Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, the United States Postal Service (USPS) was getting hit pretty hard. And now, well, it’s worse than ever, with no bailout in sight. As you might have seen on social media with the #SaveThePostOffice hashtag, people are rallying together to help send support to the USPS, whether it’s through sharing photos of their mail carrier to actually sending items in the mail, which feels especially important when we’re all so far apart from each other.
Related: 8 board games you can play over Zoom or Facetime during quarantine
Here, 7 thoughtful things you can mail to friends and family via the USPS that would be much appreciated during the quarantine. You can download postage (and print) right on your computer, for the most part, so you don’t necessarily have to go to your post office to purchase postage or mail items. Just keep in mind, mail might take a little longer than usual, so be patient and extra kind if you happen to see your mail carriers out and about.
Photo by Pope Moysuh on Unsplash
1. Puzzles and books. How many times are you going to do the same puzzle over and over again? Or read the same book? Wrap it up and send it off to a friend or family member. These Penguin minis are perfect for mailing.
2. Food items people need that you might have access to, and they don’t. A few of my friends have been searching for yeast, which is quite plentiful where I am, so I’ve been sending it to them. If you’re feeling extra thoughtful, send along a recipe that they can make using the ingredients.
3. Shop from Etsy artists. Most of the Etsy artists I’ve ordered from use USPS to ship their items, so if you’re looking for handmade masks, like these from BonBonArtsCrafts that I purchased for example, shop from them. You’re not only supporting the USPS but you’re supporting small shop owners as well.
4. Cards (or postcards). Make a commitment to send one written card or postcard a week. You could even rope your kids in to do the same (great writing practice). You could also send an actual box of cards, with stamps enclosed, as little nudge nudge to get folks to write to you.
Related: 6 sweet I Miss You Gifts to help you stay connected to friends and family
5. Local treats. I mentioned this idea in a post about sending “I Miss You” gifts, and the sentiment applies here. Got local goodies that people can’t get anywhere else? Drop them a few in the mail.
6. Baked goods. With so many folks baking up a storm during quarantine, why not ship some off to faraway friends or family members. No one is going to complain about getting some homemade cookies, like these sugar cookies perhaps, or bread from your brand new bread maker in the mail.
7. Stamps. You can buy stamps online and send them to friends and family. They’re something we can all use, and you might just find yourself getting a few of them back, maybe attached to a little gift or card too.
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