to Campos, 42, from Tavira, Portugal, the organization has sparked a revival in postcard sending over the last two decades, including launching World Postcard Day in 2020.

Postcrossers send cards to other members, chosen at random. Campos notes, “The more cards you send, the more you will receive in return from fellow members.”

While social media messages are instantaneous, postcards offer a personal touch, forging a tangible connection and sharing a meaningful moment.

Sending a postcard requires more than just a tap on a screen—it reflects genuine effort and thoughtfulness toward someone.

“Receiving a physical letter that someone has chosen, written, and mailed brings a special feeling,” Campos explains. “Many people express that sending a postcard is often more enjoyable than receiving one.”

It’s a small, unexpected act that can brighten someone’s day, providing both the sender and the recipient with a little spark of joy and excitement.

Postcard enthusiasts come from various backgrounds—travelers, individuals, organizations, and families included.

The Postcard Club is a family collective where eight members send handmade postcards to each other each month, fostering connection and sharing their unique creations.

“Most of my family resides in the Midwest,” says James Hartman, 74, from Burlingame, California, who co-founded the club. “This provides me a way to reach out to someone I may not see for a year. So, it’s our way to stay in touch.”

“Our family includes several artists,” Hartman adds. They often paint, sketch, or create images on the back of blank postcards before sending them out. “Over the years, we’ve themed our postcard exchanges,” he notes.

Club members have sent and received over 200 handcrafted postcards in just 18 months, Hartman shares.

<p”The passion we have for this stems from my mother’s love for postcards,” he explains. “She started a postcard club in St. Louis, where members collected vintage postcards. I inherited her entire collection.”

You’ll need a 56-cent stamp for a standard postcard, while larger postcards require letter stamps starting at 73 cents, according to the Postal Service.

Fans of postcards believe that the investment is well worth it.

Postcards are ubiquitous, serving as reminders, advertisements, and informal communications,” Mimosa Shah writes in her essay “Wish You Were Here: The Power of Postcards.” “They signify journeys and are exchanged among friends and family.”

<p”Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, and the USA send out a substantial number of postcards,” Campos observes. “These nations have longstanding traditions of letter and postcard writing.”

But which country is seeing a decline in postcard sending these days?

<p”Denmark tops the list,” Campos explains. “Sending a postcard overseas can cost an astounding 50 krones, roughly $7.30.”

Where to buy postcards and how to select them?

Postcards are available almost everywhere—grocery stores, pharmacies, gift shops, museums, souvenir stores, bookstores, and many larger gas stations often carry them.

The choice of image for the postcard is entirely yours. Some prefer simple “here we are” photos, while others opt for more artistic depictions. Alternatively, like the Postcard Club members, you can pick a blank card and design your own masterpiece.

Sources include  Reuters, U.S. Postal Service, and Postcrossing.com