Friends are a crucial aspect of our lives, and sharing and chatting with them makes a lot of things simpler.
In the age of social media, some may believe that the practice of writing letters is no longer relevant. Although this is true, writing letters to friends gives a lovely touch to your message. Writing a letter to a buddy in your own handwriting demonstrates your commitment to staying in touch.
The best part of mailing letters is that your friend can preserve them as a remembrance of your friendship. So that years from now, they can look back on these letters and recall how wonderful it was to be friends with you.
Even though writing letters to your friends is an excellent way to show cordiality, it can be hard to put your feelings into words.
In this article, we’ll share steps on how to write a letter to your best friend and also give you a template to guide you.
How To Write A Letter To A Friend in 17 Steps
When writing to a friend, you want your message to be emotional, clear, and engaging enough to keep their attention. Here are some guidelines for creating a proper letter that your friend would appreciate.
1. Write your address and the date on the first page
Write your present address and the date in the top-right corner of the first page of your letter. If your friend saves your letter and reads it later, they will not have to recall when you sent it or where you were writing from.
If you are unsure how to format a letter, you can use an online template to assist you get the formatting correct.
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2. Start with a casual greeting
If you are writing to a buddy, you should usually use an informal tone in your letter. Choose a greeting that reflects your personality and the bond you share with your friend.
Here are some sample greetings you could use at the beginning of your letter:
- “Hey”
- “Howdy”
- “To my best friend…”
- “What’s up?”
- “Hi”
- “Hello”
- “Dear [friend’s name]”
- “Surprise! It’s me”
3. Acknowledge your friend
It is nice to begin your letter by acknowledging the person reading it. You can do this with one or two sentences. In general, keep your message succinct and upbeat.
Here are some examples of how to thank your reader at the start of a letter.
- “I hope everything is good with you.”
- “I can’t believe it’s summer already! I bet it’s hot where you are.”
- “I hope you’re having an awesome semester.”
- “I hope you and your family are all doing well.”
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4. State your reason for writing the letter
To make the transition between your acknowledgment and the main body of your letter easier, explain why you’re writing to your friend. One or two sentences are sufficient.
Here are a few things you can say in this section:
- “I realized the other day that it’s been too long since we talked, so I thought I’d write to you.”
- “I know you’ve been feeling down lately and thought a silly letter might put a smile on your face.”
- “I’ve got something amazing to tell you!”
- “Texting is great, but it gets a bit old sometimes, so I thought I’d write you a letter!”
- “I wanted to express my sympathy for the death of your grandmother.”
- “I’ve got something important that I need to share with you.”
5. Plan the main body of your letter
After welcoming your buddy and explaining why you are writing, you can begin with the main body of the letter. It’s a good idea to start with a rudimentary plan. Make a bulleted list of everything you want to cover. If you stick to the list, you will not forget anything.
Most individuals start with the most intriguing or important news. For example, if you’ve recently started a new job, you might want to talk about it first.
However, you are not required to observe this regulation. Feel free to experiment with various structures. For example, you might wish to share a hilarious but trivial bit of news or gossip before discussing something big that has happened in your life.
Break your letter into paragraphs for easy reading and understanding.
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6. Follow up on your last conversation or letter
Follow up on anything interesting your friend has told you recently, or reply to any questions they’ve asked you. This will make your letter more engaging and show your friend that you pay attention to what they say.
7. Ask your friend questions that concern him or her
Asking questions about whatever is going on in your friend’s life will show that you are thinking about them. You could inquire about a specific topic or an open question that encourages them to share anything they want you to know about.
For example, if you recently found that your friend is engaged, you may ask a specific inquiry such as, “I still can’t believe you’re engaged! “How is the wedding planning going?” such as “Have you picked out a venue yet?”
Or, if you want to ask your friend a more general question, you could ask, “What’s going on with you?” or “What’s been happening in your life recently?”
8. Ask your friend about those close to him
If there is someone in your friend’s life that you know and care about but are not particularly close to, you may ask your buddy to send them a quick hello or note on your behalf.
For example, you could ask your friend to send your regards to their mother, to say “hi” to their kids, or to wish their partner a happy birthday.
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Referencing a shared memory adds a personal touch to the letter and encourages your friend to think of the happy times you’ve shared.
Here are some examples of how to share a memory in a letter:
- “I had the best sundae the other day. It made me think of all the ice cream parties we had in college! Do you recall when we set up an ice cream bar in the kitchen?”
- “My neighbor recently got a new dog. Do you remember when a mad dog came up to us in the park and tried to chew your coat? Yes, this new dog reminds me of him. “Not good.”
