The Art of the Handwritten Note

And chic little ways to make your written correspondence feel more personal.

Sending mail, as in snail mail, has become a bit of a bygone era (unless you’re Randy from Chase Visa sending my monthly paper statement) thanks to e-mail, text message, DMs, and various other forms of digital communication. But those are not the types of correspondence I wish to highlight today. No, I’m talking handwritten notes: personal cards, letters, etc. written with a great pen (or a quill, for added drama). What a concept, I know. And receiving mail via post is one of my love languages (in addition to fine leather goods).

My appreciation for a handwritten note–not that I’m alone in this fixation–pre-dates my existence on this planet, even. My grandparents met during WWII in an air raid shelter shortly before my grandfather shipped off to Europe for three years. While he was at war, they corresponded via countless letters, and when he safely returned stateside he proposed to my grandmother in the middle of a New York City street. They were married for 67 years when my grandfather passed away. In a sense, my entire family has been built atop a stack of old love letters (and I’m trying to find them among my grandma’s dozens of boxes of old photographs!).

And then there are the seemingly endless months at a time I spent hospitalized for an eating disorder, at which cell phones and Internet access are limited at best, if not completely restricted. Life, if I can even call it that, in such a controlled environment can get extremely monotonous, not to mention lonely, especially with such minimal contact with loved ones and the outside world. As a result, letters–both sending and receiving them–became extremely meaningful to me, and the highlight of the day was mail time.

And these two scenarios cemented my love affair with snail mail.

The joy a simple handwritten note brings me cannot be overstated, and I keep every single one tucked away somewhere safe. The handwriting of a loved one, too, is a valuable souvenir. Nothing beats being able to hold something in your hands, be it a letter, a recipe card, or even just a brief scribble.

Below are some things I like to add to my own outbound letters to make them more personal, thoughtful, and artful. I’ve even made it an annual tradition to make my dreaded correspondence with the IRS more beautified because the thought of a government official opening a tax return that smells like roses and is covered in ribbons and hearts makes me giggle with mischievous delight and, in short, why the hell not?

Wax Seals

Sealing an envelope with a personalized wax seal brings me no small amount of joy and satisfaction. I also despise licking envelopes, so this has removed that dirty work. I ordered my personalized wax seal and wax beads on Etsy. I typically use black or ivory, but will do a deep red or festive gold around the holidays.

Fragrance

If Elle Woods taught me anything, it’s to spritz personal correspondence with one’s signature fragrance to, you know, give it a little something extra. Applying a fragrance every morning and every night is such a delightful experience for me, and I feel as though receiving something that smells good and smells like the sender makes any physical distance feel a bit closer.

Typewriter

Obviously I don’t expect everyone to make a mad dash toward the nearest antique store for a junky old typewriter, but I will say that I, personally, enjoy writing the occasional letter on mine. I do think one’s own handwriting feels more intimate and personal, but I a typewriter has an undeniable old-world charm.

Personalized Stationery

I’ve been using personalized stationery for as long as I can remember, and I can’t think of many things much chicer than an executive flat card. I get mine from The Stationery Studio, Smythson, Cartier, and Papier.

Lace

If I have a few extra minutes, I like to adhere a thin strip of lace to the back of an envelope with glue gun for a little added flair.

S.W.A.K.

I love sealing letters and cards addressed to a loved one (or love interest) with a nice red lip print in my signature red lipstick (usually Pat McGrath’s Elson).

Personalized Ink Stamp

I recently ordered a personalized, return address ink stamp on Etsy to stamp on the back of envelopes. This is the vibe:

And yes, the irony that I’m writing this on a digital platform is not lost on me!