The Letter Resource

[Kalyppso]

I love sending my villagers letters, but sometimes I just feel overwhelmed by the idea of sending them good letters. I know that they always seem happiest when you use all the lines in a particular letter, rather than leaving a line blank or a one-liner, but thinking up something to say every time can be exhausting. I'd love it if I could compile a bunch of the best letters for my own use and to your benefit.

Please post the content or a screenshot of a well-composed letter and a category under which I'll include it, and people can choose to use it or personalize it or ignore it as they see fit.

Some things to consider, according to the Animal Crossing Wiki:

"Thoughtful and gramatically correct letters will certainly earn you brownie points in your community, so make sure you spell words out carefully. If you don't, the animal will either not understand your letter, or be displeased. Hateful or innapropriate words will also be seen as a threat to neighbors, so don't expect the animal receiving the letter to be overjoyed if profane language is written all over it."

"Putting symbols such as hearts, stars, or musical notes enhances your letter and is more likely to bring joy to the recipient."​

Other things to consider, according to your peers:

"Start with something you like about them or their house. (Like which items you like best.)
Talk about something related to your town. (Like wishing them luck for an upcoming contest.)
When attaching a gift, tell them why you're sending it.
When attaching a gift, there are preferences if you're not doing it for customization reasons:
Source, which I'm told applies outside their birthdays too.
If replying to a letter, use it as a prompt for writing yours.
When you're stuck, you can always look at the letters they send you. They never say anything very complex but they manage to fill the entire paper, so it's a good model. When they send you a gift they'll say they think it looks nice with your house or that it seems empty, if they're sending you clothes they'll say they were shopping and it reminded them of your personality."​

Spoiler: Comical

Did you hear the joke about
a penguin driving in Arizona?
I have to tell it to you, right
now. I just have to think of
how it begins ... Ah! I'm not
going to have enough space!

Aren't you glad you're not a
vegetable? I heard that an
impatient Momma tomato
stomped all over her slowly
meandering baby tomato
while shouting: "Catch up!"

So I was up late last night,
running errands, and I spoke
with Blathers, and then had
to walk past the Bulletin
Board ... and that little owl
surprised me. Is that a baby?

Spoiler: Admiring

I think I saw that you were
jealous of the time I spent
with our neighbour the other
day, but there's no need for
you to be. They're just close
by. You're special to me. ★

I love the theme you have
going on in your house. It
gives the building such a fab
personality, like its owner.
Could you come over & give
me some tips sometime? ★

Everything about you simply
screams well-traveled. Did
you school somewhere I've
heard of? Or was all your
knowledge gained in the open
world? I wish I had the time.

I can't tell you what it means
to me to see you wearing a
pattern of my design. I have
to wonder if you even like it
or whether you just wanted
me to smile. Thank you. ★

Spoiler: Thank You

I'm so glad I found you when
I did. You helped me so much
with that errand. I do a lot
of the heavy lifting around
town, and can be too proud
to ask for help ... but thanks.

Spoiler: Sympathies

I'm sorry that I had to turn
you away from buying that
item at Re-Tail. No, it wasn't
cursed, but you know how
some people are about gifts.
I have a buyer in mind. Sorry!

Spoiler: Congratulations

I am so glad you finally got a
new piece of furniture! We
should celebrate your new
item with tea & cakes. Just
us two could marathon some
show and admire the view. ★

Spoiler: Anticipation

Are you looking forward to
the upcoming event? I know
it's a solo competition, but I
expect everyone will break
into teams as usual & I know
how skilled you are. Partner?

A video game I'm looking
forward to comes out next
week. I took three days off
work to sit at home and play
it. You should pop over and
try the character creator.

Spoiler: Gossip

We had quite the busy day,
didn't we? So many visitors
knocking on our doors to get
petitions signed that don't
even affect out town. It has
to be good for our economy.

I wish they let me buy more
than five items per day from
the Happy Home Showcase. I
mean, if I have the money
and they have the product,
then who has the problem?

I doubt you have as many
problems with the opposite
gender as I do. Do you have
any advice? I feel like every
word out of my mouth is an
offense to them. Please help.

Can you believe I found two
fleas on one of our prim and
proper neighbours? They
asked me not to tell anyone,
and I wouldn't, but if it had
been I, you know they'd talk.

Thank you for doing those
quizzes with me. Those silly
distractions really make me
feel better in the wake of
serious decisions. Could I
maybe borrow the magazine?

