178 Open When Letter Ideas

‘Open When’ letters are typically a series of letters (written on a piece of paper or emailed if you want to try digital) that you plan to give to someone you love. 

This series of letters are created with clear instructions to open at some specific date, time, or event occurrence. 

And while the idea of these letters is the same, there are limitless options of what and to whom to write. These letters can be a sweet note to your grandmother, telling her how much you miss her. They can be a love letter to your spouse who’s away. 

It can even be a letter to close friends who’re having a rough time and could use some words of encouragement. 

Here is a collection of 178 open letter ideas to use to make your loved one smile.

‘Open When’ For Long-Distance Relationships

It can be hard when you are in a long distance relationship. While you’re away, your significant other might need some encouragement, support, and reassurance. So writing them a heartfelt letter to express how much you care for them can be a great idea. 

Here are some ideas for long-distance relationships:

1. Open When You Wonder Why I Love You
2. Open When You’re Sad
3. Open When You’re Happy
4. Open When You Feel Alone
5. Open When You Want A Romantic Dinner, and I’m Not There.
6. Open When You Can’t Sleep At Night, and I’m Not There.
7. Open When You Hear Your Favorite Song.
8. Open When You Feel Like No One Cares
9. Open When You Wake Up And I’m Not There
10. Open When You Particularly Miss Me
11. Open When You Visit Our Friends, and I’m Not There
12. Open When You Feel Discouraged
13. Open When You Are at Our Favorite Restaurant.
14. Open When You’re Grouchy, and I’m Not There
15. Open When You’re Anxious, and I’m Not There
16. Open When You Miss Holding My Hand
17. Open When You Feel Distance Between Us
18. Open When You’re Visiting Your Parents, and I’m Not There
19. Open When You Miss My Face
20. Open When On A Night Out And I’m Not There
21. Open When You Miss My Voice
22. Open When You’re Stressed, and I’m Not There
23. Open When You Miss My Jokes
24. Open When You Miss My Singing
25. Open When You Miss My Cooking
26. Open When You Need A Warm Hug, and I’m Not There
27. Open When You’re Overthinking, Aand I’m Not There
28. Open When You Miss Dancing With Me And I’m Not There
29. Open When You’re Watching [Our Favourite TV Show]
30. Open When [Our Song] Is On
31. Open When You Want To Read My Writing
32. Open When You Want To Learn Something You Never Knew about Me

‘Open When’ For When Your Partner Is Away From You

Sometimes, your significant other is away from you – whether on military deployment or a business trip – and they might need some comfort or encouragement in the separation. 

 Here are some letter topics to make that parting a little easier: 

1. Open When You’re On A Work Break
2. Open When You Feel Homesick
3. Open When You Need Some Reassurance
4. Open When You’ve Been Deployed For A Week
5. Open When You’ve Been Deployed For A Month
6. Open When You’re Halfway Through Deployment
7. Open When You Have One Month Left Of Deployment
8. Open When You Think Of Me
9. Open When You’re On The Way Back Home
10. Open When You Need A Reminder Why You’re There
11. Open When You’re In A Strange Place
12. Open When You’re Coming To Visit Me
13. Open When You’re On The Way Home From Visiting Me
14. Open When You Want to Play a Game Together While You’re Gone
15. Open When We Haven’t Talked In A While
16. Open When You’re Unpacking
17. Open When We Only Have One Day Before We See Each Other
18. Open When You’re Planning Our Next Visit
19. Open When You Have Booked Our Next Visit
20. Open When You Are About To Call Or Text Me
21. Open When You Are Outside My Door

‘Open When’ For Different Occasions Of The Year

These ‘Open When’ letters are perfect for helping celebrate special occasions throughout the year to create memories, even while you’re apart. 

