"The real meeting consists in the communication of heart...hearts which are spiritually related to each other, their meetings are eternal, both in this world and in the Universe of God. I hope that thou mayest attain thereunto --'Abdu'l-Bahá"
Back to top.This is a project which involves commitment, but if you wish to strengthen a long-distance friendship, cheer up a sick friend, or maintain strong family ties, it's well worth the effort.
Hopefully you are familiar with mailing clubs which send you a large 3-ring binder and subject dividers along with a selection of craft project or recipe cards. Each month an additional selection of cards is mailed for you to add to your binder. This project follows that basic idea but instead of crafts or recipes, the binder's theme and contents is tailored by you to suit the needs of the relationship with your friend or family member.
After you have put together all the supplies and decided on your format (theme) and subjects, I have some suggested writing ideas to enclose in your first and subsequent mailings, so read on!
Supplies:
Large 3-ring binder (at least a 2" ring); subject dividers with insertable tabs; colorful paper; pre-stamped postcard; hole-punch; markers and pens; decorative stickers (optional); pen/pencil case for 3-ring binders (optional); top-loading sheet protectors (optional); photo album sheets for 3-ring binders (optional); new pen, pencil, eraser and other basic supplies to give as an additional gift (optional); and, a box large enough to mail the binder.
There are many reasons why you might want to create a binder for a loved one. I recently constructed a binder with the theme "Keeping in Touch" for one of my brothers who lives in another state. I wanted to write to him more and I felt this might be a good way for me to motivate myself each month. I had lots of stuff collected that I wanted to send to him anyway, and this gave me a creative structure. For his binder I chose very general subjects: "Letters" (from me of course), "Inspiration" (inspirational sayings and stories), "Humor" (jokes and comics I've been collecting), "Articles" (interesting and serious stuff) and "Miscellaneous" (which of course covers anything unexpected I find.)
A young boy in my community has been sick for many weeks so I constructed a "Get Well Soon" binder with the theme of "Pirates" because he likes them. I decorated the binder with collages of underwater scenes and on the side I wrote his names in large golden letters. Under the subject "Read It!" I included some pirate stories and facts. The other subjects and materials were chosen to cheer him up while he rests in bed: Letters (from me and around the world as I posted a request for mail on the internet), Funny Stuff, Arts & Crafts, Puzzles & Games, and Read It! I tucked sheets of stickers and other small gifts in the binder's inside pockets.
Other themes [and subjects] you might choose are:
Favorite Hobby [Articles, What's New, Photos, Tips & Techniques, Famous People (with same hobby)];This is Your Life [Scrapbook Itmes, Interviews with Family & Friends, Photos: Funny and Significant, Favorite Hobby, Occupation];
Bon Voyage [Letters, What's New Back Here (at the office/home/community), Local Photos];
Welcoming the New Baby [Parenting Advice, Articles, Baby Humor, Funny Baby Photos];
Pen-Pals (Get to know my hometown/Country) [Tourist Info, Local News, Community Activites, Community Photos];Happy Birthday & Holidays Send initial package on birthday and update each subsequent holiday for the next year [Cards & Letters, Holiday Games, Crafts, Holiday Humor];
Memories for My Child, or Grandchild [Memories of My Childhood, Memories of your Parents, Memories of You, Photos].
Fun Stuff (for young children) [Pictures to Color, ABC's, Shapes, Colors, Animals, Stories].
The variations are endless. If you come up with a another idea or application for the binder write and tell me about it.
Choose a binder with a design that suits the person or theme. There are solid-colored binders with clear plastic covers on the market now which allow you to insert sheets of paper on the front, back, and side of the binder. You can decorate these sheets any way you choose before inserting them.
Type or write the subject categories on the insertable tabs for the subject dividers. Place the subject dividers into the binder.
Gather at least one or two items for each of your chosen subjects and punch holes in them. Insert them under the appropriate category in the binder. I get a lot of things off the internet, but the public library is also a good resource. You may already have interesting magazine articles and newspaper clippings saved that you can photocopy and hole punch. For kids you can write out instructions for games you liked to play as a child like hangman, ghost or Nim. Photocopy family or community photos.
Include a self-addressed and pre-stamped postcard with a request that your loved one mail it back to you to confirm their receipt of the binder and that they tell you about any specific things they would like you to keep an eye out for. My young friend requested information on all sorts of games and crafts that I had never heard of. I am looking on the internet for anything about them.
Write a letter to your loved one explaining your theme and subjects. Let them know that you will be sending them more items to put in their binder weekly or monthly or on holidays (whatever time commitment you want to make.) Place this letter first in the binder so it will be read upon opening.
Write an essay about your loved one in any style you choose.
Write a haiku poem about their sense of humor, their smile.
Write a note recalling a funny story about them or about a moment when your felt particularly close or proud to be their friend/parent/sister--include a phot of the two of you together.
Create a crossword or word search puzzle listing words that have meaning to the two of you, or attributes of the person such as: generosity, kindness, wit, etc.
Create a questionaire that they can fill out and mail back to you in a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE)--include questions like: What do you wish you could do that you don't know how to do? What are you good at? What do you wish you were better at? What's your favorite time of day and why? What's your favorite color, food, book? If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? Why?
Remember to set things aside to mail to your loved one. You don't want them staring at an empty binder now do you? If you travel often-- save postcards, travel brochures, and other interesting souvenirs to mail. Each month, write a poem just for them, about them or about a special event that month.
Good luck!
Back to:
Past Projects
Journeys through Writing
Homepage