In recent months, we’ve had the pleasure of working with couples who came to us with really fun ideas for this first element of their wedding paper parade. Molly and David, who are planning a destination wedding in Arizona, wanted to include a cactus and a calendar on their announcement. The petite 3.5×5 announcements are letterpress-printed in warm colors on plush ecru paper, and paired with a sunshine-yellow envelope (click on the photo, above-left, for a larger view). Elizabeth and Will, who live in New York but are getting married at Minneapolis’ Mill City Museum, wanted their save-the-dates to have the bold, gritty feeling of a concert poster. We combined an image of the old buildings near the museum, including the distinctive Gold Medal Flour sign, with distressed type. The image and text are reversed out, so the negative space is letterpress-printed in bold orange ink on smooth thick white cardstock. We let the ink coverage run a little light, to enhance the weathered feeling of the finished image.

Leah and Jeanie are planning their wedding ceremony in Canada, followed closely by a reception in the Four Season’s Dance Studio just down the alley from our store. Inspired by the international nature of their affair, the couple asked us to create a save-the-date that looks like a U.S. passport. A golden eagle adorns the front of the folded card, and the inside bears the brides’ stats passport-style, “stamps” for each of the events, and even a custom illustration of the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry. And we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect paper than Neenah Paper’s navy and white columns duplex cover.

So when David Hale came into our store and asked me to work on personal stationery for his wife as a gift for their first anniversary, I was both happy to help and impressed that he was honoring the tradition of giving paper to his wife Meghan on their first wedding anniversary. I hand-wrote an elegant note explaining that we were at her service to create custom stationery to her liking, and David gave that card to her on their anniversary. During subsequent meetings with Meghan, we considered many different motifs, fonts and color combinations. Ultimately we decided on a design that honors her Irish heritage: a shamrock pressed, without any ink, deep into thick white paper (we sometimes refer to this as “blind embossing” even though it’s really not), with her name printed in gold ink. We also printed the same shamrock on bright green A7 envelopes. In the end, Meghan was thrilled with her personal stationery, and we give David a gold star for his thoughtfulness!

Graceful personal communiques are invaluable in establishing and maintaining business contacts. I have the Lunalux logo letterpress-printed on both 3.5×5 and 5×7 notecards, and I use them all the time to send follow-ups after meetings, or to thank clients for their support of our business. Hand-writing a brief note on a lovely piece of stationery shows respect and reverence for the recipient, and indicates that you value the relationship.

date Do try to write a proper thank-you note within two weeks of receiving a gift (I’m already late, Christmas was over two weeks ago. But I have an excuse: that horrible cold!). Traditional etiquette states that you don’t have to write a thank-you note if you opened the gift in front of the giver, and were able to thank them in person. But it’s still a nice thing to do. And remember include the date when you write the card, archivers will appreciate it in 2018 when they’re going through scrapbooks or boxes of ephemera.

what to write it on If you have personalized stationery, this is a great time to use it. If not, purchase or make a thank-you note or decorative notecards that reflects your personality. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be an actual piece of paper – e-mail doesn’t count! Consider stopping by the Lunalux store to stock up on notecards or stationery.

what to say Think of a thank-you note as a social message – you don’t just have to say “thanks for the toaster, it makes great toast.” Include reminiscences about the times you were able (or not) to spend together during the holiday season, and follow-ups on recent events or conversations; try to make it not seem like a form-letter, or a dreaded obligation. Express gratitude not just for the present itself, but for the gesture of the gift. It’s nice of someone to buy you something, sure – but it’s even nicer that they think you deserve a present. For the advanced thank-you-writer, try to pen the entire note without actually using the words “Thank-you.”

delivery If you are sending the thank-you note via US Mail, make sure to write both the recipient’s address on the envelope, and your return address either on the upper left-hand corner or the back flap of the envelope (if there’s a problem with the delivery, the card will come back to you, and you’ll know that the thanking isn’t finished). Consider using a nice stamp that matches the card. If you are hand-delivering a thank-you note (say, to your roommate, or a cubicle neighbor), be sure to write the recipients name on the front. Think of the envelope as the wrapping on a present, and try to make it look irresistible.

Still need more inspiration? Consider these examples:

10 January 2008
Laurie – I’m so glad that you, Dave, Jessica and JJ were able to make it to Minnesota for Christmas. I love the rice cooker, I’ve already used it several times and it works like a dream. I’m really excited about the Cooks Illustrated subscription too – I’m anxiously watching my mailbox for my first issue! Happy New Year, and give my best to the rest of the Nashville crew.

Thursday Jan. 10, ’08
Dear Mame – I regret that I didn’t get to spend time with the Beihoffers on Christmas. It was so kind of you to shower Mark and me with such thoughtful gifts! The hand mixer will be put to great use when we make the Angel Food and Devil’s Food cakes. And the scarf is very beautiful. You are too generous! I’m glad you liked the cookies that my family made; maybe next year, you can stop by my parents’ house when we have Cookie Baking Day, see the whole clan in action! I hope you have a fun visit with Linda, Joey and new baby Diego, I look forward to seeing all the pictures when you get back.

I worked with Lynn to design a buckslip, a flat note card measuring 3.875 by 9.25 inches, that fits a standard #10 business envelope. Our starting point was the color green, and we found a great envelope in a hue that really struck her (nothing but the size is standard!). Her name and a small floral motif are letterpress-printed on a substantial 140# off-white card; matching calling cards complete the modern, sophisticated suite. Lynn’s vibrant envelope is sure to rise to the top of anyone’s stack of mail, and even her briefest “It was great to meet you, I look forward to talking with you next week about opportunities in your department” notes are eye-catching and reflective of her bold style.