thank you notes . . .

I have long been a fan of the written note.  This little book, The Art of the Hand Written Note is a favorite of mine and I read through it every few years.  Margaret Shepherd is brilliant in saying how, why and when we should write notes.  I think I speak for many that when I receive a handwritten note in the mail, I'm absolutely thrilled.  It does not take a lot to sit down and write a note, stamp and address the envelope, but many people are sending emails, tweets, or whatever.  Don't get me wrong, I love email as a form of communication, just not all the time.  I am so happy when I open my mailbox and see the familiar handwriting of a good friend or sometimes intrigued when I see my name and address written carefully on an envelope with an interesting stamp.  We receive so much mail that goes directly into the trash that receiving a personal note is a welcome surprise.

How I wish my handwriting looked like my friend Sydney's!

It's usually after the holidays that I stock up on holiday note cards for the coming year.  Stores have the best sales on holiday items, and I can never have too many.  I found these letter press cards at Pottery Barn in July...I never even saw them during the holidays. 

I keep boxes like these with all of my supplies in my desk/armiore.  Everything from school supplies, art supplies, ribbons, markers...

Some of my favorite shops are those that sell notes and papers.  When I'm in NY I can never pass up a Kate's Paperie.  On the west coast I love the selection at Paper Source.  I also love Milestones In New Canaan, CT.

This adorable handmade thank you note was what sparked the idea for this post.  As I was walking through my daughter's room, I noticed this sweet little card.  She had just gone to a tea to celebrate the 16th birthday of her good friend on Sunday.  This note arrived on Tuesday!  I love this girl!

On the inside of the note, she had the words New York cut out.  She knows how much NY means to Madeline and how much she misses it.  Isn't that so sweet to personalize her thank you note in this way?

My dear friend Nancy takes the thank you note to a whole new level.  You can imagine my joy when after a visit to our home in CT with her family she sent this little book of pictures from our adventures, a lobster dinner at our home, the kids hanging out together. .. I always have it on a book shelf and love to look at it.  It really was the sweetest and most thoughtful gift I've ever received.

After covering the book with a map of Manhattan, she somehow creates a fold-out that neatly goes back into the book after looking at it. 

So, what are your thoughts on the written thank you note?