Homemade Cards

Who doesn’t love receiving an unexpected letter in the mail? Nothing beats the surprise of receiving a personalized letter. 

Recipient ideas:

• Children’s hospitals, nursing homes, foster kids, mental health patients, refugees, past/current soldiers, homeless shelters, etc.

• Or, if you aren’t comfortable writing to a stranger, you could always write an appreciative letter to grandparents, any aunts/uncles, parents, a close friend, siblings, etc.

Some Tips:

• Consider the audience—think about what would be appropriate to include, as well as what should reasonably be avoided.

• Consider the purpose—devise a plan for the kind of message you intend to get across. Whatever the overall message may be, the theme should stay positive and uplifting.

• Consider the medium—handwritten is always ideal, but this is not required. Determine if colors or drawings are appropriate to add. Depending on your chosen recipient group, additional colors/art could be a great way to brighten their day!

• Consider the layout—the card should be sincere and made with care. Keep it neat and uncluttered, but don’t forget to add unique elements to personalize it!

Meals on Wheels Opportunities

Placemats

• An extra surprise for a recipient of the meal program

• Decorate with markers, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, etc.

• laminate if possible

• NO loose elements (i.e. glitter, powder, chalk, + similar mediums)

Paper Lunch Bags

• It’s super easy and fun to get started

• The only materials needed include, your-choice of art supplies to decorate with, and at least one paper lunch bag to decorate

• It’s a fun and simple way to brighten someone else’s day, as well as to add lively colors so as to uplift recipients’ moods with every decorated bag 

• Again, NO loose elements (glitter, powder, chalk, etc.)

No-Sew Blankets

• No-sew blankets are super simple and take hardly any time to make

• Many programs exist solely to provide blankets to people who need them

• Donate to foster children, homeless/impoverished individuals, hospitalized children, and numerous other communities