A Guide to Note Writing

I love writing notes and cards to my friends. Just ask one of them - they will probably tell you they have a small stack of cards from me from over the years.

With the exception of the adorable box of hedgehog cards from Mara-Mi, all of the cards featured above are from various Happy Mail deliveries that I've received. Happy Mail is a stationary subscription service that I am a part of, created by the lovely ladies over at A Beautiful Mess and I highly recommend it. What could be more fun than a delivery of beautiful, high-quality stationary items to your mailbox every month?

Having just shared my favourite stationary, here are a few of my favourite tips on how to write a heartfelt note, no matter the occasion:

• Be specific: Is it a thank you note for a gift? Make reference to the gift and how you've put it to use since receiving it. Is it a thank you for an act of kindness someone showed you? Explain why you appreciated it so much and the impact it had.
• Remember: I love sharing a specific memory and what it meant to me when writing birthday cards to my friends or family. It not only lets me reflect back on our relationship, but it also shows that those memories are cherished and remembered. If it is someone I don't see often, I like to express how much I am looking forward to the next time we will see one another.
• Use your own voice: I prefer to write my cards in a voice that sounds like me. I don't become overly formal in my notes but ensure that the recipient can hear my words in a way that would be natural. I sometimes add in a joke where appropriate and use the same language they would be used to hearing from me.
• Be timely: Although it is never too late to say thank you, aim to send thank you cards out within a week or two of the occasion {unless they are for your wedding, in which case you have some more time}. Give birthday cards on the date or at the time of celebration.
• Be thoughtful in your stationary: I will admit that I have an obsession with collecting stationary. But I will also share that the reason for this is because I love the process of choosing a particular card for a particular person and occasion. I consider past cards they may have already received from me and ensure that they aren't getting a similar one. I consider their taste in colours and humour {where appropriate} and am very selective to match my stationary to the recipient because I feel it shows that much more consideration.

Hope that inspired you to write more notes to those special people in your life!

Karla