Postcards! In today’s world, where we send dozens of messages and photos a day through our phones, something as “old-fashioned” as a postcard has a completely different charm. Thanks to Postcrossing, postcards are coming back to life even in this digital age. Sending a paper postcard is something personal! You have to choose a card that suits the recipient, write a few lines, buy and stick on a stamp, find a post office or mailbox, and send it off. It’s not just a quick click—it takes time and effort. And then, when a postcard lands in your mailbox, the joy is on a whole different level. Honestly, no phone notification can ever beat that feeling.
What is Postcrossing?
Imagine this: there’s something in the world called Postcrossing. It’s like a global game where people send postcards to complete strangers. You simply sign up, get an address, and send a card—maybe to Canada, Germany, or even New Zealand. And the best part? You never know where the next postcard to you will come from! One day, you might get a card from a girl in Japan telling you about their festivals, or from someone in Norway sharing a few lines about the northern lights. It’s seriously awesome—fun, full of surprises, and a little burst of joy straight to your mailbox!
How did Postcrossing start?
Now this is an interesting story—Postcrossing was the brainchild of a postcard enthusiast from Portugal, Paulo Magalhães. Imagine this: it all began as a simple idea back in 2005. Paulo loved postcards, so he thought of creating a platform where people from all over the world could exchange them. The goal of his little project was to connect people globally through postcards, regardless of their country, age, gender, race, or beliefs.
And boom—it started to take off. What began as a small group of his friends and fellow enthusiasts quickly grew into a global phenomenon. In less than three years, the platform had registered its first million postcards. Today, Postcrossing is active in over 200 countries, and people have sent more than 80 million postcards through it. So, what started as one Portuguese guy’s simple idea has turned into something that spreads joy to people all around the world every single day!
How does Postcrossing work?
Joining Postcrossing is super easy!
All you need to do is register on their website, postcrossing.com (the “Create an account — it’s free!” button is right on the homepage), and you’re good to go.- Once you sign up, the system will generate an address for someone who’s waiting for a postcard—it could be someone from Australia, Slovakia, or anywhere in the world! Along with the address, you’ll get a unique code that you’ll write on the postcard. This code lets the recipient confirm when your card arrives.
- Then it’s time to pick a nice postcard, write a few kind words or share a bit about yourself, add the code, stick on a stamp, and send it off. Not sure what stamp to use? Just pop into your local post office—they’ll help you out.
- When your postcard arrives, the system assigns your address to another user, who will then send you a postcard. And that’s the magic—you never know where your next little surprise will come from! It’s such a fun way to spread joy and experience it yourself.
The rules are simple and easy to follow, so you’ll figure everything out quickly. Oh, and the entire site is in English, so it’s best to write your postcard message in English too. But don’t worry—thanks to all the translation tools and AI these days, that’s no problem at all!
What postcards should you send through Postcrossing?
When it comes to Postcrossing, it’s best to send postcards that will bring joy to the recipient—and here’s the great news: most users include a list of their favorite types of postcards on their profiles!
Some people love postcards featuring nature, historical landmarks, or maps, while others are into animals, illustrated designs, or retro styles. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check the recipient’s profile before sending a postcard. It helps you pick something that matches their taste perfectly!
And don’t forget to write in your own profile what kind of postcards you’d love to receive! Maybe you’d like a postcard showing the sender’s city or country, or perhaps you prefer illustrated cards, jokes, or something else entirely. Postcrossing isn’t just about sending—it’s also about making people happy by choosing something tailored to their taste.
Last summer, I was contacted by the people from Postcrossing, and we did a short interview together because the acorn elves postcards are quite popular. This February, the interview was published on their blog, so if you’re interested, you can check it out: Playful, Curious, Mischievous: the Acorn Elves / Dubánci of Petr Václavek.
Acorn elf postcards are super popular among Postcrossing users! You can see proof of this in the gallery of recently received postcards sent from the Czech Republic. I put a lot of effort into these designs, and they’re carefully crafted on both sides to make them truly special.
You can buy acorn elf postcards in two places:
- On my Czech e-shop, which is translated into English but only ships to certain European countries.
- On my Zazzle shop, which ships to all countries worldwide.
Which is the most popular acorn elf postcard for Postcrossing? Well, of course, it’s the one where the acorn elf finds a postcard from Postcrossing in their mailbox! I designed this one specifically for sending within Postcrossing, and I’m thrilled that it’s become such a favorite!
