We have officially arrived in the day and age where paper communication is tiptoeing along the border of extinction.  Growing up, I still remember my mother making a list of presents received at each birthday.  When the party ended, I was not allowed outside of the house until all of my thank you notes were completed.

At the time, it was obviously a complete drag and I despised every second of it.  In hindsight, I am beyond thankful that my mother instilled this tradition into my brain at an early age.  To this day, I enjoy taking the time to send thank you notes, birthday cards, and even Christmas cards via snail mail.  I believe a physical letter truly adds a personal touch that does not exist with electronic communication.  Plus, who doesn’t love to receive something in the mailbox besides bills!?  

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In order to always be prepared, I like to keep a box of general cards on hand for all occasions.  This way, you are not stuck paying $4.50 for a birthday card from Target at the last minute when the person is most-likely going to toss it in the trash.  Yes, that sounds slightly depressing, but remember it is the thought that counts. The way they will feel from receiving such a thought-out token of appreciation is what matters, not the physical piece of paper you are sending.

The types of cards I keep on hand include the following:

• Thank you notes (several varieties)
• Birthday cards
• Anniversary cards
• Sympathy cards
• “Thinking of You” cards
• Wedding/Engagement cards

Make sure to keep several varieties of each type of card…think reserved, silly, juvenile, sassy, professional, etc.  I like to stock up when I find a specific version I like, especially if they are on sale or can be used for a variety of people (i.e. a birthday card that would work for your grandma just as easily as it would for your best friend).  One of the best places I have found for general cards (including seasonal) is actually the Dollar Tree.  Believe it or not, most of their cards are decently made and cost only 50 cents each!

I also like to keep simple blank cards (such as the “D” chevron pictured above), my personal stationary (simple ivory cards embossed with my initials), and a variety of blank stationary (Paper Source has a plethora of options…as seen in this post) with scrapbook paper and stickers to make my own cards when the mood or occasion hits!  You can use these options for thank you notes as well as for “thinking of you” or “just because” notes.

My newest favorite items are our return address stamp and embosser.  These make wonderful wedding and housewarming gifts.  I used an entire stamp cartridge during the process of our wedding (from save the dates to thank  you notes) and refills can be mailed straight to your house.  The embosser was a gift from my mother, and I believe it adds an extreme personal touch with a hint of elegance.  Both options can save time and sanity, while looking much nicer than tacky printable labels.

As stated earlier, I keep all of these items in a neat and visually appealing box that can be stored both in a cabinet or on a shelf as “useful decoration” (as noted here).  I received this box as a gift, but have seen them in all craft stores and even T.J. Maxx.  Start your own collection and be ready to share you love through a personal, hand-written note whenever the moment strikes!

See below for a few of my go-to addressing styles.  I always make a point to hand address envelopes, adding to the quality that makes the recipient feel special and loved.