Happy Letter Writing Week! We’re plugged in 24/7. We’re Instagramming, Lyfting, streaming and texting. Spending one week celebrating pen and ink — and perhaps even unplugging — feels like an extremely wonderful idea!

Slowing down and enjoying the pleasures of writing our thoughts to our dearest and closest friends and family may seem quaint, but letter writing can also be powerful. First, reaching out to others can strengthen our sense of community. Second, it can help us to unplug for an hour or two. Researchers tell us our screen culture increases our anxiety, cuts us off from one another and in some ways is more addictive than crack cocaine. Third, and let’s be honest here, letter writing gives us a chance to show off our beautiful stationery. Sure, we can use notebook paper or email, but where’s the fun in that?

I love the smooth feel of the stationery, the raised impression of the embossing or thermography, and crisp sounds of the paper rustling. It’s a total sensory experience, and those sensations are some of the pleasures of letter writing.

Letter Writing Tools

Currently, my stationery wardrobe features two main pieces:

Henley Monogram Wardrobe. Mine is embossed on ivory paper with opal linings inside the envelopes. It’s a classic combination and has the added benefit of being compostable and eco-friendly. I love the traditional letter sheets, enclosures (which I can use for just about any occasion) and folded notes. It’s such a treat to open my box and decide which paper to pull out.

Luna Card. I just received this stationery in the mail, and what a pleasure it was to open! The Luna Card features a beautiful new lettering style, which I ordered in silver raised ink on crisp white paper. It’s so pretty and feminine, but with a modern take, so it doesn’t feel old-fashioned.

So as you go through your contacts and decide whom to write during Letter Writing Week, put some thought into how the paper feels between your fingers, how the design enhances your experience. And if you feel the need to order new stationery, we have a wonderful selection of notes, cards and letter sheets, as well as new stationery to try.

Stationary vs. Stationery — which one is it?

As the saying goes, you say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to. A single word may have different pronunciations, depending on regional dialects or traditions. There’s another category of words, such as stationery and stationary, which sound identical, but have vastly different meanings. They are what grammarians call homophones: new and knew; sweet and suite; sole and soul.

‘E’ for Envelope

Needless to say, many people confuse the two words when writing. Here’s one way to remember: the stationery we use to write a letter has an “e,” for the envelope in which we send it off.

‘E’ for Enlivening Environment

When we write on stationery with an “e,” it’s usually done from a stationary position with an “a.” Walking and talking usually works (unless you’re on a cell phone, crossing a busy street), but walking and writing? Not so much. Find a comfortable chair and writing surface… maybe a desk or table by a sunny window, or in your garden, seated under a shady tree, and allow the thoughts to flow.

‘E’ for Expressive Energy

Our hands are decidedly not stationary with an “a” when we write on stationery with an “e.” Grasping a pen to achieve legible penmanship takes finger dexterity and a certain amount of wrist action. Use a pen with ink that flows easily but doesn’t smudge. Perhaps employ your free hand to sip your favorite iced latte or lemonade. And, of course, by all means, employ your wit and creativity to express your heartfelt and innermost thoughts.

‘E’ for Envoy

After you’ve finished writing on your stationery with an “e,” and you’ve stamped and addressed it, you’ll want it to not remain stationary with an “a” on your desk. Like an emissary or envoy, the post office will transport your missive to your recipient, whether it’s across town or around the globe.

‘E’ for Explore 

Finally, explore collections of stationery cards, notes and letter sheets at Giftsin24.com. You’ll find a range of styles and sizes for every use.

So there you have it. The difference between stationery and stationary comes down to the “e”…whether it’s envelope, environment, energy, envoy or explore, that little letter infuses meaning into one of our favorite words.

Correspondence or flat card

You would never walk out of the house without at least a quick thought to your appearance. The same goes for sending correspondence out into the world. The best and easiest way to be sure your messages make your best impression is to create a social stationery wardrobe.

Build a social stationery wardrobe with pieces that you love. After all, just like your clothing wardrobe, your stationery represents you in the world, so you should feel proud of the way it fits your unique style. And remember, quality stationery stands the test of time. While many of your missives will be discarded, some will be kept for years, maybe decades or even centuries!

