Holiday How-To

"This year has been especially challenging and lonely for many people, and we’re missing our friends and loved ones more than ever—which is why it’s the perfect time to send more personal notes alongside your family photo or general holiday greeting, expressing love and spreading joy. Here are my tips for making this letter-writing process fun and heartfelt." — Marcie Pantzer, founder of Dear Annabelle stationery

1. Make a (realistic) list.

Because we’ve been so isolated this year, our list of people we’d like to write to is a mile long. To avoid burnout, I make a list of people I want to connect with, and break the letter writing up into chunks. (I’d say writing five or six notes at a time feels manageable.) Personally, I’m going to prioritize the people I haven’t seen in person in 2020, whom I miss the most. My best friend in LA, my grandmother who has been quarantined in her nursing home in St. Louis, and a college friend whom I haven’t been able to visit in forever.

2. Gather your supplies.

Before I start writing, I like to make sure I have everything I need at my desk to make the note-writing itself seamless and easy. This year, I’m going to use a mix of the Dear Annabelle Naughty Notecards and our Frosty Notecards, depending on whom I’m writing to. Having the right pen is super important—my favorites are Muji and Le Pen. I always have a supply of stamps on hand, which I buy every time I go to the post office to support the USPS. I am loving the Ruth Asawa stamps and the Florentine Madonna and Child stamps for the holidays.

3. Make it cozy.

I like to dedicate a certain time to write my notes, usually on a Sunday night after I put my little kids to bed. Depending on my mood, I’ll pour myself a green tea or a glass of red wine and get cozy on my couch (quite possibly with The Crown on in the background). If you’re more of a morning person, set aside a weekend morning for coffee and note-writing at the kitchen table or your desk. It really sets the tone and makes you feel accomplished and good all day.

4. Write from the heart.

This year, the struggle has been real and we could all benefit from some effusive love. Don’t be afraid to tell the person you’re writing to how hard it has been to be away from them, how much you love them, and what they bring to your life. I’m going the extra mile this year and including something special and sentimental—an old photograph of us together or a fortune-cookie message I’ve been saving just for this person.

5. Just do it!

It’s easy to think of note-writing as just another thing on the long list of to-dos. But I like to think of it as a moment of reflection and generosity—an opportunity to bring a smile to someone’s face. So get those letters in the mail! It’s the perfect time of year for some mailbox magic.

For more, read Marcie Pantzer's Master Class on the Art of the Handwritten Note here.