Postcrossing Blog

World Postcard Day is a little less than one month away, so it’s time for the traditional “let’s get ready!” post!

Every year, we get lots of questions about the day, the badge, the postcards, the limits, the events… So this year we tried to put all those questions (and answers) together in one place, so that everyone can be prepared. Please have a look, and if you have other questions that have not been answered, leave them in the comments!

When is World Postcard Day?

World Postcard Day is celebrated every year on October 1st.

This is the anniversary of the first postcard ever sent, and we celebrate it in the best possible way: by sending postcards!

What should I do on that day?

Send postcards! 😍

You can send official Postcrossing postcards through the website, but you can (and should!) also send postcards to other people in your life that could use a smile in their mailbox.

World Postcard Day goes beyond Postcrossing: it’s a day for everyone who enjoys postcards, stamps, mailboxes and handwritten messages.

What happens on Postcrossing?

On October 1st, if you request and send at least one postcard through the Postcrossing website, you’ll receive the World Postcard Day badge on your profile once that postcard is registered.

If you already have the badge from previous years, the number on it will grow by one.

So, for example, if this is your third year participating, your badge will eventually show a 3.

Does the postcard need to be requested on October 1st, or just mailed that day?

For the Postcrossing badge, what matters is that the postcard is requested through Postcrossing on your October 1st.

You can mail that postcard in the next few days, or as soon as possible. The postmark does not need to say “October 1st” for it to count.

What about timezones?

The Postcrossing website shows dates in UTC, which can sometimes make things look a little confusing.

To make sure no one misses out because of timezones, postcards requested on October 1st in your own timezone count. So even if the date shown on the website looks like September 30th or October 2nd because of UTC, don’t worry: if it was October 1st where you are when you requested the address, it counts.

How do I know if my postcard counts?

Eligible postcards will have a little World Postcard Day marker next to their Postcard ID on your Traveling Postcards page.

If it’s there, that postcard counts for the badge once it is registered.

How many postcards can I send through Postcrossing on World Postcard Day?

This year, each member can send up to 5 postcards on October 1st.

There is a limit because World Postcard Day is a very busy day for Postcrossing. Lots of people come to the website at the same time wanting addresses, and the pool of available recipients is not infinite. If too many postcards are requested at once, we risk running out of good matches and the matching system starts having a very stressful day. Paulo also starts having a very stressful day. Please think of Paulo. 😅

Do I get extra slots on October 1st?

No — World Postcard Day does not give anyone extra slots.

The limit is the maximum number of postcards you can send that day, if you have enough available slots.

For example:

• If you have 1 available slot, you can send 1 postcard.
• If you have 3 available slots, you can send 3 postcards.
• If you have 5 or more available slots, you can send up to 5 postcards.

So, if the badge is important to you, it’s a good idea to save at least one empty slot for October 1st, so that you can request a postcard on that day.

Do I need to send all 5 postcards?

No! You only need to send one official Postcrossing postcard on October 1st to receive the badge once it is registered.

Sending more is fun, but not required.

How can I celebrate if I don’t have empty slots to send postcards through Postcrossing?

You can celebrate by sending postcards to friends, family, neighbours, teachers, librarians, local firefighters, nursing homes, schools, someone who helped you recently, or anyone else who deserves one! You can also organize events and bring people together!

What postcard should I use?

Any postcard you like!

We provide an official World Postcard Day design every year, so you can download this year’s postcard and then print it locally or through an online printing service.

But you don’t have to use the official design! Handmade cards, other World Postcard Day designs, postcards from your stash, tourist cards, art cards, funny cards… they all count. Any postcard is a World Postcard Day postcard if you send it on October 1st.

Can I make my own World Postcard Day postcard?

Yes! Many postcrossers make their own World Postcard Day postcards, and we love seeing them.

You don’t need approval from Postcrossing to create your own card, as long as it is clearly your own design and doesn’t pretend to be the official postcard.

Please don’t edit, recolour, remix or distribute altered versions of the official artwork. The official files are shared freely for everyone to use as provided.

If you’d like to use the World Postcard Day logo on your postcard, please respect its license.

Do I have to celebrate alone?

Not at all!

There are lots of meetups and events being organized around the world. You can find them on the World Postcard Day events page.

And if nothing is happening near you, you can organize something small yourself — even meeting one friend for coffee and writing cards together counts as a celebration!

We’ll also have the online Postcard Lounge open again, so you can join other postcrossers around the world while writing your cards from home.

How does the Postcard Lounge work?

The Postcard Lounge is an online space where the community can quietly write postcards together. Everyone joins on a video call but stays muted, providing a shared little window into desks, postcards, pens, stamps, and people writing mail in different corners of the planet.

On October 1st, the lounge will be open again, so you can join others there for some shared postcard writing.

Can World Postcard Day events happen on another date?

