A handwritten letter conveys personal warmth, caring, and affection in a way a text or email cannot. Consider for a moment how you feel when you check the mail and discover a hand-addressed envelope on sturdy cotton or linen stationery. How different this is from receiving another email in your inbox, where you may not even see it in a torrent of daily messages!
A note of gratitude, sympathy, or celebration needn’t be complicated, lengthy, or expensive. And while your recipient may cherish a three-page heartfelt letter filled with thoughfully-crafted prose, a simple note will also bring comfort and good cheer.
If you have been meaning to write a letter so someone and are having a hard time getting started, remember the words of Mother Theresa. She said that, in this life, “we can only do small things with great love.” Keep it short and simple. And if you’ve written a letter and are hesitating to put it in the mailbox, try stepping away and looking at it the next morning with fresh eyes. Then, send it. Because, as successful writers say, “Done is better than perfect.”
“I am a little pencil in the hand of God who is sending a love letter to the world.”
– Mother Theresa
Here are some of our favorite tools for letter writing:
The Stationery Stash
How many times have you found yourself ready to leave for a birthday party, attend a funeral, or celbrate an anniversary and realized you forgot to buy a card? Having a ready stash of cards, stationery, and even postcards on hand keeps you prepared to reach out any time.
You can personalize your own stationery or order custom papers from an established stationer. The choices you make will serve as reflections of you and your personality, so take time to select papers, designs and messages that mirror your values and style.
For an inexpensive option, buy a heavier-weight paper with high-content at your local office store. Then, design and print your own header and footer with a home printer or store copy machine.
If you don’t have a greeting card on hand for a specific occasion or can’t find the right message, why not add your own message to a pretty, blank notecard from your stash? A simple handwritten card is more personal than one from the store racks, and you’ll save yourself from weeding through thinly-veiled insults, sad cartoon art, and canned jingles.
Here are a few sources for affordable elegant stationery:
G. Lalo – Pad of 50 Plain Laid Sheets A5, 100 g, Vergé De France, Ivory
G. Lalo – Verge De France C6 Envelope, 114 x 162 mm – Ivory, Pack of 25 (fits folded A5 sheet)
Rossi – Fiorentina Notecard Set 4.25×6.25″ -10/10
Smythson – Bordered Correspondence Cards
Smythson – Kings Writing Paper (customized version available)
Smythson – King Envelopes
Templates
When I find myself stuck for words, I often fall back on templates and outlines. You can make your own outlines and templates for each occasion.
Here’s an example:
Thank you note:
Dear ________,
[Thank you for the ________________.]
[Something about receiving it – the occasion]
[Something I like about it]
[I look forward to enjoying it this way …]
[Something I value about you (the gift sender)]
[Complementary close]
[Your Name]
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