This post is part of a campaign with Tiny Prints and LooksiSquare. All opinions are entirely my own.

One of my last AP English assignments my senior year in high school was to write a letter to myself. When Mrs. Horn told us about this assignment, my friends and I didn’t really think very much about it. I wrote my letter and put it in an envelope addressed to myself at my then current address. My letter was three pages long and I included a photo. Mrs. Horn collected all the letters and she said she would mail them to us in four years. I completely forgot about it. Four years later, the letter arrived at my parents’ house. My parents were curious because the letter was addressed in my handwriting, the return address was one they didn’t know and I had written PRIVATE on the bottom corner of the envelope.

The moment I saw the envelope, I knew what was inside but I had forgotten what I had written. I tore open the envelope and read my letter. My letter was full of current 1994 news about my family and friends. I had written about my unease about going out of state for college and my expectations for the future. I enjoyed reading the letter because it showed me how far I had come in life. I still have my letter. The letter and original envelope are pictured in the photo at the top of this post. It is stored with my high school memories and I get it out and read it every few years. I am always pleasantly surprised to find that with the exception of how I make my exclamation marks, my handwriting is the same as it was in high school!

My tip for all the high school and college graduates is to sit down and hand write yourself a letter. Have someone hold onto it and mail or give the letter to you 4 years later. Here are a few suggestions of topics to include:

• current status of family members and friends
• goals for the next few years
• expectations for the near future
• feelings about where you are currently in life
• gadgets or technology that you can’t live without
• what you will miss most about your current life
• who you think you will remain friends with through the years
• career goals
• predictions about where you want to live
• a bucket list

On the topic of graduation, graduation announcements and invitations have come a long way since I graduated 21 years ago. In 1994, there was one style of graduation announcement. Everyone at the school ordered the same announcement from the same company. The only personalization was a small rectangular piece of paper with my name on it inserted inside. Fast forward to the present when there are so many styles and options to choose from!

I was amazed at the quality of the graduation announcements and party invitations that I received from Tiny Prints. The quality shows in the attention to details like clean designs, paper weight, matching lined envelopes and the foil stamping.

I love the look of these foil stamped Fantastic Graduate announcements with scallop trim. The ensemble of the foil stamped year and floral border go beautifully with the matching lined envelope. The 7×5 letterpress Stylish Student party invitations have a geometric pattern. Using a photo collage instead of just one photo on the invitation shows more of a graduate’s personality. The unique ticket shape gives the feel of an invitation to an exclusive event. Ticket required!

For someone who may be a little camera shy, there are the foil stamped 5×7 Elegant Academia party invitations that don’t require a photo.

I’ve saved my favorite product for last. The foil stamped Gleaming Success announcements are simply beautiful. The focus of the design is on the graduate and the foil stamping provides just enough frill. I’m also in love with the lined envelope.

For another letterpress announcement option, check out the 5×7 Pristine Lines announcement.

Order an extra announcement or invitation so you can tuck the letter to yourself inside to read a few years down the road! I turn 40 next year and I plan to write myself a letter then too. I want to be able to look back and remember what it felt like to be me in my own words.