How to Write a Letter to a Friend

We live in a world where texting, emails, and social media make communication almost instant. But have you ever received a handwritten letter in the mail? Learning how to write a letter to a friend is a simple yet meaningful skill that can strengthen your relationships in ways digital messages can’t. There’s something magical about holding a letter from a friend—seeing their handwriting, knowing they took the time to sit down and write just for you. It feels personal, thoughtful, and honestly, kind of special.

Writing letters may seem old-fashioned, but trust me, learning how to write a letter to a friend is  one of the best ways to show someone you care. Whether it’s catching up, sharing exciting news, or simply reminding a friend how much they mean to you, a letter has a way of making people feel valued. ​

So, if you’ve never written a letter to a friend before (or it’s been a while), let’s dive into how to write a letter to a friend in a way that feels natural, fun, and meaningful.

Have you ever received a letter from a friend and felt an instant sense of joy? Unlike a quick text or social media message, a letter carries a sense of thoughtfulness and care that makes it truly special. Writing a letter to friend isn’t just about sharing updates. It’s about strengthening your bond, creating lasting memories, and showing someone that they matter.

Why Write a Letter to a Friend?

I get it—texting is quick and easy. So why bother writing a letter? Well, a letter is different. It’s slower, more intentional, and lasts longer than a fleeting message on a screen.

Unlike a formal letter (which can feel stiff and structured), a letter to a friend is personal, warm, and full of your personality.

Here are a few great reasons to write a letter to a friend:

• You want to reconnect with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.
• You have exciting news to share and want to do it in a more meaningful way.
• Your friend is going through a tough time, and you want to offer encouragement.
• You just feel like surprising someone with a little joy in their mailbox!

There’s something special about knowing your words will make someone smile when they open that envelope (or email, if you’re going digital). If you want to know about how to write a letter to a friend, let’s dive in!

How to Write a Friendly Letter

Your tone should match your relationship with your friend. That’s the first step of how to write a letter to a friend. If you’re writing to a childhood bestie, you might be playful and full of inside jokes. ​

If your friend is struggling, you might take a more comforting, supportive approach. The goal is to make it feel like a conversation—just on paper.

Here are the ways to start a letter:

• Playful tone: “Hey you! I just saw something today that reminded me of that ridiculous prank we pulled in high school… I’m still laughing! Hope you’re doing amazing.”
• Supportive tone: “Hey friend, I just wanted to check in. I know things have been tough lately, and I want you to know I’m here for you. Let me know if you want to chat or just need someone to listen.”

See the difference? The beauty of letter writing is that you can adapt your style to fit the moment. ​

How to Write a Letter to a Friend

Friendship Letter Salutations

Every good friendship letter starts with a greeting. This is where you set the tone right away. Here are some options depending on how formal or fun you want to be:

• Classic: “Dear [Name],” is timeless and works in almost any situation.
• Casual: “Hey [Name],” or “Hi [Name],” is perfect for a relaxed, friendly letter.
• Creative: “To my favorite human,” or “Hello from [your city]!” adds a fun, personal touch.

Choose what feels right for your friendship. If you’re interested in learning different tones in your writing, check out the guide on tones in writing.

Ways to Start a Letter

The first few lines are important in how to write a letter to a friend because they set the tone of your message. A strong opening grabs your friend’s attention and makes them excited to keep reading.

Some easy ways to start:

• Ask a question: “How have you been? It’s been forever since we last caught up!”
• Reference a memory: “I was just thinking about that time we got lost on our road trip… still one of the funniest days ever!”
• Share a fun update: “Guess what? I finally tried that recipe you told me about, and it was a total disaster. I need your cooking skills ASAP!”

The key is to make it feel natural—just like if you were talking in person.  ​

Body of a Friendship Letter

Now, onto the good stuff—the actual content of your friendship letter!

