No.178: Five Reasons to Send a Letter in September

If you’ve read here for any length of time, you know that I am a passionate supporter of keeping snail mail alive!  Starting a new monthly series today that I hope will inspire you to start putting thoughts on paper.  There’s nothing like finding a handwritten note among the piles of bills and junk mail.   

SEPTEMBER 9 // NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY
Signed into law in 1978, National Grandparents Day is observed on the first Sunday in September after Labor Day.  While the observance may have more than one origin, I love the story about Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a housewife in West Virginia, the best.  She worked to educate people about “the important contributions senior citizens made and the contributions that they would be willing to make if asked. She also urged people to adopt a grandparent, not for one day a year and not for material giving, but for a lifetime of experience.” (source)
This is a great opportunity to send a heartfelt letter to Grandma and Grandpa.  How about having the kids draw a handful of pictures and dropping them off at the local nursing home?


SEPTEMBER 19 // INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY
International Talk Like a Pirate Day was created in 1995.  As an observer of this silly holiday, you greet others with a hearty, “Ahoy, maties!”  Send a letter to a friend who needs a smile, totally written in pirate-ese.  Be sure to include words like Arr, buccaneer, walk the plank, scallywag and the Jolly Roger.  This would make a fun writing assignment for kids too! 

SEPTEMBER 21 // WORLD GRATITUDE DAY
World Gratitude Day started in 1965 in Hawaii at an international meeting.  Afterward, the attendees spread the message to their own counties and the celebration has grown and grown.  September 21st is a great day to jot a thank you card to someone special in your life.  Your mom?  A teacher?  The mail lady who delivers your many Amazon packages?

SEPTEMBER 23 // THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN
I’m sure you have someone in your life that just loves fall.  You know the one: she counts the days until it’s cool enough to wear sweaters and boots, she bakes all the apple desserts and she drinks all the pumpkin spice lattes.  What better way to tell your friend you’re thinking of her than to send her a card celebrating the first day of her favorite season!  This is also a great day to snail mail an invitation for getting together for apple picking or wine tasting.

SEPTEMBER 28 // NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY
National Good Neighbor Day was created in the 1970s by Becky Mattson.  In 1978, United States President Jimmy Carter issued this proclamation: “As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family…I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” (source)
Look for ways to be a good neighbor today and maybe write a little note to the ones in your ‘hood.

A few fun snail mail related links:

• The Hi-Five is a stationery subscription from one of my favorites, 1canoe2.  Each month, you get five greeting cards, a pen and gold foil envelope seals.  So fun!
• Alexa Z Design is a new-to-me paper goods store that I just love!  I have my eye on this card and this one and this one too.
• This is such a fun (and simple!) way to decorate your envelopes.