Kids love getting mail. Any kind of mail. They love opening letters with pretty pictures in them and, at least for a while, none of it is junk. But when they receive something addressed to them personally, their eyes light up. What could it be? Who is it from? Open it!

There is something about the anticipation of opening an envelope addressed to you by hand that cannot be ignored, even as an adult. We have so many other communication options these days—online, phone, email, text—but if you want to make a big impression on the kids in your life, try sending something in the mail. It’s a great way to say “Hi” when you live far away, but can be even more of a treat when you live just across town.

It is especially fun to receive mail when kids are just learning to read (remember to print, so they can read it!) As they get older, being able to read your handwriting makes them feel more grown up. If you are lucky, you will get a handwritten note back from them.

One of our staff members has a sister who creates custom note cards personalized with photos of her kids making silly faces. She uses these to send notes to everyone in her life, whether kids or adults. Who doesn’t smile at a silly face?

It’s no secret that some people are better than others at sending quick handwritten notes. What do they have that we don’t? Better manners? Advanced social skills? A degree in creative writing? The truth is, the biggest advantage the note writer has over the non-note writer is…wait for it…they actually have note cards. Yes, while you have nothing but a few half-used spiral notebooks and a pile of crumpled wide-rule filler paper in the house, they have a box of lovely, personalized, all-occasion note cards standing ready for whenever the mood strikes.

That’s all there is to it. Owning personalized stationery can turn you into an accomplished note writer faster than you can say Miss Manners. We guarantee that if you have it you will use it. In fact, you will use it far more often than you ever thought you would.

Once you have your personalized note cards, here are a few more tips:

1. One of our staff members suggests putting stamps on the envelopes as soon as you get them, so your message (and your good intentions) won’t be derailed for lack of a stamp.
2. Keep your new personalized note cards in places where you are prompted to write. We suggest you keep them not only in your desk at home, but in the nightstand by your bed, in the kitchen, in the suitcase you take on vacation, in your briefcase, or tucked in your book as a bookmark. That way you will have what you need, when you need it.
3. Don’t wait. Write as soon as the mood strikes, or the need arises. The best notes (and the easiest ones to write) come from the heart, spontaneously. It’s hard to sound spontaneous 2 weeks later. And the longer you wait, the harder it gets to pick up the pen.
4. Don’t try to think of something clever. That is enough to paralyze anyone. Just write what you feel, the way you would say it in person. It doesn’t have to be long—a few sentences or a simple “Thanks for your friendship” is often all you need. If you’re really stuck, you can always borrow words from a famous author or the lyrics to a song.