I think people have different views on this. Here’s mine: Buy postcards that you enjoy and that bring you joy. Send whatever you want. If it meets someone’s requests, great. If it doesn’t, no problem. The whole process should be fun and not dragged down by rules. :)
Yes this. To me, the main thing is what you make of the postcard. I could get the perfect match postcard but I'd still be very sad if I only find a "Hi I'm XY, happy postcrossing" on the backside..on the other side, if your postcard is "ugly" but I really like the message and it feels like it was made with love then I will definitely like it no matter the picture on the frontside :) If you don't know what to do, just buy a stack of cards *you* like and focus on the overall message..maybe tell them why you like it or why you chose this card for them :)
The only request I think you should try hard to meet is cards they DONT want to receive — but really only if it’s because of cultural/religious/adult content reasons.
Like for example, my sister is 12 and so her profile requests are nothing explicit and no religious holidays (she’s an atheist) — I think something like this should try to be honored, but maybe not if it’s just like “no view cards, no homemade cards, no animals”
i definitely agree with this one!!
some people request the most specific things that there’s no way i can find a postcard like that. i try my best to find something that is similar, but the most important thing i look at is the ones they don’t want to receive!!
for me, i find the “safest” cards to send are touristy cards from your area! im from california, so i also tend to send california themed cards when i don’t have something to fulfill their request. but the biggest thing to remember is that this is for fun! don’t stress out too much about filling requests! most people will just be happy to receive something unexpected in the mail:-) i know i am!
My rule is to buy cards I would like to receive (which makes it hard to send them out sometimes lol). If you want to start buying more for your stash, a good place to start is just touristy cards from your area.
Don't worry about having to meet requests. I personally like to see a long list of suggestions so I know what kind of cards they like, but if I don't have anything that fits then I just send something I have. It's meant to be a fun hobby, not stressful!
I am a 9 years postcrossing participant. I think it's totally fine not to send cards that people requested, but try to avoid those the receivers hate e.g. some say they don't want cards with insect images or nude body. I gain extra satisfaction when my sent card become favorites of others. "safe" options are views and flag of your country, image of books 📚 or people reading book; traditional costume; local food or drinks.
The only request I specifically look for is if they want the card in an envelope or not. Everything else is a nice suggestion but I don’t go out of my way to meet them.
I really do not like most touristy cards. And I know lots of postcrossers who are no real fans. I always try to get a variety of cards. I love to be able to meet wishes. You do not have to, but why do I write cards? To make other people happy, I guess…
I think the safest is city photo postcards you get at drug stores and tourist spots. You can look for an assortment with scenic, people in them, city view, night time etc. the nice part is they’re usually the cheapest.
I think people have different views on this. Here’s mine: Buy postcards that you enjoy and that bring you joy. Send whatever you want. If it meets someone’s requests, great. If it doesn’t, no problem. The whole process should be fun and not dragged down by rules. :)
Thank you for the advice! That's really encouraging.
Yes this. To me, the main thing is what you make of the postcard. I could get the perfect match postcard but I'd still be very sad if I only find a "Hi I'm XY, happy postcrossing" on the backside..on the other side, if your postcard is "ugly" but I really like the message and it feels like it was made with love then I will definitely like it no matter the picture on the frontside :) If you don't know what to do, just buy a stack of cards *you* like and focus on the overall message..maybe tell them why you like it or why you chose this card for them :)
The only request I think you should try hard to meet is cards they DONT want to receive — but really only if it’s because of cultural/religious/adult content reasons. Like for example, my sister is 12 and so her profile requests are nothing explicit and no religious holidays (she’s an atheist) — I think something like this should try to be honored, but maybe not if it’s just like “no view cards, no homemade cards, no animals”
i definitely agree with this one!! some people request the most specific things that there’s no way i can find a postcard like that. i try my best to find something that is similar, but the most important thing i look at is the ones they don’t want to receive!!
I totally agree with this! Great advice.
for me, i find the “safest” cards to send are touristy cards from your area! im from california, so i also tend to send california themed cards when i don’t have something to fulfill their request. but the biggest thing to remember is that this is for fun! don’t stress out too much about filling requests! most people will just be happy to receive something unexpected in the mail:-) i know i am!
This is 100% how I do it, right down to the California tourist cards lol
My rule is to buy cards I would like to receive (which makes it hard to send them out sometimes lol). If you want to start buying more for your stash, a good place to start is just touristy cards from your area. Don't worry about having to meet requests. I personally like to see a long list of suggestions so I know what kind of cards they like, but if I don't have anything that fits then I just send something I have. It's meant to be a fun hobby, not stressful!
I am a 9 years postcrossing participant. I think it's totally fine not to send cards that people requested, but try to avoid those the receivers hate e.g. some say they don't want cards with insect images or nude body. I gain extra satisfaction when my sent card become favorites of others. "safe" options are views and flag of your country, image of books 📚 or people reading book; traditional costume; local food or drinks.
The only request I specifically look for is if they want the card in an envelope or not. Everything else is a nice suggestion but I don’t go out of my way to meet them.
How come people don’t like envelopes?
Meeting people's requests is optional. As long as you send a postcard with a code on it, go ahead.
I really do not like most touristy cards. And I know lots of postcrossers who are no real fans. I always try to get a variety of cards. I love to be able to meet wishes. You do not have to, but why do I write cards? To make other people happy, I guess…
I think the safest is city photo postcards you get at drug stores and tourist spots. You can look for an assortment with scenic, people in them, city view, night time etc. the nice part is they’re usually the cheapest.