It’s easy to send an email or message via social media – but it means a lot more when a personal note arrives through the letterbox of family and friends. But with the postal service in the UAE, that’s easier said than done. Until now, that is…

We have discovered a brilliant downloadable app called By Post, which allows you to create real postcards in a matter of seconds. Simply choose the photo from your smart phone memory, and then add the personalised text for the reverse. Finish by filling in address details and making payment – and the company will send the real printed postcard to wherever you want in the world!

You can choose from a number of borders, with slogans such as ‘wish you were here’, ‘happy holidays’, and ‘happy birthday’, amongst many more. Or you can skip the borders and let your photo do the talking.

We’ve tried the service and it’s quick, arriving at its destination within a few days – and the print quality of the postcards is brilliant. Our recipients framed it!

By Post, free to download itunes.apple.com