“There are no words to express my gratitude...” This is the first line in many of my thank-you notes. I know it seems like a cop-out because I’m a writer, but sometimes I can’t even think of words that are adequate enough to convey my appreciation. It can be hard. That’s why we have the greeting card business–so others can say what we seemingly can’t manage.
In this techno-savvy era of emails, twitters, tweets, and bytes, are handwritten notes really still that important? I say, “Yes.” And I’m not the only one.
In, “The Found Art of Thank-You Notes,” an article appearing in the New York Times, fashion publicist Cristian Magni writes: “It is so important, in a digital world, to have the dignity to sit down and write something in your own hand.”
It seems even late-night TV sees the relevance. Have you seen Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show? One of the most popular segments on the show is his weekly “Thank-You Note” sketch. Funny, yes. But it’s also a real reminder of this dying art, or is it a dying art?
I headed off to one of my favorite stationery and gift stores, PAPERDOODLES, to visit with longtime friend, and owner Susie Winkler. And I found that indeed, the hand-written note is still alive and well among us.
Susie has been in the stationery business a long time.
She says, “There are very few things that are more personal than a hand-written note. It can be a thank you, a condolence, or a 
congratulation. It’s a permanent, palpable sign of thoughtfulness. Whether you are the writer or the receiver.”
Susie says it’s never too early (or late) to start writing.
Whatever your style, you can find a card to express yourself, and personalized stationery is just that–personal. Your stationery speaks volumes even before the card is opened.
Still not wild about the idea of pulling out pen and paper? Consider a study done by Robert Emmons (University of California) and Robin Stern (Yale University) on the importance of gratitude as it relates to your health:
“Clinical trials indicate that the practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting positive effects in a person’s life. It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, promote happiness and well-being, and spur acts of helpfulness, generosity, and cooperation.”
They call it “gratitude intervention.” I just call it good manners.
How important is writing a thank-you note after a job interview? I once heard of a girl who applied for a position at the APPLE Store. After her interview she went home and wrote a note thanking APPLE for the interview, but she could not find the address of the store and worried that they would not receive the note right away. The next day, she hand-delivered her note. Did she get the job? Yes, she did.
Did the note get her the job? I don’t know. But it didn’t hurt.
I guess I should mention, the girl in the story was my daughter.
Never underestimate the power of a hand-written note.
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5 Comments
What a great post! I concur that the handwritten note is alive & well! With the examples set by both my Mom and my Gramma I have been a note/card & letter writer for a lot of years, even in our modern age. I must add though that I went through a little period a few years back where I got to thinking & wondering “are my notes lame?” and took a note hiatus – and much to my total shock my husband commented to me on the fact that I had stopped sending notes to people!! So that got me going again on them and I plan on sending them for always. It may seem like such a small thing, but people have said to me how they have kept them for a long time-plus with getting mostly bills & pizza coupons in my mail most of the time, it’s wonderful to be a recipient of a handwritten note in my mailbox from time to time. Viva the note!!?
Yes, Cathy…Viva the handwritten note! I loved YOUR note. I do not mean to say that emails and texts are not appropriate. I only hoped to point out the joy you can give by writing a note in your own hand–to both writer and receiver.
Did your husband notice during your hiatus from writing notes that you seemed a little less joyful?
I really do think there is something to the research on “gratitude.”
Sharon
Sharon, what a great blog!! I am a firm believer in handwritten notes. Sometimes I am very delayed in writing them and yes, I sometimes forget but I do try to write them as often as I can. Your blog will spur me on to not “miss” an opportunity anymore :-)!
I’ve also written a Christmas letter (which my husband hates) about our family for years. Last year was the first time I did a photo card, however, I also wrote my letter but only sent it to a few people. It was especially written for an older lady friend of mine who I’ve known for over 40 years. She called me once about 8 years ago to tell me how much she and her husband, who was in very poor health, enjoyed catching up on our family. She lost her husband about 4 years ago, and 2 years ago I was too swamped at Christmas to get the letter out. When I saw her later on the next year, she told me how much she missed it, and I promised to write up both years in the next Christmas letter. I did (I warned those who hated long letters at Christmas that this would wrap up 2 years) and it was a very long 2 page, tiny type letter – but I did it! This past Christmas I sent her both the photo card and the yearly family letter! I saw her at a party shortly after I sent it, and she was so lovely about it. She told me she had saved all of my letters over the years and that she would be saving the photo card along with the letter from 2015. I was so humbled and touched that she had saved all those letters. (I never told her that I only sent the 2015 letter to a few.) Her thank you for the family update and telling me what it meant to her all these years gave me an entirely renewed appreciation for letters …… and thank you notes! Thankfulness costs you nothing but writing it down to tell someone else takes only a little time and gives you even more to be thankful for.
Thank you for writing this blog – I will make every effort to get a note to you as well!
In my line of work, writing a thank you note is an absolute “must.” I am fortunate to have a mother who instilled this at an early age. As a young mom, I plan on teaching this same important skill to my son. Too often a text or email gets skimmed, but a handwritten note conveys a very personal message. I am thankful for women like Susie who recognize the importance of cards/notes and provide a place where we can buy these at a very affordable price. If you haven’t been in Paperdoodles, stop by! She is always changing her inventory and has something for EVERYONE!
Yes, Melissa. I agree. Paperdoodles is the only store in Central Texas that specializes in stationery.