In my most recent post we chatted about being a gracious host and a perfect house guest. A natural follow-on? Thoughts on handwritten thank you notes, both for the house guest who enjoyed the hospitality and the host who wishes to express appreciation for the requisite gift as well as for the time and effort that the guest made to be a part of the house party.

From the gesture that inspires a thank you note to the pleasure that one takes in the writing process to the knowledge that a note of gratitude may have given a lift to someone’s day, the topic of “writing a thank you note” is a subject near and dear to my heart.

“Handwriting is an imprint of the self on the page.”           -Rosemary Sassoon, British Typeface Creator

It is that most personal of gestures, a giving of yourself. In this day and age of technology, tweeting and texting, who doesn’t yearn for a return to forms of graciousness, kindness and attention that have gone by the wayside (that’s one reason that I started my website).

If you’ve ever in doubt about the merits of this custom , current research notes that writing by hand can activate your brain to remember more (reason enough in itself) and at the same time induce a sense of pleasure.

The sound of the pen as it flows across the gorgeous paper — the feel of the engraved dye embedded in the paper and leaving its indenture on the back– the just-perfect heft of card stock. And, oh, the selection of papers…all the different shapes, sizes and colors. Think of it as your stationery “wardrobe.” What an impetus to write a note!

Tip: Look for additional ways to use those handsome engraving dyes. One of my favorites is to personalize   placecards.

Light pink, scalloped deckled edge that is engraved in copper — yummy!

I often give my book, Living Newport: Houses, People, Style, as a hostess gift and had a fold-over card created to slip into the cover’s edge (along with a stamp that sports the pink hat featured on the cover).

When building our house, I found myself anticipating the day when a pen and ink sketch of Parterre could grace an ecru note card.

One of the loveliest of simple pleasures is re-reading favorite thank you notes. And what can be more soul satisfying than reading sincere, warm words from a friend before going to sleep?

Notes about “Thank You” notes.

Write as though you’re actually chatting with someone (i.e. “Just four more months ’til you’ll be here in Newport”), refrain from starting with the stock “thank you for…”
Let your personality come through; mention one or two activities that you remember well and shared with the recipient.
Length is not as important as the content; a thank you note should make the recipient feel appreciated after reading them. Even one or two sentences can mean a lot if well-chosen (and are even often more memorable and enjoyable than a labored effort). (Hint: Use a thick felt tip to really convey the impression of a “dashed off, cleverly phrased” note.)
Remember, a note is a great way to relive good memories.

A few samples to inspire you and help to make this a natural habit to which you gravitate….and actually enjoy…

There are always those wonderful, talented friends who go the extra step and make their own cards…

And don’t even get me started on monograms…collecting ideas with every thank you note that comes into my mailbox.

One of my nostalgic travel memories is of seeking out a tiny stationer in Venice that a friend had told me about, snaking my way through the narrow streets and alley ways, getting lost at least three times. But it was all worth it for the handmade textured paper with deckled edges and the old letter press imprint with our names.

And as a parting “note,” write a letter for no reason but to let someone know you are thinking of them. Be assured that this will have an appreciable impact on a friend’s day.