How do you write your letters?

February is just around the corner, and I’m getting ready for LetterMo 2026. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been busy buying stamps so I’ll have enough at home to send all the letters I plan to write without needing daily trips to the post office. I’ve also made sure my letter‑writing supplies are prepared for the fun (and challenge) of writing a letter every day. All this preparation has made me curious about how others approach their letter writing and what processes they use to ensure their letters are ready to go.

Because I use fountain pens, I like to stock up on good‑quality paper, usually from Clairefontaine or Rhodia. Sometimes, though, I enjoy using regular A4 sheets in blue—my favourite colour. For envelopes, I keep packs of twenty in different colours and try to customise them with scraps and stickers (such as the LetterMo ones!), hoping to surprise my penpals and make them smile.

When I receive a letter, I usually read it once right away and then again before replying, so I don’t miss any important topics. Sometimes I even prepare a little “table of contents” to give my response some structure, rather than jumping randomly from one subject to another.

My letters tend to be on the longer side, usually three to five pages (sometimes more!). I write them in one sitting, often accompanied by a nice cup of tea—many of my penpals kindly send me tea bags from their own countries, so I’m always discovering new flavours and feeling grateful for the cosy atmosphere they create. In winter, I light a candle while writing; in spring and summer, I burn an incense stick, always trying to set a pleasant mood.

Once the letter is finished, I read it through to check for mistakes, then fold it carefully into the envelope. I often include little extras I think my penpal will enjoy, such as stickers, washi tape, tea, or even chocolate coins. I must admit, when I’m shopping for stationery, I often catch myself thinking, “Oh, my penpal X would love those stickers!”—and that’s usually enough to convince me to buy them.

After sealing the envelope, I write the address carefully. I sometimes worry that my letters might get lost in the post—it still feels like magic to me that a small piece of paper can travel thousands of kilometres to reach another country, even another continent. I always tell my penpals that if they haven’t heard from me within a month, they should message me through the LetterMo website, as I would never intentionally leave anyone waiting. I also keep a log of all the letters I send and receive, so I can track when I last wrote and help figure out what might have happened if something goes astray.

I’m lucky to have two beautiful red Royal Mail post boxes near my home: one just five minutes’ walk away, with collections every day at 9 a.m., and another about ten minutes away, with collections at 5 p.m. Depending on the time of day, I choose one or the other to ensure my missives begin their journey as quickly as possible.

Even though this is a simple, low‑key routine, I never tire of it. I’m always excited to receive a letter from someone. Learning about people’s lives and cultural perspectives brings me immense joy. I treasure every letter and make a conscious effort to ensure that what I send is not only a message but also a token of appreciation for their friendship and creativity.