Unique ideas for a Friend/Pen Pal/Inmate
*sorry, I originally posted this in the wrong forum.
MY TOP TEN IDEAS FOR INMATES:
I have several gift ideas for pal or friends incarcerated. Most are unique...all are inexpensive. ($20 or less to the best of my knowledge.) Please enjoy!
1/ Buy them a star in their name. Shop online. Some can be purchased very inexpensively (approx $15)
2/ Birthday Treat. Send one card for each day of the month leading to their b-day. (Ex: b-day is 5/12. Buy 12 b-day cards at Dollar Store for 2/$1. Mail them all together in one envelope.) (Saves postage and inmate has them all at one time.) Two weeks prior, send inmate letter explaining the process. Open one card each day. (yes mail room opens all cards, they simply remove one card from the big envelope to enjoy each day.) There will be a card for Saturday and Sunday when most likely there is no mail call. Try to add a scripture or a few personal lines in each cards. It sounds hard, but is quite easy. Give yourself a few days to get all cards ready. One week prior, mail the big envelope of all the cards. I mark one special card on the envelope to "not open until 5/12". That is a special card for the exact b-day. Try to enclose a few photos in this one. Maybe a crossword puzzle or favorite magazine article.
3/ Search on-line and find the inmate's family coat of arms or family crest. Lots of names are available. There are even sites where you can print a small sample for free. Other sites offer a postcard or greeting card with this. All are very inexpensive.
4/ Buy the inmate a book (from a leading book distributor) about the genealogy of their last name. Many inmates are proud of their heritage. I find they enjoy this book. I have found very common and uncommon names alike. It is worth a try. The specific book I refer to is less than $20.
5/ At a genealogy site look up the meaning of the inmate's first, middle and last name. Most find this interesting. You can print this for free. It's a small treat I've found most enjoy.
6/ create a sheet of stamps with their name, child's name, a short saying they like, a small picture they enjoy, even the family crest. They will be wowed to see their name (or similar) on the postage stamps you use on any US mail you send them. (Especially nice for the large envelope of b-day cards mentioned above.)
7/ Do a similar card mailing for the 12 days before Christmas (Or any Holiday your inmate celebrates.....you determine the appropriate number of cards.) If for Christmas, this gives the inmate a true card to open on 12/25 when the mail room is closed. Again, a small gift (picture, scripture, small letter, crossword, anything inside the card is an additional gift.)
8/ picture ideas for cards: b-day. buy a cupcake or small cake with inmate's name. Have bakery add a "Happy Birthday"pick. add a few b-day candles. Takes a picture of this both with and w/o the candles lit. Sing "Happy B-day" in a card via text. Of course they cant eat the cake/cupcake, but they will love being remembered. This will work for any holidays, really. Also, can use the picture to make a personalized b-day card (or other holiday card) on-line for a few dollars.
9/ consider spraying cards, letters... anything you send with perfume. They usually love it.
10/ send a post it note, sprayed with perfume. allow it to dry well. write "Hugs for (insert inmate's name)". Of course, use your own personal ending. Also can use a plain small notecard (the kind used to make notes on in school). I've coined these "pocket hugs". A small treat for your inmate/loved one to carry in their pocket to remind them daily of your love and support for them. I actually thought this sorta corny, but I have one pal that treasures his... If you try any, I hope your inmate(s) enjoy them as much as mine. I am a happy pen-pal to currently 7 inmates. Enjoy!
***As a side note, I have found some in SHU who see the outside rarely (or go to concrete cages when outside) love any pictures of outdoor scenery. A rainy day. A sunny day. Flowers. Trees. A snowman. The outdoor Christmas lights the neighbors have up., etc. He tells me it makes him feel he is outside when in his cell....23 hours a day.
**** Print a few pages of jokes online and send in a letter or email. Cut and Paste is all it takes or simply print them.
***Send them the lyrics to a few favorite songs. These are easily obtained online. While they cant always hear it on the radio, They can now hear it every time they read the lyrics.
***Send postcards from your hometown or vacation spot. Create a postcard online with your picture or even their name. These make wonderful bookmarks they can use over and over.
****Read the same book and discuss it. Same goes for a shared TV show or sports game. Again, it is the sharing of the event that is special.
*** Create and print a calendar for them from your pc. Add special dates and/or photos.
*** Use colored pens when sending a card.
I'm sure I've worn my welcome. If you use and like any of these, kindly let me know. Please share your ideas. I am always looking for something new and unique. God Bless those that read this to the end. :o) Sorry, if any of these are repeats. I tried to think outside the box. I have used all of these and had at least one positive response from at least one of my friends/pals. Have Fun!
