The Value of Snail Mail

In the era of mass e-mails and Facebook updates, we often forget the joy of sending and receiving personal notes about what’s going on in our lives. But the values of snail mail are numerous and delightful. Just think of how exciting it is to see a hand-addressed envelope in the mailbox! So, a list of the some benefits of good old-fashioned correspondence:

1. You can hold it

Don’t underestimate the feel of nice paper in your hands. A smooth, glossy postcard like silk under the fingers, or a delicately textured linen… okay, we know we’re paper nerds, but admit it, you like holding a nice piece of stationery just as much as we do.

2. You can hang it on the fridge

Yes, you could print out an e-mail and hang it on the fridge, but nothing’s quite the same as seeing what the grandchildren are up to in their own handwriting.

3. You can read it when the power’s out

Can you check Facebook by candlelight? Didn’t think so.

4. You can save it for posterity

Yeah, you can also save old e-mails, but there’s something about a bundle of letters that will make you look super cool to future descendents and biographers.

5. You can be nice to the earth

We see everywhere things that say “Go green by going paperless!” We stand by this as a solid eco-tip, but doing all of your personal correspondence by computer isn’t necessarily eco-friendly. Having your computer on all of the time can use a lot of energy, too. Turn off the TV and the computer for a day, and write a letter instead!