Blue Lace Dress c/o || Blue Embellished Shoes || Rose Floral Pen || Pink Polka Dot Pen || Hydrangea Stationary || Lighthouse Note Cards || The Art Of The Handwritten Note || Mint Arrow Clipboard || Gold Flower Earrings || Pink & Blue Co. Bracelet c/o ||
Good morning and a very happy Friday, friends! This is a post I have been wanting to do for quite some time now and I am beyond excited to finally have it for you today. I’ve been hand writing notes for as long as I can remember. I used to write very simple ones to my mom and dad when I was younger. I would write to my mom as often as I could once I no longer lived at home. Though she couldn’t write back, she loved to receive them. My dad would read them to her. I wrote to my grandmother quite a bit, to friends and family members, and of course I wrote many love letters over the years. Even with email and texting becoming the norm, my late husband and I would still hand write letters to one another. I would thank friends for having my late husband and I over to their homes or for any gifts received. I would write to simply catch up with family members.
I do realize that I’m talking about physically writing out a note on the very medium that makes note writing seem obsolete. Today’s world consists of instant everything. I believe for that very reason that writing and receiving a hand written note are all the more special and heartfelt. It is something that takes time and a good amount of thought put into it. There is no backspace key or delete button. Writing and sending a note shows the recipient you care about them and you took time out of your busy day to pen the letter. It has more meaning than an email or a phone call, and while those are perfectly fine ways to communicate, especially if a matter is urgent, there is still a personal feeling and indeed an art to writing a note by hand.
I personally like to set my writing area up before I sit down to compose my letter. I always have a cup of coffee or tea on hand to sip while thinking of the words that will eventually reach the page. The pen and paper you choose will set the mood for what you are about to write as well. I will admit that I am a sucker for pretty office sulies, especially pens and stationary. I’m inspired to write when I have a beautiful pen and card to write upon. The paper chosen can express to the reader a message before they even begin to read your letter. The size of the paper, the thickness, is it decorated or have initials on it, and the color all send a subtle message. Even the pen you choose will influence how you write and should make you feel confident when doing so. How the pen feels in your hand and appeals to your eye will make for the perfect combination.
The most common hand written note would be the thank you card. Also, when in doubt, always send one. It’s better to over thank than to not thank at all. Other occasions are love letters, condolences, thinking of you, congratulations, invitations, and a request.
In the very most basic form your note should include the following:
1. The location from where you are writing from
2. The date
3. Salutation (Dear, Hi, Hello!)
4. Text. Three sentences minimum will fill the front of a notecard nicely.
5. Windup Phrase (thank you again, looking forward to seeing you). This is a transition to the closing.
6. Closing (Cheers, Sincerely, Yours, Best, Affectionately). The closing words give the impression of a wave, handshake, hug, or kiss. “Best” and “Bye” are breezy and impersonal like a wave. “Sincerely” is impersonal and formal like a handshake. “Yours” and “truly yours” are personal and casual like a hug. “Affectionately” and “love” are very personal like a kiss.
7. Signature
I recently picked up The Art Of The Handwritten Note and devoured the book. It’s the perfect compliment to any writing desk and fantastic for someone who would like to start writing notes or write more frequently. It’s where I got some of the information here from. I highly recommend it!
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xo, Amanda