Endless Bliss | Happy Lifestyle Blog: "open when" letters.

"open when" letters.



As most of you know, Jon and I just celebrated our 3-year anniversary. I decided to get a little creative with his gift this year and make him some "Open When" letters, inspired by a picture that I saw on tumblr about a year ago. I've been working on this gift since June, and I'm pretty excited about how it all turned out. 

What exactly are "Open When" letters? They are simply cards or letters that you give to someone, instructing them to open them at a specific time. Check below for some examples!

Ideas for your "Open When" letters:

Open When...
  • you need to know how much I love you.
  • you miss me.
  • you're not feeling well.
  • it's finals week.
  • you're on your way to see me.
  • you're going for a workout. 
  • we're miles apart.
  • you're sad.
  • you need a laugh.
  • you're having a bad day.
  • it's your birthday.
  • we're having a fight.
  • you're hungry.
  • you feel like it.
  • it's Valentine's Day.
  • you're bored.
The possibilities are endless! I had a ton of ideas, and I had a hard time narrowing them down. 

For my cards, I decided to include small gifts with a few of them. I've heard of a lot of people who just stick to the cards and letters, but I liked the idea of having my letters be different sizes, shapes, and colors. I've seen some that have all of their envelopes look just alike, and those are fine too, but I wanted mine to be colorful, chaotic, and fun. 

Ideas for small gifts to go with your letters:

Hungry: A gift card to somewhere the recipient likes to eat
Workout: A pedometer, sweatband or other small workout gear
Bored: A word search, Sudoku, Mad Libs or some sort of puzzle
Laugh: A joke book or list of jokes, a funny picture
Finals Week: 5-hour energy, coffee or a Starbucks gift card
Having a Bad Day: A mix CD of happy songs, happy pictures or a happy movie
Miss Me: A picture of the two of you together, a list of fun memories you've had together
Get creative with your gifts! The costs may add up, so make sure you think small, but significant. It also helps if you plan this gift in advance so you can spread out your spending over time.

Tips:
  • If you're starting this gift in advance, buy cards for every holiday.
  • Think of important dates coming up in the recipient's life, i.e. graduation, a family vacation, job interview, etc.
  • Collect cards with colorful envelopes. White envelopes look pretty boring unless you decorate them.
  • Think personal. Don't just stick to general cards like "I miss you" or holidays.
  • Write meaningful things in the cards. Don't just write your name.
  • Make the message in every card different. Don't be repetitive. 
  • If you include any food as gifts, make sure you write on the envelope when they need to open the envelope by.
If you have any questions or want to share any of your ideas, comment below or shoot me an email! Have a lovely Friday eve!

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108 comments :

  1. :O This is such a great idea! You've actually inspired me!
    Thank youuuu!

    Yuen @ The Craziest Paradigm - a 'lil bit of rust & stardust

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  2. Yay! You're welcome! I'm happy to inspire! :)

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  3. Tiffany- this is adorable! I'm definitely doing this for my best friends birthday in April!

    xo, Hima
    Hima Hearts

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  4. Awesome! Thanks so much! I'm sure your best friend will LOVE it!

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  5. This is too cute. Can I make these for my imaginary boyfriend? Or myself? LOL.

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  6. I love this so much! Definitely going to keep it in mind for future anniversaries or special dates :)

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  7. That's the cutest thing ever! congratz!

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  8. Haha. I was telling a friend about these the other day, and she said that she wanted someone to make them for her, and I agree. Someone make this for me pleeeease!

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  9. Thank you! It was a hit with the boyfriend, and I have a friend who plans on doing it for her boyfriend on Valentine's Day!

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  10. OMG, this is SUCH a cute idea!!! I am totally stealing this!!!!

    xo Megan, Lush to Blush

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  11. I LOVE this! Like Megan, I'm totally stealing this!

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  12. Happy Anniversary to you both! That's so awesome. This idea is so flipping romantic, I can't even handle it. Ugh, my heart. I hope he enjoyed it. :D

    Always,

    Mostly Lisa

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  13. That is such an ADORABLE idea! I love it!

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  14. Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions or need any ideas!

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  15. Haha yay! I'm glad! Let me know if you need help with anything!

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  16. Thanks so much! He really did enjoy it. It was super cheesy, but he was excited to get to open all of the letters.

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  17. Oh this is so perfect for long distance relationships! Doing this.

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  18. It really is! I told him to tell me every time he opens one, and it gives us another reason to talk (on top of the other million other things we talk about).

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  19. This looks like a great idea. One I just may have to do for my sweetie. :D and we have a long distance relationship. He's 50 so miles from me and we only see each other 3 times a week if not 2. and talk daily

    How do you deal with doubt and stress. Go read and let me know your positive input. http://pinkowl07.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-truth-shall-set-you-free.html

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  20. I did this for my boyfriend when I went to South Africa for a month and he was in the hospital. It was a great way to be there and encourage him even from across the globe!

