Building Your Snail Mail Kit: Everything You Need!

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One of my favourite parts of writing letters is choosing my snail mail supplies. Which pen feels right today? Which notepaper will I use? Or would a card be better? Should I doodle on the envelope? And I get a kick out of choosing the right stamps for the recipient from my extensive postage stamp stash! 

If you're just getting started with snail mail and letter writing and you've found your first pen pal (and if you haven't yet, go read this first) or decided you want to write to an existing friend or family member, you're going to need a few supplies. 

Even if you don't plan to dive into pen palling, having a stocked letter writing kit is always a good idea for those odd times you need to send a card or thank you note. If you've got the essentials on hand, it's so much easier to sit down and dash off your note and have it ready to pop in the mail next time you leave the house!

The good news is, snail mail is one of the lowest-barrier hobbies out there. You don't need a studio, a subscription, or a single app update. Crazy, right?

But there are three things you absolutely need and you probably already own two of them! 

Let's get into the bare necessities, the 'nice to haves', and what you can skip until you've decided this snail mail and letter writing is for you.

The Bare Necessities for Letter Writing

If you take nothing else from this post, it's this: you need paper, a writing instrument, and a stamp.

That's it. That's the whole hobby. Everything else is decoration on top of those three essentials.

I know if you watch YouTube or social media videos it can feel like everyone has a ton of fancy supplies with their cute stickers, washi tape and fancy brush tip markers along with all their pen pal freebies that they give their recipients. But that's all extra stuff you do not need. 

The heart of letter writing and snail mail is... THE LETTER.

So here's the basics:

1. Paper & Envelope

Any paper works. A page torn from a notebook or notepad or 3 hole binder paper are totally acceptable. You can buy a box of basic envelopes at your local office supply store, Michaels, Amazon and most drugstores.

Part of the fun of starting a mail kit is choosing paper that feels like you so when you open your supply drawer it feels like a small joy instead of a chore. But cute paper can come later! And, you can always dress up your more utilitarian paper with doodles or fun quotes in the margins.

2. A Writing Instrument

A pen - any pen - is all you need. A pencil works too but they do tend to fade and smudge a bit, especially if you're left handed. Cheap ball point pens from Staples will do the trick every time though. 

As you get further into letter writing, you'll probably develop opinions about ink flow, nib width and whether or not you want to use a fountain pen but that's a "later you" problem, not a "today you" problem.

3. A Stamp

This is the only non-negotiable purchase. In Canada, stamps are available at your local post office, most grocery stores, and pharmacies.

Canadian domestic stamps (for standard sized letters going to Canadian addresses) are also called "P" stamps and will have a small letter p on them. P stamps hold their value. No matter when you bought them, one P stamp will always ensure your standard letter gets to its destination, even if the price of postage has gone up 3x since you bought them! So don't be afraid to buy a few more than you think you'll need. They'll still work years down the road!

That's it though. That's the whole starter kit. Paper, pen, stamp. You're good to go!

But, if you think supplies are half the fun of snail mail (ummm... yeah!!) then read on for other supplies you might want to try and ideas to keep everything organized! 

Leveling Up: Building a Mail Kit You Actually Want to Use

Once you've sent a letter or two and letter writing and snail mail have you hooked, you can start to have more fun! None of these items are required but a well-stocked mail kit turns "I should write back" into "I can't wait to write back."

Stationery & Paper Goods

• Letter sets: really good quality stationery is a joy to write on. Especially if you go the route of using a fountain pen! Letter sets usually include paper and matching envelopes in a plethora of colours and designs. Some will also include a ruled sheet that you can put under your notepaper while you write so that you can write in straight lines without having lined paper! For long letters, try to use lighter paper so you stay in the standard weight restrictions for lettermail (especially if you plan to include extra goodies!)
• Notecards and notelets: having a few designs on hand means you can match the card to the person or the mood. I like to have a few birthday cards, thank you cards and even a sympathy card on hand as well. They're also great when you don't have a lot to say but still want to send a note along
• Postcards: lower commitment than a full letter, perfect for quick check-ins or when you're easing a new pen pal into the habit. 
• Envelopes: stationery, cards and notecards usually come with envelopes but if you want something more colourful or a different size, you can buy boxes online or your local office supply store. You can also find envelope making templates online so you can fold and glue your own out of scrapbook paper, magazine pages or even wrapping paper! I like to decorate my envelopes with illustrations just for fun (because it's what I do!) so I have a small box that always has several envelopes just waiting for letters!

