Does anyone do this much anymore? I know I don’t write letters as often as I once did nor do I seem to send as many cards.
I’m not really sure why I’ve cut back on my writing and card giving. I don’t send more e-mails or e-cards, I just don’t communicate as often with some people as I use to. I still think of them and mean to connect, but just don’t and that’s a shame. We never know how quickly someone can be gone forever from our life.
The reason this post topic came to mind is because I need (no I want) to write a thank you note to a friend. This friend surprised me last week with a package. Just out of the blue I received it. I had no idea she was sending anything. It was something she knew I collected and would love.
I first thought I’d send her an e-mail thanking her for the gift, but that seemed so impersonal. She had included a cute card with a note in the package.
So I decided sending her a thank you card would be the way to go. That’s when I realized how little non computer-related correspondence I do.
I have another friend who recently helped me tremendously in my endeavor to review more mystery books. We communicated through the internet and I did thank her through that media. But somehow that doesn’t seem enough either since she initiated this extra help for me.
I realize we all have crazy, busy lives and sometimes even going through the mail is another task we could do without. But having said that, would a thank you (or any type) card be a nice surprise in your mailbox or just one more item to have to recycle? Is an e-mail saying thanks enough and is it proper?
I don't think you can beat the personal touch. Electronic mail is simply not the same. Sadly, hand written letters are a dying art. So yes, send a good old-fashioned card :)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I can almost never make it to the post office so I gave up on letters. I email, phone and visit but letters just don't happen.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't mean I don't enjoy it when someone sends me one.
Nothing beats a personal note, and you're right-- there are some situations when an email thank you isn't enough.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think a thank you is a thank you! And always really appreciated. :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I tend to do both, depending on what was received.
ReplyDeleteSince this was a surprise package, I would definitely send a personal note as well as an e-mail which is more immediate.
Have a good Monday.
I was at a dinner last fall - a sister of a close friend was visiting from Florida. She has a friend who is 109 years old. When asked how he'd managed to live so long he replied 'I write and mail a letter a day.' We all took it up for awhile but for some of us it has fallen away. Some of my older pals don't do email and EVERYONE likes an envelope without a window in it! I make my own cards with photos - you already make so much...I think it would be a treat to get a card from you.
ReplyDeleteI think the postal sent thank you note seems to be on the outs. How sad. Email for me is so very convenient but I think I need to do more phone calling and sending a note or two through the mail. Getting something in the mail is wonderful. Great post.
ReplyDeleteMason - Oh, that is a really interesting question. I do like getting things through the mail, especially if they're not bills, and when it's a very special "thank you" I sometimes do that. But I think it's such a nice surprise to be thought of that when someone sends me an E-thanks or "just becuase" E-card, I love that just as much. And some people would rather receive E-thanks; I know several people like that. Perhaps the kindest thing to do is find out whatthe person you'd like to thank really prefers and do that.
ReplyDeleteI've always felt that if someone goes through the personal efforts to do something for me, the very least I can do in return is a handwritten thank you. Something about an email in special situations just isn't enough.
ReplyDeleteI do send a lot of cards still - thank you, birthday, etc, but I'm sad to say I rarely write letters. I sure do love getting them, though!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone, thanks so much for stopping by. I enjoy our visits so much. It seems we all enjoy receiving something in the mail besides than bills. :)
ReplyDeleteJan, I have made my own envelopes using photos from old calendars. They definitely catch attention when I mailed them.
I've gotten (sadly) to the point of doing almost no pen, paper, and stamp correspondence. I sometimes grumble at some of my "older" relatives who don't have computers so I can't keep them apprised of what's going on. I tend to pick up the phone rather than write a 'real' letter.
ReplyDeleteBut I LOVE getting any form of fan mail, and truly appreciate those who take the time to write and pay for the stamp. I will write them back.
I'm from the old school ~ handwritten notes and thank you cards. The topic of "Handwritten Letters" was my very first post when I joined Women of Mystery in March 2009, and it remains one of my favorites! It includes an excerpt from a handwritten letter from my great Aunt that is hysterical:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.womenofmystery.net/2009/03/handwritten-letters.html
I rarely send letters anymore, but I do send thank you cards. It's so much more personal.
ReplyDeleteI haven't sent a letter in years. I have written thank you notes though. Even my anniversary cards are e-cards. (I'm not that sentimental.)
ReplyDeleteCD
To me, sending and receiving handwritten notes and holiday cards, etc., is huge.
ReplyDeleteIf someone "doesn't have time" what they really mean is that I am not valued in their life, so why waste my time in a non-reciprocal relationship? It helps cut the deadwood out.
I regularly pull 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, so "no time" means "you don't matter" or "I can't manage my time" - none of which are my problem.
I don't write as many long letters as I used to -- mostly because a lot of communications need to be done in a faster time frame -- but I still have a circle of people where we write letters in and around the email, and things like birthday cards, holiday cards, and thank you notes are valued.
I’m old fashioned enough that I still prefer thank you notes that are handwritten. However, an email thank you is better than not sending one at all.
ReplyDeleteI still send cards vis snail mail to family and close friends. But that's about it. Everything else is done by email.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think electronic cards are kosher and acceptable.
Stephen Tremp
I received a card just today. What a nice surprise. I like e-cards, too. I'm sure whatever you do will be appreciated. :0)
ReplyDeletePersonally written and sent through the snail mail letters these days are SO special, hmm?
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing quite like that envelope in the mailbox - at least when it's obviously not a bill! I send thank yous to any students who give me a gift - and they're always thrilled!
ReplyDeleteI agree a thank you is a thank you and that someone took the time to write the words means a lot regardless of delivery. That said, I save all the handwritten thank you cards I receive and occasionally look back through them and smile. I don't save email.
ReplyDeletethanks so much for stopping by. I enjoy our visits so much. It seems we all enjoy receiving something in the mail besides than bills. :)
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