Looking for a enjoyable, artistic method to spend time with pals whereas additionally giving again? A card-writing social gathering is the proper mix of a comfy craft night time and a significant volunteer exercise.
It’s a relaxed, artistic gathering the place pals come collectively to put in writing heartfelt notes and letters, turning a easy night time in into one thing that really makes a distinction. Through volunteering with Soldiers’ Angels, these messages are shared with Service Members and Veterans who could also be deployed, recovering, or just in want of encouragement.
Whether you’re planning an off-the-cuff night with a couple of pals or internet hosting a bigger group, right here’s how one can make your gathering each memorable and impactful.
Step 1: Set the Scene for a Cozy Craft Night
Transform your house into a comfy, welcoming house that invitations company to loosen up, get artistic, and benefit from the night collectively.
Ideas to create the proper ambiance:
- Soft lighting, like string lights or small lamps, for a heat ambiance
- Comfortable seating and a shared desk for crafting
- Encourage cozy garments or perhaps a themed night time (like pajama night time)
- Offer snacks and drinks to maintain everybody comfy and energized, bonus factors in the event that they match your theme
- A enjoyable playlist (Something not too distracting however nonetheless gratifying for these moments of focus)
Creating a welcoming ambiance helps your company loosen up, join, and benefit from the expertise.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
You don’t want something fancy to host a profitable card-writing social gathering. A little bit creativity goes a great distance.
Essentials:
- Pens and markers
- Blank playing cards, cardstock, and writing paper
- Stamps and envelopes
Fun Add-Ons:
- Washi tape (totally different patterns and colours)
- Loose stickers or themed sticker packs
- Decorative paper
- Stamps and ink pads
Helpful tip: A Lazy Susan works nice for shared provides, permitting company to simply spin and attain markers, stickers, and different supplies all through the night time.
Encourage company to deliver any additional scrapbooking or journaling provides they might must share. This retains prices low whereas including a enjoyable mixture of types to the desk. Remember, what issues most is the message inside every card.
Step 3: Provide Writing Prompts
Not everybody will know what to say, and that’s okay. Having prompts will help get concepts flowing and assist company really feel comfy.
Example prompts:
- Write a couple of current optimistic expertise in your life, providing it as a message of encouragement
- Share a message of encouragement
- Write about your appreciation and what their service means to you
- Imagine what you’ll wish to hear from somebody when removed from
- Share a favourite quote, uplifting thought, or easy message of kindness
Remind company to maintain messages optimistic, encouraging, and respectful. A number of form phrases can imply greater than they might notice. For extra suggestions, learn How to Write Your First Letter.
A Few Things to Remember
At the start of your occasion, take a second to clarify how the playing cards might be used. Keep the ambiance mild and joyful whilst you work; that is simply as a lot about connection as it’s about giving again. Encourage dialog all through the night time, share tales, and take pictures to seize the reminiscences. That stability of enjoyable and function is what makes the expertise so significant.
Additionally, on the finish of the night time, gather and manage the playing cards. Make certain they observe any tips supplied by Soldiers’ Angels (resembling avoiding glitter). Then, bundle them up and mail them off; your group effort is now able to brighten somebody’s day.
Ready to host your Card-Writing Party?
A easy night time with pals can flip into one thing really highly effective. With only a few provides, somewhat creativity, and a shared function, your card-writing social gathering can unfold kindness far past your property.
So collect your mates and begin planning your card-writing social gathering as we speak, as a result of each message issues.
New to Soldiers’ Angels letter writing, study extra about Mission: Cards of Support, or for one thing extra private, writing deployed Service Members!
Looking for different volunteer alternatives? Explore our different digital and in-person volunteer alternatives.
About the Author
Dallas Green served within the U.S. Air Force for five years. She started her journey with Soldiers’ Angels as a SkillBridge Marketing Intern and now continues to help their mission whereas pursuing her bachelor’s diploma by way of Arizona State University.