Send a Letter day – #NatStatWeek

It is the last day of National Stationery Week, and today is Send a Letter day. When was the last time that you sent a letter that wasn’t a greetings card, invitation or RSVP? Probably quite a while a go, for most of my readers.

These days, emails are more common. Even more common that that, instant messaging of some sort or another; SMS, iMessage, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts – there are so many ways to keep in touch with our nearest and dearest these days, and with instant gratification too. These methods are all easy, quick, and free. You can ask questions and get answers within minutes, and contact people on the other side of the world almost instantly. There’s no doubt modern technology can feel miraculous at times (and be taken for granted a lot too).

But, saying all this, and as geeky as I am, I am fully aware that firing off an email doesn’t match the joy of crafting a letter, and pressing the send button doesn’t carry the satisfaction of seeing an envelope drop into the post box. The ding of an incoming message hasn’t got the same thrill as finding a hand addressed envelope in amongst your bills, and tapping to read a new email can never match the anticipation of tearing open the flap to retrieve the letter inside.

By email you can send e-cards, voucher codes, promises and virtual transfers of money. By mail, enclosed with your letter, you can send gifts – from small things to make you smile (thank you for the lovely paperclips, Carole!) to larger presents or borrowed books. “I saw this and thought of you” has featured in quite a few of my letters to people, accompanying random items I’ve bought with certain people in mind.

I wanted to celebrate Send a Letter day, so earlier this week I posted of a little parcel of bits and pieces to Carole as she is a fellow stationery addict and understands the fabulousness of a whole week dedicated to stationery! I cheated and sent it a little early so that Carole would be able to receive and open it before I posted today – not wanting to ruin the joy of a surprise package! My letter was really a note on a cat postcard – because who doesn’t love a postcard with a photo of a cat?

Why don’t you take ten minutes to sit down and pen a letter to someone today? Not a note of obligation, but a letter to someone you miss, to let them know that you’re thinking of them. There’s nothing quite like it.