Letter writing and personal touches delight friends and family

Over the holidays, I picked up some handmade greeting cards and calligraphed messages for my family and friends. Sure it took a bit of time, but this year I wanted the cards to be special. Every few years I get the energy to put in a little more effort.

Then … unexpectedly, I received multiple messages from some of the recipients. Here is just a sampling of what I heard:  

“Loved your card, did you make it?”

“Where did you get this handmade card? Who is the artist?”

“We always love your elegant writing.”

“I am going to frame this beautifully quilled card.”

It made me realize that people really do notice and appreciate the extra personal touch. They see you were thoughtful in choosing a card that was just right for them and took the time to write your own sentiment. It also opened up channels for continued correspondence – always nice!

The art of letter writing has understandably been diminished by the advancement in technology (e.g., email, texting, ecards, etc.). These modes are quicker and less expensive (note:  not always!), so therefore more efficient. Or are they?

In most cases, I would say, “Yes.” Certainly these advancements can be hailed as positive game changers for day-to-day messages and general business correspondence.

But with all the unwanted spam and unsolicited emails, texts, and junk mail that clog our communication channels, who doesn’t like to receive a nice card with a pleasant message on occasion?

Here are additional few examples I’d like to share:

• While waiting in line at the post office, I met a young woman who was mailing a letter to her new pen pal in Sweden. When the clerk told her it cost only $1.61, she said, “Oh my gosh, I haven’t mailed a letter in 10 years. I should have started doing this sooner. It is really fun to have a pen pal abroad.”
• My husband recently celebrated his 60th birthday and received a card from his sister, which included a few pictures she had taken of him as a child riding a bicycle. She wrote a sweet note about how she had taken the pictures to earn a Girl Scout badge when she was a teenager. I noticed he saved both the card and pictures.
• My sister runs a gift and stationary company in California. She runs showrooms across the globe, and sometimes I get the opportunity to tag along. This year, while attending a show in Tokyo, we discussed sending some of the top customers a small gift of appreciation with a hand calligraphed message of gratitude. We did it, and it was a success – the company received many enthusiastic messages from clients indicating they wanted to work together to expand offerings in their boutiques. The owner of her company even remarked that they had been trying to make inroads with one of the clients for years!

We have museums filled with saved correspondence from leaders, artists, educators, scientists, etc. documenting important events from a personal standpoint. The next time you want to really send a message, think about how you might create a special one that will be remembered and cherished. Or maybe you will cheer someone up for just a day – and wouldn’t that be wonderful too?