There’s something special about opening your mailbox and finding a handwritten letter waiting for you.
And when you open it to find a few little surprises tucked inside, it makes the whole experience even more exciting.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or fill the envelope with expensive gifts. Some of the best things to send to a pen pal are small, flat, and personal, like stickers, a pretty piece of paper, a pressed flower, or even a tiny drawing you made yourself.
These little extras are also a fun way to share your personality, especially when you’re still getting to know your pen pal.
You can send something related to a hobby you both enjoy, share a few pieces of your favorite stationery, or simply tuck in something you think they’ll like.
To make things easier, I’ve put together a list of 50 little things you can send in a letter, from stationery and stickers to small keepsakes and handmade goodies. Most are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to slip into an envelope.
Paper & Stationery
1. Washi Tape Samples
Share a few strips of your favorite washi tape instead of sending an entire roll. You can stick them onto a small piece of cardstock or parchment paper so your pen pal can peel them off and use them in their own journals, letters, or crafts.
2. Cute Stickers
You can never really go wrong with stickers. Send a few from a sheet you already have, or choose a small selection that matches your pen pal’s interests. Animals, flowers, food, characters, and cute little sayings are all fun options.
3. Sticker Flakes
Sticker flakes are especially easy to include in a letter because they’re small and flat. Pick out a few different designs and tuck them into a tiny envelope or paper pocket so they stay together during mailing.
4. Mini Sticky Notes
A small stack of mini sticky notes can be both adorable and useful. Choose a fun design and include five or six sheets, or write a little message on the top one for your pen pal to discover.
5. Small Memo Sheets
Have some cute memo paper sitting around? Share a few sheets with your pen pal. They can use them for quick notes, reminders, journaling, or even writing you a little message in their next letter.
6. Decorative Paper Scraps
Don’t throw away those pretty scraps left over from your crafting projects. Small pieces of scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or patterned cardstock can be tucked into a letter for your pen pal to use in their own crafts or journal spreads.
7. Patterned Paper Samples
Cut a few small squares from patterned paper and send a variety of designs. Your pen pal can use them for scrapbooking, collages, journaling, or decorating future letters.
8. Small Envelopes
Mini envelopes are a fun way to package the other little things you’re sending. Tuck a few stickers, a tiny note, or a small paper surprise inside and let your pen pal discover what’s hidden in each one.
9. Pretty Bookmarks
A bookmark is a particularly nice addition if your pen pal loves to read. You can buy a lightweight one or make your own from cardstock, patterned paper, or a favorite piece of artwork.
10. Vintage Postage Stamps
Unused vintage stamps can make a fun little gift for someone who enjoys collecting stamps, paper goods, or nostalgic finds.
Look for interesting designs, older stamps from your country, or a few from different places if you have them in your collection.
Nature-Inspired Things
11. Pressed Flowers or Small Dried Flowers
Press a small flower between the pages of a heavy book for several days until it’s completely dry and flat.
Then place it between two pieces of paper or secure it gently to cardstock before slipping it into your letter. It’s a simple way to share a little piece of nature with your pen pal.
You can also send a small dried flower if you’d prefer something with a little more texture. Choose delicate varieties that are naturally flat so they fit easily inside the envelope.
12. Pressed Leaves
Leaves are another easy option, especially when you find one with an unusual shape or beautiful color. Autumn leaves can be particularly pretty, but make sure the leaf is completely dry before mailing it.
13. Flower Petals
You don’t have to press an entire flower. A few dried petals can be just as pretty and take up even less space. Place them inside a small paper fold or envelope so they don’t end up scattered throughout the letter.
14. Small Flower Seed Packets
A small packet of flower seeds can be a thoughtful addition for a pen pal who enjoys gardening.
You could even write the name of the flower and a little note about why you chose it. Just check the postal and import rules first, since seeds aren’t permitted in every country.
15. Tiny Dried Herbs
A little dried lavender or another fragrant herb can add an interesting touch to a letter.
Wrap it securely in paper or place it in a small sealed packet to keep the pieces from spilling into the envelope. For international mail, check whether dried plant materials are allowed before sending them.
16. Tiny Dried Flower Sprigs
Small dried flower sprigs, such as baby’s breath or tiny statice flowers, can add a little texture to a letter without taking up much space.
Choose delicate varieties that aren’t too bulky, and secure them inside folded paper so they don’t shed pieces throughout the envelope.
17. Small Botanical Illustrations
If you enjoy drawing, make a tiny sketch of a flower, leaf, or houseplant for your pen pal. It doesn’t have to be perfect; a simple hand-drawn illustration can feel much more personal than something bought from a store.