I can't believe you'd trade
perfectly good wallpaper for
an insect. I mean, I'm not
complaining, but darling, if
you're that enamored by the
pests: Let me help more.

Spoiler: Change Your Shirt / Decor

That outfit to which you're
so attached? It has to go. A
respectable creature such as
yourself needs to don outfits
more trendy than that. Check
Ables' soon & wear this now.

That thing in your house,
which was definitely a gift,
needs replacement. I know
moving can be hard and you
already gave up your tune &
catchphrase, but it is awful.

More categories can be added as appropriate ...

Happy writing!

(If this already exists somewhere ... please direct me and I'll close this thread.)

 

[EmmaFrost]

Whoa I didn't even know they cared what type of letters you sent. Mine have literally never contained more than two words because I'm usually just sending them letters to attach t-shirts in hopes that they change their outfit.

 

[TehyaFaye]

I always write full letters. After Halloween I had a bunch of leftover Candy, so I wrote all my villagers a "Happy post Halloween!" message with a piece of candy attached. I'm glad I didn't just write one message to send to all of them too, because apparently I hadn't sent a couple of my villagers a letter before, and you know how they like to show that first letter off.

 

[Ayaya]

Woah thank you for this! I write full letters usually but never knew symbols make them happy too
Thank you for the letter ideas!

 

[Eline]

Most of the time when I send my villagers letters, I talk about the stationary, or things I want to be done in town. I had no idea they cared about what you actually said! I should probably be a bit nicer to them sometimes hahaha. I always quickly write the letters because I want the letter-writing badge...

I know what I'm going to do from now on!

 

[Melyora]

I usually do write full letter, usually commenting that they should visit me or should invite me over, or commenting on something they said in a previous letter or on an interaction with them that day.

I did not know they really cared about what the letters said (O_O) I sometimes wonder if they do, cause once I sent a letter to eeeh.. Del, who was a voided villager that came into town and I wanted him out badly, so I sent him a letter along the line of 'Please get out soon. I do not like you at all, so MOVE OUT' and I got a reply that he got really happy from my letter XD

 

[akidas]

this seems very usefull hopfully I'll get my letter badge now

 

[Imaginetheday]

Oh, great thread! I am so letter-challenged.

 

[Hazel]

Ahh thanks so much for this! Very helpful thread!

 

[textbook_punk]

This is a great idea for a thread! I'm always so worried my letters won't make sense for my villagers :S

 

[SoSu]

I do always write them one liners that at least make sense. It was good enough for the badge But I'll have to try for a few of these - with symbols - to see how their reaction changes. I love how differently people respond to different aspects of the game. Your letters are great!

 

[Hypno KK]

I didn't know that symbols made them like your letter better!

The language they recognize is pretty limited, I think, because half of the time their replies have nothing to do with your letter even when you're using simple words. I've tested it a bit and that's what I've noticed. Sometimes their replies make a bit more sense, though, but it's best to keep it simple if you want a reply that has anything to do with what you've written.

Personally, I just write whatever comes to mind when I'm writing a random letter. Usually, I start with something I like about them or their house and talk about it a bit until I run out of space. Sometimes I also talk about something related to my town, like wishing them luck for an upcoming contest. These seem silly, but it's a simple idea and gives you something to talk about and fill in all the lines of your letter. If I'm talking about their house, for example, I'll start by saying I like it and then tell them which items I like best and why.

If I'm attaching a gift, I'll tell them why I'm sending it and if I'm replying to a letter, I use it as a prompt for writing mine.

When you're stuck, you can always look at the letters they send you. They never say anything very complex but they manage to fill the entire paper, so it's a good model. When they send you a gift they'll say they think it looks nice with your house or that it seems empty, if they're sending you clothes they'll say they were shopping and it reminded them of your personality.

 

[Kalyppso]

I am so happy for the positive reaction to my thread. I'll add more letters after work, but for now, just gossip with the lot of you.

Whoa I didn't even know they cared what type of letters you sent. Mine have literally never contained more than two words because I'm usually just sending them letters to attach t-shirts in hopes that they change their outfit.

Do you think I should mention in the OP that this happens? Is it possible people don't know that you can change their house-furniture / outfit / house-clothing by mailing them stuff? I will also mention in this breath that I actually have more frequent success in instigating changes by having them buy stuff at Re-Tail, and more positive success by giving them the furniture when they ask for it while roaming around town.