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  21. My boyfriend and I are about the same distance apart as you and yours. We live about an hour away from each other. That's awesome that y'all get to see each other a couple times a week. We only see each other a couple times a month just because we're both so busy. Plus we're young and we can't afford to drive back and forth so much.

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  22. That's so awesome! That's a long distance to be away from each other, so I'm sure he loved them!

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  23. This is awesome! But do you have like limitations on how many cards to give? Or it doesn't really matter? You seemed like you made A LOT hahaha

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  24. What a fantastic idea! Love this! Will pin for future use!

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  25. What a great idea! I may use this when Brent deploys.

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  26. What a great idea! I'm actually thinking of doing this for my 8 yr old daughter.. A mother-daughter thing.

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  27. Aw! I'm sure Brent would love it! It would be like you were there without being there in a way.

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  28. Awww! That's so sweet! I'm sure your daughter would really love it!

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  29. I'm making some "open when..." Letters for my boyfriend Jake. I want to make them really really special but I don't have many good ideas. How many should I make, is 20 too many?

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  30. I think 20 would be a great number to aim for. I actually did more than 20 for my boyfriend. One thing to think about is that he's going to be opening them up over time for different situations, so it's not like he's just opening them all at once. I think the best way to approach it would be to write down as many ideas as you can and then narrow them down from there or do all of them if you like them all. Also some ideas are really similar, so you could just consider choosing one or the other. If you want to make a numerical goal for yourself, that would be great, but it may be easier to just make a list of open when letters that you really want to do and then do them rather than having a set number. Let me know if you need anymore help or have anymore questions! :)

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  31. You're welcome! So glad I could help. Your friend is lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you as friend. I'm sure this gift will make her feel loads better.

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  32. I'm making some for my boyfriend who is going to be gone all summer... How many do you think I should make?

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  33. I think it just depends on how many ideas you come up with. When I started making it, I didn't have a specific number I wanted to reach; I just wrote down some ideas and did the ones that I liked. I made somewhere between 20-30. If y'all will be apart for the whole summer, I'd say make at least 10-15 so he'll have something to open frequently during the time that he's gone.

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  34. So my best friend and I are both leaving our home state as we go off to college. She will be going to Wisconsin as I will be in Mississippi, I didn't know what to get her for graduation/going away gift until I saw this, It's perfect. Especially since her and I are never really apart this will reassure her that out friendship will last and make it even though we have some distance between us!

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  35. I'm glad that you stumbled upon my blog then! This is the perfect gift to make for someone when you know you'll be apart for awhile. I hope your friend enjoys her gift, and I hope you have fun putting together all of your letters!

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  36. Thank you! It was a lot of fun to put together!

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  37. I use to do open when letters for myself. It would include the type of goals, Where will you be in 5 years, 10 years, and so on. I haven't made on of those in a while. I like the idea of doing it for someone special.

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  38. I think that's so fun! For youth group one time, we all wrote a letter to ourselves, and at the end of the year, we received our letter from ourselves in the mail. It was neat to look back and see how much can change in just a year. I want to do that now!

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  39. I used in the past Futureme.org to send emails to my future self. The last time I sent a letter to myself was in youth group, we wrote letters to ourselves, I believe about two years ago I got the last letter I wrote to myself from youth group. Ah, reading it was a tad bit disappointing, but it was still cool.

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  40. I'll have to look into that website. I hate that your letter was disappointing!

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  41. I'm doing this for my best friend who is going off to college this august! any letter ideas?

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  42. Certainly! I've listed a few below.

    Open When...
    - you're on your way to school
    - before your first big test
    - it's finals week
    - you get a bad grade
    - you miss me
    - you need a friend
    - you're pulling an all-nighter
    - you're hungover
    - you need a laugh
    - you're happy
    - we're fighting
    - someone makes you mad
    - you need a shoulder to cry on
    - you want to reminisce

    I hope that helps!

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  43. awww! great ideas congrats on your anniversary. Im definitely going to do this!

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  44. Thank you! We're just 5 months shy of four years now. I'll have to start thinking up another creative gift. Good luck creating your cards! If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out.

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  45. I love this gift! I'm doing this for my niece that is going into high school this year! Any ideas

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  46. Yay! I'm glad you like it! I'm sure she will too! High school is such an exciting time. Here are a few ideas I just came up with. I hope they help!


    Open When...
    - it's the day before a big test
    - you're disappointed in a grade
    - you get home from your first day
    - it's the last day of your freshman year
    - it's game day!
    - you need a pick me up
    - you feel like crying
    - you need a laugh
    - you're hungry
    - you're getting ready for the dance
    - you just had your first kiss
    - you're feeling lost
    - you need a friend
    - you're happy
    - you have a crush
    - you want to walk down memory lane

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  47. Sometimes I see that a lot of the suggestions other sites put up seem negative like this person is going to feel sad, or depressed a lot but your ideas are really positive and I like that. For my boyfriend I am getting him a magic card booster pack (his favorite game) for the open when you feel grumpy card to cheer him up a little bit.