18. A Tiny Leaf Rubbing
Place a leaf underneath a sheet of thin paper and gently rub over it with the side of a crayon or colored pencil. The leaf’s veins and shape will show through, creating a little piece of nature-inspired art that you can tuck into your letter.
Cute & Creative Ideas
19. Mini Drawings
Draw a tiny picture just for your pen pal. It could be a cartoon version of your pet, a favorite food, a little house, or something funny from a conversation you’ve had. It doesn’t need to be detailed to make the letter feel more personal.
20. Tiny Paper Puzzle
Draw a simple picture or pattern on a small piece of paper, and color it with crayons if you want. Cut it into a few large pieces and let your pen pal put it back together. You could even make the finished picture a little message or inside joke.
21. Small Watercolor Paintings
Paint a tiny scene, flower, landscape, sunset, or abstract design on lightweight paper. Watercolor works especially well for small artwork because you can create something beautiful without using much paper.
Let the painting dry completely before slipping it into your letter. Your pen pal can keep it on their desk, pin it to a wall, or tuck it into a journal as a little keepsake.
22. Handmade Paper Hearts
Cut a small heart from scrapbook paper, cardstock, or even a colorful magazine page. You can leave it plain or write a tiny message on the back before slipping it into your letter.
23. Origami Shapes
Fold a few small origami shapes, such as cranes, stars, hearts, or butterflies. They’re lightweight and easy to personalize with different colors and patterns.
24. Origami Fortune Tellers
Fold a paper fortune teller and fill it with silly predictions, questions, compliments, or inside jokes for your pen pal to discover. It’s a nostalgic little surprise that can make the letter more interactive.
25. Small Paper Crafts
Try making tiny paper flowers, fans, butterflies, bows, or other simple shapes. Keep them thin and flat enough to fit comfortably inside the envelope without making it difficult to seal.
26. Tiny Coloring Pages
Draw or print a miniature coloring page for your pen pal to complete. You could make it about flowers, cute animals, food, people, or other fun little designs.
27. Mini Crossword Puzzles
Create a small crossword using questions about your friendship, shared jokes, favorite things, or details from previous letters. It gives your pen pal something fun to do after they’ve finished reading.
28. Hand-Drawn Doodle Sheets
Fill a small piece of paper with doodles such as stars, hearts, flowers, smiley faces, and cute little drawings. You don’t need to be an artist—sometimes the simplest doodles are the most charming.
Small Flat Accessories
29. Ribbon Samples
Cut a few short pieces of pretty ribbon and wrap them around a small piece of cardstock to keep them neat. Your pen pal can use them for crafts, journaling, gift wrapping, or decorating future letters.
30. Lace Scraps
A small piece of lace trim adds a delicate, vintage feel to a pen pal letter. This is also a great way to use leftover lace from sewing or craft projects.
31. Embroidery Floss
Send a few strands of colorful embroidery floss in different shades. They’re especially useful for a pen pal who enjoys making friendship bracelets, embroidery, or other small crafts.
32. Thread Samples
A few lengths of colorful thread can be another fun addition for a crafty pen pal. Wrap each color around a small piece of cardstock or paper so the threads stay neat inside the envelope.
33. Flat Friendship Bracelet
Make a simple friendship bracelet using thin thread or embroidery floss, then flatten or fold it neatly for mailing. It’s a small gift that can carry a lot of sentimental value, especially between close pen pals.
34. Small Fabric Swatches
Send a tiny square of patterned or textured fabric from a craft project. Choose lightweight fabric that won’t add much bulk, and pick a print you think your pen pal will enjoy.
35. Iron-On Patches
A small, lightweight iron-on patch can be a fun surprise for someone who likes decorating jackets, tote bags, pencil cases, or other fabric items. Look for a design connected to one of their interests.
36. Temporary Tattoos
Temporary tattoos are thin, lightweight, and easy to tuck into a letter. Pick a few small designs that suit your pen pal’s personality, such as flowers, stars, hearts, or cute animals.
37. Flat Charms
Small, flat charms can be used for jewelry-making, keychains, zipper pulls, or other craft projects. Choose lightweight designs rather than bulky metal charms that could make the envelope hard to close.
38. Thin Decorative Buttons
A couple of pretty buttons can be useful for sewing and craft projects, or simply fun to collect. Choose lightweight, flat buttons so they don’t create too much bulk inside the envelope.
Personal & Sentimental Things
39. Printed Photos or Photo Booth Strips
Send a small photo of yourself, your pet, a recent outing, or a funny moment from your week. Photo booth strips are another fun option, especially if you have an extra one from a day out with friends.
Your pen pal can tuck the photos into a journal, scrapbook, or photo album as little reminders of you.