Here are some of our favorite occasions to choose from to write an ‘open when’ letter:

1. Open When It’s Your Birthday
2. Open When It’s My Birthday
3. Open When It’s Our Anniversary
4. Open When It’s the Anniversary of Our First Date
5. Open When It’s New Year’s Eve
6. Open When It’s Christmas
7. Open When It’s New Year’s Day
8. Open When It’s Valentine’s Day
9. Open When It’s Christmas
10. Open When It’s Halloween
11. Open When It’s Easter
12. Open When It’s St Patrick’s Day
13. Open When It’s Memorial Day
14. Open When It’s Veteran’s Day
15. Open When It’s Independence Day
16. Open When It’s Talk Like A Pirate Day
17. Open When It’s Thanksgiving
18. Open When There’s An Important Event, And I Can’t Be There
19. Open When There’s An Important Event, and You Can’t Be There.
20. Open When It’s The Anniversary Of Our First Kiss
21. Open When It’s Our Engagement Anniversary
22. Open When It’s Our Wedding Anniversary
23. Open When You’re Celebrating An Accomplishment
24. Open When It’s The Beginning Of Spring
25. Open When It’s The Beginning Of Summer
26. Open When It’s The Beginning Of Autumn
27. Open When It’s The Beginning Of Winter

‘Open When’ For Different Feelings

We all experience good and bad days, writing a letter is a perfect way to ‘be there for them even when you are apart.

1. Open When You Need To Know How Much I Love You
2. Open When You Feel Anxious
3. Open When You’re Excited
4. Open When You Feel Like Crying
5. Open When You Need A Laugh
6. Open When You Feel Unappreciated
7. Open When You Feel Helpless
8. Open When You Receive Good News
9. Open When You Feel Foolish
10. Open When You Need Courage
11. Open When You Feel Confused
12. Open When You Need A Buddy
13. Open When Your Life Feels Like It’s Crumbling Down
14. Open When You Feel Lost
15. Open When You Miss Our Pet
16. Open When You’re Frightened
17. Open When You Feel Tired
18. Open When You’re Feeling Down
19. Open When You’re Sleepy
20. Open When You’re Unsure
21. Open When You’re Bored
22. Open When You Feel Like You Don’t Belong
23. Open When You Feel Shaken

‘Open When’ For When Your Partner Needs Something

Sometimes, some occasions come up less regularly than once a year when your partner needs some reassurance, a laugh, or comfort. If your partner has one of these and you aren’t able to be there, an ‘open when’ letter can be perfect. 

Here are some of these needs which might come up.

1. Open When You’re Sick
2. Open When You Need A Break
3. Open When You Need a Good Laugh
4. Open When You Need To Make A Wish
5. Open When You Need Some Romance
6. Open When You Want To Reminisce About Us
7. Open When I’m Not Available To Talk To You
8. Open When You Need A Pampering
9. Open When You Need Some Kind Words
10. Open When You Need Some Cheer
11. Open When You Need to Take a Trip Down Memory Lane
12. Open When You Need A Little Comfort
13. Open When You Need To Tell Me Something Important
14. Open When Your Schedule Is Full And Overwhelming
15. Open When You Need Some New Music
16. Open When You Need Some New Films
17. Open When You Need a Pep Talk
18. Open When You Need Some New Reads
19. Open When You Need an Uplifting Word
20. Open When You Need To Smile

‘Open When’ For When Your Spouse is Having a Tough Time

Every couple hits moments where they might argue, or life might get in the way, or you are just going through a difficult time. If something like that happens, then an ‘open when’ can be a creative way to diffuse the situation and provide emotional support. 

Here are some situations an ‘open when’ letter might be good for:

1. Open When We Argue
2. Open When You’re Mad At Me
3. Open When I’m Mad At You
4. Open When You Feel Like Giving Up On Yourself
5. Open When You Feel Like Giving Up On Us
6. Open When You Are Disappointed With Me
7. Open When You Are Disappointed With Yourself
8. Open When Life Is Coming Between Us
9. Open When You’re Losing Hope
10. Open When Life Is Going Too Fast
11. Open When Life Is Going Too Slow
12. Open When I Annoy You
13. Open When Both Our Work Lives Gets Between Us
14. Open When You’re Unsure Of Our Future
15. Open When You Have A Hard Decision On Your Hands
16. Open When You Feel Trapped
17. Open When You Feel Like I’m Not Being A Good Partner

‘Open When’ For Other People

An ‘open when’ letter can be a great option when the people in your life are struggling with other people in theirs. 