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  48. I gave letters to my boyfriend for our anniversary, and he loved it! Here are a few ideas for you:


    Open When...
    - it's our anniversary (it'll be the first one he opens)
    - it's {insert holiday here} (Christmas, Thanksgiving, V-Day, etc. As many holidays as you'd like)
    - you need a pick me up
    - you need a laugh
    - you miss me
    - you need to know how much I love you
    - you're hungry
    - you're happy
    - you want to reminisce
    - we're fighting
    - you're mad at me
    - you feel like crying
    - we're about to go on a date


    I hope that helps!

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  49. I really like staying positive, and the few that I do have for when someone is mad/sad, the letters I included were to help make them happy again! I think that's such a fun idea for your boyfriend. It's the little things that really count, and I think he'll love it!

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  50. This was a wonderful idea I just did this for one of my best friends as a college present!

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  51. That's awesome! It's such a perfect gift for any occasion, and they get to keep enjoying the gift for a long time.

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  52. My boyfriend is going to leave for the army in a few months. I was thinking that it would be cool to send a package with a bunch of these while he's in basic training. Any ideas for topics?

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  53. That's so sweet! This gift would be perfect for that! Here are a few to get you started:


    Open when...
    - you miss me
    - you're angry
    - you need a laugh
    - you're bored
    - you're on your way back
    - you need to know how much I love you
    - you're having a bad day
    - you feel like crying
    - it's [a holiday, anniversary or birthday]
    - you can't sleep
    - you miss [a pet, a person, a friend - could include a picture of that person/animal or maybe even a letter from them]
    - we've been apart for [#] days
    - when you feel like it

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  54. thank you! these are perfect!

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  55. You're very welcome! So happy to help!

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  56. My sister's birthday is coming up, she's turning 33. Her and I are best friends but I live in Arizona right now and she lives in Minnesota. I want to do 33 "open when..." but I need a few more ideas, and what to put in them!

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  57. I am the Residence Assistant for my floor in university and I would like to make a couple for my residents (I have 17 girls on my floor) before Christmas so they can have something over the Christmas holidays. Do you have any ideas?

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  58. That's so awesome that you want to do this for 17 girls! That's so sweet, and I think they'll really appreciate it since it'll be a bit of a task! Here are a few:


    Open When...
    - it's Christmas
    - it's New Year's Eve
    - when you're missing school (feeling homesick)
    - you need a hug
    - you're upset
    - you want to be alone
    - you're lonely
    - you need someone to talk to
    - you need some inspiration
    - you need a pick me up
    - you can't sleep
    - you're hungry
    - you're pulling an all-nighter
    - you're freaking out about your future
    - you're nervous before a big test
    - you're bored
    - you need a laugh


    Hope these help!

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  59. I really want to do this for my boyfriend. Is it okay to do if we don't have a long distance relationship? If yes do you have any ideas for me? I ALREADY HAVE A FEW I JUST WANT MORE. LOL

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  60. That's totally okay! My boyfriend and I aren't long distance anymore, and there are a few cards he still hasn't opened yet, but they're still relevant. Here are a few that might apply for a relationship that's not long distance.


    Open when...
    - you're going on a trip
    - it's our anniversary
    - you have something to celebrate (promotion, aced a test, etc.)
    - you get bad news
    - you want to talk, but we're fighting (or just when you want to talk)
    - you want to say I'm sorry
    - you're about to go out with your friends
    - we're spending the day apart
    - you're stressed
    - you're hungry
    - you're lazy
    - it's Halloween
    - you need a pick me up
    - you want to be alone
    - you're bored
    - you need a laugh

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  61. Hey! i just read your post - absolutely love your ideas :) And so kind of you to response everybody with your creative ideas. Wondered if you might be able to help me as well . I want to do this for my boyfriend as well who lives in another country. Maybe you have any ideas to put inside the envelopes :)

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  62. I'm so happy you like the idea, and I love sharing new ones! If your boyfriend lives in another country, if you plan on sending him gifts too, I'm guessing it would be best to keep the items kind of light so the shipping doesn't get to be absolutely ridiculous. I would definitely recommend sending things that he can't get in the country he lives in. I participated in a blog swap box with a girl in Germany, and she sent me all sorts of chocolates and goodies that I can't get here in the states. So that's definitely something to consider. Some ideas would be seasonal things (like pumpkin spice is big now, and I know they don't usually have a lot of pumpkin spice items in other countries) or something from a specific place like a Starbucks coffee or hot chocolate mix. There's also magazines - those are always different internationally. Books (those are my favorite gifts to give) or movies (release dates are different internationally) or music. Pictures are always good for going down memory lane, needing a laugh, or anything about love. Some cheesy things would be:


    - Tissues (open when you feel like crying)
    - Teddy bear or stuffed animal (open when you need a hug)
    - Hershey kisses (open when you need/want a kiss; you could also do this for hugs)


    I hope those help! I know that was all a bit jumbled together, but hopefully you can make sense of it!

