They might be the most underrated souvenir.

To most, sending postcards is an outmoded way of keeping in touch—what’s the point when you can just post on social media and rake in the likes from everyone you know (and their mother)? However, when I send a postcard to a loved one, their (texted) response is usually something along the lines of, “Wow, thanks! I haven’t gotten a postcard in forever!” When I admit to others that I’m an avid postcard sender, people usually tilt their heads and ask, “They still sell postcards?” But when I share that I also write a postcard to myself and mail it from wherever I am in the world, as a way to record memories and experiences, their eyes light up—the most common response I receive is, “Brilliant! Why have I never thought of that before?”

Here’s why I always mail myself a postcard on my travels—and why you should also adopt this travel ritual.

They help you see another side of your destination.

Finding and mailing a postcard from any destination leads to exciting adventures and offers a taste of the mundane (read: authentic) side of local life. I’ve bought stamps from a newsstand in Hungary and once begged our tour guide in Brazil to mail my postcard for me after realizing I’d forgotten to do so upon arriving at the airport. Moreover, I’ve ventured into post offices in Italy, Hong Kong, and South Korea, trying to navigate a system that often left the locals chuckling at my confusion.

Postcards are an easy-to-find, super-cheap “souvenir” available pretty much everywhere globally. By attempting to unravel the local postal system, you naturally learn a bit more about these foreign countries, for better or worse. Mailing postcards from afar has certainly deepened my appreciation for the U.S. Postal Service.

They help you remember the details.

In today’s digital world, having something tangible imbues the object with meaningful sentiment. My husband and I treasure the postcard from our St. Lucia honeymoon in 2014 and a collection from backpacking through Europe in 2015. I’ve even saved a postcard from our first post-lockdown trip to St. Croix in June 2020, an unforgettable moment in history. Postcards would be among the first items I would save if faced with a crisis.

Writing fun snippets from trips on a postcard helps solidify memories of where you went, when, and what you did there. My postcards always feature key elements: the location (often part of the postcard’s design), dates of the visit, and a few standout activities.

They don’t take long to write.

While many recommend journaling throughout a trip, it can be time-consuming to recount your day’s events, especially when new adventures beckon. Instead, you can sum up your experiences on a small square and send it off—much like a Tweet, but with no Wi-Fi required.

They’re collectible.

Tchotchkes like magnets and T-shirts are enjoyable, but they can take up significant space and aren’t timeless—they mostly just gather dust. A postcard not only preserves memories of a trip, but also encapsulates a moment in history.

Your postcard will collect stamps and postmarks from around the world, each including the date. The joy often lies in selecting a design that resonates with the spirit of the location. If it features the work of a local artist, that’s even better. Receiving a postcard in your mailbox is a delightful surprise—even if it takes a few weeks to arrive. Rest assured, every postcard I’ve sent from overseas has made it to me—just remember to include “USA” at the end of your address.

They can be turned into an album.

One of the greatest joys of traveling is sharing experiences with loved ones. However, as any frequent traveler knows, people quickly lose interest while scrolling through endless travel photos. Instead, you can display your postcard collection in a photo album—a more engaging way for friends and family to reminisce about your adventures at their leisure. This collection serves as both a keepsake and a fantastic conversation starter.

Best of all, such an album becomes a time capsule and a treasured heirloom. Imagine discovering a 100-year-old collection of postcards from your great-grandfather’s travels around the world—capturing moments from a bygone era. Now is the perfect time to start crafting such a treasure for your descendants.