Postcards for business travel
December 1, 2015 8:46 PM Subscribe
I travel a lot for business, and I find it amusing to send my wife postcards from my travels. It is surprisingly hard to find good postcards though. I usually end up buying one from the newsstand at the airport, but there are a few problems with that.
First, it's hard to mail them from the airport. A couple of times I've had airport employees volunteer to send them for me, but otherwise, I have to wait until I get home to send it. Why waste a stamp, then? It loses some of the magic.
Second, I don't always travel by air. About 20% of my trips are road trips, meaning I never come across an airport newsstand.
The hotel I'm currently in (Traverse City, Michigan) and the last hotel I was at (Green Lake, Wisconsin) both had gift shops, which seemed promising, but they were only open during normal business hours (when I was working).
So where can I find good (i.e., quirky) postcards outside of the airport? I'm not looking for specific cities (although if you've got recommendations for Traverse City, Milwaukee, Boston, or the Twin Cities, that would be most helpful). More like general places - someone at a hotel suggested CVS, for example. Is there a national chain store that sells them? Any other recommendations? This seems like something that shouldn't be so hard to find, although I should note that if someone asked me where to look in my hometown, I wouldn't have any idea. Your help is appreciated!
First, it's hard to mail them from the airport. A couple of times I've had airport employees volunteer to send them for me, but otherwise, I have to wait until I get home to send it. Why waste a stamp, then? It loses some of the magic.
Second, I don't always travel by air. About 20% of my trips are road trips, meaning I never come across an airport newsstand.
The hotel I'm currently in (Traverse City, Michigan) and the last hotel I was at (Green Lake, Wisconsin) both had gift shops, which seemed promising, but they were only open during normal business hours (when I was working).
So where can I find good (i.e., quirky) postcards outside of the airport? I'm not looking for specific cities (although if you've got recommendations for Traverse City, Milwaukee, Boston, or the Twin Cities, that would be most helpful). More like general places - someone at a hotel suggested CVS, for example. Is there a national chain store that sells them? Any other recommendations? This seems like something that shouldn't be so hard to find, although I should note that if someone asked me where to look in my hometown, I wouldn't have any idea. Your help is appreciated!
A few cities I've been to had postcards at the local visitor's offices. Some had them in libraries. In Portland, OR some independent coffee shops have them.
http://www.traversecity.com/area/visitor-center/ Open on Saturday.
posted by a knot unknown at 8:53 PM on December 1, 2015
http://www.traversecity.com/area/visitor-center/ Open on Saturday.
posted by a knot unknown at 8:53 PM on December 1, 2015
First, it's hard to mail them from the airport.
Every airport I've ever been to has had a US Mail slot. It's usually close to where they have the currency exchange stand and the USO area. Most hotels will also send out mail for you. Just ask at the front desk of wherever you're staying if you can put something in with their outgoing mail.
You can find all kinds of ridiculous postcards at truck stops and gas station convenience stores, which is great if you're on the road. The ubiquitous Cracker Barrels will also have a stand. Both of these have the added benefit of being open well beyond standard business hours.
posted by phunniemee at 8:55 PM on December 1, 2015 [6 favorites]
Every airport I've ever been to has had a US Mail slot. It's usually close to where they have the currency exchange stand and the USO area. Most hotels will also send out mail for you. Just ask at the front desk of wherever you're staying if you can put something in with their outgoing mail.
You can find all kinds of ridiculous postcards at truck stops and gas station convenience stores, which is great if you're on the road. The ubiquitous Cracker Barrels will also have a stand. Both of these have the added benefit of being open well beyond standard business hours.
posted by phunniemee at 8:55 PM on December 1, 2015 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Maybe I'm being dense, but why couldn't you just stop at the airport newsstand when you first arrive in town? Then you could be sure you'd taken care of all your postcard needs straightaway.
posted by town of cats at 9:02 PM on December 1, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by town of cats at 9:02 PM on December 1, 2015 [10 favorites]
Bookstores usually have fantastic postcards, and sell stamps too.
posted by intermod at 9:03 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by intermod at 9:03 PM on December 1, 2015
Best answer: Truck stops have them. Tourist shops and funky little gift stores too. Also museum gift stores and tourist attractions. Truck stops are your best bet though, they always have them.
