Although sending postcards never goes out of style, if you want to mail something a little different, here are some fun travel-related alternatives.

#1 Disposable Camera

Although your friends and family can keep up with your adventures on social media, there’s still nothing like holding the actual photos. So why not post a disposable camera? Fill it with fun pics you’ve taken on your travels, make it a personal wish-you-were-here gift by holding up signs or pictures, or use it as a creative way to send a happy birthday greeting.

#2 Ship a Coconut

Did you know you can ship a coconut in the mail? No, neither did we. But if you’re traveling to an exotic location and want to give your those back home a taste (quite literally), of the action, then this is a great idea. If you’re visiting Hawaii, then you can ship with the original coconut postcard company. Decorate as you desire, write your message and post!

#3 Post a Flip-Flop

Think of the ultimate holiday staple. Of course, there’s sun cream and swimwear, but what kind of sunny getaway would it be without a pair of flip-flops? So, step aside postcards, there’s a cooler way to send your holiday greeting. This idea also works as a cool keepsake or a wedding invite if you’re getting married abroad.

#4 Beach Ball

If you’re looking for a creative and travel-themed way to wish someone back home a happy birthday, then a beach ball could be the answer. Although you can ship a helium-filled balloon, they are a standard birthday tradition. Instead, inflate a beach ball, write your birthday message, wrap and ship.

#5 Bucket and Spade

Are you spending time on the beach? Make your friends and family home feel jealous with a bucket and spade. Inside, add a few local trinkets, send notes and messages, or even some sand – although you may not be very popular when they open the parcel and sand spills everywhere!

#6 Filled Piñata

If your travels will take you to Mexico, then a piñata is a surprisingly mail-friendly gift. You may be surprised that you can send a piñata in the post, but apparently, there are a lot of strange things you can mail in international parcels. Simply fill with delicious local sweets and treats and send back home

There you have it. Some fun, weird and very unusual travel-related things you can send home. Try one and wait for the hilarious reaction!

The post 6 unusual things to send to friends while traveling appeared first on 203Challenges.

Sending paper postcards is not as old-fashioned as it sounds. Of course, these days you can make a video call and show your friends where you are in real time, but few things are as exciting as spending two weeks checking your mailbox every day (the real one, not your email) for that card you are expecting from Sri Lanka.

So, here are the best reasons to send postcards from every trip you take:

1. To surprise someone who expects nothing but bills in their mailbox.

2. To tell yourself something you’d love to remember from this trip (yes, you heard me right; send a postcard to yourself).

3. To help someone who’s at home feel the country you’re visiting. You can take the ‘feel’ part to a whole new level if you add something small in the envelope, even if it’s just a pack of local chewing gum, a few tiny seashells or a pack of extra hot chilis.

Postcard collections | Dan Gold/Unsplash.com

4. To express your poetic soul. Do you feel a sudden need to pour your soul out in a poem dedicated to the Taj Mahal? Don’t risk losing the vibe! Write it down and send it immediately.

5. To remind someone you love them wherever you are.

6. To keep as a memento of your travels. One day your grandkids may find these cards and imagine what a glorious, adventurous life you once led.

7. To let your parents know you are alive (or at least that you were alive as of the moment you mailed the postcard!) and stop them from worrying.

8. To make new friends around the world. Have you heard of Postcrossing? It lets you send and receive postcards from random people from around the world. What’s more, if you have a whimsical obsession – like Soviet cars for example – you can actually put it on your profile and receive only themed postcards.

Pin this idea to your travel board, but not before you have messaged all your close friends asking them to send you their exact postal address.

The post 8 reasons why you should always send postcards when traveling appeared first on 203Challenges.