October 1st is the official day, and that’s the date that counts for the Postcrossing badge.

But events can happen around that date too, especially if a library, museum, school, postal operator or group that is meeting needs to choose a nearby weekend or another practical day. The goal is to celebrate postcards and help more people discover them.

Are there special postmarks?

Yes! Some postal operators and postcrossers organize special postmarks for World Postcard Day. These vary from country to country, and they get listed on the events page, when we know about them.

If you know of a special postmark, postal event or postcard activity that isn’t listed there yet, please let us know!

Should I write something special on the card?

Anything you want to write is perfect! If you want to, you can use the opportunity to mention that you’re writing the postcard on World Postcard Day, to spread the word about this celebration! 😉

Can I share photos?

Yes, please! We love seeing your postcards, writing tables, meetups, stacks of stamps, library displays, colouring activities and happy mailboxes.

You can share photos on the forum, on social media, or wherever you usually post things. Use the hashtag #WorldPostcardDay so others can find them too.

What should I eat?

The official World Postcard Day menu is “things that look like postage stamps”!

For the main course, we recommend ravioli. For dessert, stamp-shaped cookies. 😋

So… everyone ready for the big day?

Make sure you have postcards, stamps, pens and at least one available slot if you want the badge. Then, on October 1st, request an address, write some postcards, and send a paper bridge into the world.

We can’t wait to celebrate the postcardiest day of the year with you! 😍

The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

September’s just begun, and here in the UK kids are heading back to school, university students will soon be starting to filter into the halls of residences and onto the campuses, and there’s a general sense of summer coming to the end. Plus I’m just back from a long-awaited week away for my birthday, spent perusing bookshops, visiting family and friends, and being spoiled with room service… so it seems like now is a good moment to think of what we’re looking forward to next!

It doesn’t have to be something huge! It could just be a planned meal, an evening with friends, a quiet weekend… or maybe it is something bigger, and you have an epic trip planned? We’d love to hear about it!

For me, I’m aiming to get back to cycling this month after an entire year away from my bike due to a wrist injury! It still hurts a little bit when I put any weight on my wrist, so I’ll have to be careful, but I’m excited to be back on the road. My first target will be the library, which isn’t too far away, because I have some books to return… and even though I just got a bunch of new books for my birthday, you never know what surprising gems the library can offer.

Once I can go a bit further, I look forward to following some of the local cycle routes and exploring a bit more. I loved doing that before we moved, finding surprising patches of shady trees along lovely cycle paths that went surprisingly deep into the city, and I’m sure this area has more to show me than I’ve been able to reach on foot!

What about you? What are you looking forward to this month, and is it something big, or just the small routines that make every week enjoyable? Let us know in the comments, or on your postcards this month!

The Little Mail Carriers are still making their way across the Pacific with postcrossers Maret (aka Cerres) and Andry (aka andry1961)! After their stop in the Cook Islands, the next leg of the trip took them to French Polynesia — a place of blue lagoons, fragrant flowers, distant archipelagos… and, naturally, a few post offices to visit along the way.

From the Cook Islands, our journey continued to French Polynesia, which consists of 35 islands and 83 atolls. We landed on the largest island, Tahiti and our attention was immediately drawn to this map that illustrates how spread out the territory is, by superimposing it on a map of Europe:

Pretty impressive, right?

Although Tahiti was just as fragrant with flowers and surrounded by clear blue water, our first destination was, of course, the post office. We began at the Tahiti Philatelic Agency in Faa’a, near the airport. To our disappointment, it was closed for stocktaking that week.

Although we could not enter, Mauritua, a member of staff, brought out a special postmark for us, along with several stamps for us to buy. He also gave us a postcard featuring the local Father Christmas and sent his greetings to all postcrossers.

Fortunately, the regular post office next door was open, and from there we sent our postcards on their way.

With the most urgent postal duties taken care of, there was finally a little time to look around Tahiti. We saw the monument commemorating French Polynesia’s autonomy in Papeete, admired the blue lagoon views and palm-lined coast, and enjoyed the island’s mix of lush green hills, black volcanic rocks and bright tropical flowers. Everything felt so full of color!

While walking around Papeete, we also noticed some striking street art, with large murals bringing Polynesian symbols, flowers, birds and traditional motifs onto everyday city walls. The bright colors and bold figures felt very much at home among the mountains, tropical plants and busy streets, turning ordinary corners into surprise open-air galleries.

Flowers seemed to be everywhere in French Polynesia: on market stalls, in people’s hair, around their necks, and offered as a sign of welcome or celebration. Garlands and flower crowns are part of everyday life as much as special occasions, adding color and fragrance to arrivals, departures, gatherings and ordinary moments too. It was one of those details that made the islands feel especially warm and generous.

