Encouragement Cards (Plus a Free Printable!)

Want to make someone’s day? Send them an encouragement card. The simple practice of saying “thank you” and letting someone know that you’re thinking of them goes a LONG way. Here’s a free printable to get you started today.

Many years ago, I spent a large part of summer break in a tiny town in Russia teaching English to high schoolers. That experience in itself conjures up so many memories: the friendliness of the students, walking through the beautiful parks at 10 at night (it was still bright and sunny out), and drinking hot tea in a crowded and incredibly humid room every afternoon.

But when I think of that summer, I also always think of a friend of mine and her encouragement cards.

She was one of the few in our group of college volunteers who had a boyfriend back home and six weeks (or was it eight?) away from the one you love is a long time. I can’t remember if they both decided to do this or if her boyfriend was just especially romantic, but she had in her keeping one envelope with an encouragement card tucked inside for every day we were away.

The romance and thoughtfulness of that idea stuck with me and honestly, I’ve been shamelessly copying their idea ever since.

Encouragement cards are not limited to one’s boyfriend or girlfriend, of course. Sisters, friends, coworkers, and moms all benefit from these. I like to make them as an add-on for birthday gifts and try to keep the tradition alive by hiding them in my husband’s luggage when he goes on business trips.

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How to Make Encouragement Cards

Making an encouragement card (or set of cards) is easy. I take one blank 3×5 index card and either write a Bible verse or a short note on the card. I decorate the edges with doodles or paint and place it in an envelope. Then I make more—three for a three-day trip, seven for a week of celebrating a birthday, you get the idea.

Ten days before I married my husband, I started giving him countdown encouragement cards each day which was fun. You can also specify when the receiver should open their cards. For example: “Open this card when you’re lonely.” If you don’t have 3×5 cards, you can use a plain piece of paper and cut it into squares (or print the cards I’m offering at the end of this post.)

A little creativity and thought can go a long way in making someone’s day. Since it is Valentine’s week as I write this, I thought this would be the perfect gift idea for someone you love in your life. Wives could make a pack of these for husbands, singles can make them for their single friends for encouragement, and parents can make them for their children.

Let’s spread some encouragement and love this week! Another fun take on encouragement cards are my write me back cards. You send one to your friend, then they write on the other side and send it back.

To get you started, below is a printable I made that you can print out and use to make your own encouragement cards. (It’s the one that is pictured above in the main image for this article.) They are smaller than an index card so can easily be tucked into a number of things—a lunch box, an envelope, or a wallet. Just click the download button to save it to your computer, and enjoy!

What’s your favorite way to encourage others?

P.S. If you like this idea, you’re going to love my resource, The {10 Minute} Letter-writing Retreat Bundle. It’s packed with prompts, ideas, tutorials, and printable stationery. Learn more by clicking here.