So what’s in a social stationery wardrobe? These are the basic pieces that provide the tools you need for any occasion that pops up. We recommend four must-have pieces in your stationery wardrobe:

Flat card or correspondence card

If you need to write just a couple of lines, a flat card is the perfect tool. Need to send your father-in-law the belt he left at his last visit? Slip in a flat card with a quick hello. Want to send a memorial donation in the name of a friend’s sister? Write your instructions to the charity on a flat card and include the check. Anytime you need to send a casual,  brief missive, the flat card works beautifully.

How to use: Write  your brief message on the side of the card that shows your name or monogram.

Folded note

Folded note or foldover note

A folded note is slightly more formal. It’s perfect for one of the most common social tasks we perform (or should be performing, ahem! ): the thank you note. Folded notes give plenty of space to express gratitude for a wedding, birthday, Christmas, anniversary or baby shower gift. Folded notes are also perfect for acknowledging the nice things that people do for you. It could be that referral that a client made on your behalf. Or the wonderful dinner party you got invited to.  Ask yourself: “Did someone spend time and effort to do something just for me?” Return their energy by writing a thank you note on a folded note.

And using polished and professionally made thank you notes can be rewarding in other ways: If you are on the job hunt, doing job interviews or attending sales calls, that embossed folded note could make or break a potential employer or client’s impression of you.

How to use: Start on the lower inside panel. If you need more space, move to the upper inside panel.

Letter sheet

Writing papers or letter sheets

If you are writing a message of a few paragraphs or more, use writing papers, also called letter sheets. Whether you are channeling your inner Jane Austen or simply telling your college bound daughter how much you love her, writing sheets emblazoned with your name or monogram are the perfect touch.  Accompany the paper with matching envelopes and a pretty stamp, and you will create correspondence worthy of being handed down through the ages… or at least saved for a little while.

How to use: Write on the front of the paper only. Use a blank sheet for the second page and find your best pen filled with blue or black ink.

Gift enclosure

Gift enclosures

Whether you are giving a bottle of wine for getting that big sale or offering a gift to your evening’s host, a gift enclosure is your tool. Keeping a well-stocked stash of these around will help you avoid a last-minute scramble to the drug store. A well-crafted enclosure ensures that every gift is presented beautifully.

How to use: Brevity is your friend here. Sign your name under a brief greeting: “Thank you!” “I love you” “Happy Birthday,” etc.

Assembling your social stationery wardrobe 

You can put together a beautiful stationery wardrobe using individual cards, notes , writing papers  and enclosures that you love on their own. Buying individually gives you more flexibility and design choices. You can select pieces that are on trend, traditional designs or a mix of both.

Or you can purchase a coordinating set. Giftsin24 offers a number of wardrobes and ensembles that represent terrific values. Especially if you love a particular lettering style or monogram, purchasing a wardrobe is an easy way to get what you need quickly. Here are a few of our favorites:

Henley Monogram Wardrobe. This graceful assortment of embossed papers gives you many options to fit any occasion. Featuring your beautifully embossed monogram on high quality paper. Includes choice of monogram. Each Monogram Wardrobe set includes 50 letter sheets, 50 folded notes, and 50 enclosures with 150 paper-matched envelopes. Choose a return address or hand-inserted lining to make this set complete. Supplement with the Delavan Monogram Card to complete your monogrammed, embossed wardrobe.

Cove Wardrobe. An amazing value. The Cove Wardrobe has you covered. Be prepared for all of life’s occasions with a letter sheet, folded note and gift enclosure. Beautifully embossed in a bold, pleasing lettering style. 150 pieces, total, with 150 color-matched envelopes. Choose a return address or hand-inserted lining to make this an extra special gift. Add the Corridor Card to complete the set.

Somerset Wardrobe. The Somerset Wardrobe features three sizes of single panel cards (Apex, Correspondence and Enclosure) in your choice of ink color and lettering style. Containing 150 pieces, plus 150 matching envelopes, this set will cover all your casual stationery needs. Optional hand-inserted lining and return address on the envelopes. Supplement with the Somerset Letter Sheet to complete your raised-ink wardrobe.

