I recently received a handwritten note in the mail. When an email could have been used, and often is, this person took the time to pen a note. It made me think about the art of a handwritten letter.
There is a beautiful process in handwritten letters.
One takes the time to select the right paper or the perfect card. They find their favorite pen. Then a spot to write. They find just the right words⦠as though putting together a special gift. Their heart flows through the ink, being forever captured on paper.
It is deliberate and artistic and gracious and elegant.
A handwritten letter has a human connection that cannot be replaced by a text message or an email. The effort makes it personal. An ability to show someone you cared. It is enduring. Letters and cards can be carefully saved in a special way and savored for years to come.
Handwritten letters are truly a beautiful and timeless art.
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
Would you join me today in taking a few moments to enjoy the process and the art of handwriting a letter to someone in your life?
by Jennifer, Studio JRU
Leave a Comment
Amy Hunt says
I’ve enjoyed writing letters since I was a child and have gotten away from it, like so many of us. Yet, I’ve felt a tugging lately to pick it back up; to be deliberate about writing to friends and family. I appreciate what you shared here about letter writing being an *art*–so beautiful.
Rich blessings, Jennifer, as you breathe in His love for you…
Jennifer says
Thank you so much Amy. I do think it is a wonderful art. One that is so appreciated. I have also gotten away from it… but I am listening to that tug to get back to it!
Heather says
I think that in our world of instant everything, a handwritten note is something to be held dear. I have been trying to write more cards and notes to my friends as of late than to just type out something quickly in an e-mail. There is something refreshing when I open my mailbox and see a letter from a friend instead of just the piles of junk mail and bills that I typically receive!
Jennifer says
It is such a wonderful gift to find a special letter or note in the mailbox! You are right, so much better than all that junk mail… something to hold dear!
Emily says
This is the second post I’ve read this week about the beauty and impact of hand-written letters. It’s so true! Thank you for the encouragement….I hope to write some real letters this weekend.
Jennifer says
Yay Emily! I am sure those letters will be such a special surprise to someone!
Southern Gal says
Seems everyone is talking about writing letters and sending them through the mail. I have my stack of letters in a box that I pull out every now and then to read words from my grandmother who passed away in 2006. It reminds me of the importance of writing and giving encouragement. I’m sitting down this weekend to write letters to all my children first. They need that from their mama. Thank you, Jennifer.
Jennifer says
That is so special! What a gift to be able to hold your grandmother’s words in your hands. Such an amazing gift you are going to be giving your children with those letters!
Jeanie says
I was so surprised to read the blog today about handwritten letters. Just last week, I received in the mail a beautiful handwritten letter to me from my 30 year old daughter. In the letter , she expressed “how incredibly blessed and grateful” she feels to have me as the wonderful mother in her life. I cannot tell you how honored and just “blown away” I was over this letter. She spoke of the bond between her daughters (ages 3 and 19 months) and me, and how they are now receiving the blessing. She stated that through motherhood , she appreciates her blessing and is now prepared to share the same love with her own daughters. Needless to say, this letter is sitting on my mantle , and I read it often. The treasure and tapestry of the words within are in my heart, and it is such a blessing to me to have this where I can read it over and over. Normally, my daughter and I text and email daily, so this handwritten letter was truly a surprise, and it is the BEST GIFT ever! So, thank you , again, my sweet Courtney for this letter! I would encourage others to write those letters to the significant people in your life!
Jennifer says
Oh Jeanie! That is so sweet. What an honor. What a special heart you raised! Just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing that story!
Holley Gerth says
Jennifer, it’s beautiful how you love so well with your hands–whether by creating a piece of art or penning a note. Appreciate you, girl!
Jennifer says
Thank you sweet Holley!
Roberta says
Love this post Jennifer and I’m sharing it with my family. I was just having a conversation with my Mother last evening and we were discussing how frustrating it is now-a-days that with all this “lovely technology” we hear even less from our kids. It’s all a matter of priorities that’s for sure. Have a great day. Fondly, Roberta
Jennifer says
I am so happy to hear that you are going to share it with your family Roberta! Yay! It really is a matter or priorities and taking that time to show someone how much you care.
