National Stationery Week: Write A Letter Day

National Stationery Week: Write A Letter Day

Today is Write A Letter Day, the final day of National Stationery Week 2017.

In a time when emails, text messages and social media are the norm, we’re in danger of losing the art of personal communication. Electronic communication seems so impersonal, I’ve lost count of a number of emails I receive (especially at work) where a salutation (“Dear Nikki” or “Hi Nikki”, for example) isn’t even included and I just find that so rude. You would never write a letter without some kind of salutation, would you?

Handwriting is also becoming a lost “art”. Education is becoming more and more focussed on IT, completely forgetting that handwriting has been an important form of communication throughout our history. When you write something down by hand, you are more likely to remember it. Am I right?

Back in the days when email was new, there was a kind of thrill at receiving an electronic communication. These days inboxes are full of spam, bills and offers enticing you to spend your well-earned money. Text messages and social media often need to be translated due to all the emoticons and abbreviations. Whereas receiving a personal letter through the post, tearing it open and reading the contents? That’s a wonderful feeling, no matter what your age.

Handwriting a letter
Handwriting a letter

So why not get some paper and a pen, and get writing a letter? It doesn’t have to be long, but imagine how happy the recipient will be having received even just a little note. Somebody was thinking of them. A postcard, a note card, a thank you note, a letter… It doesn’t matter, just write!

Back in February, I took part in InCoWriMo (International Correspondence Month) and wrote 28 letters, postcards and cards (1 a day), but I didn’t stop there… I’ve continued writing to friends and penpals, and in March I wrote 12 letters. This month, I’ve written 14 letters so far and I’m hoping to write at least a couple more before the end of the day.

Post Awyr - Welsh Air Mail Stickers
Post Awyr – Welsh Air Mail Stickers

So, who to write to?

Why not write to family or friends who live away? Or you could find a new penpal! There are plenty of websites or Facebook groups in which to find new people to write to.

The Letter Writers Alliance will happily match you up with penpals. They do have a membership fee, but it’s just $5 for a lifetime membership!

Postcrossing is great for sending postcards around the world. You just join up (for free), request an address and send your postcard. In return, you get a postcard from somebody else.

Write A Letter Day - Mail from America
Write A Letter Day – Mail from America

What to write?

If you’re writing a letter to a new penpal, tell them about yourself (name, age, birthday), your family, any pets, what you do for work, where you come from, favourite music and films, and your hobbies and interests. Don’t forget to ask questions!

Write about your day and what you’ve been up to lately. Let the recipient know of any upcoming plans and ask them what they’re up to. If you’re both foodies, why not share recipes? There’s plenty you can write about if you put your mind to it.

If you want to keep it short, write a few lines on a postcard. Postcards are always appreciated.

Find out more about National Stationery Week.

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Will you be writing a letter today?

14 comments

  1. Jo says:

    It’s true that you remember things better if you write them down by hand. Eleanor’s revising for exams at the moment and she’s got pages and pages of revision notes which she’s written out long hand, she says it helps her to remember the things which are important. I love writing, and receiving, letters. It’s sad that technology is wiping out real mail.

  2. Kelly says:

    Great post!

    I’m glad we’ve become pen-pals. I think writing letters reaches across all the barriers and connects people in a special way.

  3. I have fond memories of writing proper letters, back in the days when there were two postal deliveries and collections a day. It seems a long time ago now – but it’s still nice to scrawl a message by hand when forwarding something to a fellow penthusiast, at least!

  4. Lady Fi says:

    I used to write very very long letters (like 20 pages long) to my grandma when I was at boarding school! Such a shame the art of letter writing is dying out.

  5. Michelle says:

    I used to send lots of forms of letters and happy Mail but it kind of died off last year.. I’m trying to #bringsnailmailback and have been working on all kinds of pretties lately.. now I just need to find a few more pen pals 🙂

  6. Jodie says:

    I miss writing letters! And it was so nice to receive them in the post. I love that the Alliance is still matching penpals up to keep letter writing alive!

  7. Tracy Terry says:

    My apologies Nikki I had been meaning to drop you a line to thank you for your recent correspondence. You are right the art of putting pen to paper is becoming a dying one.

    Anyway, thank you for both the postcard and your kind comments. Its so good to be back.

  8. Isabel says:

    Oh my goodness THANK YOU for those links! I’ve been wondering how to find a penpal or someone to send fun mail to. I love writing letters but no one I know sends them any more, apart from my nanny and grandad. I am autistic and find written communication so much easier. Off to find me a penpal now! 😀

  9. Kathryn says:

    I miss written letters so much! The feeling you get when you open up a handwritten letter and read it cannot be matched by receiving an email. I would love to find someone to write to. And thank you for the tips at the end of the post about topics you could start writing about. Hope I can get into this!

  10. Victoria says:

    I certainly remember better when I write by hand something. Also, it makes a lasting impression to receive a hand written postcard/letter nowadays. Thank you for reminding us that handwriting shouldn’t be put aside. Now, I’m thinking whom to send a note 🙂

  11. Mia says:

    There are still plenty of us (but not enough) who write letters, savouring every word with care and love, sending thoughts across the miles on paper.

    Some of us even collect stamps. If you are one who doesn’t collect or even keep the stamps, consider donating them to charity (to sell on to raise money) – the UK has plenty of charities to choose from, worldwide not so many.

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