TRY THESE: Ice Cream Shoppe Postcards

Writing Tools

• A pen you actually enjoy holding: once you start writing longer letters, this matters more than you'd think. Weight, nib and ink colour and flow are all important. A lot of stationery stores and even Staples have "pen bars" where you can try pens out before you buy. 
• Fine-tip markers or colored pens: for addresses, doodles in the margins, or underlining the parts of your letter you really mean.

TRY MY FAVOURITE PENS: Zebra Fuente Fountain Pens

Decorative Extras

• Stickers: for sealing and decorating envelopes, decorating margins or sending as pen pal gifts. I love using my "You've Got Mail" stickers or my Snail Mail Post Box stickers on all my outgoing mail!
• Washi tape: very useful for sealing, decorating, or patching up an envelope mishap.
• Wax seals: not necessary but very satisfying to use! 

Be careful with envelope decoration. If you go crazy with things that can get caught in postal sorting machinery you might want to put your decorated envelope inside a plain envelope for actual mailing

SHOP STICKERS AND STICKER SHEETS

Organization

• A dedicated mail kit box or pouch: keeping everything in one place means you're never hunting for a stamp when the mood strikes. You can use a pretty box or decorate a plain box. I've also used thrifted letter boxes with different slots for paper, pens, stamps etc. Right now I'm using an old vintage wooden kitchen cutlery box I found thrifting.
• A notepads or notebooks for drafts or notes: useful for jotting down what you want to mention before you commit ink to good paper, or for keeping track of who you owe a letter to.
• An old fashioned address book: great for storing all your address but some, like this pretty floral one, also have pockets for keeping your stamps and notecards in. Some will even have a Christmas card trackers so you can track who you sent cards to (and received cards from)!

TRY THESE: Typewriter Notepads

Bonus: Stamps Worth Collecting

If you want to make your outgoing mail a little more fun, look for commemorative or seasonal stamp designs. Most countries release several every year and they can honour anything from a well known author or actor to promoting literacy, landmarks, flowers, graphic novels or trains!

If your local post office doesn't stock much, head over to the Canada Post website (or your country's postal service website) where you can view all their commemorative releases and order them online (usually with free delivery right to your door!). Canada Post also sells quarterly release packs where you can buy one of each of all the stamps released during the last quarter of the year. You can usually buy older packs as well! It's a fun way to get a whole bunch of the more interesting stamps for a reasonable price and without having to buy packs of each one!

I've collected stamps since I was a little kid and I often buy sheets of old releases from other collectors off of eBay or Etsy. These are still valid postage and a fun but functional way to decorate your envelopes!

Building the Letter Writing Kit That Works for You

Your mail kit  is bound to evolve. You'll start with the basics, try a few things, and slowly figure out what you actually reach for versus what sits in a drawer looking pretty. That's normal and it's part of the process of making this hobby feel like yours.

Start with paper, pen, stamp. Add from there as you figure out what you love.

FAQ

Do I need fancy supplies to start writing letters?

No. A pen, paper, and a stamp are the only requirements. Everything else is optional and can be added over time.

What's the most useful "level up" purchase?

Most people find postcards and stickers are the easiest upgrades. They're low cost, high impact, and they make your mail more fun to send and receive immediately.

How many stamps should I keep on hand?

Enough for a few letters at once, so you're never stuck waiting on a post office trip when inspiration strikes. A small stash of 5–10 stamps is a reasonable starting point.

Can I reuse materials I already have at home?

Absolutely. Scrap paper, old greeting cards, and notebook pages all work. Many letter writers actually prefer mixing handmade and purchased materials for a more personal touch.

Where should I store my mail kit?

Anywhere accessible like a drawer, a box, or a dedicated pouch near where you usually sit to write. The goal is removing friction so you actually use it.

More Reading:

• How to Find a Pen Pal (And what to write in your first letter!)
• Over 50 Fun Things You Can Send Your Pen Pal
• 10 Ways to Repurpose a Greeting Card

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