Beautiful Paper and Handwritten Letters

Handwritten letters are a beautiful way to say thank you, I’m thinking of you, and show someone they are valued and loved.

My guess is, if you are anything like me, you have kept handwritten notes and letters you’ve received over the years. When we were cleaning out for our move from Texas to Colorado, I read through a bunch of letters I’ve gotten from friends and family. Some had me laughing, some teary from sweet memories, but all of them were, and are, so so dear to me. Maybe it’s because “Words of Encouragement” are my love language, but I think it’s just because I’m a human being. Everyone loves receiving a handwritten letter.

With that in mind, do you ever think- I need to write that friend a note telling her how much I appreciate her?

Or maybe you want to tell a teacher how much they have meant to your child…and therefore you!?

Or maybe you just want to send a thank you note to someone who did something nice for you??

But…you don’t.
You get busy.
Other things take up your time and attention so you don’t follow through.

Best laid plans. Right?

In our vastly digitized world, we too often forget the importance of connecting with others on a deeper level. We get so busy, with so little margin in our lives, that the important, meaningful things don’t get done like we would like.

Emily Post on “Handwritten Letters”

As I was thinking about the importance of handwritten letters, I thought I would see what Emily Post’s website had to say about them, since she is the original expert on all things etiquette.

Here’s what I found,

“When I get a handwritten letter, I’m excited to open it. The art of the postage stamp, the feel of the paper, the graphic quirks of a friend’s handwriting: There is simply nothing as personal as a handwritten note. In a stack of bills and flyers, it’s a treasure in a sealed packet, full of promise and potential. It is a visceral reminder of someone far away.”

“A visceral promise of someone far away”…

That makes me want to sit down and write some letters right now.

I also love what Emily Post website says about why people don’t send handwritten notes:

There are two common reasons people don’t write thank-you notes. The biggest excuse is not having the materials at hand. Note cards or stationary that reflect your personality, a roll of stamps, pens and an address book—one trip to the store and you’re all set.

The second excuse is not having time. A handwritten thanks is often as short as three sentences, just like an email. If you want to talk about your bike trip last summer, do it in a letter. The thank-you note is special; it’s to express your appreciation, so keep the focus there. Does it take longer to address and stamp an envelope than to click “Send”? Yes, but by about one minute—a minute well spent to say thanks well.

Being part of a society means knowing how to be appropriate to a situation. Handwritten notes still have a personality, warmth and, when needed, gravitas that computer screens don’t. And questions of appropriateness aside, people still enjoy opening them. More than anything, that tells me they have lasting value. So, send a little joy someone’s way.

If this post has inspired you, and you’d like to write a note but don’t have any notecards or stationary, I’m here to make it easy on you.

Beautiful Paper from Tickled Pink Inc.

For 15 years, or maybe more, I’ve ordered the prettiest notecards, placemats, notepads and gift enclosures from my sweet friend, Erin.

I would always give notepads for teacher gifts and party favors. It doubles as the perfect “place card” on the dinner plate, and party favor!

Erin has dozens of different styles to choose from on her Etsy page! As a blue and white lover, and traditional southern girl at heart, I would take one of everything Erin sells if I could!! I bet I’ve ordered over 1,000 notecards over the years from Erin.

How fun are the little “We Appreciate You” stickers you can put on homemade chocolate chip cookies or treat bags like I did here?! I had Erin make them in our high school colors and would put them in teachers boxes in their workroom as a fun surprise. The stickers can be used for birthday gifts, Valentines, Christmas, Thanksgiving…any holiday. I’ve used them for treats for new neighbors and the card said, “Welcome to The Neighborhood! Love, The Peeks”

Erin’s Etsy page has so many lovely things, but if you’d like to switch out some colors, or change a monogram, just let her know. She is so easy to work with and has an eye for design.

She is the sweetest and makes the prettiest things.

So what are you waiting for?

You have people you want to thank, encourage or just say Hi and I’m thinking of you.

Order your pretty paper today, send a handwritten letter and make someone smile!

Grateful for you!💙🤍
Julie