Why You Should Send Letters

For those of us who hail from (ahem) older generations, we remember sending and receiving snail mail, A.K.A. letters. 

These delightful pieces of mail showed up in your physical mailbox with handwritten notes from people you loved, cherished, and wanted to stay connected with.

This author remembers the daily ritual of watching through the window that faced the road, waiting for the mail carrier to come. I would race outside as soon as they pulled away from our house, rip open the box, and sift through the bills, public notices, advertisements, and newspapers for the coveted handwritten screed.

Sometimes there would be money (thanks Grandma!), sometimes a few pictures, sometimes other trinkets or treasures would accompany the paper note. But always, ALWAYS, there was joy. There was the feeling of connection. There was the desire to immediately run inside and respond.

When email and then text messages became the primary ways we send written notes, much of this was lost. After all- there isn't the uptick in feel good hormones when the clock tells you the mail carrier is about to arrive. There isn't the physical contact with the card or paper. There isn't the artwork decorating the margins.

It turns out, there is some data that shows people not only feel uplifted when they receive personal mail, but they receive a benefit from writing them too. Steven Toepfer, who studies author benefits at Kent State University, says when you write a letter of gratitude you feel happier and more satisfied in life. 

Who doesn't want more of that?

With those compelling reasons to write more letters in mind, we bring you a tiny sampling of our large stationary collection so you can start sending those little packets of joy today.