Open When Letters for a Best Friend: Thoughtful DIY Gift
Originally published on July 31, 2021. Updated on March 11, 2026.
Friendship these days can feel digital, with constant DMs and memes. Open When Letters bring back the tangible magic of a handwritten note. Whether your bestie is heading to college, moving to a new city, or needs a “hug in an envelope,” this is the ultimate sentimental gift.
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The “Rules” of Open When Letters
- No Peeking! Only open when the topic actually applies.
- One at a Time. Don’t binge-open the whole stack.
- Keep the Envelopes. These become a time capsule of your friendship.
How do open when letters work
These overall open when letters for your best friend can make any friend feel special and loved. It gives an additional chance for moments shared that rarely happen day to day. Part of the magic of these open When envelopes is the special memento that these can be filled with. Each stack of “Open When” letters will be unique depending on the content.
- Download the open when labels and print.
- Cut and paste onto bought A2 envelopes or use the envelope template below.
- Stuff each envelope with related objects to the envelope’s message.
- Tie up with ribbon and give these open when letters for your best friend as a great gift!
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The “Life Transitions” Set
- Open when you move into your new place: (Include a $5 gift card for a “first night” pizza or a keychain).
- Open when you have your first “adulting” fail: (A funny story of when you messed up, too).
- Open when you get the job/promotion: (Confetti and a “Main Character” sticker).
The “Long Distance” Essentials
- Open when you’re missing our coffee dates: (Include a Starbucks gift card or a single-serve coffee pour-over).
- Open when we haven’t talked in a week: (A “reminder” that life gets busy, but you’re always there).
- Open when you need to hear my voice: (Include a QR code that links to a voice memo or a shared Spotify playlist).
The “Just for Fun” Set
- Open when you’re bored at 2 AM: (A list of “Deep Conversation Starters” or a link to a hilarious YouTube rabbit hole).
- Open when you need a “Baddie” confidence boost: (A list of 10 things that make them a total powerhouse).
- Open when you can’t decide what to eat: (A “This or That” flow chart or a DoorDash credit).
What to Put Inside (The “Stuffers”)
- Handwritten letters: The core of the gift.
- Photos: Use Instax or Polaroid-style prints for a vintage feel.
- Small Trinkets: Face masks, tea bags, favorite candy, or cute stickers.
- Digital Surprises: QR codes for TikToks that remind you of them or private Pinterest boards.
Why these open when letters are a terrific gift!
I created these open when letters for your best friend when I thought of how sentimental and fun the open when letters for college students came out. The thought of being able to give these fun open when letters for your best friend was the perfect update. I created this series of open when letters for your best friend by adding its own special open when labels. A token of gratitude, a funny moment shared. These overall open when letters for a best friend can make any friend feel special and loved. It gives an additional chance for moments shared that rarely happen day to day.
Items to put in your Open When letters
Part of the magic of these open when envelopes is the special memento that these can be filled with. Each stack of “Open When” letters will be unique depending on the content.
- Funny stories: to brighten their day, or remind them not to take themselves too seriously.
- Trinkets: stickers, confetti, lifesavers, fun erasers, pens, etc. Anything small enough to fit in an envelope.
- Handwritten notes: sometimes just your words are all they need to read.
- Quotes: This can be perfect when some motivation is needed.
- Gift cards: small gift cards to a favorite coffee shop, cafe, or bookstore.
- Old photos can be a great reminder of fun days and funny moments.
- Lyrics: to an old song that has meaning or invokes a great memory
Open When Letters for a friend moving away
I have a dear friend who lives miles away. This is a special gift that can be sent to share amongst yourselves and give lots of opportunities for laughter and conversation.
Open When letters for your sister, or sibling
Not only can you use this for a best friend, but having three sisters they are so important to me! A perfect gift for a birthday, or just a gift.
Open When letters for a special relative or friend
My niece will be moving away at the end of August, across the country. These open when letters are perfect to give as a going-away present, so that she can have the memento and comfort of knowing she is loved at home.
Open When printables – Message on each
- Open now – which explains the envelopes
- When you have had a bad day
- Need a good laugh
- Open when you are bored.
- When you are stressed with work
- You need to make a decision
- You are feeling sick
- Open when you feel lonely.
- You need a good memory
- Open when you need to see something beautiful
- When you miss me.
- Open when someone is driving you crazy.
- You need inspiration
- You want to make a wish
- When it’s your Birthday
First open when letter
The first envelope in this series is the open now envelope, inside are the rules on how the receiver should go about opening their open when letters are received.
- This letter should be the first one opened, so they know what to expect:
- No peeking!
- Open only when the topic applies at the moment.
- Don’t open up more than one or two in a week.
- Don’t share with friends (these are meant to be personal).
- Save them to remember that nothing stays the same forever!
Some of my open when letters include
Open When you Miss me -A photo of the two of you, from a special event or time, perfect to write a sweet note on the back to share your own feelings about your friendship.
