You’ve got (snail) mail! How to tap into the art of surprise post, the slow way.

I don’t know about you, but ever since I was a tiny thing, I’ve absolutely loved receiving mail in the post. Family legend has it that one time, when I was four years old, I collected the post from every letterbox in the cul-de-sac we lived in, claiming that “the postman got it wrong”, such was my love for gathering letters. And let me tell you: the passion for collecting mail hasn’t wavered over the years.

As I’ve thought about it more, I’ve realised I even love the act of just checking the post – the ritual of it, whether I’m expecting something or not. I enjoy the sense of anticipation and potential for delight as I head off to check my letterbox.

This is much helped by the fact that I live in the hinterland and have a 100m gravel driveway to traipse along in order to reach my letterbox. My journey to check the post is almost text-book whimsical; paddocks and cows on one side, a huge field on the other, often featuring wallabies scritching around in the scrub. There are also two sweet bird families who live on my driveway – a flock of cute little quail and a family of tiny wrens, who flit through the lilly pilly trees and put a smile on my dial every time I spot them. Additionally, there’s an absolutely massive old tree in my neighbour’s paddock, its twisted and gnarly roots exposed and stretching out from its huge trunk. When it rains, loads of miniature waterfalls appear, musically trickling over the roots and helping little native flowers to grow at the base of the tree. Rather fittingly, we call it The Magic Faraway Tree – a name borrowed from the wonderful book by Enid Blyton, first published in 1943. At certain times of the year it even grows phosphorescent fungus on the trunk, and we creep down in the pitch black to see if we can spot it. Whimsical to the hilt, my friends!

Anyway, I digress! Back to collecting the post.

If you ask me, there is totally a hierarchy when it comes to matters of mail. At your base level there’s ‘necessary and bland’ post: the bills, the notices, the real estate flyers offering you a free appraisal of your property… Basically, ‘life admin’ post. Next, there’s the ‘knew it was coming’ post: the parcels that you’re expecting because you’ve ordered or purchased something to be delivered. Definitely fun, but not the ‘premium’ type of post. Then there is the ultimate. The coveted. The willed and wished-for. The ‘surprise’ post. The parcel or letter that you didn’t know was coming – the out-of-the-blue postcard, the off-schedule present or the thing you subscribed to, not knowing precisely when you’d receive your treasure. THIS, my people, THIS is the top of the post food chain.

I have to say that surprise post features less in my life than I would like. In fact, I can only think of one piece of surprise post I’ve received in recent years (a birthday gift from my colleague and adored friend, Emily) and it really reminded me how special it is to open the letterbox and see an unexpected parcel waiting for you. Receiving surprise post feels like when someone gives you a gift they made themselves. I find it so unbelievably touching that someone had me in their mind and cared enough about me to put thought into choosing something or writing their words to send to me, deliberately not mentioning it and just giving me the rare gift of a wonderful surprise. More of this, please! It got me thinking about how I could set myself up for more moments like this in future, because I tell you, I floated through the rest of my day after opening that parcel from Em.

Now I won’t start ranting about this age of technology and the part it’s playing in creating separation and disconnection between people and communities. I’m not going to rant about how I yearn for the more analogue elements of life, like making by hand, drawing, reading (I’m a purist here too – physical books all the way), and face-to-face interactions. I’m not going to rant because I know that I am in good and vast company with my feelings about it all. It would be preaching to the choir. Happily, there are a bunch of creative people ready to set us on the path to slowing down, getting off-line and, most importantly, hooking us up with top-notch surprise post!

The recent emergence of the snail mail movement is an exciting and welcome one. There are all sorts of small businesses who run snail mail clubs, which involve a paid subscription and then a monthly delivery of physical mail. Some are filled with beautiful things simply for your visual enjoyment and admiration, and others include activities, creative prompts and little tasks to inspire you to get making or reflecting.

There’s even a love for the practice in print. In her book Snail Mail, author Michelle Mackintosh explores the art of handwritten letters, from thoughtful care packages to the simple pleasure of putting pen to paper. Inspired by Japanese stationery and letter-writing culture, it’s filled with both useful and whimsical advice – like how to say thank you in a letter, romance someone, or even just take a moment to reflect on your own life through writing.

Ready to set future you up with the pleasure of surprise post? Then read on, friends, as we’ve done a round up of just a few wonderful small businesses who offer snail mail.

The Slow Press / Catie King

Pencils at the ready! Every month, The Slow Press sends a curated collection of puzzles and curiosities in the form of a beautifully printed booklet, straight to your door. Think find-a-words, sudoku, mazes, crosswords and the like. It’s a printed ritual designed to quiet the noise, slow you down and give your brain something better to chew on.

Paint Club / Ellen Walsh Designs

Delight in opening a package which gives you the foundation for creative expression. Each delivery from Paint Club includes an A5 watercolour template, printed on 100% cotton watercolour paper, an A6 print of the same template design – which is also a postcard so you can send some surprise post to a pal – a surprise goodie that changes every month (a sticker, or an extra print or activity etc), and a personalised letter from the artist herself.

Cloudy Club / Alessia E Art

Talk about beautiful presentation! Each Cloudy Club delivery includes a heartfelt, personal letter from Alessia, an exclusive sticker, an A6 postcard print, journal prompts and a monthly playlist to inspire connection, self-love, and creativity. What more could you want?

Little Joys Snail Mail / Julia Ockert

With the objective of inspiring the recipient, each Little Joys post includes a collection of sweet arty things, curated by Julia. A personal letter and list of Little Joys, a 5X7” Fine Art Print and matching swatch card, surprise paper goodies (e.g. cute memo sheets, stickers, washi tape etc.). There’s also a deluxe tier which includes small, original drawings, signed by Julia. Gorgeous!

Mail Club / The Handmade Kind

Now this one is for the sewists. The Handmade Kind subscription includes a range of little creative bits and pieces which change each month. There is always a personal letter and then other items might include colour moodboard, PDF sewing pattern, paper cut-outs, DIY projects like embroidery patterns. There is even the option to subscribe to receive the fabric or notions that partner with the DIY or pattern included in that month’s post, ensuring you’ve got everything you need to get making!

Lemon Drop Press / Hattie Nixon

Keen on journaling? Then the Lemon Drop Press might be right up your alley. Each month, a curated bundle of one-off junk journaling and crafty goodies will be heading your way – think creative prompts, stickers, paper supplies for your journal, mini games and mini sticker sheets, and, of course, a personal letter.

The Print Club / My Salty Studio – Cassidy Salomon

Want to share the surprise post love? Then check out The Print Club where each month you receive 2 x art postcards – one for you and one for you to send to another to share the kindness. Also, a personalised letter, a creative activity card, and a secret little something special each month.

A Peppermint magazine subscription – by The Peppermint Team!

And finally… What’s our favourite way of keeping that letterbox joy on repeat? A magazine subscription, of course! Just imagine: a fresh issue of your favourite magazine (which is Peppermint, of course!) landing in your hands, like a little hug from your past self, reminding you to take a moment, make a cuppa, and read to your heart’s content. Or better yet: gift a subscription to a friend and become the reason they check the post with a bit more hope!

If all this has you all inspired and you’d like to be the one to bring the joy of surprise post to a loved one then grab your pen and paper and hop to it! While it’s really fun to put together a beautifully curated envelope full of things like lovely paper, sweet stickers, little cards and artworks remember you don’t actually need any fancy things to produce perfect post – just a pen, paper, an envelope and a stamp. The beauty lies in the sentiment and the surprise.