In second place is the “toilet elf” postcard—guaranteed to make everyone laugh!
You can find both postcards in this acorn elf postcard set.
How much does sending postcards through Postcrossing cost?
Sending postcards via Postcrossing isn’t a huge expense, but it’s good to plan for it. You don’t pay anything for your Postcrossing account—you only cover the postage for mailing the postcards. The price mostly depends on the country you’re sending the postcard to. You can check the exact rates in your local post office’s current price list.
What to write on a Postcrossing postcard?
You don’t need to write a novel on a Postcrossing postcard, but a few kind words can go a long way! First, don’t forget a greeting—you can find the recipient’s name on their profile or address. Then, share a little about yourself—where you’re from, what you enjoy, or something you love about your city. You can also include a fun fact about your country.
If you’re unsure what to write, try sharing your favorite quote, a recipe for your favourite meal, or even a note about the current weather. Another popular idea is to mention what you’re up to or what’s on your mind. And if the recipient mentions specific interests in their profile (like books, movies, or travel), try connecting with that.
End your message with a signature and a friendly goodbye. Many Postcrossers love the phrase “Happy Postcrossing!” You can also add the date when you sent the card. But most importantly, don’t forget the unique Postcrossing code—without it, the recipient won’t be able to register the card and share the joy of receiving it!
Struggling with English? No problem! Write your message in your language on your computer and then use Google Translate, DeepL, or ChatGPT to translate it. These tools are more than good enough nowadays!
How to make your Postcrossing postcard even more joyful?
You can easily upgrade your Postcrossing postcard with a few simple yet creative tricks to make it more personal and unique. Try adding some themed stickers, colorful washi tape, or even a small hand-drawn doodle—something as simple as a heart or a flower can brighten someone’s day!
Check out these acorn elf stickers for Postcrossing:
Make sure not to overdo it with the stickers so you still have enough space for your message. It’s a good idea to add stickers after writing your text and place them in corners, under the address, or as subtle embellishments on the front side of the card. Small, delicate stickers work best—they’ll add charm without overpowering the message. If you know the recipient loves cats, for example, find some adorable cat stickers. It adds a personal touch and will make them think, “Wow, this is perfect for me!”
If you have pretty stamps, definitely use them—stamp collectors will appreciate them as much as the card itself. You could also include a proverb or a short sentence in your language (with a translation), which adds a bit of local flair. And if you have space left, share something extra—a fun fact about your country, or a recommendation for your favorite movie, music, or book.
A little creativity not only enhances your postcard but also shows the effort you’ve put into it. That’s what Postcrossing is all about—spreading joy that begins the moment someone opens their mailbox.
Take a look at more acorn elf stickers too—I even have a set where you can piece together an entire acorn elf! And when there’s some extra space between the larger sticker designs, I like to fill it with little details—like flowers, ladybugs, or strawberries. These tiny stickers are perfect for adding finishing touches to your postcards.
A few final tips for Postcrossing
- Choose a postcard that will bring joy – Many people list their preferences in their profiles. If you can match their taste, you’ll really make their day. And if they haven’t mentioned anything specific, just send something you’d love to receive yourself.
- Write something personal – Sure, you could just write a quick greeting, but it’s much nicer to share a few sentences about yourself. For example, what you enjoy doing, where you’re from, or your favorite movie. If you’re stuck, share a favorite quote or a book recommendation.
Add a little extra – If you have space, why not draw a little doodle, add a unique sticker, or use a beautiful stamp? It’ll make your postcard even more special and memorable.- Double-check the address and code – Nothing ruins the fun faster than a postcard that doesn’t make it to its destination. Before sending, make sure the address and unique Postcrossing code are written correctly.
- Be patient – Sometimes postcards take weeks to arrive, especially if they’re crossing oceans. But trust me, the wait is totally worth it!
- Make it a hobby – Over time, you might find yourself falling in love with postcards and stamps more than you expected. You can start collecting them, use them to decorate journals, or simply display them at home as little pieces of the world.
- Track your collection – On the Postcrossing website, you can keep a record of all the postcards you’ve sent and received. It’s amazing to see how many countries you’ve “traveled to” through your mailbox.
Happy Postcrossing!