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  63. I'm planning on leaving in March to live abroad for a year. I've already found a ton of ideas for these letters for my boyfriend, but I also want to make a set for my parents & while I've come up with some, I'm hoping for more ideas. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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  64. Hi Jenna! Congrats on going abroad! That sounds exciting. I think your boyfriend and your parents will definitely love this gift! Here's some ideas for parents:


    Open when:
    - you miss me
    - you had a hard day at work
    - you're eating my favorite dinner
    - we haven't talked for over 24 hours
    - I'm on the plane
    - you feel like dancing
    - you've had a long day
    - you need a pick me up
    - you need a hug
    - it's date night
    - after our first phone call while I'm abroad
    - you can't sleep
    - you want me to come home
    - I tell you that I want to come home
    - you're mad at me

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  65. Great! Thanks so much for the ideas!

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  66. I had to move home from school for a semester and I'm wanting to do these for my four best friends back at school, two guys, two girls. Do you have any suggestions for the guys as we're not romantically involved in any way, just really best friends? Suggestions for the girls would be great too! Thanks!

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  67. The most important thing is to make them personal. Pull from your relationships with these people and think of inside jokes or things that just the two of you understand. Like if something funny happened in a Starbucks or something, you could do "Open When you go to Starbucks" and in the card, mention the incident. Or if they like a certain football/baseball/other sports team, you could do "Open When [insert team here] wins" or if they lose. You can also do all of the holidays. For girls, you could mention the time of the month (I think we all need a pick me up around that time). Here are a couple generic ideas, and you can also search through all of the comments to see ideas I've given other people as well:


    Open When...
    - you're going on a road trip
    - you're taking a vacation
    - you need a laugh
    - you feel like crying
    - you're hungry
    - you're upset
    - you miss me
    - you're bored
    - you need a hug
    - you're mad at me
    - you're sick
    - you had a bad day
    - you're having the best day
    - you can't sleep
    - you need motivation
    - we haven't seen each other in awhile
    - you feel insecure
    - you need a confidence boost
    - it's your birthday

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  68. I'm planning on doing these for an upcoming deployment for my husband! So glad you mentioned holidays - I had forgotten about including those and he'll be away for quite a few!

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  69. Collecting cards for the holidays was one of my favorite things to do when I stopped in the store. I stocked up on them while I was making plans to make this for Jon.

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  70. Any suggestions for Grandparents who don't live close? I think my four daughters would love to do this for my grandparents who don't live in the area and get lonely and feel a little disconnected from their grandchildren.

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  71. This would be such a great gift idea for grandparents! Here are a few ideas that might work:


    Open when...
    - you're on your way to see me
    - you're tired of doing chores
    - you're bored
    - you need some 'me' time
    - you're missing me
    - you feel like crying
    - you feel lonely
    - you need someone to talk to
    - you get good news
    - you feel like dancing
    - you want to walk down memory lane (pics of your daughters with them)
    - it's your birthday
    - you need a pick me up
    - you can't sleep
    - I'm on my way to see you
    - you don't know what to cook for dinner (include a fun/unique recipe!)
    - you can't sleep


    I hope these help! You can also check all the comments below to see if there are any other ideas you like!

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  72. Wow! Thank you so much! That's a huge help. Can't wait! My girls are going to love doing this for them for Christmas

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  73. Some small gift ideas would be:
    Pictures! - These can apply for many of them. You can frame them or just include an individual print, but make them relevant to whatever the card is about. Have them making excited faces or sad faces or even go through your collection of candid shots or shots with their grandparents. Pictures can be relevant to almost every one.


    Candles, bubble bath, bath salts, etc: These would be good for needing to relax, they want to be lazy, needing a pick me up or anything of that sort.


    Gift cards: These could be good for any sort of holiday occasion, to restaurants or stores when they're hungry or need a pick me up or as a reward for something awesome happening (feel like dancing, get good news, memory lane - can talk about a memory at a certain place and include a gift card, don't know what to cook for dinner - a gift card to a nice restaurant, gas card - good for 'when you're on your way to see me')


    Open when you can't sleep: soothing music or a magazine or book to read until they do fall asleep. Hot chocolate where the recipe calls for milk. A stuffed animal for them to hug while they try to fall asleep.


    If you need inspiration, the dollar section at Target is a good place to start! Also dollar stores have great things like crossword puzzles or other little fun trinkets for you to include with your letters.

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  74. So I currently live at a residential high school and I don't get to see my mom a lot. So for Christmas I was going to do the open when letters but I'm having trouble coming up with topics. Help?

