Open When Letters

This is my first swap as a host, so please let me know if there’s anything I can improve on!

It’s open to all because as a newbie, myself, I don’t know any better yet. Let me know if this concerns you. This swap will be an International one on one, but you’ll be sending that one person one (large mailing/catalog sized/or similar) envelope with 4 smaller (business/greeting card sized/or similar) envelopes inside. One of the 4 envies you send will be an Open When You Get This note. It should contain a letter for your recipient to read when they get their package, and 3 or more bonus items of sender’s choice. This will include the standard, general list of ephemera, ATC, stickers, deco envies, collage items, paper clips, bookmarks, PCs, etc. - just 3 of those. The letter should introduce yourself and note any reasoning for why you picked the other 3 Open When… notes you included.

The remaining 3 envelopes will be Open When… letters of your choosing. You’re encouraged to do a profile crunch of your partner and create 3 Open When prompts that align with their likes/lifestyle. Ultimately, we should all try to pick prompts that can be opened within the next 6 months. So, if you want to do an Open On Your Birthday as a prompt, and their birthday is in January, that wouldn’t really work. I understand most of us do not have psychic abilities and aren’t able to forecast when a prompt will actually happen, so just try to have a sense of compatibility when it comes to creating these prompts.

Each of the remaining 3 Open When… envies should include a minimum of 4 items related to the prompt. These things can be anything that will uplift or give your partner a smile. It can be an actual letter, some kind of photo/drawing/illustration, a card, a gift card, a small gift like a new pen or notepad - THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

Common examples of prompts with inserts include:
(Open When…)

• You’re Feeling Ill (a sleep mask, some paper flowers & a card, a do not disturb sign)
• You Need a Motivational Boost (a couple altered playing cards with motivational mssgs, an add-to-a-bottle-of-water drink powder pack, a QR code for a playlist of hype songs, a new hair scrunchie)
• You’re Stressed Out (a funny poem attached to a granola bar, a couple tea bags, a “bang head here” sign, an infographic page of accupressure points on the body)
• You’re Bored (a crossword puzzle, a list of cool lesser known websites to check out, a crossstitch kit, a homemade jigsaw puzzle, a message written in code that has to be cracked)

More Creative Prompt Ideas include: (Open When…)

• Your Kids are Driving You Bananas (include the recipe for d.I.y. invisible spray)
• You’ve Encountered a Wild, Untamed Karen (instruction sheet on how to distract a Karen to make a clean getaway)
• It’s A Full Moon this one is great for those working in healthcare (a homemade nursing Bingo card)
• You Feel Like Bustin’ a Move (a sheet of paper with dance step instructions)

So - (4) Open When… envies tucked into 1 large envie for mailing. (1) of the envies must be the Open When You Get This or Open Upon Arrival note. All envies must include at least 4 things (a letter does count as one “thing” Envies must be prompts that can be opened within the next 6 months. Envies should be decorated in some way, even if it’s just colored and sticker slapped. Show your partner you’ve taken at least a little bit of time and some effort as you pack their swap. Just writing a simple label on an envelope is minimal effort. Let’s go for minimal +2 for an envelope starting point. Please do not send out any political or religious inclusions, and do not use This as a way to offload any reward stickers or other supplies/paraphernalia you have an abundance of. This is designed to give your partner something unexpected at a moment’s notice, so please be considerate as you are ultimately participating in creating some memorable moments for them. I reserve the right to remove anyone from the swap, at any time, for reasons that may jeopardize the swap itself or others participating in the swap. You should rate as soon as you’ve received your package; please don’t down-rate for Karen-esque reasons. If you get the package and it contains 4 envies, and one of them is labeled to open “now,” 5 it. If later you find one has been filled with bible pages and campaign material, you can come back and edit your rating. Please message me with questions or concerns, and have fun creating!

EDIT: I MAY BE NEW TO THIS, BUT I KNOW HOW TO INVESTIGATE. I’VE ALREADY MADE CUTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHECK FOR USER LEGITIMACY.

For more ideas, you can reference Pinterest. I created a Pin Board on my own Pinterest with some examples/inspiration. You can check it out here Be creative! Have fun with it!

Did I miss anything?

EDIT 5/23/23: I will angel 100%, but would be grateful for 1 volunteer to split the angel with me if angel is necessary. Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far!!