Many people enjoy using stationery. After all, it’s a pleasure to pull out a crisp new sheet and put thought to paper. But for some of us, the joys of stationery transcend ordinary pleasure. You know who we are… we are the stationery addicts.

How do you know you are one of us? Here are some common signs you are a stationery addict:

1. Your heartbeat speeds up when you spy a new monogram style you’ve never seen before.
2. When you have downtime, you use it to look for new stationery (and sometimes you look when you should be doing something else – but shhhh, it’s our secret).
3. The boxes in which you keep your stationery are almost as pretty as your stationery, and definitely prettier than the containers you use for other essentials, such as food, water and clothing.

4. 

   Are you a stationery addict?

   You know stationery printing methods (embossing, thermography, letterpress, etc.) and you have at least 5 examples of each of them in your collection. Bonus points: you can define the difference between blind embossing and debossing.

5. When you feel low, you get out your stationery and admire it as you ponder whom to write.
6. You have splurged on 100% cotton paper stationery – and maybe even ate pbj sandwiches for a week to afford it.
7. When you’re in a new city, you make a point to research and visit its best stationery store.
8. You save your prettiest stationery for the people you love the most – it would be a shame to waste it!

Of course, the best and biggest sign you are a stationery addict is being a Giftsin24 customer: you can satisfy your need for a stationery fix in just a matter of minutes – and receive it at your door within a few days.

New! Pearl String Monogram Note

Feeling a craving coming on?

Check out one of our newest items: Pearl String Monogram Note. It’s a delightful riff on our Classic Monogram, but with a cool pearl strand treatment.

Or shop the whole site.

This commemorative Elvis stamp was issued by United States Postal Service in 2015.

Grab your “Blue Suede Shoes”: Thousands of people are celebrating Elvis Week in Memphis August 8-16. Can’t make it? All fans of “The King” can demonstrate their “Burning Love”by getting the new Elvis Presley Forever(R) stamp. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will issue it on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, with a dedication ceremony at Graceland.

Whether you’re sending our stationery to the “Heartbreak Hotel,” a “Hound Dog” or the”Devil in Disguise,” rest assured your letter will arrive with the Elvis Forever stamp.

Elvis Stamp Works for All Giftsin24 Stationery

Our cards and notes weigh about one ounce, which fits within the USPS maximum dimensions for standard first class postage. That includes our line of oversized Chesapeake cards, as well as luxury triple-thick notes.

Purchasing USPS Forever stamps ensures you can easily send a card or note anytime. You won’t have to worry about the current value of stamps or changing postage costs in the future. And “That’s All Right!”

Part of the fun of sending a letter is finding beautiful stamps for the envelope. Stationery from giftsin24 takes just a single first class stamp.

How much does it cost to send one of our cards or notes to a friend? Just the care and time to write it, plus one single first class stamp.

A Giftsin24 card or note, including the envelope, weighs about one ounce. Sending one through the United States Postal Service (USPS) requires just a single stamp (standard first class postage).

To keep things even more simple, purchase a sheet of “Forever” stamps at the post office, and you won’t have to worry about adding make-up postage when the rates change in a year or two.

In addition, our cards and notes, including our oversized Cheseapeake line, fit within USPS maximum dimensions for standard first class postage.

One Exception

The one exception is our Gift Enclosures, which measure less than the 3.5 inch by 5 inch minimum dimensions that the USPS requires. If you try to send a Gift Enclosure through the mail system, it will be rejected. Learn more here.

See USPS’s handy postage calculator for domestic and international letters: http://postcalc.usps.gov

Looking for Giftsin24 shipping rates and delivery information? Please visit this page: http://www.giftsin24.com/content/help-shipping

Beat the winter blahs with new stationery.

When the skies are grey, temperatures plunge and daylight barely breaks ten hours, we all need a break from the drear. How about some happy stationery to perk you up and help you connect with friends?

With a good pen and a stamp, you can cheer yourself up by writing a friendly note to your old college roommate, favorite cousin or old next-door-neighbor. Won’t they be surprised to get your letter?

Three of our happiest cards and notes

Notable Note: One of our best selling notes! Your monogram appears in an ebullient, rounded script lettering style in one of ten luscious raised-ink colors. Choose fuchsia, red or purple for a pick-me-up vibe.