When you are bored, print out some fun crossword puzzles or word scrambles. Add a website for fun games, or even link to a great craft page.
You need to make a decision– We all need a little confirmation sometimes. Print out an empowering quote that will help your friend feel the courage to make an important decision!
You’re feeling sick– Perfect place to stick a packet or two of some herbal tea, and a packet of tylenol. We all love to feel like we are being taken care of.
Need to see something beautiful– Buy tickets to an upcoming art exhibit that would be appreciated by your friend. Then both of you can attend, or if you are too far away, this gives your friend an opportunity to take someone to see something beautiful!
When it’s your birthday– Perfect envelope for a heartfelt birthday card, or a gift card to a favorite shopping site.
Need a good laugh– We all have funny stories, this is the perfect moment to write down the event and share a long-lost memory that is sure to give a laugh!
I love a Printable! You can check out my other printables here. I have lots of great ideas and free printables. Take a look and feel free to download and use them for your personal use and gift-making.
How to Create Open when letters
Below, download and print out the open when labels. Cut them out, and use either double-stick tape or glue stick to adhere them to the center of either store-bought envelopes or envelopes you create using the envelope template below. These open when labels are sized for 4 3/8″x 5 3/4″ envelopes.
DOWNLOAD BELOW- Your free Blank Open When labels
Just subscribe below and click the download button for the Blank open when for a friend pdf labels. Save the file and you have this all ready for the next gift idea for a friend or family member. So easy.
For the full set of Open when for Open When Letter Labels | Friend Gift, go to my Etsy store and take 20% off by using code SAVE20
FREE TEMPLATE FOR ENVELOPE-click download button below
You can easily buy these craft envelopes here on Amazon, or if you are like me, make your own! Below Is a printable 4 3/8″ x 5 3/4″ envelope template that you can print and cut out as is, or use as a template and make your own envelope using any letter-size construction, craft, or novelty paper. Perfect size for your open when for your best friend labels.
Open when letters for your best friend make a perfect gift to bring or an unexpected surprise that they can receive by mail at their home. You can print these out on fun construction paper, craft paper, or regular paper and add your own personal touch. They fit perfectly in a standard letter envelope, or you can make your own, using the template that I created.
(I used craft paper)
Print out the envelope template. Crease all dotted lines. Fold both small side tabs in, then fold the longer bottom tab up. Use either double-stick tape or glue stick and attach the sides of the larger tabs to the side tabs. ( See image above). Fold the top tab over for the envelope flap. Once you fill your open when envelopes, you can seal them with some glue stick, double stick tape, regular tape, or, if you are really fancy, a wax seal!
Fun Printable ideas!
The images have my logo on them; however, the PDFs, when downloaded, will not have them. Those are just there if someone wants to pin those images, so pin away for later reference!
Each one was created with a graphic that I designed to reflect each envelope’s purpose. Once tied up in a bundle, they all have a unified, yet individual look for fun each time one of these “open when” envelopes is opened. I sprinkled with a good helping of confetti to keep these festive and appealing.
Please note that all designs on my site are for personal use only, and may not be sold, altered, redistributed or claimed as your own. A lot of hard work has gone into making these. Thank you for respecting my terms!
Fun Ideas for Open when gifts
- Leather Heart Bookmarks– For the bookworm who is in the middle of more than one book.
- Ring Trinket Dish Jewelry Tray– She will think of you always with this sweet message.
- Heart Pocket Hug Keepsake Token– Beautiful gift that cheers your friend up. It is so hard at the moment.
- Shower steamers– For an instant calming spa-like experience to wash away any stressful day.
- Morse Code Bracelets-Funny Friend Gifts for Women – Gifts for Best Friend Birthday
- Essential Oil Blends Set– (Breathe, Focus on, Happiness), Natural Aromatherapy Roll On for Massage.
Create your own Open When Letters
So many amazing ideas out there! I gave 15 open when letters for a best friend, but there are so many more open when letter ideas. Below is a list of some additional ideas. All you need to do is create your own open when printable and place them on an envelope, or use the additional blank open when labels! The ideas are endless.
- When you miss me
- Feeling nervous about a big event
- When you have a cold
- Think you didn’t do the right thing
- You need to make a big decision
- You have a big life question
- It’s your birthday
- You need a backup plan for a rainy day
- Need a new motto
- Just because
Share your open when letters for a best friend creation in the comments. Always love to see how people utilize what I make and what they create on their own. These can also be made for other life events as well. Like a friend moving, for a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or even a parent, for a fun, interactive gift.
RELATED POSTS FOR PRINTABLES
Check out below for some additional posts with printables!
- Cute Daily Planner
- 15 Open When Letters For College Students
- Free Printable Craft Labels That Help Organize
More Open When Gift Ideas
Keep going with these related Double Arrow Designs guides:
- What to put in open when letters
- Open when letters for college students
- Open when letters for boyfriend or girlfriend
- Open when letters for a new mom
- Printable care package labels
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