In a world of LOL, OMG, and :-), the art of the actual handwritten letter is becoming extremely rare. That makes giving — and getting — an actual note all the more special. For many of us, Valentine’s Day is one of the few times when we actually write a note … but it shouldn’t be. This once-common gesture has inadvertently become a way to stand out from the crowd.
But if you want to get writing, where do you get started? These are things our parents and grandparents knew, but baffle us. What do you write? And what do you write on? We consulted Marian McEvoy – former editor-in-chief of Elle Decor and House Beautiful, and author of the soon-to-be-released book Bill Willis (about the American architect and designer who lived and worked in Morocco for over 50 years). She gave us these indispensable tips:
Make it heavy. “Whether you choose note cards or letter sheets, the weight of the paper and the preciseness of the printing (or engraving) should be top-notch,” says McEvoy. “If it's not a quality operation, you might as well send an email instead.”
Invest in quality paper stock. “Matte finishes are better than slick,” notes McEvoy. “Flat, dry Bristol is the way to go.”
Write your message in black or very dark navy ink. No pencil, no crayons, no metallic inks. “And no neon orange, turquoise or lime — unless you are a very, very good artist.”
Less is more when it comes to content. “Keep the note short and conversational — your recipient should be able to hear you say it. Even condolences should sound like they came from you personally.”
Achieve a readable, attractive script. “Reading a handwritten note should be a pleasure, not a slog through hieroglyphics,” says McEvoy. (And if you aren’t a script master, just go for regular lettering.)
Avoid extremes. “I don't care about gender neutrality in general, but I do think that bubble gum pink stationery emblazoned with ladybugs and butterflies tends to put a certain Barbie spin on note writing," she notes. "The same goes for dark chocolate or navy blue paper — it's a bit dismal.”
Don’t lose it on the stamp. “Go to the post office and pick out stamp designs that reflect your, or the recipient’s, taste or interests. Personal, personal, personal.”
Speaking of notes… Gilt's celebrating Valentine's Day with a Hidden Love Notes contest! Enter to win a romantic getaway from Virgin America and Jetsetter by collecting love notes on Gilt.com. Plus, entrants will get 10% off their next purchase. Click here to enter.
(Photo by Don Freeman/donfreemanphoto.com)