Here’s a simple way to organize your thoughts:

1. Share what’s new with you. Talk about life updates, big or small.
2. Ask about your friend. Show you care about their life too!
3. Include something personal. A funny story, a shared memory, or even a random thought that reminded you of them.
4. Be yourself. There’s no need to be super formal—write the way you talk.

If you’re not sure what to write, here are a few prompts to help you:

• What’s something exciting that’s happened to you recently?
• Have you discovered a new hobby, book, or show you think they’d love?
• Is there a funny or embarrassing story you haven’t told them yet?
• What’s a memory of them that makes you smile?

Concluding a Letter to a Friend

You want to end your letter on a happy, warm note. Some great ways to wrap things up:

• Express excitement for the future: “I can’t wait to see you soon. Let’s make plans!”
• Send good vibes: “Hope you have an amazing week ahead!”
• Make it personal: “Write back when you can. I’d love to hear all about what’s new with you.”

For your closing sign-off, try:

• Casual: “Take care,” or “Talk soon!”
• Warm: “With love,” or “Sending hugs!”
• Personal: “Your forever friend,” or even an inside joke nickname.

If you’re feeling creative, you could even add a doodle or a P.S. note at the end for an extra fun touch. If you need guidance, you can check out the recent guide on how to use P.S. in emails and letters. ​

Friendly Letter Example

Here’s a friendly letter example to get you started:

Hey Emma,

I hope you’re doing great! It feels like forever since we last talked, and I miss our coffee shop chats. How have you been?

Life has been busy on my end, but I finally took that trip I was telling you about. It reminded me so much of our old adventures—I swear, every little thing made me think, “Emma would love this.”

By the way, I saw that you started your new job. Congratulations! I know you’re going to be amazing at it. Let’s catch up soon; I want to hear all about it!

Write back when you can. Miss you tons!

Your friend,
Mia

Writing a Letter to a Friend

Honestly, writing letters isn’t just about keeping in touch. It's about making someone’s day. It’s a small act of kindness that can have a big impact. Plus, it helps you slow down and really think about what you want to say, which makes conversations more meaningful.

Learning how to write a letter to a friend is also a great way to build important life skills like communication and empathy. It teaches you to express yourself clearly, consider others’ feelings, and be more intentional with your words.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, a letter to a friend is one of the simplest yet most heartfelt ways to show you care. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be you. Whether you’re sharing exciting news, offering support, or just saying hello, your words will mean more than you realize.

This is a great skill to teach your children. Find ways to encourage them to write letters or just notes to people in their life. If you would like to strengthen their writing skills, here are a few tools to help you.

Wordsmith Curriculum

The Great Editing Adventure

Paragraph Writing for Kids

Frequently Asked Questions

How to start a letter to a friend?

Starting a letter to a friend should feel natural and personal, just like a real conversation. Begin with a friendly greeting that matches your relationship, such as “Hey [Name],” “Hi [Name]!” or the classic “Dear [Name],” depending on the tone you want to set. If you want to be more playful, you can start with something fun like “Guess who’s writing to you?” or “To my amazing friend [Name],” to grab their attention.
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After the greeting, use an engaging opening line to make the letter feel warm and inviting. You might ask about them with something like, “How have you been? It feels like forever since we last talked!” or mention a shared memory, such as, “I was just thinking about that hilarious time we [fun experience]—still makes me laugh!”
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You can also start with a personal update, like “So much has happened since we last caught up! You won’t believe what happened last week.” Whatever approach you take, the goal is to make your friend feel excited to keep reading, setting the stage for a heartfelt and enjoyable letter.

How to write a friendly letter?

Writing a friendly letter is all about making your message feel warm, personal, and engaging—just like a real conversation. Start with a greeting that sets the tone, such as “Hey [Name],” or “Dear [Name],” depending on how formal or casual you want to be. Then, open with an engaging line. Ask how they’ve been, mention a shared memory, or share an exciting update about your life.
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In the body of the letter, keep things natural and conversational. Share stories, ask questions, and express genuine interest in your friend’s life. If they’re going through a tough time, offer words of encouragement.