Okay friends, It’s confession time… 🤣 for years I’ve saved greeting cards, note cards, letter sets, and stationery that I secretly wished someone might send to me. Cray. I know. I just liked them so much that I had to have them. Sure, I’ve shared some with others on special occasions, but I still have my “secret stash” that’s just for me to admire (cue the LOTR score and images of smeegle with his precious treasure). Long and short of it is, I’m ready to send these to myself! 🤔 That’s not as fun as having another person add their 2-cents though…

That’s where you come in.

My idea is to send ourselves a minimum of six (6) but no more than twelve (12) “Open When” letters, notes, or greeting cards to ourself. (But, they’re all mailed at once, in a packet. This way you open the envelope’s when you need them throughout the year).

Our partner would just have to “add their 2-cents” first. This “2-cent” addition to each envelope can be a well-wish, prayer, blessing, encouraging word, positive quote, affirmation, punny joke, or uplifting message. It doesn’t have to cost anything. But, if you’re inclined to tuck in a flat surprise that’s absolutely allowed.

Anyway, we’ll each provide the 6-12 enveloped stationery, self-addressed and the “Open When” instructions. Our partner would just add a little something inside before sealing each of them up and then sending them ALL back to us, as one packet.

For example, in my packet to my partner I might send five note cards with envelopes and one birthday card with envelope. The note card envelopes would say “Open when” you complete one month of school, two months of school, three months of school, and so on (to encourage me to keep on track). But on that envelope for my birthday card I’d write on the envelope “Open when it’s March 17, 2026”. 😁

Everyone must return their packets to their owner within 30 calendar days and use a tracked mailing method when shipping!

Traditional “Open When” letters work by giving someone a series of letters with instructions for opening at a later date or time. The twist of this swap is that WE’RE providing our own “open when”envelopes with letters/cards/etc. Our partner simply adds their “2-cents” to EACH envelope before sealing them and mailing them all back, nicely bundled together, for us to enjoy later.

RECAP: - Send a minimum of six (6) (but no more than twelve) self-addressed but unsealed “Open When envelopes” to your partner

(I strongly encourage that you send them out using tracking numbers)

• Rate promptly after this packet is delivered Then, add your “2-cents” to each of your partner’s envelopes and seal each of them shut

• Return all their sealed envelopes, nicely bundled together, back to the original owner within 30 calendar days from its receipt. PLEASE USE A Mailing Service With TRACKING! This is a Swap requirement.

• Post in the comments section below when you have received the returned packet of your envelopes.

Please contact me if you have any questions…I’m hopeful that this idea can work smoothly. 🙏🏽

image from fantabulosity (who offers a free printable “open when” label online ~ just Google “fantabulosity open when”