Things people ask

A card arrived and I have no idea who sent it

That is how it works. I artfully create postcards and write a kindness on the back by hand, and they can be sent to people you know, to yourself, or to someone you have never met but would like to send a positive note to. The card you received came from someone who chose that card and that particular message for a stranger, and the stranger turned out to be you. They will never know it reached you unless you look up the card number and leave a comment.

How did you get my address?

Two ways, and only two. Either it was added to this website’s address pool by you or by a family member or friend of yours, or it came from a list of residential addresses I bought from a company that sells them legally. Those cards have no names on them at all — the card goes to Current Resident, because I do not know who lives there.

What are the numbers on the back?

Every card has one. Type it into Find your card and you will see the artwork on the front and the message on the back. You can then leave a note or comment for the person who mailed it to you.

Are the cards written in English?

Yes. Every card is written by hand, by me, in English. If you do not speak English, there are many translation apps, including Google Translate, that can help you understand what it says. If you still need help, please contact me.

What does a card cost?

Eight dollars. That includes the stamp already on it.

Two things can add to it. Sending a card abroad costs $1.50 more, because it needs a Global Forever stamp instead of a US one. And if you ask for the card to come to your own home first, so you can address it yourself, there is a charge for the postage to you. It goes by weight, because all your cards travel together in one envelope: $0.82 for one or two cards, $1.60 for three to six, and $1.89 for seven to nine. Up to 9 cards can be mailed to you in one envelope. Ten or more makes it too thick and it becomes a package, which costs a lot more to send. For more than 9, just place a second order.

Will the person know I sent it?

No, unless you send a card to someone you know and you let them know. If you send a postcard to a stranger from the address pool, they will know the card came from this project, because the website is written on the back along with the number of the card. If they choose to visit the website, they have the option to leave a note for the person who sent it to them.

Can I choose what it says?

You choose from the kindnesses I have written. You cannot write your own, because I write every card in my own hand and these are my words. There are more than fifty to pick from, sorted by the sort of day somebody might be having. From time to time the kindnesses may change, with some added and some taken away.

How long does it take to arrive?

It may take a day or two for me to send the card, and then however long the mail takes. There are some steps I need to take before the card is actually mailed, including writing the kindness, taking a picture of it and putting it on the website.

I want to receive a card

Add your address on Get a card and it goes into the pool that people draw from. You can be named on the card or have it go to Current Resident — your choice.

Addresses that people add to the pool go to the top of the list. You can only add your address once. After you have received a card, you may go back and add it again. Addresses are deleted after a card is mailed (see the question below).

What do you do with my address?

I hold it until the card is written and mailed. Once the card is in the mail, the address is deleted. It is never shown on the card’s page and it never goes into the pool unless you ask for it to.

If you give me an address for someone else — a friend you are sending a card to — the same applies. It is used once and deleted.

I would rather not receive another

Tell me using Leave a general comment and I will make sure of it. Once an address has been used it is deleted anyway, so nothing arrives twice by accident. If you had added yourself to the pool and want out, ask and you are out.

Can I say something back?

Please do. Type your card’s number into Find your card and there is a comment box there. I read every note before it goes up.

If you would rather say something to me privately, about the project rather than a particular card, there is a separate way to do that, Leave a general comment, and it does not appear anywhere on the site.

Can I buy one in person?

Yes. They are at Prema Shala, 111 Main Street, Littleton, New Hampshire. The cards there are sleeved, stamped and already written in. Pick one, address it to someone you know or take a random address, and the shop will mail it for you.

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