I always write full letters. After Halloween I had a bunch of leftover Candy, so I wrote all my villagers a "Happy post Halloween!" message with a piece of candy attached. I'm glad I didn't just write one message to send to all of them too, because apparently I hadn't sent a couple of my villagers a letter before, and you know how they like to show that first letter off.

I was worried you were saying that having generic letters is a dumb idea for this reason, and just in case, wanted to point out that, if I wanted to send a Happy Post-Halloween message - I'd have to think of 10 unique letters! But if you submit one of your ideas, I'd only have to think up 9 unique letters, and could use one of yours to save my brain from a little extra work. Otherwise, someone might want to send all their villagers 1 generic letter - and there's nothing wrong with that. People play the game differently! I hope you submit an idea sometime.

Woah thank you for this! I write full letters usually but never knew symbols make them happy too
Thank you for the letter ideas!

You're so very welcome! I hope you submit an idea that I can include.

Most of the time when I send my villagers letters, I talk about the stationary, or things I want to be done in town. I had no idea they cared about what you actually said! I should probably be a bit nicer to them sometimes hahaha. I always quickly write the letters because I want the letter-writing badge...

I know what I'm going to do from now on!

Both of those are perfect subjects for letters. I'm not trying to tell people to stop writing personal letters either. I purposefully wrote these 10 letters to be generic to get the ball rolling, but I'll feel less pressured now to keep from using in-town Villager's names in future letters, and just submit those which apply.

I usually do write full letter, usually commenting that they should visit me or should invite me over, or commenting on something they said in a previous letter or on an interaction with them that day.

I did not know they really cared about what the letters said (O_O) I sometimes wonder if they do, cause once I sent a letter to eeeh.. Del, who was a voided villager that came into town and I wanted him out badly, so I sent him a letter along the line of 'Please get out soon. I do not like you at all, so MOVE OUT' and I got a reply that he got really happy from my letter XD

The AI is limited. I'm (not actually) sure if you said gtfo, he'd have been like ... wtf; but you said "please" - a polite word, and "like you" ... and "move." So I can understand why the computer might have thought that you like him and are happy he moved back. xD Idk. But the letters they send us are generic in format anyway, so I hope you submit one of your replies to their letters to be included here at some point.

this seems very usefull hopfully I'll get my letter badge now

I'm glad you think so! Let me know if you do and we can celebrate!

Oh, great thread! I am so letter-challenged.

I doubt it's all that bad. Submit a comical one! They're hilarious to write, even if the jokes are terrible and would fall flat in a real-world setting.

Ahh thanks so much for this! Very helpful thread!

You're very welcome!

This is a great idea for a thread! I'm always so worried my letters won't make sense for my villagers :S

They often express confusion over mine, but happiness too! I wouldn't let it discourage you! I hope to see some submissions soon.

I do always write them one liners that at least make sense. It was good enough for the badge But I'll have to try for a few of these - with symbols - to see how their reaction changes. I love how differently people respond to different aspects of the game. Your letters are great!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please let me know the results of your testing. I hope you have fun doing so.

I didn't know that symbols made them like your letter better!

The language they recognize is pretty limited, I think, because half of the time their replies have nothing to do with your letter even when you're using simple words. I've tested it a bit and that's what I've noticed. Sometimes their replies make a bit more sense, though, but it's best to keep it simple if you want a reply that has anything to do with what you've written.

Personally, I just write whatever comes to mind when I'm writing a random letter. Usually, I start with something I like about them or their house and talk about it a bit until I run out of space. Sometimes I also talk about something related to my town, like wishing them luck for an upcoming contest. These seem silly, but it's a simple idea and gives you something to talk about and fill in all the lines of your letter. If I'm talking about their house, for example, I'll start by saying I like it and then tell them which items I like best and why.

If I'm attaching a gift, I'll tell them why I'm sending it and if I'm replying to a letter, I use it as a prompt for writing mine.

When you're stuck, you can always look at the letters they send you. They never say anything very complex but they manage to fill the entire paper, so it's a good model. When they send you a gift they'll say they think it looks nice with your house or that it seems empty, if they're sending you clothes they'll say they were shopping and it reminded them of your personality.

