Now is the time to bring back the art of writing a good card

greetings cards hand-written letter writing thoughtful acts

Ellie Good Illustration sentiment greetings cards

People have been writing and posting letters since the 1600’s, but it’s been rather over-shadowed by this digital obsession we’ve got all side-tracked by. I don’t know about you, but my heart skips more than a beat when an envelope plops through the front door with my address written in familiar handwriting. (A WhatsApp ‘ping’ doesn’t quite have the same effect). Whether it’s from a far-afield friend or a sibling down the road, there are few things that can make you feel more loved. And boy, don’t we all need that by the bucket-load at the moment…

Throughout the COVID years, people were sending sentiments more than ever, and with the current doomy, gloomy outlook of recession, war and recent political moronery, I think this need for human bonding and goodwill has been bumped up even more.

During the first lockdown in March 2020, a friend and fellow parent of young kids hand-delivered some funny, sweary but ultimately incredibly thoughtful cards to a small group of us, cheering us on, and telling us we’ll be able to have a drink or two in the pub together soon. It honestly kept me going for a week, and I still have it up in my kitchen now. (You know who you are, you peach).

A couple of months ago, I sent a card with two monkeys on the front to an old school friend who I rarely see, with words inside to remind her that I’m always here. The monkeys have a similar hair colour to hers, so I made a joke that one of them was her with bed hair. I also told her how much I love her. She’s been over some bumps in the road, and a quick text or phone call to check-in just doesn’t have the same effect.

In the title up there, I refer to writing a card as an art. But really, it doesn’t matter if you’re dyslexic, or you can never find the right place for a comma. It’s about the thought, right? And the thought; the empathetic view as well as the extra care, consideration and time taken IS the art. If there is ever a moment for people to be thoughtful towards each other, surely it’s now.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GREETINGS CARD
Browsing for the right card greetings can be fun, like choosing a gift for someone. Relish it. Consider what will make them smile, or compliment how they might be feeling.

I usually choose blank ones because, to me, it’s the hand-written sentiment that means so much more than a generic, mass-printed poem or standardised ‘thoughtful’ wish, printed by the million. I only and always buy cards that are plastic-free. (Obvz.)

A FEW TIPS FOR CARD OR LETTER-WRITING
Sometimes a blank page can sometimes feel daunting, so if you need help getting started, here are some pointers:

  • If someone likes you, they WANT to hear your news! What amused you today? What’s been happening? How is work going?
  • People get a huge boost from being told why they’re special. Don’t be afraid to tell them! You’ll fill them with love and give them confidence.
  • What prompted you to send the card? The old postcard phrase: ‘I saw this and thought of you’ is still good to use.
  • Be silly! Doodle something. Tell a joke.
  • If you’re really stuck then gaze out the window and tell the person what you see and how it makes you feel.
  • Do you have a running joke with the person? I often sign off as ’57 shits’ to one of my oldest buddies. (It’s a long story.)

Please join me in bringing back letter-sending! Let’s not always wait for birthdays or Christmas, let’s send thoughtful wishes and silly messages whenever it’s relevant. I think life can be so busy that we sometimes neglect friendships. This is one, cheap and easy way to make sure that doesn’t happen. Who’s with me?

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FOOTNOTES

If you use my cards, I’d love to see what sending and receiving them means to you! Show me by tagging @EllieGood_Illo on Instagram, or @EllieGoodIllustration on Facebook

You can find out more about the history of our postal service on the 500 years of Royal Mail website.


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