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  75. This will be an awesome gift for your mom! Here are a few ideas for you --


    Open when:
    - you're missing me
    - you're on your way to see me
    - I'm on my way to see you
    - you need a hug
    - you've had a long day
    - when you're hungry
    - you need some "me" time
    - you can't sleep
    - you don't feel like cooking
    - you're mad at me
    - we're fighting
    - it's that time of the month
    - you're feeling grumpy
    - you need reassurance


    I hope these help! You can also check out all of the comments below for a few more ideas!

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  76. Hello!
    Thanks for all the lovely ideas. This is absolutely beautiful :)
    I'm making this for my elder sister who lives in a different city. Can you please suggest some ideas? Thanks again!

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  77. This is a great gift idea for your sister! I'm sure she'll love it. It's one of my favorite gifts to give, because it's a gift that keeps on giving. Here are a few additional ideas for you:


    Open when...
    - I'm on my way to see you
    - you're on your way to see me
    - you're hungry
    - you need a shoulder to cry on
    - you need a hug
    - you're mad at me
    - you're missing me
    - you feel like it
    - you're bored
    - you need a laugh
    - you can't sleep
    - you want to feel appreciated
    - you're having a bad day
    - you need a confidence boost
    - you're feeling sick/under the weather
    - it's your birthday!
    - you need to talk (and I'm not answering)
    - you're having a great day
    - you get some awesome news
    - you feel like dancing
    - you need a night out
    - you need to know how much I love you


    I hope these ideas help! You can also look through the comments on the post and find some other great ideas!

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  78. Hello. Nice Blog Tiffany. I'm planning to do this for my Bestfriend's 16th birthday. Any suggestions? On what to put on each envelope? Thank you very much. :)

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  79. Hi Anne! This is such an awesome gift idea for someone's sweet 16! Here are a few ideas that you may consider:


    Open when...
    - you need a pick me up (include some chocolate or one of their favorite treats)
    - you're hungry (a gift card to one of their favorite restaurants)
    - you're on your way to see me/you need to get away (a gas card or a book)
    - you need a laugh (a joke book, a funny celebrity memoir, a funny picture or meme)
    - you need a hug (a stuffed bear or animal for them to hug)
    - you need some "me" time (a DVD of their favorite movie)
    - you need to relax (a gift certificate for a massage)
    - you're doubting yourself (a mix CD with empowering songs)
    - you can't sleep (an interesting book to read or a book of facts)
    - you need motivation (a cork board or picture board with pictures and inspirational quotes)
    - you need someone to talk to and I'm not around (a journal for them to write down their thoughts and feelings)
    - it's finals week (Red Bull or other energy drinks and protein bars and snacks)
    - you need an adventure (a classic book or a travel guide to somewhere they'd like to go)


    I hope these help!

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  80. Love this so much. I am thinking of doing this for my boyfriend, I have made a list like you have, please could you give me some more ideas? I am trying to put a gift with each one. So far I have got:

    Open when...
    - you need a pick me up (include some chocolate or one of their favorite treats)
    - you're hungry (a gift card to one of their favorite restaurants)
    - you need a laugh (a joke book, a funny celebrity memoir, a funny picture or meme)
    - you need a hug (a stuffed bear or animal for them to hug)
    - you need some "me" time (a DVD of their favorite movie)
    - you can't sleep (an interesting book to read)
    - you need motivation (a cork board or picture board with pictures and inspirational quotes)
    - you need someone to talk to and I'm not around (a journal for them to write down their thoughts and feelings)
    - you're tired/have lack of energy (Red Bull or other energy drinks and protein bars and snacks)
    - you need to relax - Candles, something from lush
    - you feel like crying (tissue pack and a letter, photos of the good times)
    - you need a kiss from me (Hershey kisses chocolate)
    - we're fighting/arguing (a sorry card)





    Please could you give me some more ideas and gifts to go with them? Thanks!!

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  81. These are all such awesome ideas! Here are a few more for you:


    Open when...
    - you need a confidence boost (make a list of things that are awesome about him and/or share a picture of him where's he's looking good!)
    - you need a night out (a new shirt for him to wear or a gift card to a restaurant or bar)
    - you're feeling sick/under the weather (a box of tissues, some medicine, can of chicken soup)
    - you're bored (a book of crossword puzzles/Sudoku/other activities or a puzzle or game)
    - you feel like dancing (a mix CD of some awesome dance music that they'd enjoy)
    - you want to walk down memory lane (draw a mini timeline of your relationship and share some of the important dates with drawings, pictures, quotes, words, etc. You can also share little mementos you may have kept such as movie tickets)
    - you miss me (a picture of the two of you in a frame)
    - you get some awesome news (a congrats gift such as a coupon for a cupcake from a local cupcake place, a Starbucks gift card, cash, or something random)
    - you're taking a vacation (something they'd need for their vacation, i.e. if they're going on a beach trip, you could include flip flops, sunblock, sunglasses, beach towel, etc.)