Ruth Kaup says
Oh I have not lost this art. I believe this also needs to be taught to our children. Thank you notes, IMHO should always be hand written. Although I do love emails for blogging and quick informative notes, nothing beats a handwritten card or letter. Just the stationary alone make it feel so elegant! Yes, it takes time, but it is giving a part of ourselves to one we love!
Jennifer says
I couldn’t agree more! I have always loved to see the handwritten thank you notes from my younger cousins! Such a wonderful gift. Glad to hear you are sharing this art!
the timeless art of a handwritten letter. says
[…] am over at (in)courage today thinking about this wonderful art. will you join […]
Chrissy @ Fireflies and Hummingbirds says
Funny you should post about this… I’ve had a post about letter writing brewing on my heart for a few days! Great minds and all that! π
I still remember, as a child, how excited I was to get a letter or card in the mail, usually from a great aunt who lived half a world away in California. I wish more people would send notes and cards nowadays… and with that, I think I’ll write out a few today!
Jennifer says
That is great Chrissy. Maybe we can all bring this wonderful art back to life! So happy to hear you are writing a few today… yay!
Nina says
This year, I have made it a special mission to buy or make more cards and mail out handwritten notes. I am a huge fan of email, but you are so right about how much more special a personalized card or letter is. I hope more people will take advantage of this wonderful way to give a gift of their heart.
Jennifer says
That is wonderful Nina! What a great mission! It truly is a gift of the heart.
Wanda says
I love giving and recieving letters. I save everything and cherish it forever.
It’s fun to go back….and re-read sweet words written just for me.
Jennifer says
It is so much fun to be able to go back and read sweet words that were written down just for us! I save it all too Wanda!
Life with Kaishon says
This is just beautiful! I love sending letters : ) Sometimes it is hard to take the time to get out pretty paper when email is so…instantaneous : )
Jennifer says
It is hard when email is so much easier… but I am sure the one receiving it will *love* it!
christina says
I have been working on thoughtfully worded thank you notes for baby gifts. This is just the encouragement I needed today to keep on with my task and not desist in discouragement!
Jennifer says
I am so happy to hear that Christina! I know those receiving your thoughtfully worded notes will appreciate them so much!
bonitarose says
I love your post. Love it love it. I so believe in the handwritten form of communication. SO much more personal and meaningful than an email or text. It’s why I so believe in making my own cards and sending them off to people. Making a difference. A real difference. Not even a handwritten card, any card or letter will do… as long as the time is taken. I so agree. It’s one reason every year, I handwrite a letter to my daughter about her previous year. I keep them, I seal each one, and one day when she’s married, I will present her with this stack of letters to her, from her mom, written by my hand. xo Loved this post.. thks for sharing this.. here here! xo hugs
Jennifer says
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful gift you are creating for your daughter. That is truly something she will treasure for a lifetime! What a beautiful idea!
Larie says
Handwritten letters are such a beautiful treasure! I have a box full of cards, letters, napkins, and whatever else the sender could find to write their thoughts to me on. I love taking a break to go through the box from time to time to feel the different textures, see the various handwriting styles, and allowing other memories of what may have been going on in my life at that time to invade my mind.
smooches,
Larie
Jennifer says
Yes… just being able to hold onto these words and feel them, means so much. Speaks right to our hearts, I think! They certainly do bring up so many memories!
Lynda says
My husband laughs at me, but I’ve always said that getting a handwritten note in the mails is just like a “little Christmas!” I often wonder if my notes mailed to another are treasured in the same way. Yes, it’s a nearly lost art, but a few of us are trying to keep it alive. π
Jennifer says
I couldn’t agree with you more Lynda. My husband knows how much I love letters and cards in the mail and if I get something he makes sure I see it right away! I certainly think your notes would be treasured too!
Beth Williams says
At times, I feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit to send an encouraging note & usually without hesitation I obey.
I feel handwritten encouragement notes mean a lot to the receipient and helps them in stressful times.
Thanks for the reminder!
Jennifer says
That is so wonderful to hear Beth! How great that you feel that nudge and listen. I’m sure it is a blessing to the person receiving it. Probably at a time they need it most!