10. Show appreciation for your friend
If your friendship means a lot to you, a letter to your friend can be a good way to express your appreciation.
Here are some examples showing how you show appreciation in a letter:
- “By the way, I’ll always be grateful for your support when I split up with [your ex].”
- “I don’t think I’ve told you this lately, but your friendship means a lot to me.”
- “Even though we live far apart now, I still consider you to be one of my best friends.”
11. Use humor carefully
Even if you and your friend share a sense of humor, it’s vital to note that written jokes, flippant comments, or sarcastic remarks may not convey the same meaning.
Avoid potentially rude or controversial jokes unless you are confident that your friend will comprehend them.
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12. Bring your letter to a close
When you’ve finished the major body of your letter, add a few sentences to close it out. You may inform them you’ll be in touch, urge them to contact you, remind them of an impending event, or, if you’re writing to a buddy you miss, express how much you miss them.
Here are some ways you can bring a letter to a close:
- “So, that’s all my news. Hope to see you soon.”
- “I think that’s everything for the time being. Missing you! I’ll call you next week.”
- “I’ll sign off for now. Let me know when you’re next in town. Perhaps we could grab a drink.”
- “OK, I think you know everything that’s been going on with me now! See you soon at Jen’s birthday party!”
It’s polite to end on a positive note, or at least avoid signing out with a complaint.
For example, if you’ve been writing about a few challenges you’ve been dealing with over the last few months, you may conclude with, “It’s been a tough year, but I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!”
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13. Sign off
Finish your letter with a warm or affectionate ending. Just like the greeting, it should fit your personality and the type of relationship you have with your friend.
Here are some ways you could sign off a letter to a friend:
- “Fondly”
- “Hugs and kisses”
- “With love”
- “All my love”
- “Affectionately”
- “See you soon!”
- “Cheers”
- “Your friend”
- “Yours”
- “Take care”
- “Thinking of you”
Don’t forget to sign off with your name.
14. Add a “P.S.”
You do not need to include a P.S. after your letter, but it can add some humor and is a wonderful spot to include an inside joke. For example, you could write, “PS. You still owe me $1.72.” “I expect you to pay up the next time I see you!”
A P.S. can also be used to offer a brief piece of news or information that was not included in your original letter. For example, “P.S. I finally registered for that calligraphy class. So perhaps the next letter I send will be in fancy handwriting!”
15. Proofread your letter
A few minor errors aren’t a big concern, but if your letter contains a lot of them, your buddy may find it difficult to read or understand. Before you mail your letter, double-check it.
If you make a few tiny mistakes, you do not have to rewrite the entire page. You can remove the error, mark it with an asterisk, and then put another asterisk at the bottom of the page, followed by the repair.
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16. Make your letter special
A few nice touches will make your letter more memorable. Here are some ways you can make your letter more special:
- Add sketches or doodles to the letter.
- Use fancy notepaper or headed paper
- Include a photo that will mean something to your friend, e.g., an old picture of you together
- Decorate the letter or envelope with stickers or stamps
- Use an unusual-colored ink
- Include a small gift or trinket, such as a gourmet tea bag or pin badge
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Sample letter to a friend
October 12th, 2023
Hi OBO!
How are you doing? I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you for being so considerate and sending me the best birthday gift ever. I was so surprised and overwhelmed with the present.
You always know what exactly I need. That book was the one on my wishlist for a very long time, and I have been looking for it everywhere. I was so happy when I opened the gift and read the title. By the time this letter reaches you, I might have read half of it, and I love it so much. It is such a captivating book; you must read it, too.
I am very grateful for your gift and your friendship. You are the best friend anyone could ask for. I hope you are doing well and having fun. Please call me when you have time, and let’s catch up. I miss you.
Your Best Friend,
Ngozi
FAQs On How To Write A Letter To A Friend
Always use informal language while writing a letter to a buddy. The tone should represent your connection, whether it’s lighthearted and hilarious or serious and meaningful. Avoid using overly formal words.
No, a subject is not included when you write a letter to a friend.
The tone of the letter should be informal and casual. You just write out what you feel.
Yes, writing about personal experiences is encouraged in a letter to a friend. It strengthens your connection and makes the conversation more meaningful.
Conclusion
Writing a letter to a friend is a good way to express your thoughts and feelings towards the person you are writing to. It’s an absorbing yet reflective process that demands tactfulness.
References
- tiascholar.com – How to Write a Letter to a Friend: A Step-by-Step Guide for Class 10 Students
- testbook.com – A Letter to a Friend: Write a Letter to Your Friend
- inkforall.com – How to write a formal letter to a friend