Our next stop was Moorea, which we reached by ferry from Papeete. Like many islands in this part of the world, Moorea is surrounded by crystal-clear water and coral reefs. Snorkelling is one of the recommended activities, so we tried it close to shore. The water was so clear that we even went along to see the fish — safely tucked inside a jar, of course!

After spending a few days on Tahiti, we boarded a flight that would take us closer to our next destination outside French Polynesia. To reach it, however, we first had to fly to the Gambier Archipelago, in a remote corner of French Polynesia.

Two hours into the flight, the crew announced that the plane had developed a technical problem and would have to return to Tahiti. Safety came first, of course, but a ship was waiting for us in the Gambier Islands and was supposed to depart that same day. Our replacement flight was scheduled for two days later. Can you imagine how disappointed we were?

Then a message arrived from the ship: they would wait for us. For two whole days! Can you imagine how happy that made us? It turned out that all 11 passengers on the flight were due to join the same ship.

While we waited patiently, we came across some impressive carved wooden tiki, or ti’i — stylised human figures that are part of Polynesian artistic and spiritual traditions. Traditionally, these figures could represent deified ancestors, protective beings or holders of “mana”, the spiritual power connected with people, places and objects. Their forms appear throughout the islands in carvings, tattoos, jewellery and public art, linking everyday life with ancestry, protection and cultural memory. Next to them, we felt even smaller than usual!

Two days later, our plane left Tahiti once again and landed safely at Totegegie Airport in the Gambier Islands. And yes, the ship really was waiting for us!

From the airport, a boat took us on the half-hour journey to Mangareva. We managed a short walk around the island and stopped by Saint-Michel Cathedral in Rikitea, one of the most striking buildings in the Gambier Islands. Built in the 19th century from coral stone, its white-and-red façade rises unexpectedly above the village, and inside it is famous for its mother-of-pearl decorations, especially around the altar.

And then it was time to complete our exit formalities with the gendarmerie before leaving French Polynesia.

That brought our time in French Polynesia to an end. We boarded a rubber dinghy and headed out to the ship that had waited two days to take us towards the island we had been trying to reach. The sea journey brought a few surprises of its own, but that is a story for next time.

Many thanks to Andry and Maret for taking the Little Mail Carriers along on yet another unforgettable Pacific adventure! Where were they headed next? Let’s just say it’s one of those places that makes us lean a little closer to the map to find it… stay tuned!

Today we’re chatting with Teresa (aka Triplightly) from Utah, USA! Her postcard journey started with letters to friends when she was a child, and has grown into a whole postcard room, meetups, friends around the world, and even postcard-writing lessons for elementary school students. She also hosts fairy tea parties, which might be one of the most magical hobbies we’ve ever heard of!

How did you get started sending postcards? What is your earliest memory of them?

Growing up, I moved almost every year due to my father’s employment. Back “in the old days”, it was expensive to make a phone call to keep in touch, so I started writing letters to friends when I was 9 years old.

When I saw that postcards also included interesting and pretty pictures, I started writing those as well. It was exciting to send and receive mail and that feeling has continued to today.

How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?

While searching for new postcards on Amazon, I kept seeing the comment “these are great for Postcrossing”. It got me curious, so I researched it and joined that day!

What is your favorite part of the Postcrossing process?

I do get a thrill when I open my mailbox and see a card waiting for me, but my favorite part is connecting with people around the world — getting to learn about what matters to them and having a human connection. I now have many awesome pen friends around the world because of Postcrossing.

Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your post office or the place where you post or keep your postcards!

Once I started Postcrossing, my postcard numbers went from around two boxes of 100 to more than I can count. I store them in a big cupboard and file them either by category in containers or just store them all jumbled together.

When my son got a place of his own, we turned his room into “the postcard room”. 😂 It is always a bit of a mess because when I write I like to have everything in reach. Writing is no longer just pen and postcard. It is now stacks of postcards, stickers, pens of all shades, washi tape, etc., etc., etc.

Show and tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.

Like most people, this is a tricky question to answer because I have “favorites” for different reasons. The day I received a Gotochi card was incredible! They are expensive to send and rare to receive, even more rare now that they are no longer produced, so I was elated to receive it. Postcrossers are very generous.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or collections?

I like hosting and attending tea parties. Every summer for years, I would host a tea party in my garden for friends and family. Then I started caring for my disabled mother and no longer had the time to put such a grand event together. Thankfully, my friend Merida started hosting fairy tea parties at the summer solstice and she lets me help.

There is always a theme and wings are required — it is fantastic! My avatar photo is when I dressed as Cruella de Vil for the Disney Villain themed party last year.

My favorite though was when we had the party up in the forest in a mountain near my home. We hung lights from the trees and sat until dusk chatting, listening to the fairytale Merida writes for each party and feeling the magic around us. It was delightful when hikers would pass our little alcove and enter the lighted path and gaze in awe at a hidden fairy world. Everyone needs some magic in their lives and it doesn’t take much to create it.

