Letter Writing: Don't Let It Become A Lost Art

I still find myself secretly wishing and hoping there will be at least ONE handwritten letter in my stack of bills, throw away circulars and cobwebs that I find each day in my mailbox.

Could I really be the only one who still finds true joy at opening an envelope addressed to me, with real ink, on an ecru colored piece of Crane stationary, with an embossed return address on the envelope flap?

With a generation of children growing up with all of their social communication online, whether it’s a birthday party invitation or a “thank you for the sweater, Grandma” or a request for friendship, I feel that now, more than ever, we must insure that the idea of putting pen to paper, addressing an envelope, affixing a stamp and taking it to the post office does not become a lost art.

Do your part. Buy some personalized stationary at one of the fine paper stores in Brentwood, like William Ernest Brown on San Vicente or Sugar Paper in the Brentwood Country Mart.

Sound daunting? Just start writing. A thank you note. A note of friendship. A word or two of appreciation for a job well done.

Don’t take for granted the impact this can have on the person receiving it.

A handwritten note can make you stand out in the crowded field of e-mail blasts and newsletters and friend requests that we all weed thru on a daily or weekly basis.

It is tangible evidence that you care. Your letter may even become a piece of someone’s history.

Yes, we can all “save” e-mails. They have a nice resting place in a folder on our desktop. But put your heart and soul into a handwritten letter and it can become a treasure, with an honored place in a keepsake box, waiting for that special day in the future when it’s owner may feel nostalgic and decide to open that box and reread your words. And there your letter will be amongst other treasured processions. You have made an impact again!

Your letter is now an honored piece of the recipient’s life story.

Do you take the time to write handwritten notes or letters anymore? Do you think it’s a waste of money to buy fine papers and stamps when you can more easily send an email? Please share your thoughts below.

Tracy is a regular contributor to the Brentwood real estate and community blog, Brentwood Lifestyle Real Estate Voice.

Originally featured at: http://brentwoodlifestyle.losangelesrealestatevoice.com/2011/04/21/letter-writing-lost-art/