Do you think I should include these tips in the OP? They are excellent advice. I hope you submit a letter reflecting things happening in town, their replies or even items in their house; I don't think everyone who'd use this resource will really be that opposed to non-generic letters, there must be a few who would not be put off by referencing items that don't exist. (;

 

[Hypno KK]

Do you think I should include these tips in the OP? They are excellent advice. I hope you submit a letter reflecting things happening in town, their replies or even items in their house; I don't think everyone who'd use this resource will really be that opposed to non-generic letters, there must be a few who would not be put off by referencing items that don't exist. (;

You can include them if you'd like, I'm glad you think my advice was excellent and I'm really flattered.

I can submit some letters soon. I always try to document the letters I send them by writing them down or taking a picture, so I'll take a look at the ones I've sent and share some of them.

 

[Cuppycakez]

I like this thread! I never even send my poor villagers letters. :C

 

[MatchaMoonlight]

Yeah, I had no idea the type or quality of the letter could influence a neighbour's happiness! In the beginning, I sent all of my neighbours really great letters. I'll never forget the time on New Year's Day when I sent all of my neighbours a musical card that played Auld Lang Syne. It must have taken me like an hour to prepare one for each of them. I can't believe I was that crazy. XD

 

[TehyaFaye]

I was worried you were saying that having generic letters is a dumb idea for this reason, and just in case, wanted to point out that, if I wanted to send a Happy Post-Halloween message - I'd have to think of 10 unique letters! But if you submit one of your ideas, I'd only have to think up 9 unique letters, and could use one of yours to save my brain from a little extra work. Otherwise, someone might want to send all their villagers 1 generic letter - and there's nothing wrong with that. People play the game differently! I hope you submit an idea sometime.

Oh, no no no. I'm not saying this thread is dumb at all. XD I was just talking about my recent letter experiences. The Post-Halloween one was all along the same lines, though phrased differently. I'd ask how their Halloween was, say I got way too much candy, ask them to please take this one off my hands, and hope that next year was just as fun.

 

[Kalyppso]

Okay. Added 10 new letters and a new category.

You can include them if you'd like, I'm glad you think my advice was excellent and I'm really flattered.

I can submit some letters soon. I always try to document the letters I send them by writing them down or taking a picture, so I'll take a look at the ones I've sent and share some of them.

I did add them. Let me know of what you think of the format. I originally thought of crediting, but couldn't think of a neat way to include it. I'm so glad that I'm not the only person to want to save some of my letters, whether for personal attachment or other reasons. I look forward to seeing your work!

I like this thread! I never even send my poor villagers letters. :C

O: Poor dearies. (; I'm sure they love you anyway, it is an optional part of the game after all.

Yeah, I had no idea the type or quality of the letter could influence a neighbour's happiness! In the beginning, I sent all of my neighbours really great letters. I'll never forget the time on New Year's Day when I sent all of my neighbours a musical card that played Auld Lang Syne. It must have taken me like an hour to prepare one for each of them. I can't believe I was that crazy. XD

xD That's okay. I spend way too much time on trivial things too. I hope that you at least take pleasure in such effort, rather than just let it run you down. I'm sure your Villagers really appreciated the work. I'd also love to start using the musical cards more, but I'm intimidated by them ... because I'd spend too much time on them too I'm sure.

Oh, no no no. I'm not saying this thread is dumb at all. XD I was just talking about my recent letter experiences. The Post-Halloween one was all along the same lines, though phrased differently. I'd ask how their Halloween was, say I got way too much candy, ask them to please take this one off my hands, and hope that next year was just as fun.

d: My mistake. And that is adorable. Thank you for replying so politely and not being upset with my misinterpretation of your original meaning. I stayed up with Jack just to get rid of my candy this Halloween. Do you remember if your Villagers sent you gifts in return for candy?

 

[TehyaFaye]

Ah, it's fine. It's ridiculously easy to misinterpret things on the internet. ^^ A few did, but not all of them. I guess some villagers like candy more than others? Wish I could remember which ones specifically gave gifts for the candy, but I do recall getting a couple presents and they all did write back.

 

[Kalyppso]

Ah, it's fine. It's ridiculously easy to misinterpret things on the internet. ^^ A few did, but not all of them. I guess some villagers like candy more than others? Wish I could remember which ones specifically gave gifts for the candy, but I do recall getting a couple presents and they all did write back.

O: The way you answered my question made me realize that I should pay attention to how certain Villager personalities react to different gifts via mail or who sends which gifts in the mail. It isn't something I've thought of as maybe being related before ... but why not? I mean, it could be random ... I'll try to watch for that sort of thing too. xD Thanks for bringing that to my attention.