The world could use more mail, The New York Times reported this week.
The Oct. 8 article, part of the newspaper’s “Smarter Living” series, cites research that shows handwritten cards and letters make people feel better.
Several fans of handwritten correspondence are quoted, including best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris, who is known for writing letters to fans.
“I just feel like it’s classy to do it with real mail,” Sedaris tells the Times. “It’s too easy to do it on email. And it also doesn’t mean as much.”
The article also includes advice for people who want to pen personal notes, including encouraging them to purchase stationery and use “a book of stamps” to mail their correspondence.
The holidays are a good time to take up letter writing, according to Margaret Shepherd, a professional calligrapher and author of “The Art of the Handwritten Note.”
“There’s something permanently charming about getting an envelope in the mail,” Shepherd tells the Times. “It’s as if somebody gift wrapped their words for you.”