Blossom Note: Another exquisite design by America’s leader in social stationery! Our Blossom Note features superb embossed and creamy, triple-thick paper. Yo’u’ll enjoy writing a letter on this note. The Japanese-inspired motif features a spray of flowers deeply impressed into the paper. Below, your name appears in shiny raised ink. Choose from 6 pretty lettering styles and 10 ink colors.

Manhattan Card: This single panel card lights up an ordinary day with a ticker tape parade of polka dots, highlighted by your name in a curling script. For a real treat, choose lined envelopes in your choice of 5 patterns and 4 colors.

Find other people who love to write letters through letter writing blogs.

We love reading about writing! Do you? Two months ago we listed some of our favorite letter writing websites. Here are a few more; these are blogs that explore the not-so-lost art of letter-writing.

Check out these letter writing blogs

Letter Writers Alliance Their mission is to be an “An Alliance for those who enjoy letter writing and postal adventures.” Recent posts have been about pens, the US Postal Service’s consumer commission and carbon paper (remember that?).  Learn about letter writing events near you and much more. For just $5, you can become a lifetime member and receive a badge.

Mrs. Murphy’s Mailbox Magic   This website has a clean look and short, engaging articles that are fun to read. Recent posts have been about Flat Stanley, round robin letter writing groups and more.

Letters of Note  If you enjoy the historical aspects of letter writing, you’ll enjoy this blog, an “attempt to gather and sort fascinating letters, postcards, telegrams, faxes, and memos.” Famous events and people are examined through the lens of the pen.

Red Letter Day  This San Francisco-based blog has a modern edge and focuses on mail art and other related topics, including ink stamps, stamps and postcards–all beautifully curated and described.

By writing letters, we connect with friends and family in ways that are sometimes difficult to do in person.

On the 20th anniversary of the popular Friends television series, and shortly after Ken Burns’ The Roosevelts: An Intimate History wrapped on PBS in Chicago, we’re thinking about how we connect to our friends and family, and how we sometimes do that through letter-writing.

Friends celebrated the close-knit relationships of young people living away from their families in New York City during the 90s.  Do you remember the episode in Season 4 when Rachel writes a letter to Ross; he needs to read it for them to reunite. But he falls asleep and then “fakes it” when Rachel wants to discuss it, with funny consequences.

The Power of the Pen

Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt depended on letter writing to formulate and share ideas, express their love and keep in touch, just as we still do today. The Roosevelts maintained long distance friendships through letter writing when they were called away from home by their duties as public leaders.

In the Roosevelt’s time, letter writing was more common and almost necessary. But today, as Friends demonstrates, we use letter-writing to convey our most intense thoughts with people important in our lives. Sometimes it’s easier to deliver our messages on paper, rather than verbally, especially, as in Rachel and Ross’ case, emotions are high.  Love letters. Condolence letters. Letters of apology. And even congratulatory letters. These are all cases when letters are beautifully appropriate and perfect.

Handwritten letters from all over the world

Here at Giftsin24.com, we love to write letters. Who doesn’t love the surprise of finding a handwritten envelope at your mail slot? We’ve dug up some cool letter writing websites and blogs to inspire you.

Who knows? You may find your next pen pal.

This beautiful site takes nominations for people in need of a bundle of love letters from strangers. You can propose someone you know, or you can write a letter to someone in need www.moreloveletters.com

The London-based blog Positively Postal collects letters from all around the world. Consider sending in one of your own: www.positivelypostal.co.uk/around-the-world-in-letters

Snail Mail My Email is a worldwide collaborative art project where volunteers hand write strangers’ emails and send physical letters to the intended recipients, free of charge. http://snailmailmyemail.org

International Pen Friends supplies people with penpals worldwide since 1967. www.ipf.net.au

Thank a deployed service member or veteran through the Operation Gratitude website: www.operationgratitude.com/get-involved/write-letters/

The blog Lovely Handwritten Notes asks for letters and sends them out, no questions asked. http://lovelyhandwrittennotes.tumblr.com/contact.info

Do you have favorite letter writing websites or blogs? Include them in the comments section and we’ll consider them for our next blog on this topic.