What Can I Bring? 2018 Edition


We had a few families
over for dinner this past weekend, and in the days leading up to it, when they inevitably asked “What can I bring?” I told them all the same thing: dessert. There would be ten kids in all, and I figured it would be fun to have an all-out, sugar-infused, Thanksgiving-style bacchanalia. Everyone marched in with their foil covered pie dishes and Carvel boxes (!!!) and pavlova parts to be assembled later, but the best gift of all — maybe even better than the ice cream cake — was the Action Pack shown above from my friend and novelist, Sonya. Inside were about a dozen pre-addressed stamped postcards to voters in the 46th district of New York, plus a sample script petitioning for Pat Strong, a Democratic newcomer running for State Senate, and reminding people to vote on November 6. It was so smart, so now, and, needless to say, so necessary. The next morning, I fought through my sugar hangover, got those postcards written and sent first thing, then signed up at Postcards to Voters to pay it forward to the next person who invites me over for dinner (or runs into me at the soccer game, whichever comes first). They make it really easy — much easier than making a pavlova, for instance. (Though superwoman Sonya brought one of those too.) Check it out and shoot me an email if you partake.

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19 Comments

Kimberly

Thanks, Jenny, for using your voice for good! If you or any readers are looking for another great option for writing letters to get out the vote, check out https://votefwd.org

Super easy to sign up and host a letter writing party to GOTV in important districts.

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Anna

I love this! A friend and I are hosting a postcard and brunch party this weekend. I ordered postcards from our local “Indivisible” group – $32 donation to cover printing of 120 postcards and info to send to voters in our closest up-for-grabs congressional district. We’re going to be eating pastries, chasing kids around the house, and working to flip NY19!

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Kelley

Have been writing postcards for Postcards to Voters for a couple of months. I feel a little like I’m just whistling past the graveyard but I also feel likes it the least I can do for this country that I love!

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Melissa

Signed up- been looking for a great entry to get my younger kids involved in this election. This is perfect. Thank you!

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joy

I love postcards for voters. I’ve been doing it since earlier this summer, since I’m home with a new baby and have a toddler, and a lot of the in-person GOTV stuff just seems too ambitious with two littles. The best part has been learning about all these amazing new (and experienced) Democratic candidates around the country. En la lucha!

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Lauren

Thanks, Jenny! Your post inspired me to gather a few friends on Friday night for wine, homemade pizza, and postcards. This feels like a fun way to mix some of my more politically active friends with those looking for a new outlet.

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Tina

I love this idea! As someone who lives in DC and has no voting member of congress I am all for people encouraging others to get out and vote!

But I have to ask…what did you serve for dinner that night??

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Susie B.

I am hosting a “Flip the House” party next week and already have my packs of postcards ready! I was just going to have some snacks on hand but love the idea of a dessert “potluck,” as a way of celebrating the “sweetness” of resistance in community. Thanks so much for this–did my heart and soul good to read this today!

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Dianne

This is GREAT!! You have inspired my 11 year old and I to host a writing party next weekend.

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JessicaD

THANK YOU for using your voice to promote Postcards to Voters! The organization is making a real difference in close contests across the U.S. (I started writing even before Doug Jones ran in Alabama and believe that P2V influenced the election in AL in a positive way!) It’s an easy, grassroots way to directly “talk with” voters who are making decisions that will affect the direction our country moves and the future for our children. It feels great to be a part of this wonderful organization and I truly thank you for letting your readers know about it! JessicaD

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Marie

Justice for women.
Justice for men.
Get out and vote.
But vote Republican to save due process.

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Caitlin

Thank you for the postcards link!! I signed up and am now having a resistance party with a couple of friends where we will do as many as we can. Thanks for the inspiration!

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JenMarie

Signed up and just sent my 1st 15 postcards. It felt very good. Slightly sloppy penmanship and a little hope and gratitude are now headed to 15 addresses in Georgia. I wish I could know the results. Instead, I just get to imagine strangers puzzling a bit over the cards and thinking, “Right. I really should vote this time.” Fingers crossed.

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Sarah

Thank you for this wonderful suggestion!! Just signed up. I have been reading and loving your blog for years, the snickerdoodles from your latest book were a huge hit in our house!

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Csilla

Thank you!! I just signed up… it’s not to late to get the reminders out to vote! They have some great ones to print on their website and I’m going to enlist my 3 and 5 year old to color them.

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