    I hope these help you out a bit!

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  82. I am making these for my cousin's 16th and I am making 16 letters for each! :)
    I would love some more help with what to put in each card. I have got
    Open Now (On her birthday):-
    Happy Birthday Letter, About the gift letter, 16th Balloon, Confetti, Party Poppers,

    Open When You Feel Lonely:-

    Open When You Feel Like Crying:-
    People
    cry not because they’re weak. It’s because they’ve been strong for too long, Tissue Pack, Photos of good times

    Open When You Need Motivation:-
    If Plan A didn’t work the alphabet still has 25 more letters, more inspirational quotes

    Open When You Feel Out Of Place:-
    Open When You Can't Sleep:-
    Eye Mask, Recipe for hot chocolate, some quotes

    Open When It's The Night Of Your Prom:-

    Open When It's Exam/Finals Week:-

    Open When You Need To Go Down Memory Lane:-
    Bunch of our memories in detail and photos of them

    Open When you're Feeling Forgotten:-
    Thankyou Drawing, Letter

    Open When You Miss Me:-

    Open When You Need To Laugh:-
    Funny Pictures, Funny Jokes

    Open When You Need A Hug:-
    Hug Hands, Mini Stuffed Animals,

    Open When you need to know how much I Love you:-
    I love you peg letter, 16 reasons why I love you

    Open When You're Feeling Embarrassed
    Embarrassing photos of her,

    Open When you have opened all the letters:-

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  83. What an awesome gift idea for your cousins! I'm sure they'll love them. You already have some great ideas here! Here are few ideas for gifts:

    Open When You Feel Lonely: a picture of y'all together, a calling card to tell them to call you or a skype gift card to skype, a list of happy memories of y'all together, a stuffed animal to hug

    Open When You Feel Like Crying: a movie about hard times as a teenager like The Breakfast Club - just something they can relate to, a mix CD with songs about how life sucks sometimes, but you can rise above it.

    Open When You Need Motivation: non-fiction books and celebrity memoirs. I'd recommend Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling and Lean In. Since their 16, if they're a fan of Glee, Lea Michele's autobiography was awesome! You can also browse your local bookstore and look for some motivating books for teens. Maybe Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul or something like that.

    Open When You Feel Out Of Place: think of something they enjoy and give that to them. I love to read, so if I felt out of place somewhere, I'd find comfort in a book. If they love music, you could give them an iTunes gift card or a new pair of headphones. If they like running, you could give them an armband for their iPod or mp3 player. You could do snacks, like comfort food. Just things that would make them feel comfortable - scarves, slippers, a blanket, etc.

    Open When You Can't Sleep: You could also do bubble bath or bath salts or bombs. Maybe a CD with soothing sounds or a heated blanket to help make them cozy.

    Open When It's The Night Of Your Prom: You could write down memories from your own prom, share movies that take place with prom or a big dance (the only one that comes to mine is Prom Night, which probably wouldn't be a good one to share), a gift card to a nice restaurant where they could eat or a gift card to a 24-hour restaurant like IHOP or Waffle House where they could go eat after prom is over, a t-shirt to change into after prom, a mix CD a fun dance music to listen to on the way to prom, grape juice and plastic champagne glasses for them to clink and toast

    Open When It's Exam/Finals Week: energy drinks (5-hour energy, Monster, Red Bull), protein bars and other snacks for them to enjoy during their studies, a motivational letter, a pillow to remind them to get some sleep

    Open When You Miss Me: a picture of y'all together, a list of memories that y'all have had together, a reminder that you're just a phone call away, a gas card for them to come see you

    Open When You Need To Laugh: You could also do some DVDs of some good comedies. Some of my favorites are Mean Girls, Pitch Perfect, She's the Man, 10 Things I Hate About You, 17 Again, Legally Blonde.

    Open When you have opened all the letters: a significant gift like something from Things Remembered with their name engraved or a blanket with their name or initials stitched into it, a necklace with their initial, just something nice as a last gift!



    I hope these help! Good luck with your letters!

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  84. I'm doing this for my mom and wanted to find some ideas about what to put into the letters! I've been able to find what the letters should be about but not stuff to include in them. I'd like something different and interesting. Please help!
    1. You're missing me
    2. You feel like crying
    3. Need to know someone cares
    4. Feeling anxious
    5. I graduate
    6. You're worried
    7. Need motivation
    8. Feeling insecure
    9. Had a bad day
    10. Feeling overwhelmed
    11. Forgot how strong you are
    12. We haven't talked in a while
    13. Need a confidence boost
    14. Feel out of place

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  85. This is a great gift idea for your mom! I think she's going to love it. Here are some ideas for you:

    1. You're missing me - pictures of the two of you, list of memories the two of you have together, momentos from things that you've done together, a gas card for her to come see you

