Writing to pen pals is an old fashioned but fun way to either keep up with friends or make new ones. Occasionally, pen friends, especially international pen friends, may want to exchange gifts or cards. These gifts can help pen friends understand more about where the friend lives or support one another's hobbies. A pen pal does not need to spend large amounts of money to send fun presents. Often, the presents that share the most with pen friends are small, inexpensive gifts that can fit into the same envelope as the letter itself.
Pen Pal Mentors
Pen pal mentors encourage and lead through writing to others. Most of the time, an adult mentors a child or a teenager. The gifts that pen pal mentors can share with their mentees do not need to be complicated or expensive. The most important gifts often show the other person that someone cares for them. Some ideas for gifts are:
- Postcards: Be aware of the values depicted in the postcard. For example, avoid sending a postcard depicting many expensive objects to a mentee who struggles with money
- Cards: Cards are a great idea to include in letters to mentees. The mentor can either write on the card, or send a blank card so that the mentee can feel empowered by choosing and sending the card to someone else.
- Bookmarks: Many pen pal mentors are reading partners with their mentees. By sending a bookmark, the mentor can share the value of reading.
- Pages from coloring books: If the child mentee has access to coloring materials, the pen pal mentor can send a coloring page to be completed at the child’s home. Many times, the child will give the coloring page to an adult in his or her life. Sometimes, they send them back to the mentor!
- Gift Cards: Same-country pen pals have the benefit of nationwide chain stores and restaurants. A pen friend can notice a particular hobby or restaurant in a letter and include an unexpected gift card in the reply.
- Plant Seeds or Flowers: While sending non-native species to another country may not be a good idea, sending seeds to a friend across country can be a wonderful idea. Send flower seeds in the early spring for a gift that will keep growing. Sending flowers can also be a great idea for big events.
- Pictures: Pen friends can learn so much about each other from seeing pictures of where each other live and work. Photos of families can put a picture with all of the stories.
International Pen Pals
- Recipes for cultural dishes: A pen friend can share part of their culture with a recipe. This gift is free and, if the pen pal likes the dish, it can be shared with others for a long time.
- Souvenirs: Travel is expensive, but sharing fun souvenirs is not! A pen friend can share local or national attractions by sending a small tourist trinket.
- Drink Packets: Hot chocolate, tea, and cappuccino packets can all usually fit into an envelope. A pen friend can enjoy a hot drink half way around the world from another country.
The gifts that pen pals can send each other can be fun, cheap, and create a bond that lasts.
Amy Schumaker - Amy is a young musician based out of Philadelphia. A native of northeast Ohio, she went to Capital University Conservatory of Music, where ...