Have you inspired anyone else to join Postcrossing or start collections of their own?

My 11 year old niece has enjoyed receiving postcards so much that she has decided that she wants to be a “postcard designer” when she grows up. 😀 That tickles me!

Also, as an elementary librarian, each National Postcard Day, I give every student a postcard, teach them how to write an address and write a short note. I give the older students a stamp so they can mail it to a family member or to themselves. I encourage them to say positive things about themselves and then send the card to themselves.

I always send a postcard to myself when I am on vacation and give myself a pep talk or pat on the back. It feels fabulous and I want the students to feel that too. It is a delight to watch them get anxious about when the card will arrive and then get excited when they receive it. The students now look forward to the activity.

Have you been surprised by any place that you have received a postcard from or sent a postcard to?

When I received a card from Cuba, I was over the moon because I know that is rare. It made me feel special, or as I like to say, la-de-dah.

Have you met any other members in real life?

I’ve been lucky to meet several people in our amazing postcard community. Each year we have a meetup in Utah, so it is great to meet local members.

One of my favorite meetups was when a Postcrossing friend of mine from Germany came to visit me and she met with us and we shared stories and experiences. She and I then spent a week together touring the incredible national parks here in Utah. It was an amazing adventure.

Last year I was able to go to the Netherlands and meet another Postcrossing friend, Neeltje. We feel close through correspondence, but it is even better to meet in real life — it solidifies the friendship. We toured Rotterdam, had tea in a windmill in Delft, laughed and talked — so wonderful.

I like the postcards, but I adore the people who write them.

Is there anything else that you are passionate about?

I truly care about the mental and physical health of children. Hobbies, activities and even home life have changed, and many children are not as active as in years past and overall health is declining.

Each January I teach a “Take a SELFIE” lesson that was developed by a licensed psychologist and I have tweaked it a little for children. I make a special bookmark for each student and encourage them to share the information with their families. They are things that we can all benefit from:

• Sleep (we could all get more sleep)
• Engaging activity (non-digital creativity like drawing, building with Legos, baking, writing postcards)
• Light (physically and mentally we need sunlight)
• Fitness (get up and move)
• Interact (talking face-to-face rather than through a screen)
• Eat healthy (whole foods, and plenty of water)

Every time I teach this lesson, I am reminded that I could do better to take care of myself. I am especially excited when a child tells me that they rode their bike that day or that they made sure they drank extra water during the week. Even small changes help us be healthier and happier.

What’s one way that postcards have changed your life for the better?

It has helped me broaden my view of the world, to care about people in every place, near and far. Like The Postcardist (the host of my favorite podcast) says, “Postcards connect people”, and that is not only true, but more important than ever.

We need to see our similarities, learn from and value our differences, and be united. We all live on the same planet and need to take care of each other.

Good news, everyone! Just like in the last couple of years, Geocaching is joining the World Postcard Day celebrations with a special souvenir!

In 2025, 20,791 geocachers logged attendance at a World Postcard Day-themed event, and many postcards also made their way to Geocaching HQ in Seattle, where they were proudly displayed around the office. Look how cool their walls look!!

So we’re happy to share that Geocaching is continuing this collaboration in 2026! 🎉

Here’s what you need to know: from September 27 to October 4, 2026, geocachers will be able to earn the World Postcard Day souvenir by attending or hosting a Geocaching Event, as well as finding and logging one Letterbox Hybrid geocache. The dates line up neatly around World Postcard Day, which is on October 1.

By now, I think everyone knows what Geocaching is all about… but for those who might not be familiar with it, it’s a global treasure-hunting game played outdoors with the help of a GPS or smartphone. Players search for hidden containers (called “caches”) all around the world, sign their logbooks, and then share their adventures online. It’s all about getting out there in nature, looking out for treasures with friends!

This year’s extra challenge is kind of cool too: Letterbox Hybrid caches are inspired by letterboxing, a hobby that combines navigation, puzzle-solving and rubber stamp artistry. Many Letterbox Hybrid caches include a stamp for visitors to use in their own logbook… but which could also be used on a postcard, to make it extra fancy! 😍

If you’re organizing or attending a Geocaching event during that week, why not bring a few postcards along? You could write postcards together, exchange them, send one to Geocaching HQ, or even invite other curious geocachers to discover Postcrossing and the World Postcard Day.

And if there isn’t an event near you yet, you can always organize one yourself on the Geocaching website, making sure to follow their event guidelines. If you need ideas, you can check out Geocaching’s wrap-up post from last year, with photos and stories from the 2025 celebrations.

So let your postcards tag along on a little Geocaching adventure! Pack a pen, bring a few postcards, keep an eye out for Letterbox Hybrids, and see where the adventure takes you!