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Trying to think of ideas for things to write and include in Open When Letters can be challenging. I love making them, but it’s always hard to know where to start.
By far, the easiest open when letters to put together are the ones for holidays and special occasions.
These are easy to do because there is always a card and seasonal goodies for this. So, here are 10 open when letters for holidays and special occasions.
Open When It’s New Year’s Eve
Spending New Year’s Eve apart can be a little sad, especially for couples who like to share that first New Year’s Kiss at midnight.
Here are some ideas of what to put in an Open When It’s New Year’s Eve Letter:
- a note/card wishing them a Happy New Year
- blank list for them to write down their New Year’s resolutions/goals
- a lipstick print of your kiss
- confetti/party popper
- firecrackers/fireworks
Open When It’s Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is another holiday that is hard to be apart, especially for couples. But an open when letter for this holiday would be pretty easy to put together.
Some ideas to send in an Open When It’s Valentine’s Day Letter:
- Valentine’s Day card
- more lipstick kisses
- candy hearts
- a list of the things that you love about them
- pictures
- flower petals
Open When It’s Saint Patrick’s Day
We don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but I know there are plenty of people who do. And if you have a tradition of celebrating with your long-distance loved one, you should send them a letter to celebrate the occasion in a small way.
What I would send in an Open When It’s St. Patrick’s Day Letter:
- note/card wishing them a Happy St. Paddy’s Day
- little bit of money to buy a drink
- gold coins (chocolate)
- funny memes
- lucky charms
- list of reasons that you’re lucky to have them in your life
Open When It’s Easter
Celebrating Easter with an open when letter for holidays would be an easy one. And there are all kinds of fun seasonal things for sale during spring.
You could use these ideas in an Open When It’s Easter Letter:
- an Easter card (yes, they do exist)
- Bible verses about Jesus’ resurrection
- Easter candy
- corny Easter love notes (“You egg-cite me!” “Your kisses are to dye for!”)
- Easter drawings from the kids
Open When It’s Your Birthday
This open when letter idea is a no-brainer. Send your long-distance loved one the best birthday wishes on their special day.
Here are some ideas of what to put inside an Open When It’s Your Birthday Letter:
- birthday card
- gift card/ money
- confetti/ party poppers
- balloons
- funny memes
- birthday candles
- scratch-off tickets
- their favorite candy
- a list of things you love about/wish for them (the number of things on the list = their age)
Open When It’s the 4th of July
The 4th of July is always a fun summer holiday and we hate when we can’t be together for it.
If I was making an Open When It’s the 4th of July Letter, I would include:
- sparklers/firecrackers
- travel-size sunscreen
- funny memes
- treat yourself card with money
- note reminding them that you miss them
Open When It’s Halloween
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays to celebrate. So, we especially hate the years when we don’t spend it together.
An Open When It’s Halloween Letter could include:
- a card or note
- pictures of past Halloweens
- candy
- Halloween drawings from the kids
- seasonal trinkets
- a Halloween countdown to when they’ll be home
Open When It’s Our Anniversary
Anniversaries are tough to spend apart. I would know, of our 13 anniversaries, I think we’ve spent maybe 5 or 6 of them together, thanks to military life. Thankfully, open when it’s our anniversary letters are pretty easy to put together.
Here’s what I would put inside an Open When It’s Our Anniversary Letter:
- a sweet anniversary card
- gift card/money
- small gift
- a favorite memory from each year that you’ve been together
- pictures of you together
Open When It’s Thanksgiving
The end-of-the-year holidays are always the hardest to bear during a long separation. An Open When It’s Thanksgiving Letter is another simple one.
Here’s what I would put inside:
- a list of reasons I’m thankful for you
- turkey handprints from the kids
- a Thanksgiving themed countdown
- a sweet note reminding them that you miss them
Open When It’s Christmas
Christmas is the hardest holiday that we have spent apart. There are so many family activities that remind us that our soldier isn’t with us and so many well-meaning people asking about him.
So, we try to make the Open When It’s Christmas Letter extra special.
Here are some ideas of what to put inside:
- a Christmas card
- gift card/money
- pictures of us together
- a Christmas countdown
- candy
- scratch off tickets
- couple coupons/IOUs from the kids
Unfortunately, I know about long-distance relationships all too well.
My husband always appreciates open when letters when I send them to him. It can be an overwhelming task, but open when letters for holidays and special occasions are a good place to start.
If you’re looking for more ideas, I’ve put together several other blog posts about open when letters:
- Open When Letters Topics & Examples
- 21 Open When Letter Ideas
- How to Decorate Open When Letters with Project Life Supplies
- 5 Easy Open When Letter Ideas
