AHWTG "Open When..." Letters

My Dear Friends,

On my last journey to London I encountered a past time I should dearly like to share with you. Travel can be quite daunting and so this little gift to be shared with an absent loved one is a pleasant way of “spending time with them” while you are away. I often will do this for my girls. I do miss them when I travel to town with Charles for the season, and it is my way of letting them know they are in my thoughts.

What I speak of, are referred to as “Open When...” letters. Gifting someone a pretty little packet of these letters can make an otherwise drear interval into a pleasant one. It only takes a short time to create these little letters of whimsy and I am certain it will bring good cheer to your recipient. I have written out the directions for this happy craft below and hope you will join me in brightening someone’s day.

With all good wishes,

Lady Elizabeth

“Open When” letters are a group of thoughtfully prepared letters with prompts, given to someone you may not see for a time. Each envelop has a theme and the recipient may choose to open one that coincides with their mood or special day. For example, if someone is feeling blue, they may choose a letter entitled “Open when you are melancholy” and find amusing anecdotes to cheer them. There is no set limit to the number of letters you gift someone, but for this swap, we shall choose three themes from the list supplied at the end of this description.

When you have chosen your three themes, then you may set your hands to fashioning pretty envelopes, or decorate pre-existing ones, to hold the contents. The front of the envelope should have the theme written clearly. The envelope decoration can be as busy or as elegantly simple as you like, so long as it embraces our time period. For example, no bold geometric patterns or neon colours should be used.

Once your envelope is decorated, you may begin adding the contents. A short note addressing the theme of the envelope is included, in the voice of your character, as well as one or two little things to add more fun. As the postal rates are ever increasing, we encourage flat things to send, a book mark for example with the recommendation of a book, but you may be as creative as your pocketbook allows. Using our example of “Open when you are feeling melancholy” perhaps add a little memento to remind your partner of a special time the two of you shared: A pretty leaf from a picnic or an amusing story from that outing. The items enclosed need not be store bought or gifts, they can be as simple as a handwritten poem or recipe, a photo or links to something for your partner to explore. Your imagination is the key here.

When you have three envelopes completed, send a cheery note to your partner in your own voice along with your envelopes.

Here are a few links for inspiration:

LINK 1

LINK 2

LINK 3

THE DETAILS For this swap, we will be decorating or making three envelopes, each one having a theme chosen from the list below. You may also write your note on a paper and fold it into an envelop to save on postage. Inside each envelope you will include a short note in character, as well as one or two things which support the theme of the envelope. When your three envelopes are complete, send them with a note to your partner.

HERE IS THE “OPEN WHEN” LIST TO CHOOSE FROM:

• Open when your hands are in need of some occupation

• Open when you are in need of society

• Open when you require relaxation

• Open when it is your birthday

• Open when you are in need of diversion

• Open when you in want of inspiration

• Open when you wish to create something

• Open when you are longing for something sweet

• Open when you are in the mood for music

• Open when the day is tedious and uninteresting

If you have a topic you’d like to add, just jot it in the comments below. Should you have any questions, please get in touch. We are happy to clarify and gently guide, however we may. Most importantly, have fun.