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5.13.2011

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?


14 comments:

  1. I love the written word as well and miss getting letters in the mail.

    I opened the Paper Source in Costa Mesa and loved working there. I eventually quit because I was spending more than I was making. ;)
    I HAVE visit Kate's Paperie when I am back east. I was so excited when I found PS out here. Something that was almost as amazing as Kate's.
    How sweet of your daughter's friend. Those are the cards we keep and look at years later.

    P.S. I LOVE your friends handwriting too. Wow!

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  2. Annie,
    This has to be my favorite post so far! Of course I recognized Sydney's handwriting right away!
    Lynnie

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  3. Great post! I love thank you notes ... the one your friend gave you with the photo book and wrapped in the map is priceless! I love the creativity of your daughter's friend's thank you. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kate's Paperie ... such a treat to be able to go there when visiting NYC. :)

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  4. Great Post, Annie! I have a "Keep Calm and Carry On" note card that you sent me way back when on my bulletin board!
    I agree, the handwritten note is slowly fading. I think it's important to share this with our children so I love the note that Madeleine received...from a 16 year old even!

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  5. Annie, I love this post! I am smitten with beautiful note cards. Right now they are tucked away in the drawer of an antique desk, but I love the bins that you have. Do you remember where you got them? Have a lovely day.

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  6. So lovely Annie...words on paper...to me is still the best way to communicate our feelings to friends and family...it's a very inspirational post :))
    xo

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  7. That little book is *INSANELY* sweet and creative! That is so amazing! It really does make you feel so loved to get something handmade/written in the mail...it makes getting the mail a fun experience (c: Happy Weekend, darling!

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  8. So nice, I like them a lot!!! The keeping boxes are very cute and I'm so happy when I receive a note card! (Last Wednesday I received one from my teenagers students they are so sweet, when they want!)

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  9. Annie- Your blog is fabulous! The links are wonderful...you've created a treasure trove of lovelythings! Kudos to you on your celebration of the thank you note (I wish I were writing instead of typing now!). I delight in the ritual of sitting down with pretty paper, a favorite pen, a few well-chosen words and just the right stamp...a bit of grace in the mail stack to make someone smile!

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  10. you are so right about receiving a note in the mail. i remember when emails first started and people said they would replace real letters and i thought they were nuts and now i even do that. it's something i totally want to undo. i can't even remember when i last received a written letter. i am hoping to get pve's sketch of my house made into blank notecards and really use them.

    xo
    janet

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  11. I'm a firm believer in hand written notes. Both my grandmother and mother had me do this as a child and I'm so glad it stuck! It's so nice to get a note in the mail from a friend, but it also feels so good to send them. Great post, Annie!

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  12. I love getting mail, real mail like these notes and cards you have posted. Besides spending time with family, my favorite thing about Christmas is getting Christmas cards in the mail from friends from my past and present. Too bad that is pretty much the only time I get them!

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  13. One of the secrets of a great thank you card-- a great pen! ;)

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  14. I love, love, LOVE those silver bins. Wherever did you find them!

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