In our rapidly advancing digital age, where AI increasingly crafts our emails and messages, the simple act of putting pen to paper has become a rarity, almost a forgotten skill.
Yet, along with this digital shift, we’re losing out on a multitude of emotional and physical advantages. “The physical act of writing by hand offers a calming, soothing, and rhythmic connection to our bodies that typing simply can’t replicate,” explains Kathleen Adams, a licensed professional counselor and director of the Center for Journal Therapy in Denver, an organization dedicated to harnessing the therapeutic power of journal writing.
“Choosing to write by hand is both deeply personal and intentional,” she notes. This deliberate process fosters self-discovery. Furthermore, when crafting a message for someone specific, especially when focusing on positive sentiments like “love, fondness, or affection,” this action can fill our brains with beneficial neurotransmitters, strengthening our feelings of connection, empathy, and gratitude.
As Rebecca R. Swenson, a clinical psychologist and certified expressive writing facilitator in Traverse City, Mich., puts it, the outcome is a true gift. “You are literally offering a part of yourself to another,” she states. “Expressing your thoughts and feelings on paper is rewarding for you and deeply meaningful for the recipient.”
Beyond benefiting the receiver, this act can also be a profound gift to yourself, Dr. Swenson emphasizes. “Expressive writing has a tangible effect on your physical well-being. It can lessen inflammation, reduce blood pressure and heart rate, alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, and foster an overall sense of enhanced well-being.”
Even the careful selection of exquisite paper, fine ink, or unique writing tools—whether for personal use or as gifts for others—can forge lasting memories.
“The ritual of using beautiful paper and ink to craft something precious, something someone will truly cherish, stands out as tangible and special in our hurried world,” Dr. Swenson said. “Discovering stationery that feels good to touch and write on, then sharing it, enriches both the experience and the act of self-care.”
As special occasions like Valentine’s, Galentine’s or even Palentine’s Day approach, consider the timeless gesture of a heartfelt letter or a thoughtfully curated box of stationery. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.
Words of Wisdom
In her book “Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence,” Rachel Syme included correspondence from luminaries such as Willa Cather and Octavia E. Butler.
Seeking guidance on the art of letter writing? Look to Samara O’Shea’s “For the Love of Letters: A 21st-Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing,” ($19.95, HarperCollins), which not only provides practical advice but also features captivating personal letters from historical figures like Marie Antoinette and Edgar Allan Poe. For event-specific advice, Chelsea Shukov and Jamie Grobecker’s “How to Write a Letter: Find the Words for Every Occasion” ($15, Penguin Random House) offers tailored suggestions. And Rachel Syme’s “Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence” ($33, Penguin Random House) brilliantly combines practical tips for various forms of written communication with inspiring examples from literary greats such as Willa Cather, Pat Parker, and Octavia E. Butler.
Great Love Letters
To ignite your own romantic correspondence, draw inspiration from the personal letters of renowned individuals. Consider “Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald,” ($22, Scribner) for a glimpse into the passionate, complex marriage of the Jazz Age icons. “Empty Without You: The Intimate Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt & Lorena Hickok,” ($21.99, Grand Central Publishing) reveals the deep and personal bond between the former First Lady and the American journalist. “The Gonne-Yeats Letters 1893-1938,” ($36.95, Norton) meticulously chronicles the intricate relationship between Irish poet W.B. Yeats and Maud Gonne, an Irish republican activist and suffragist. Finally, Shaun Usher’s “Letters of Note: Love,” ($15, Penguin Random House) compiles 30 of history’s most profound letters on love, including those from legendary figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Frida Kahlo, and Nelson Mandela.
Hold Your Thoughts
The Clémence Notebook from Louis Vuitton’s Art & Craft collection, which includes a bound-in bookmark.
Having a beautiful place to capture your thoughts can be a wonderful incentive. Louis Vuitton presents several exquisite options, such as their Clémence Notebook ($285) from the Art & Craft collection. This 7.7 by 5.5-inch book features the iconic Monogram pattern on its cover, ruled pages, and a convenient built-in bookmark.
Aspinal of London’s A4 Refillable Luxury Journal ($240) is available in rich leather hues like merlot and fig. It can be personalized with complimentary embossed initials. For those who write extensively, refills are readily available at $50.
