When is the last time you dashed off a personal note to a friend? Not on the computer, but with an actual pen and paper? Me? I just used my last of the holiday stamps.
As much as digital technology has revolutionized communication, there is one vestige of the past that I am trying desperately to hold onto – stationery. Yes, I still visit paper stores, and yes I even still buy birthday cards. And while I can be a bit of what my husband calls “a paper snob” I’m very impressed with Hallmark’s section of sympathy cards. And if a store can give you a range of messaging in the sympathy section, you know you’re in good hands.
Granted, I don’t have much occasion to write a personal correspondence anymore. It’s too easy to wish a happy birthday on a Wall or send an email to thank someone for their kindness. These two examples of technology are the biggest reasons I still have quite a stack of the monogrammed cards I bought in advance of our wedding – three years ago.
I love spending time in the aisles of a paper or card store (even CVS and Target have great card selections) searching for just the right sentiment. And as I shared earlier, the quality of design and messaging is really quite impressive, given this is a form that’s slowly dying.
And if I haven’t isolated myself enough as She Who Lives In The Past, it gets worse. It’s my love for quality, expensive paperie. There’s just something wonderful about holding a beautiful letterpressed card in your hands. And then sending it out to that one person who you know will appreciate the art, the sentiment, the whimsy. And maybe even the stock.
A love for outdated technology isn’t really something that gets an extended conversation in regular company, and I’ve found that most brides don’t want to carry on as much about their invitations as I’d like to. And when in doubt, what do we all know to do?
I turned to the Internet. Where I discovered that my favorite printing was actually experiencing a revival, and how I discovered a community of letterpress lovers much, much more committed than myself. And by that I mean ones who are actually creating the pieces that I love, toiling away in studios around the world, and some even in my backyard (must. take. studio tour!)
Now that my stationary pigeonholes are stocked with various cards and sheets, I just have to work on my handwriting.
How important is the quality of paper for your communication and correspondence, or have you gone entirely digital?