Here are some examples:

1. Open When You’re Visiting Your Siblings
2. Open When Your Friends Are Bugging You
3. Open When Your Boss Is Worrying You
4. Open When Your Family Members are Making You Crazy
5. Open When You Miss Our Friends
6. Open When You’re On A Vacation 
7. Open When You See Your Best Friend

‘Open When’ For Little Things

Sometimes, a lovely letter is not just for big occasions. Sometimes your significant other might need some sweet words, encouragement, or support during the little things in life.

Some small occasions where an ‘open when’ might be appropriate may be:

1. Open When You’re Going In For Something Important
2. Open When Your Work Gets You Down
3. Open When The Weather’s Bad
4. Open When The Weather’s Wonderful
5. Open When You Get Home From The Movies
6. Open When Life Is Becoming Too Much
7. Open When Something Bad Has Happened
8. Open When Something Good Has Happened
9. Open When You’re Heading To A Concert
10. Open When You’re Having A Hard Time At Work
11. Open When You’re Having A Hard Time At University
12. Open When You Need Creative Inspiration
13. Open When You Need High Grades
14. Open When You Achieve High Grades
15. Open When You Dream Of Me
16. Open When You Can’t Sleep, and I’m Sleeping
17. Open When You’re At The Beach
18. Open When You Have Messed Up
19. Open When You Want To Make A Spontaneous Trip
20. Open When You’re Eating Your Favorite Lunch
21. Open When You’re Home Alone On A Day Off

Open When Letters for Yourself

‘Open when’ letters for yourself can be a beautiful way to commemorate a moment in the future, cement favorite memories in your mind, or put some positivity away for tough days ahead. 

Here are some of our favorite ‘open when’ letters for your future self.

1. Open When You Get Your First Job
2. Open When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed at Work
3. Open When You Need a Laugh
4. Open When You’re Homesick
5. Open When You Buy Your First House
6. Open When Someone Breaks Your Heart
7. Open When You Need to Be Reminded How Amazing You Are
8. Open When You Have Your First Child
9. Open When You Feel Lost
10. Open When You Hit 30/40/50 Years Old.

How to Make Digital Open When Letters

Creating a digital version of ‘Open When’ letters works similarly to the pen and paper option with a few minor changes.

Step 1: Come up with your list of letters.

Step 2: Write your letters.

Step 3: Create an introductory letter explaining what you are sending and how it will work– general instructions.

Step 4: Clearly title the subject line so it’s obvious when it should be opened.

Step 5: Some email service providers will allow you to schedule emails. If you have a date-specific letter, you could schedule to send it the night before.

You have many options and variations you can use with the digital delivery method. You can order the letter chronologically. You could create fun themes: relating to seasons of life, life events, etc.

The point of these letters is to provide a creative way to connect. If a pen and paper option isn’t for you, digital letters can achieve the same sentiment, so don’t be afraid to embrace it!

A Special Gift or Small Package to Pair with an ‘Open When’ Letter

Yes, an ‘open when’ letter is a fantastic gift all on its own. But sometimes, you want to pair it with something a little extra. Maybe a romantic gift for an anniversary or birthday. Perhaps something silly to commemorate a funny memory. Here are some great ideas for small gifts to add just that little bit of extra love with your letter!

• Pictures of you together.
• Sweet pictures of your favorite dates or occasions 
• Pictures of home or landscapes.
• Recordings of your voice. Grandmothers reading a story to grandchildren. A husband reciting his wife’s favorite poem. 
• Books 
• Music
• Candy or other sweets
• Lists – these are just extra pieces of writing that are not really part of a letter but can be a sweet addition. They can be jokes, recipes, or lists of traits about your partner that you enjoy.
• A gift card to their favorite coffee shop or bakery.

Final Words

An ‘open when’ letter can be a sweet way to stay connected when separated by distance. These suggestions are just a jumping-off point. You know what will resonate, don’t be afraid to get creative!