40. Mini Photo Collage
Print a few small photos and arrange them on a piece of cardstock or paper to create a mini collage. You could make one around a theme, such as your weekend, favorite places, recent outfits, or little moments from everyday life.
41. A Handwritten Quote
Write down a quote that reminds you of your pen pal. It could come from a book, movie, song, or even a conversation you had recently. Add a sentence explaining why you chose it to make the note more personal.
42. A Handwritten Poem
Write a short poem for your pen pal, whether it’s heartfelt, funny, or completely silly. It doesn’t have to rhyme or be perfectly written. The fact that you took the time to write something just for them is what makes it special.
43. A Favorite Recipe Card
Share a recipe you genuinely love on a small card or piece of cardstock. You could choose a family recipe, a favorite dessert, or something you make often.
Adding a little note about why you love it makes the recipe feel more like a piece of your life than just a list of ingredients.
44. A Handwritten Playlist
Write down a few songs you’ve been listening to lately and add a short note beside each one. Tell your pen pal which song is your current favorite, which one reminds you of a particular memory, or which one you think they’ll enjoy.
45. A List Of Movie & TV Show Recommendations
Make a short list of movies and TV shows you think your pen pal would enjoy. Instead of simply writing down the titles, add a sentence about what you liked about each one or why you think it matches their taste.
You could even give each recommendation a little rating or mark the one you think they should watch first.
46. A Mini Bucket List
Write down five or ten things you’d love to do someday, from visiting a certain place to learning a new skill or trying a food you’ve never had.
Leave a little space at the bottom and invite your pen pal to make their own list and send it back with their next letter.
47. A List of Questions for Your Pen Pal
Give your pen pal a few fun questions to answer in their next letter. Ask about their current favorite song, a place they’d love to visit, their childhood nickname, something they’ve always wanted to try, or what they’ve been looking forward to lately.
48. A Small Postcard
Send a postcard from your city, a place you’ve visited, or somewhere you’d love to travel someday. You can leave it blank for your pen pal to keep as a little souvenir, or write a short message on the back about why you chose it.
49. A Coin From Your Country
Send a small coin from your country as a little souvenir for your pen pal. It can be especially fun if you live in different countries, since they get to see and keep a small piece of your everyday life.
50. A Tiny “Things I’m Loving Right Now” List
Make a quick list of little things you’ve been enjoying lately, such as a snack you can’t stop eating, a song you’ve had on repeat, a favorite scent, a hobby, or even a cozy spot you’ve discovered. It’s a simple way to give your pen pal a glimpse into your world.
Tips For Sending Little Extras Safely
Before sealing your envelope, take a moment to make sure everything inside is suitable for mailing. A few simple precautions can help keep your little surprises and your letter in good shape.
• Keep the envelope light: Small extras are usually best, especially when you’re mailing internationally. A heavier or unusually thick envelope may cost more to send, so check the postage requirements for your destination if you’re adding several items.
• Avoid bulky or rigid items: Flat paper goods, stickers, fabric scraps, and other lightweight items are generally easier to mail than thick or hard objects. Bulky items can make the envelope harder to seal and may get damaged during handling.
• Protect delicate items: Place pressed flowers, petals, small paintings, or other fragile pieces between sheets of paper or inside a folded piece of paper. This can help prevent them from bending, crumbling, or rubbing against other items in the envelope.
• Be careful with anything that could leak, crumble, or leave a residue: Avoid adding liquids, loose powders, glitter, meltable candies, or anything that could stain your letter. Keeping everything contained makes the envelope much less likely to arrive messy.
• Check the rules for international mail: If you’re sending a letter across borders, check the postal restrictions for the destination country before including seeds, dried flowers, leaves, herbs, or other plant material. Some countries have restrictions on these items, even when they’re being sent as a personal gift.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to turn every letter into a little care package. Sometimes two or three small surprises are more than enough.
Choose things that remind you of your pen pal, reflect your personality, or simply make you think, “They’d love this.” A few stickers, a photo, a tiny drawing, or a handwritten note can make an ordinary letter feel much more personal.
And the best part is that you can build on these little traditions over time. Maybe you always send a new sticker, share a favorite song, or include a tiny photo from your week. Those small details can become part of what makes writing to each other so much fun.
Jennifer is a relationship coach with a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages and Literary Studies and over 10 years of blogging experience. Since 2016, she has been creating thoughtful, easy-to-read content on relationships, self-improvement, and everyday living, with a focus on helping readers make informed decisions and build healthier, more fulfilling lives. She enjoys cooking, reading, meditating, watching TV, and spending quality time with her husband and two adorable daughters.