posted by BoscosMom at 9:25 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by BoscosMom at 9:25 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have a strong love for cheesy postcards, and my guest room is actually equipped with pre-stamped postcards that no guest has ever taken advantage of (COME VISIT ME), but have you thought about just doing smartphone photo postcards using an app? The one I've done most recently is Touchnote but there are a bunch out there, and it's pretty great to be able to just instantly send a more personal card from wherever you are, without worrying about the right stamps or finding a USPS slot.
posted by padraigin at 9:27 PM on December 1, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by padraigin at 9:27 PM on December 1, 2015 [11 favorites]
Lots of good suggestions already. Try greeting card stores, too (e.g. Hallmark). Re: bookstores -- college/university campus bookstores or other stores geared for students often have neat postcards that aren't widely available (and may be open later hours to accommodate students).
Aside from truck stops and drugstores, some other places that might be open later and may have postcards: stadium gift shops (when there's a night game), performing arts center gift shops (when there's an evening performance, e.g. a band, orchestra, play, etc), observatory gift shops. A lot of times these gift shops are separate and don't require an admission fee (if there is one).
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 10:42 PM on December 1, 2015
Aside from truck stops and drugstores, some other places that might be open later and may have postcards: stadium gift shops (when there's a night game), performing arts center gift shops (when there's an evening performance, e.g. a band, orchestra, play, etc), observatory gift shops. A lot of times these gift shops are separate and don't require an admission fee (if there is one).
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 10:42 PM on December 1, 2015
Good heavens, just look in the desk drawer in your hotel room.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:44 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:44 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Bring some blank postcards.
Then, draw the city skyline (simple is better) or a city monument (again, simple is better- consider using just one color and trying to just do the exterior outlines with no detail).
posted by samthemander at 11:17 PM on December 1, 2015 [7 favorites]
Then, draw the city skyline (simple is better) or a city monument (again, simple is better- consider using just one color and trying to just do the exterior outlines with no detail).
posted by samthemander at 11:17 PM on December 1, 2015 [7 favorites]
FedEx stores usually have postcards in my experience.
posted by egypturnash at 1:07 AM on December 2, 2015
posted by egypturnash at 1:07 AM on December 2, 2015
Note on airport mailing: not possible at LAX, unless things have changed recently. I've searched terminal 3 and Tom Bradley multiple times and asked lots of people and gotten a lecture on how no airports let you mail stuff since 9/11 (not true elsewhere) all to no avail. I was too shy to ask someone dropping family/friends at the curb though I'm sure someone would've taken pity.
posted by kitten magic at 3:03 AM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by kitten magic at 3:03 AM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I send postcards from the road, too (I don't fly, so I'm no help with airports). The things I do to make it less of a hassle are:
* Carry postcard stamps at all times. I generally buy ten at a time and re-stock if I have fewer than five remaining when I fill out the hold-mail card before a road-trip.
* Keep an eye out at all fuel-stops. Almost every gas station has at least a few post-cards somewhere, but the non-majors are more likely to have a better selection. West of the Mississippi, I'll hit Sinclair stations. Worst case, I can send a dinosaur postcard, which they almost always have.
* Stock up. I almost always have a couple extra postcards in the tank-bag on my motorcycle when I'm on the road. When I see some I like while I'm on a trip, I'll buy an extra or two and use them later if I can't find a card. It's not like they take up a lot of space, and there are generic "Great American West" or "Road Trip America" type cards I can send from anywhere.
* Write in the evening (while relaxing in the hotel room), and mail when checking out in the morning. If you've got the right stamp on the postcard, any place you've stayed will be happy to get the card in the mail for you.
Finally, if you're in the Twin Cities, Love From Minnesota will have more kitsch than you can shake a stick at.
posted by DaveP at 4:24 AM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
* Carry postcard stamps at all times. I generally buy ten at a time and re-stock if I have fewer than five remaining when I fill out the hold-mail card before a road-trip.
* Keep an eye out at all fuel-stops. Almost every gas station has at least a few post-cards somewhere, but the non-majors are more likely to have a better selection. West of the Mississippi, I'll hit Sinclair stations. Worst case, I can send a dinosaur postcard, which they almost always have.
* Stock up. I almost always have a couple extra postcards in the tank-bag on my motorcycle when I'm on the road. When I see some I like while I'm on a trip, I'll buy an extra or two and use them later if I can't find a card. It's not like they take up a lot of space, and there are generic "Great American West" or "Road Trip America" type cards I can send from anywhere.