Sadee says
I love that last photo of the stack of letters tied with a bow. Such a beautiful post, Jennifer! I wrote two letters just last week . . . now only to find the addresses and buy stamps so I can finally mail them. So much more work goes into letter-writing; thanks for the reminder that it’s the work that makes it so much more of a gift!
Jennifer says
Thank you so much Sadee! It truly is the extra work that makes it such a special gift. Two people are going to be very happy to get a letter from you!!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
I’ve been getting letters from my daughter lately. Let me tell you, I RUN to the mailbox when I see the mail has arrived. It truly is special to get handwritten notes!
Jennifer says
That is so great Heather! Your daughter is giving you such a special gift. I would be running to the mailbox too!
Kathy C. says
I still enjoy writing letters to far away family and friends, and part of what I enjoy is shopping for packages of note cards, just wish I could write prettier and in a straight line! My older sisters used to enjoy writing, but they both dropped the habit and I miss their handwritten letters so much. That thrill of a letter in the mailbox can’t be beat.
Jennifer says
Yay Kathy! So neat to hear you enjoy writing letters. Shopping for the perfect paper or cards is part of the fun. I’m sure your writing is just fine… and so appreciated! You are right, that thrill at the mailbox can’t be beat!
Kalyn says
Beautiful! I love handwritten letters, and I hate that it is becoming a lost art. Thank you for inspiring me to write one to a friend!
Jennifer says
Thank you so much Kalyn! I am so happy to hear you are inspired to write one to a friend. I am sure they will love it!
Linda says
I received a letter in the mail the other day Jen. It was just as you’ve described. It brought such joy. I am trying to do more letter writing (although I am a terrible procrastinator!). It is just somehow so much more satisfying.
Jennifer says
What a wonderful mail day that must have been Linda! And you are right, much more satisfying!
Donna Weaver says
Jennifer,
Beautifully written. I started writing letters to pen pals when I was a young girl. Postcards when I traveled as a teen, and have always enjoyed the ministry of greeting cards. I love searching for that perfect card which expresses just the right message, exactly what is in my heart! And I love it when I receive a card at just the right moment … when I needed it most (God’s perfect timing).
Your picture of the cards tied with a ribbon, remind me of what a beautiful treasure these written words can be.
Thank you for using your gift of words to encourage others to carry on this “timeless tradition.”
God’s Peace, Donna
Jennifer says
That is just so great Donna! How wonderful to have had these special gifts… both given and received throughout your life. I do believe HIS perfect timing is what this art is all about!
Merissa says
Aloha Jennifer! That verse is so true and beautiful! Thanks for sharing it.
I’ve been seeing more of the handwritten letter nowadays. It’s great that even in the world of emails some still do it. Mailing something handwritten is such fun! Isn’t it such a joy to get a pretty postage stamped envelope in the mail? It’s something that I love.
It was so nice to discover (in)courage. I’ve never been here before and I’m enjoying what I see. I’ll be back for sure π Mahalo!
Jennifer says
Aloha! I am so happy that you discovered (in)courage today Merissa! You are right, it is such a joy to find that pretty little gift in the mail!
creative studio sneak peek says
[…] (in)courage post for july is up. it's about the lost art of handwritten letters. love for you to see […]
Jennifer says
I couldn’t agree more, Jennifer! When I find a letter in the mailbox from a someone dear to me, it’s like a received a gift and I can’t wait to open it. And I save them, too, because they are treasures π
Jennifer says
So happy to hear you save these treasures just like I do!
Angela De Souza says
I have always found handwritten letters so precious! I have a treasure box in my desk for the few that I have received over the years and I make sure that I write notes of encouragement to other from time to time.
Great post, thank you for reminding us π
Love
Angela
x
Jennifer says
That is a wonderful idea to have a treasure box with letters in your desk Angela! Love it!
Dawn Camp says
You are so right! I have a card list right now and I picked up some stamps yesterday (I’m really bad about forgetting to get stamps). I also just got one of those card organizers that are on sale at DaySpring. It’s loaded and ready to go! π
Amy says
This makes me want to write someone a letter. I’d love to make someone’s day like that! I’ve been meaning to write a letter to the parents of my best friend from middle school. I think I’ll do it right now! π