The first postcard was (probably) a hand-painted design on card sent by the writer, Theodore Hook in 1840, to himself. The image was a caricature of workers in the post office. He was known for his practical jokes.

Not all postcards are sent from vacations or travels abroad. Many are still used as sales promotions by businesses.

What do you write on a postcard when it isn't about marketing...

• personal news
• something you have done or seen that day
• a short journal with thoughts and feelings
• interesting, motivating, or inspiring quotations
• flash fiction (very short story)
• information, like an address, a phone number
• a recipe
• holiday or seasonal greetings
• gossip
• drawings or cartoons
• mail art
• encouraging words
• interesting facts
• a coded message
• review a book, movie, etc.
• a hand drawn map
• riddles
• share a joke
• an invitation
• an anonymous love letter

Pick out a postcard and send one to family, a friend, or someone else on your mind.