Despite their much-heralded demise, wherever you go, you’ll always enter at least one shop during your holiday that sells postcards. People must be still buying them. Who bothers these days, you ask, when images or information about anywhere is readily available online. People are usually in touch with an intended recipient before a postcard arrives. Who unnecessarily spends money on postcards and postage (which has become much more expensive in recent years) to connect with family and friends when they can simply send a phone photo?

All true, but the flipside is the perennial benefits of the paper and pent. It’s a very personal communication between sender and recipient – even more personal in an era when sending a postcard is ‘an effort’. People appreciate effort. It’s a way of connecting with people, particularly people you haven’t been in touch with in ages. It can ignite an awareness of, or curiosity in, a place – in a way an amateur phone photo often doesn’t – particularly in children.

Next time you’re on holidays, try sending five postcards and watch the ripples of positivity. I’ve been sending and collecting postcards for decades. Here are five tips for your trial:

1. Buy, write and post early

You might enter a shop selling postcards early on a holiday and think you’ve plenty of time. Then before you know it, it’s the last day and you haven’t bought the cards or written any or you’re scrambling to find somewhere that sells stamps. To avoid heartache, buy the cards on the first day or two.

Enquire as soon as you arrive where you can buy stamps. Some countries are very restrictive in where they can be purchased. You might find out on day 2 where to buy them, but it might be day 6 or 7 before you get to said location! In other countries, shops aren’t bothered selling them or post offices trade during strange hours. Then write them early so that you’re not scrambling to find that half an hour to write them all then post them as you’re packing and racing to the airport.

2. Don’t write any cards too early

Point number 1 comes with this rider. You’ll have a sense of place or an anecdote after a day or two. If you write the postcards too early you could find yourself ‘stuck’ about what to write and end up feeling you’ve short-changed someone with your descriptions.

3. Think carefully about your choice of recipients

Some people will get no joy in receiving a postcard. Target your penmanship on those who’ll enjoy them. Do you know anyone who will feel a connection to the place or your experience(s)? Is there a relative or friend you’ve neglected to keep in touch with but with whom you’d like to reach out? Is there someone who could do with cheering up, or someone to whom you’re trying to make amends? Do you know someone who’s just bought a new home or moved home and would enjoy a little home-maker? Is there someone you know who’s lonely or just might enjoy a bit of news? Uncles and aunts always come to mind as people who appreciate a postcard.

Try and match the recipient with the image. The picture can transport the recipient to the place, possibly igniting an interest in going there themselves. An engineer will enjoy the photo of an iconic suspension bridge. The sun-lover should enjoy the beach. The nature lover will enjoy a breath-taking image of the mountains. The amateur historian will enjoy the photo of the Colosseum etc.

4. Write the postcards in one session and start with the least intimidating recipient

There there are those who just want a quick overview of the place and holiday/trip, and a personal message. These are the impressionists. Start with this group. After writing one or two you’ll discover what you want to say about a place and you’ll begin to find your descriptive groove. 

Then there are a few people who’ll want to know details, stories, history etc. These are the realists – usually a harder crowd. By the time you turn to the realists you’ll have found the necessary confidence.

5. Be patient!

Don’t ruin the surprise of receiving a postcard by asking the recipient if they’ve received it yet. Some countries have poor postal services. Some countries’ postal services may not prioritise mail to the country of destination. The staff member at the airport or hotel whom you handed the postcard to and asked him to send it because you couldn’t find a post box will eventually send it. But he will lose it twice before he does, or his wife will find it in his pocket and dutifully send it knowing he will never remember. It might get lost in a postal sorting office, but turn up eventually.

Fifteen years ago, I told a girl I’d kind of begun seeing that I collected postcards. I asked her to send me one from her girls’ holiday to Ibiza. She said she would and returned from holidays saying she had. I didn’t believe her. A year later, the postcard arrived.

Fifteen years later, I’m sure she’s glad she doesn’t get asked by me anymore for a postcard. Instead, she is asked by me on every holiday she takes how many postcards she wants me to buy for her to send, and who does she think she’ll send them to. What happened in Ibiza should have stayed in Ibiza, but I’m pretty sure I know what happened, because history repeats itself on every holiday: she always leaves the writing and sending of postcards to the day of departure!