London Bay Stationery

“Sometimes the best time to thank someone is when they’re least expecting it,” according to Bart Ratliff, author of a soon to be published book Why Appreciation Wins. That’s why he sends out nearly a dozen thank-you notes a day.

In the January 2009 issue of Spirit magazine (published by Southwest Airlines), Ratliff quotes Maya Angelou who says, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Filed by Cheryl at 1:37 pm under Great Uses for Note Cards
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The following letter appeared in the Austin American Statesman on February 28, 2008:

There was a time when civility and elegance were the order of the day. It was a matter of course for families and friends to write to one another, inquiring about a relatives’ health, passing on news or announcing the birth of a baby.

Business was conducted in much the same way.

But no more. Even as e-mail has dumbed down the way people talk, what with sentence fragments and unclear ideas, the more usual response is silence. Phone calls are handled in much the same way.

So please give me a fountain pen and fine paper. Read what I’ve bothered to write. Give me a response…

K.G.
Fredericksburg, TX

Filed by Cheryl at 10:08 pm under Great Uses for Note Cards, Uncategorized
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We are approaching the time of year for end of school parties, graduations, weddings and showers.  Boxed notes make a thoughtful hostess gift or rememberance for a favorite teacher and they are essential for expessing appreciation for thoughtful gestures or for gifts received. 

Take time now to order several boxes of your favorite designs so you will have them on hand for gift giving or for your own use.  All of our designs are appropriate for most any occassion.  Choose the Dove, Fish, Shell, Butterfly, Vine, Celtic Cross or one of our other 20 designs–they are all simple, timeless and elegant.

Should you need more that a couple of boxes, contact us for details regarding larger orders (1-800-528-9135 or orders@londonbaystationery.com).

Filed by Cheryl at 7:23 pm under Entertainment Gift, Great Uses for Note Cards, Thank You Notes, Uncategorized
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The above chart is from Writing Thank-You Notes, Finding the Perfect Words by Gabrielle Goodwin & David Macfarlane.

Filed by Cheryl at 3:29 pm under Birthday Card, Condolence Cards, Dinner Party, Entertainment Gift, Great Uses for Note Cards, Letter of Appreciation, Thank You Notes, Wedding Gifts
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In the course of our daily lives we are often the recipients of acts of kindness that certainly require no thank you note.  However, sending a thank you note in such circumstances is a thoughtful gesture that will be much appreciated by the recipient and may even be saved and re-read repeatedly because it means so much.

You may wish to send a note of gratitude to the custodian at your church when he has worked hard behind the scenes to prepare for a special service or event at the the church, to your secretary when she stayed late to copy or prepare a report you needed for an important meeting, or to your daughter’s soccer coach who let your child play in the big game because she needed encouragement rather than because of her soccer skills.

The following is an example of such a note:

      Dear Mrs. Johnson,

      How can I thank you enough for coming to the aid of my son Eric when he fell off his bicycle yesterday.  Imagine my surprise when he came in the door with both knees and one elbow neatly bandaged!  He proudly showed me the smiley sticker on his T-shirt that you gave him for bravely bearing the washing and dressing of his wounds.

     It was so very kind of you to help him off the sidewalk in the front of your home, to clean him up and bandage his scrapes, and to even give him a cookie and juice before helping him back home.

     You are a wondrful neighbor and our family is truly blessed to know you.

     Thank you again for your kindness to Eric.

                                                     Sincerely,

                                                     Rhonda

Filed by Cheryl at 3:13 pm under Great Uses for Note Cards
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Notes of condolence are often perceived to be difficult to write though they need not be. Regardless though of how you view writing them, they should not be neglected.

When a friend dies it is proper to write the spouse or closest relative whether or not you know that person. Likewise, when a close relative of a friend dies it is appropriate to write the friend to express sorrow for their loss even if you didn’t know the person who died.

Condolence notes can be short and simple or long and heartfelt but they should be sent promptly upon hearing of the death. They should be hand written rather than typed to convey a warm and personal tone even if one’s handwriting is not the best.

There are many ways to compose a condolence note. One is as follows: begin with an expression of sympathy, followed with a sentence or two conveying a memory of the person who died (this could include memories of kindness shown, personal attributes that were meaningful to you and the like), followed by a few words of comfort and end with a final word of sympathy or affection.

This is an example:

Dear Ruth,

I am so very sorry to hear of your mother’s death. She was so kind to me all during our growing up years making me feel welcome in your home, at your table and even on family outings when I’m sure it would have been easier not to have another child in tow.

No one, of course, will miss her as much as you but I hope it will bring you some comfort to know that others share your grief.

You re in my thoughts and prayers.

Elizabeth

Filed by Cheryl at 7:13 am under Great Uses for Note Cards
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In this hi-tech, fast paced world of e-mails, cell phones and mass mailings, recipients appreciate a hand-written note on fine paper. It draws immediate attention.

Though it only takes a few moments to write a personal note or thank-you its impact is often long lasting because this mark of fine manners is becoming increasingly rare.

The Sixth Annual Lennox Gift-Giving and Etiquette Survey showed that many people believe there has been a decrease in manners overall including the sending of thank-you notes.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for newly weds to either send no thank-you notes for wedding gifts or to send out a generic mass e-mail to all who sent gifts–which is only marginally better than no acknowledgement at all. If people are not sending notes for wedding gifts they certainly aren’t sending them for other gifts, kindnesses or expressions of hospitality.

One of the reasons frequently offered for not sending notes is that fine writing supplies are getting increasingly difficult to find. Happily, London Bay Stationery is able to fill that void by offering twenty Christian symbols embossed on fine ivory paper. These notes enable users to express their thanks or other sentiments and to subtly affirm their faith while doing so.

Filed by Cheryl at 1:35 pm under Great Uses for Note Cards
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