* Write in the evening (while relaxing in the hotel room), and mail when checking out in the morning. If you've got the right stamp on the postcard, any place you've stayed will be happy to get the card in the mail for you.
Finally, if you're in the Twin Cities, Love From Minnesota will have more kitsch than you can shake a stick at.
posted by DaveP at 4:24 AM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: the last hotel I was at (Green Lake, Wisconsin) both had gift shops, which seemed promising, but they were only open during normal business hours (when I was working).
I wouldn't hesitate to ask the manager, or even a friendly desk clerk, if they could grab a few for you and leave them at the front desk. Give them enough money -- a five or ten dollar bill -- to have a couple bucks left over and let them to keep the change as a tip.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:52 AM on December 2, 2015
I wouldn't hesitate to ask the manager, or even a friendly desk clerk, if they could grab a few for you and leave them at the front desk. Give them enough money -- a five or ten dollar bill -- to have a couple bucks left over and let them to keep the change as a tip.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:52 AM on December 2, 2015
Maybe I'm being dense, but why couldn't you just stop at the airport newsstand when you first arrive in town?
Because it would probably cost $10 to park for long enough to buy a 50 cent postcard.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:24 AM on December 2, 2015
Because it would probably cost $10 to park for long enough to buy a 50 cent postcard.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:24 AM on December 2, 2015
Just as a side note for everyone insisting on the ubiquity of postcards: I could not find a single postcard in NYC outside of major tourist trap areas like the ESB or Times Square. Even the 2 mailboxes etc places nearby looked at me like I asked for a raw baby filet when I went in looking for a blank postcard. The stationery store had ONE SINGLE POSTCARD for sale and it came with a sheet of stickers and it cost me $7.
A week after this $7 waste of time I was in Penn Station and there were endless postcards everywhere.
tl;dr go wherever all the tourists will be and there you will find your postcards
posted by poffin boffin at 7:30 AM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
A week after this $7 waste of time I was in Penn Station and there were endless postcards everywhere.
tl;dr go wherever all the tourists will be and there you will find your postcards
posted by poffin boffin at 7:30 AM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If the hotel is swank enough to have a gift shop, the front desk staff would be more than happy to help you. Tell them you want a postcard from the gift shop, and ask for a stamp at the same time. They are usually happy to put gift shop charges on your room bill. Come to the desk and pick it up when you come back, write a quick note, put the stamp on it, and hand it back to the desk person with a $5 tip, and they'll drop it their outgoing mail for you.
posted by aimedwander at 8:19 AM on December 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by aimedwander at 8:19 AM on December 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: "Maybe I'm being dense, but why couldn't you just stop at the airport newsstand when you first arrive in town?"
You're not being dense; I am. Every time I fly home, I say to myself "next time I'll hit the newsstand when I arrive", and every time I fly out, I walk right by the newsstand on the way to baggage claim or the rental car counter, and it's only later I realize I've forgotten. This is, of course, the ideal strategy, but it has one fatal flaw: I have to remember to execute it. One day...
posted by kevinbelt at 11:35 AM on December 2, 2015
You're not being dense; I am. Every time I fly home, I say to myself "next time I'll hit the newsstand when I arrive", and every time I fly out, I walk right by the newsstand on the way to baggage claim or the rental car counter, and it's only later I realize I've forgotten. This is, of course, the ideal strategy, but it has one fatal flaw: I have to remember to execute it. One day...
posted by kevinbelt at 11:35 AM on December 2, 2015
Ask the front desk at the hotel if they can mail your postcard. Many of them can put the postage on it for you too (with stamps or a postage machine). Not all hotels do this, but enough do to make it worth asking.
posted by ardgedee at 4:27 AM on December 3, 2015
posted by ardgedee at 4:27 AM on December 3, 2015
Most university/college bookstores will have postcards, often fun ones.
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:07 AM on December 3, 2015
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:07 AM on December 3, 2015
Maybe not on your path, but the Minnesota History Center (and probably other MHS sites like Mill City Museum) has a lot of great postcards. You don't have to pay admission to shop in the 2 museum stores. Park at the meters to avoid the parking lot charge.
posted by Nosey Mrs. Rat at 8:39 PM on December 5, 2015
posted by Nosey Mrs. Rat at 8:39 PM on December 5, 2015
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