For a journal that truly expresses affection, consider the Love M Journal with matching pencils ($101), from Sloane Stationery, available through Wolf & Badger. This burgundy faux lizard journal is elegantly embossed with the word “love” and a golden heart.
Pens and Pencils
The Emerald Wajima Bijou Sailor Pro Gear Fountain Pen, one of many pens on offer at the London stationery store Choosing Keeping.
London’s esteemed stationery boutique, Choosing Keeping, boasts an impressive collection of over 120 fountain pens, ranging in price from £25 to £1,800 ($34 to $2,472). Among them, the Ohnishi Seisakusho Sky and Clouds Acetate Fountain Pen (£149.33) features a delicate blend of blues and whites, while the Emerald Wajima Bijou Sailor Pro Gear Fountain Pen (£1,400) is adorned with a rich green and black lacquer. Their selection also includes ballpoints, traditional dip pens, and various mechanical and wooden pencils. “In the U.K., writing and sending cards holds immense cultural significance,” says Julia Jeuvell, owner of Choosing Keeping, whose store now offers over 5,000 unique products. “It’s a beautiful way to nurture friendships and build connections. Every detail, from your choice of wax stamp to your preferred pen, contributes to the texture and style of your correspondence, reflecting your personal taste.”
Alternatively, explore the charming pencil sets from Icey Designs ($14.95). One particular set, in a delightful array of sherbet hues, features silver or gold foil-printed phrases inspired by Jane Austen.
Pass the Paper, Please
An artful notecard set illustrated by Rollo Skinner, available at the London stationery store Mount Street Printers.
“When you compose a letter, a poem, or even simple positive affirmations for someone, you’re not just sharing your thoughts; you’re offering a genuine piece of yourself,” explains Lindsay Jill Roth, author of the recent book “Romances & Practicalities: A Love Story (Maybe Yours!) in 250 Questions” ($29.99, HarperCollins). “Emails require minimal effort. A handwritten note, however, conveys a far deeper level of care, and your fortunate recipient can cherish it indefinitely.”
Ms. Roth, who keeps a collection of about 25 different stationery types, pads, and notecards in her London home, prefers bright, optimistic colors like yellow and hot pink for her writing paper. “Life is fleeting,” she says. “When I’m sending a positive message, I want to write it on something equally cheerful and whimsical.”
When her husband embarks on trips, she lovingly prepares what she calls “sleep notes”—one for each night he’s away. “This ensures he has a thoughtful or affectionate message from me to discover every evening,” she shares, describing them as “unexpected gifts tucked into his suitcase or even his shoes.”
In Ashford, Ireland, Plunkett Press Stationers, founded by Coibhe Butler in 2020, stands as a testament to exquisite stationery. While it operates without a traditional storefront, patrons are warmly invited to visit the charming print room, once a potting shed, where staff can assist with personalized bespoke orders. (They even maintain the old-school charm of answering phone calls!) Among their online offerings is a delightful box of 10 notecards ($29), beautifully bordered in either red or blue, accompanied by envelopes lined with matching tissue paper.
Customization is also a hallmark of Mount Street Printers, a 40-year-old, family-run stationery emporium nestled in London’s exclusive Mayfair neighborhood. They specialize in engraving or embossing stationery and notecards, alongside a curated selection of ready-made options. Imagine composing a message on a Giraffes Notecard, adorned with two copper-colored giraffes deep in conversation, then slipping it into a cinnamon-tissue-lined envelope (£32 for a box of 10). Or perhaps you’d prefer to jot down your thoughts on the elegant Iris Notecards, exquisitely illustrated by Rollo Skinner (£34 for a box of 10).
Don’t Forget Yourself
In Paris, Café Pli offers a unique experience across its two locations—one at 38 Rue du Faubourg du Temple in the 11th Arrondissement, and the other at 141 Avenue Parmentier in the 10th. Here, guests can savor baked goods and beverages while crafting a letter to their future selves.
Depending on the package selected, your letter will be mailed to you one, five, or even twenty years after it’s written. (For those unable to visit, the option to write a letter online is also available.)
Cafe prices for this thoughtful service range from 15 to 45 euros ($18 to $54), which includes stationery, postage, a wax stamp, and a drink. Online prices may vary based on your geographic location.