Dear Reader,
There is nothing like the sense of pride and anticipation that comes from tucking in a card and sealing the flap of an envelope, knowing that another pair of hands will tenderly open the package and unfold the secret message within.
Whether it’s for Christmas, Valentine’s day or a birthday, I have one family friend who has sent handwritten cards every year without fail, even when they were busy or away on vacation. In reciprocating her gifts, I’ve nursed a passion for writing and decorating letters for all of my loved ones.
For the reader (and soon-to-be writer)
From someone who spends 20 minutes selecting a card with a matching envelope for every small occasion — OK, I might be just a little bit obsessed — here are a few tips I’ve learned to make your letters extra special.
The usage of an envelope is not optional. Unless you intend to treat this as the equivalent of a Post-It note, having a sleeve that holds your message is another way to show how much you cherish the recipient. It provides an opportunity to hide or hint at a card’s cover art and content, giving your recipient a little buildup and surprise. You could just use a simple “From: ____” and “To: ____,” with your message, or you could adorn your card with one of my favorite decorating elements: stickers.
I can guarantee that you can almost never go wrong with stickers. They are eye-catchers and create a moment of pause before and after your recipient reads and re-reads your heartfelt message. The Japanese character manufacturing company San-X specializes in cute accessories and stationery. My letters often have a sprinkle of timid doodle characters from the Sumikko Gurashi set, translated as “life in the corner.” And if you have any stickers leftover, you can always gather them in your card as a little gift.
Enclose photos! Like the common saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” pictures can translate emotions and transcend words. They can transport your recipient back to the location of the photo, where they can relive those — preferably happy — memories you shared with them. For someone really special, you can get them printed at a local Staples or Costco on glossy film. Alternatively, opt for Polaroids or photo strips, like those from a photo booth.
In writing letters, it’s natural that the fear of messing up is all too real, which is why erasable pens are my best friends. It’s also a good opportunity for me to practice penmanship that is actually, in fact, legible … sorry, teachers. But every stroke is drawn out with care and attention, so that even as I write in print, I feel like I’m drawing calligraphy. With more durable paper like cardstock, you could even draft your message in pencil first and trace the outline.
As with writing anything, the first sentence can often be the hardest. That is why I try to picture talking to the recipient face-to-face. What would you tell them? Just relax — what’s the latest gossip?
If you’re mailing your letter for a special holiday, make sure you send it off with plenty of time in advance. I have stamped and placed urgent letters in outgoing mail on Sundays more than I’d like to admit, so plan on three to four days for a delivery to anyone else in the U.S. or at least a week for those abroad.
Whether it’s a playful note for your friend or a confession of those intimate butterflies to that cute guy or girl — which you could even do anonymously — consider writing that letter! And bonus — you’ll never have to wonder if it got lost in their spam email inbox.
Yours truly,
Florence Hu
