How to Write a Postcard
Nothing can quite compare to the old fashioned postcard when it comes to vacation correspondence. First patented in 1861 by John P. Charlton of Philadelphia, postcards have become a tradition for travelers worldwide. Usually sporting a glossy photo of a local landmark, a postcard will show your friends and family that you've arrived at your destination while giving them a taste of the locale you're in. Because the card itself travels through the U.S. Post Office, there's a standard protocol to follow when writing and sending a postcard.
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Instructions
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Notice the back of the card; this is the portion that you write on. It is divided into two sides; the right side is for official postal information and the left side is for your personal message.
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Address the postcard to the recipient in the center of the right side. On the first line, write the name of the person you're sending the card to; the second line is for the house number and street name. The third line will be the city and state. If you're sending the postcard from outside the United States, you must also add the country.
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Write the city and state in the upper left-hand corner. Leave a 1/2-inch space and write your message. A typical postcard message will include the local weather, something you've seen and perhaps an unusual meal you've tried.
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Sign the card on the bottom of the left-hand side once you've completed your message.
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Affix a postage stamp to the upper right-hand corner. Your postcard is now ready to mail.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you write small, as there's not much room on a postcard. Most hotels carry postage stamps in their gift shops; ask the cashier and he'll be glad to assist you in buying the proper stamp for your postcard. Most hotels have a mailbox for outgoing mail. If you plan on sending postcards to more than one child at the same address, it's a good idea to place them in an envelope addressed to the family. This will both save on postage and ensure the children all receive their cards on the same day.
Don't write anything on the postcard that you don't want the mail carrier to read.