    2. You feel like crying - a box of tissues, a happy movie, a mix CD of happy songs

    3. Need to know someone cares - you could ask other people to write letters for her about how awesome she is and include that with your letter or make a DVD with people talking about how awesome she is

    4. Feeling anxious - something to help her relax like bubble bath or a soft blanket or hot cocoa mix, a Chicken Soup for the Soul book

    5. I graduate - a mom shirt from your school or the college you're going to, a license plate cover from your school

    6. You're worried - mix CD of fun songs for her to listen to, dance around to and forget about her worries

    7. Need motivation - motivational quotes, celebrity memoirs (Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey)

    8. Feeling insecure - pictures of her looking her most beautiful, a list of reasons why she's incredible, a self-help book

    9. Had a bad day - bubble bath, soothing music, bath salts or bath bombs, a gift certificate for a massage or spa day

    10. Feeling overwhelmed - a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant so she can get out and relax, a bottle of her favorite wine or alcohol drink, some comfort food like chocolates or some tea or coffee

    11. Forgot how strong you are - a movie about awesome moms, a self-help book about being a mom or a fictional book with a great mom in it

    12. We haven't talked in a while - a reminder that you're only a phone call away, a planner where you penciled in times for her to call you

    13. Need a confidence boost - a list of reasons why she's awesome, a mirror with a quote written on it

    14. Feel out of place - something that brings her comfort - for me it's a book, but if she likes to get lost in cooking, you could give her a cookbook, or if she likes to spend time outdoors, get her a picnic basket or blanket, or if she likes to get lost in music, get her an iPod or mp3 player



    I hope these suggestions help! Good luck!

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  86. This is a great idea! I can't wait to try this with my friends and mom.

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  87. Thanks so much! My boyfriend really enjoyed the gift, and I think your friends and mom will enjoy it too! It really is a great gift for anyone!

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  88. Absolutely!


    For mom: Open when...
    - It's my graduation day
    - I go on a trip
    - I get my first big interview
    - I get the job!
    - we're miles apart
    - you're on your way to see me
    - you're missing me
    - you need a hug
    - you need to relax


    For best friend not going to college: Open when...
    - you're going for a job interview
    - you get a second interview
    - you don't get the job
    - you do get the job
    - you're hungry
    - you need motivation
    - you're feeling pressured
    - you're feeling overwhelmed
    - you need to relax
    - you need some direction
    - you're feeling lost


    For best friend in college: Open when...
    - you need motivation
    - it's finals week
    - it's the first day of a new semester
    - you take your cap and gown picture
    - you graduate
    - it's spring break
    - you're going on a trip
    - you're on your way to see me
    - you're feeling overwhelmed
    - you miss me
    - you need a study break
    - you're bored


    I hope these help!

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  89. I absolutely love love LOVEEEE this idea! I am working on putting something together for my bf :-) we havent been dating that long, but we have been friends for years... I am stuck on quite a few choices that I want to make cards out of... PLEASE HELP :-D

    1- When you need to know someone cares
    2- When you are stressed out
    4- You are bored
    7- You can’t sleep
    8- You need a pick me up
    9- You are feeling distant
    11- You need some date ideas for us
    13- We fight and it's your fault
    14- You’re having a good day
    15- You need a laugh
    16- It’s your last day of school! (He is in culinary school, if that helps any)
    18- You need a reminder of how incredible you are as a father
    19- You need motivation
    20- You want to buy me a gift, but don't know what to get me
    21- You want me to buy you a gift
    22- You want to know more about me
    23- You feel like I don’t trust you
    24- We fight and it's my fault
    26-youre feeling naughty ;-)
    27- You feel overwhelmed
    29- You don't feel appreciated
    30- You're just a little bit grumpy
    31- You are happy :-)

    I know its a lot and im usually really good with this type of stuff, but my schedule has been so crazy that I barely have time to think for myself. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
    Thanks a million! Xoxoxox

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  90. Thank you so so much!! Your tips gave me get inspiration to get it finished :-D thank you thank you thank you!!! Xoxoxo

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  91. You're so very welcome! Good luck!

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  92. For the incredible father one, you could put some photos in of him and your kid(s). Natural ones, ones he has no idea have been taken. that way he sees how wonderful of a sight it is through your eyes.

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  93. So glad that i saw this. Its not exactly what i was looking for, but it did help me quite a bit. I would have never thought of the energy shots. It hadnt even crossed my mid about mixed cds to send that would go with different moods. my boyfriend is being deployed in january to be on ship fr the marines and that would be something that could lighten up his and his best friends moods when theyre feeling a little homesick. thank you so much for posting this. it has helped more than you could imagine.

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  94. Yay! I'm glad that my post helped you out a bit. Good luck with your project, and I hope your boyfriend enjoys his gift! I definitely think it's a great gift for people who are deployed. Be sure to thank him from me for his service!

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  95. My boyfriend and I live close to each other, but I wanted to do "open when" letters for him because I think they're cute and helpful. Any suggestions?

