Sadly, there aren’t too many occasions these days, when it’s more appropriate to send a handwritten letter, than a quick-fire, finger-tip whizz across-the-keyboard, email. Which I think is a shame.
It’s true, the greeting card industry seems to have created more than enough ‘special’ days, to pressure us into spending money. These days, there is an appropriate card for virtually every occasion life has in store, good or bad, happy or sad, along with an appropriate message, which unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your view, means that you don’t even have to think about what to say, you can just add your name to the card, and it’s job done.
You feel fairly smug because you’ve remembered the date, and actually got a card in the post at the right time, and the recipient feels suitably cherished.
But isn’t that all a bit ‘too’ easy? The hardest part of all that is probably the choice of the card, the rest is pretty much done for you!
Back in the day, our social lives were pretty much arranged by handwritten letters and notes. Invitations to soirees, dances, tea parties etc, at grand houses across the world were delivered on horseback, and always offered up on silver salvers, by servants. They would be viewed excitedly by the whole household and then propped up ceremoniously on the mantle for all to see. And of course, the number of invitations visible was some indication of your popularity!
These days, of course, all that has changed. Now we rarely write, or receive handwritten notes or cards. But there are, thankfully, still a few occasions when nothing else will do.
Thank You Letters
Although texts and emails still seem to be very much accepted forms of a ‘thank you’, I think older people, Nan’s and Grandads, Aunts, and Uncles, STILL appreciate and value a handwritten letter from a child or young adult. It shows thoughtfulness, and time spent, often labouriously, over neat handwriting and spelling, and makes them feel appreciated.
Wedding Invitations
I’m not sure who gets more enjoyment out of wedding invitations. The sender, or the receiver, but this is definitely one occasion when a text or email just won’t do.
Certainly, for the happy couple, the choosing and writing of the invites is a major part of the wedding planning, and nowadays another element has come into the mix, – a save-the-day card – which precedes the wedding day invitation itself. Often arriving a year or more in advance!
Welcoming A New Neighbour
Moving house is supposed to be one of the most stressful things to do. When you open your new front door, for the first time, it’s quite a defining, and memorable moment. How lovely then to find a real estate agent handwritten note, or one from a neighbour, welcoming you to your new home. It marks the occasion as being important, and kind of marks your arrival and your success in sealing the deal.
In these days of electronic correspondence, handwritten letters, and notes are something of a rarity, but are, so appreciated. Whenever you get the chance, make the effort, think about the person who will read it, and take the time to write to them in a personal way. Include as much about what is happening in your life as is appropriate, and trust that the recipient will appreciate and cherish your missive.