Tactile and Tangible. Part 1: Stationary and Cards

Hands. We use them daily and not just to spin ourselves into a web of insanity. Rather, we touch a lot of shit (sometimes literally shout out to the spinster moms) but at the end of the day a lot of what we are doing is touching things we really can’t seem to feel or connect with.  In fact, the more you use your finger to scroll through your instagram feed, the less sensitive the pads of your fingers become. So put down the electronics (after reading SpinsterSass, of course), get out there, and touch. This is Tactile and Tangible. Take 1.

Facebook birthday messages, snaps (but not anymore bc the new update SUCKS) from long distance friends, e-mails, text messages. There are a lot of ways to communicate with people and get the information really quickly. But just as fast as these messages come, they can go. I can delete the message, Facebook can screw up my newsfeed, snapchats disappear. And I’m left with this wavering feeling of “did I really see that information?”  The digital age allows us get in touch, but then what?

Who was the last person you wrote a card or letter to? This is aside from the obligatory Thank You card to your aunt or grandma.  I mean a real card. Birthday? Christmas? Hello? Housewarming? Baby Shower or Wedding? Congratulations on that awesome thing you did? You are my friend and ILYSM? V-Day? Something else?  If you have not sent a card recently, you need to. Its not hard to come up with a reason-any day can be card day. There are a number of designs suited to meet the needs of you writing to a friend or family member or whomever. Personally, I have a large collection for these various occasions. It makes me happy to look at all of the designs and art and fonts that are on all of my various greeting cards. Each is its own print of art; and you get to send that to someone. And they display it somewhere in their home. And on the inside is your OWN WRITING with a message YOU CAME UP WITH and that person will keep it hopefully forever cherishing the card and words YOU CHOSE FOR THEM. And when they are sad or miss you they can PICK UP THE CARD and RUN THEIR FINGER over YOUR WORDS and think of you and hear your voice as they read it because they will not be distracted by backlight, will not be required to charge the card to read it, and will not have to count likes because the only one that matters is theirs and yours. You like them for sending the card, they like you for sending them a card. Its a WIN-WIN.

 

Since I know you are all now eager to get buying and mailing (shout out to USPS for delivering all of our written words), here is my own personal collection to help you get started.

1: Storage. I found myself upgrading from the small box to the big box that stores the small box and then some. It keeps everything contained in one spot, and is just as pretty as the cards themselves.

 2: Address Book:  Obviously a challenge depending on the stages of life your friends are in. If they are in apartments they may be moving frequently. If they with their parents, strong chance they will move eventually. But, white out exists, so you can make it look a little better than continually crossing out addresses. Some books are binderesque so you can remove and add as you prefer. Personally I like the bound book look, and this one had a bow on it, so how could I refuse?

3. Stamps and Return Address Labels:  Key components of mailing, duhhh. You can get fancy with your stamps or buy whatever is available at the Post Office. As for return address labels, if you’ve ever given money to a larger organization you’ve probably found yourself with a decent supply of labels from places like the Red Cross, Cancer society, etc. Or if you are feeling creative and want to personalize, websites like Vistaprint allow you to choose templates and designs to customize with colors and fonts. Make your mailings signature with your flair and bling.

Addendum: Mailing your cards also helps out a true steadfast American company, the United States Postal Service. In this day and age, there are far and few between who you can really TRUST. But, your postal worker follows a literal CREED (Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds) to get you your mail. You can say your mail wasnt delivered that one time during the biggest snowstorm ever but 9.9/10 your mail is THERE. So make it worth their while and have them deliver something meaningful-not another credit card pre approval offer.

Now that you have the necessities to mail, and you know where you are sending it, time to write! (99% chance you do this the other way around but hey what good is a card you cannot send?!)

                 This is an example of a card I recently sent to my cousin for her birthday. She lives in South Carolina so it was fitting since we were not able to see her for her birthday. I loved how this card is a work of art looking like watercolor/markers were used, and the writing is typography by hand. I wish I could claim credit for it. What I did do, as you see, was use a pink pen to match the outside colors. My personal favorite pens are the PILOT G-2 07 pens. I love writing in my agenda (more on that in another post) with them, and they are great for cards. Just be careful if using on glossier type cards or paper since they are known for smudging!!!

 

I search high and low for cards to add to my collection. I tend to stockpile and decide if I have something I like for someone based on who I am writing and what the occasion/nature of my message will be. So yes, sometimes even with all these cards I may go out to seek more. But like I said, the cards also serve me while sitting in my room. I like to look at all the colors. My favorite cards are those by Rifle Paper Co. due to their strong hues, wallpaper florals, and signature doodles. I also enjoy cards with fun sayings on the front, but I definitely prefer those that are blank on the inside so that I can write my own note. Hallmark messages just do not express what I am trying to say.  Usually I find success finding cards at small independent gift shops and bookstores.  Many gift shops in the seaport towns along the New England coast boast a wide variety of cards-some from bigger brands like Rifle, others designed by artists local to the area.  Its great to have a variety to choose from, and to always be on the hunt. Because you never know when you’re going to find the perfect card for

      A BOOK LOVER

 

SOMEONE WHO NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT OR PRAISE

ANYONE’S BIRTHDAY

AN EXTRA SPECIAL THANK YOU (not all thank you’s are boxed!!)

 

THAT TIME IN YOUR LIFE WHEN ITS YEAR ROUND WEDDING SZN

 

SISTERS IN YOUR FRATERNITY WHERE THE MASCOT IS A LAMB

THE WINTER HOLIDAYS (may or may not be boxed)

WHEN YOU NEED A DRINK

 

WHEN YOU JUST WANNA SAY HEY WHATS UP HELLO (AND BONJOUR BECAUSE I THINK I AM FRENCH)

And other honorable mentions such as welcome to the world lil bbs and sympathy cards. Relationship cards are also great but this spinster is not about to jinx herself by having cards for a Bae to be named later. It is cute to leave a card for the other to find, however, so I highly recommend, EVEN if you aren’t in the doghouse.

Another fun little thing I learned about recently are these little rubber animals about the size of the eraser that you can stick in an envelope and not actually have to pay extra postage for. These are great for friends just to show a little flair in your card. They do not require any explanation but are definitely a great addition. Because I am me I have bought several but you really only need a few.

Who would not want to open a card and have Buddha or a moose or a penguin or really anything?

 

In summary, send a card to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Keep USPS in business. Keep artists and independent stores in business. Give them the satisfaction of receiving something exciting in the mail-and opening it up to you in card form. Show someone you are thinking of them, even if you text them on the regular. Its these little surprises that allow us to connect. Touch someone’s heart by allowing them to touch your words.

 

(A quick sidenote: Not sure what to give as a gift? Cards or stationary! So many gift shops sell beautiful boxed card sets, or you can order stationary with someone’s name or monogram or anything online! Encourage the use of cards by giving them as a gift!)