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  96. Definitely think of events that he has coming up, particularly holidays, vacations, etc. For holidays, it's easy - get him a card and maybe a gift that coincides with it. Like 4th of July, you could get him fireworks or sparklers or confetti poppers. If he's going on vacation, make him a little roadtrip basket with a mix CD, a beach towel, a good book to read, etc.


    You could still do things like Open When:
    - you're hungry (include a snack or a gift card to his favorite restaurant)
    - you're bored (something to occupy his time like sodoku, a video game or a book)
    - we're fighting (an apology note or something telling him you love him)
    - you need a laugh (a joke book or funny movie)
    - you miss me (a gas card for him to come see you or a picture of the two of you)
    - you can't sleep (a funny movie to watch or something random to occupy his time)
    - something awesome happens (just an awesome gift that he would love)
    - you're on your way to see me
    - i'm on my way to see you
    - we haven't spoken all day
    - you're mad at me/I'm mad at you
    - you're stressed out
    - you need a hug
    - you need a pick-me-up


    Hope those help!

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  97. Plz suggest some scavenger hunt ideas

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  98. My boyfriend's birthday is in October, and I'm starting his gift early because I've got already 20 Open When' that I want to include gifts with. He's 16, turning 17 and I'm 15. We were best friends before we started dating so I want this to be special. I've got most of the list done, but there are a few left I need to figure out to add a gift for. If anyone could help I would greatly appreciate it!
    1. When he's graduating
    2. When it's Grand Nationals (we're both in marching band, he's a sax and I'm a flute, and its a big deal to go this year for us)
    3. It's June 23 (our anniversary)
    4. When he's feeling sick: (he's allergic to eggs and barley so I'm having trouble with this one)
    5. When he's turned 18: (this is really hard as even if we break up we're remaining best friends and him going to Florida for college is a sore topic)
    6.He's interested in the marine biology field and has been for several years. I want to give him an Open When related to that but I'm not quite sure what to do

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  99. 1. Now is a good time to hit up stores like Wal-Mart and Target for graduation stuff. They always have fun little graduation things like funky graduation cap glasses. You could also find an old graduation cap and paint it. Even if he can't wear it, he could hang up as decor.


    2. I'd say something music-related. I don't know much about instruments or band or anything, but you could think of his favorite musical group or band or singer or something that he just really enjoys playing and get him some sheet music by them or some sheet music of his favorite songs.


    3. Think of what you would want to give him as an anniversary gift and give it to him. The open when letters were my actual anniversary gift, but I've made other fun things for anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, etc. like gift baskets or paintings or something creative that I found on Pinterest. I'd say think of what you want to get him for y'all's anniversary, and include that as the gift with the letter.


    4. Get him a little get well care package - medicine, tissues, stuffed animal, healthy snacks, hand sanitizer, a movie or book he can enjoy in bed, etc.


    5. Similar to the anniversary gift, I think you should think of what you would want to get him for his birthday and give it to him with the letter. It's probably hard since it's a long way from now. You could also think of things that he could do now that he's an adult. I wouldn't recommend cigarettes unless he already smokes, but you could get him temporary tattoos as a cute thing since he can legally go get a tattoo by himself if he wants. You could get someone to buy you a scratch off lottery ticket for him (depending on what state you live in. Some states you have to be 21 to get a scratch off). You could get him something political (like a button or something) since he'll be allowed to vote. You could give him some cash with a note that says something about opening his own bank account. Fireworks since he'll be allowed to legally buy those.


    6. I don't know much about marine biology either, but you could get him a marine biology book or movie or something of the sort.

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  100. I'm making some for my best friend while she's going through a rough time. This has given me so many great ideas. THANKS!!

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  101. i need ideads for me and my boyfriends 1 year anniversary coming up . any ideas?

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  102. That's such a fun idea to give her 33 different letters! I love it! Here are a few ideas off the top of my head.


    Open when...


    - we haven't talked in awhile (drawing, painting, picture of two sisters talking/laughing/smile, like a Kim Anderson picture with a quote or a list of fun memories)


    - you're crying (a travel-size package of tissue)


    - it's your time of the month (I figure since you're sisters, this would be okay. You could include some fattening foods like popcorn, chocolate, etc.)


    - you want to be alone (a gift card to a movie theater so she can spend some alone time at the movies)


    - you're stressed out (a stress ball; a list of ways to calm down like deep breathing, counting to 10, etc.)


    - you need a hug (a teddy bear or other stuffed animal)


    - you're feeling insecure (a picture of her at her best and looking beautiful!)


    - we're fighting (an "I'm sorry" card with a heartfelt letter from you)

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  103. I want to do this for my mom (for my graduation), my best friend who will not be going to college after graduation (for graduation), and my other best friend who is already in college (for when I move away). Can you give me any ideas that would be specific to those situations?

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