I used to be one of those insanely punctual, Emily Post folks who was really good at sending a thank you note in under two weeks from receiving a gift. Having an active toddler and a house to take care of seems to have thrown a wrench in my system, but one of my 2013 goals is to get back to that. I love to write letters and receive letters. Unfortunately, it is one of those forms of communication that seems to be losing its art. So, I am pledging to help it make a comeback.
I have several drawers filled with cards that have come for free in the mail through charities or purchased in binge stationery moments at Home Goods. I love a a good card on sale. I took the time in 2011 to organize them so that I can easily find cards by their categories. It has helped a great deal. My sister and I have also been preserving the memory and tradition of our Nana by sending our respective nieces cards on holidays. Tomato loves getting mail addressed to her and the glitter filled cards are so much fun to have on the windowsill as decoration for the different holidays. We just bought a stack of Valentines to send in the post and I can’t wait to have her help me. Plus, Tomato loves to add some artwork to a card when she finishes it. Her relatives smile when they get them.
I’d like to start to send notes just because I thought of someone or send birthday cards in the mail to college friends and catch up in another way other than reading their Facebook wall or a quick email written in stolen naptime moments. So, here are the steps that I am taking to do so.
1) Use that new desk calendar of mine to write down everyone’s birthday again.
2) Use the cards that I have for now, but buy special ones for holidays.
3) When I write, I want to show Tomato what cursive looks like (and teach her this format down the line even if it disappears from her school curriculum). It’s becoming another lost art and is worth preserving as well.
4) Take trips to the post office to get new stamps. These visits are great learning opportunities for little ones. The math and reading discussions are endless. Also, the artwork on the stamps are lovely. Starting Sunday, the price is going up by one cent and the stamps that are arriving in 2013 are great for this gardener. There are kaleidoscope flowers like these for regular mail.
© 2013 US Postal Service
And the apple stamps that they are issuing for postcards are breathtaking. The Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Baldwin, and Granny Smith are just too lovely to pass up the opportunity to even just send a postcard from your hometown.
© 2013 US Postal Service
You can view more of the upcoming stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/uspsstamps, on Twitter @uspsstamps, or at Beyond the Perf, the USA Philatelic site. There are some gorgeous modern art, bird, butterfly, historical figure and stunning classic car ones that are coming this year. Stamps are a lovely collector’s item, so don’t forget that you can order them with first day of issue postmarks and as one sheets. Online purchases can be made at usps.com/stamps. I still have my Alfred Hitchcock ones framed from the early 1990s. So, hop on over and see what appeals to the philatelic inside of you.
Who have you been wanting to write to via post? Do you like to get personal mail at home? Want to join me in an effort to slow down and write and reconnect?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I do have a stash of cards but am terrible at sending them. My priblem is i never have stamps
Order online for the stamps. There are so many cool ones coming this year!
I should make this a resolution…I don’t even send Christmas cards. Thanks for the isnpiration…I WILL at least do that this year!
I am getting all of the birthdays written down and then starting to get them written out for the month and mail a few out at a time. Good luck with yours!
I used to send cards to my friends for no reason. I really should start that again.
It’s so much fun to get a handwritten note in the mail. Good luck with starting again.
This was one of my New Year’s resolutions…to remember those special days for loved ones. And…these stamps look perfect! HAVE FUN in all your letter writing…it is such a beautiful thing:)
Have fun with yours too, Lauryn!
Last year, I wrote notes to a handful of friends, just to say hi and that I was thinking of them. It brought them such joy and I’d love to do that on a regular basis!
It such a nice way to slow down and send good intentions!
Um, I have a stack of thank you notes from the kids sitting on my office table which we need to finish. Time to kick myself mentally in the butt and do it. And stop at the post office for more stamps!
There are some great ones coming out this year!
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