Written by Yessica Banda, Staff Writer
For many years, people used to exchange letters with each other to meet different people from other parts of the world.
Nowadays, most people only text and miss out on the fun craft and experience of mailing out a letter.
For those who may not know it, pen pals are people who send letters to each other regularly using the postal service. They usually have a relationship of primarily sending letters, but it can also be a relationship that is not conducted in person like video calling or texting. They try to get to know each other by asking questions and sharing facts about themselves.
Pen pals are also used to help each other learn about cultures, customs, languages, and countries. It may seem hard to nd some, but pen pals can be found pretty much anywhere. Some people use websites like “InterPals,” “Global Penfriends,” “Conversation Exchange,” and “HelloTalk.” Others may nd people to exchange letters with on Instagram. There are many ways to nd a foreign friend.
Keisha Spencer is a pen pal I have found through Insta- gram. Texting is great and fast, but the feeling of receiving a concrete letter in the mail is more gratifying. Not only receiving, but the making of a letter is also very fun and exciting. I am a slow sender, but the wait is the best part!
Making pen pal letters may seem hard, but they are actually very easy to make. You may choose whether to write it by hand or print it. The layout itself is also your choice. You may choose whether to add pictures in between the text or add them to the side. The color layout is also your choice. Everything is your choice when you make these letters. I personally like to color code my pen pals, giving them more uniqueness.
The envelope is the most important part of the whole letter. When they receive the letter, the first thing they’ll see is the envelope. On the front of the envelope, their name should be written with a distinctive font. It must be creative and should pop out. Below their name, their address follows. After that, the envelope gets customized. Stickers and washi tape are the most used crafts to make these envelopes unique. In the back of the envelope, a sticker is also placed to help seal the envelope.
Having a pen pal may seem like a dif cult thing to do, but it is an efficient way to be creative and be involved with people around the world. Pen paling includes taking pictures of your country, writing about yourself, and expressing who you are. Even if you like texting a lot and are active on social media, pen paling is a fun way to communicate with people.
Whether it’s from writing to creating to sending to re- ceiving, pen paling is a great way to make friends and share your culture creatively, without being on electronic devices.