Share a Memory Letters

the idea

Invite friends and family to pen a handwritten letter sharing their fondest memories of the guest of honor to present as a gift

handwritten letter next to a stack of letters tied up with string

the how

Ask friends and family to pen a handwritten letter recounting a favorite memory of the guest of honor
Have the letters mailed back to you ahead of time
Repackage each letter into more decorative envelopes, stack them up, tie into a bundle, and label them ’30 Years of Memories’ or ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’ depending on the occasion
During the party, present the bundle of letters to the guest of honor as a special gift from everyone present (and those who couldn’t be there!)

teenage girl reading a letter and laughing

middle aged man reading a letter and smiling

the why

Extraordinary; who writes personal letters anymore? No-one. That’s what makes this so special
Surprise; creates a sentimental moment during the party (expect the odd tear!)
Nostalgic; a walk down memory lane with so many friends and family is a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone birthday or special occasion
Personal; celebrates their relationships, not just the age they’re turning
Meaningful; creates a unique gift with sentimental value
Heartwarming; touching for the recipient to discover friends and family all took the time to create a very special gift
Inclusive; allows friends and family far away, those only in occasional contact, and any who can’t attend the party to still contribute
Keepsake; commits treasured memories to paper for the guest of honor to revisit in future
Budget-friendly; low-cost gift option that offers a ‘big bang for your buck’

senior Asian woman reading a letter and smiling with hand over her mouth

african american woman reading a letter looking happy and surprised

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

“Plan ahead and allow enough time. It can take a while for people to actually sit down and put pen to paper. Set a ‘post no later than…’ date and factor in enough time for a few reminders.

Explain that this is about celebrating the guest of honor’s life through memories and anecdotes; so it’s fine to get a little effusive or sentimental. Alternatively, humor works too. They might recall a funny story about how they first met or something that really cemented their relationship; the more nostalgic the better.

Remind people to include their full name in the letter too, as there may be several people with the same first name.

These look great if you repackage the letters into vintage-style airmail envelopes (see below) or another type of decorative envelope.”