Letter sheets are offered in a variety of choices and styles, choosing the appropriate one can be complicated.  They can be embossed or printed and may also offer a straight edge, hand bordered, or even a deckled edge design.  The large variety of styles and choices should assure you that you will find the perfect design for your own individual taste.

The beauty of personalized stationery is that you can make any design your own.  Any style can be personalized just for you.  If you wish to have an elegant design you may choose a design similar to our Embossed Pastel Stationery.  Embossing is the most elegant form of personalization offered.  Generally you can get these elegant notes in white or ecru paper and some printers even offer them in soft pink or blue.  For that extra touch of elegance, you may like some embossed letter sheets with a border around the edge.  For an example of this design see our Pearl Bordered Stationery.

Another elegant form of personalized letter sheets are those with deckled edges.  The deckled edge on the stationery gives it a timeless look and feel.  Our Deckled Edge Vellum Stationery is a prime example and is offered in a variety of paper colors, ink colors and typestyles.

If you prefer something a little more traditional with some color, you may choose a hand bordered design.  Our Hand Bordered Notes and Sheets offer a beautiful design that can be used for any correspondence you choose to write.  Generally this piece of stationery can be personalized with you name or monogram.  The personalization is printed in raised ink, giving a little something extra.

Letter sheets are also available for a more executive look and feel.  Generally a larger design, measuring 7 1/4" x 10 7/8", allows for plenty of space to write important letters and make a great impression on your colleagues.  Our Executive Stationery will do just that.  Remember, quality is the hallmark of being professional.

As stated before, there are several types of letter sheets available.  A few have been discussed and there are many more to choose from.  Remember that you can make just about any design fit your style and taste with all of the personalization options available.  To add to the impression you are already making with your stationery, have your return address printed on your envelopes.  Also, do not forget to order the extra plain sheets for those longer letters that you will write. 

Correspondence cards are one-sided stationery notes that can serve any purpose.  Use them for short notes, thank you notes, informal invitations and more.  Because correspondence cards are so functional, it makes sense to have plenty on hand.  The correspondence cards you select will depend on what they will be used for, your budget and your own personal style.

Hand bordered correspondence cards in any hue are always appropriate.  They are a timeless option for both men and women.  American Stationery offers these classic cards in an array of stunning colors, such as: black, wine, sage, navy, espresso, aqua, hot pink, tangerine, lemon, lime, hunter green, silver and many more.

Looking for stationery with a more contemporary flair?  Here are a few of our favorites:

The Park Avenue Card set comes with a mint green and chocolate border and pink and chocolate border.  These embossed bevel edge cards feature a stylish border and paired with matching double lined envelopes.

The Chocolate and Aqua Double Hand Bordered Correspondence Cards are smoothly coordinated cards and desk accessories that will enhance any office space.  The correspondence cards are hand bordered in Chocolate and Aqua.  An optional Palm Tree icon is available above your name.

Cards Anyone?  For the card shark, these delightful correspondence cards are perfect for all card lovers.

The Jewel Hand Bordered Slender Cards have deep colors of precious jewels that are hand-applied to form the borders of these slender-cut cards.  Coordinating Paisley desktop box included.

The Pink and Black Double Hand Bordered Cards are the perfect gift for the fashionable lady on your gift-giving list.  The dynamic duo of Pink and Black always works, making them classy, sophisticated and fun.

Knit 'n' Purl Correspondence Cards are just right for the one who loves to knit.  Our exclusive design is perfect for the knitter on your gift list.

The Bold Bordered Correspondence Cards offer coloful borders on heavyweight cardstock, making a bold statement.  These are just right for the coloful people in your life; there's nothing shy about them.

The Vellum Jackets add a touch of elegance to your correspondence cards.

No bones about it! Correspondence Cards feature our exclusive doggy bone design and make the perfect git for any dog lover.

Celebrate your 25th Anniversary or 50th Anniversary in style with the classic silver and gold bordered correspondence cards, respectively.  These cards are perfect for invitations or announcements.

Do you know exactly what design, typestyle and ink color would best express your style? Create your own correspondence cards today

Moving can be an overwhelming and stressful time. Make it a little easier for yourself by getting ahead and ordering the following stationery for your big move: 

• Moving announcements to let family and friends know that you’re moving… and where they can reach you from now on! Clever yet simple moving cards are an easy way to keep your loved ones in the loop!
   
• Shipping labels to ship everything from your old house to your new! Shop for custom shipping labels here.
   
• Luggage tags engraved with your new address. Try classic brass and leather tags with engraved name and address. Looking for something a little more colorful?  Bright, colorful luggage tags and gold stamped luggage tags in a variety of colors are fun options.
   
• New stationery printed with your new return address and a new “feel” for your new life. Shop personalized stationery here.
   
• New return address labels with your new address. Choose from a variety of colors and styles to express your new life in the your location. Shop all return address labels here.
   
• Thank you notes for all those who will help you with the move. If you’re lucky, you’ll get lots of help and you’ll want to thank every person who chipped in! Send a big thank you, a simple thank you, or a thank you from the whole family on unique, customized stationery.
   
• Invitations for a Housewarming Party or Open House...set the date and invite friends and family to help welcome you to your new home!

With so many designs and colors to choose from, choosing the appropriate fold note can be complicated; we are here to make it easier.  The fact that there are many designs to choose, means that you are sure to find the design that fits you best.  Your personal taste and style determines which design is best for you. 

If you prefer a more elegant look, you may choose a design that incorporates an embossed name or monogram.  Generally you can get these elegant notes in white or ecru with some printers offering them in soft pink or blue as well.  For an even more elegant look, you may choose our Timeless Embossed Notes or Ultimate Embossed Double Border Notes.

If you prefer something more conventional and a little less elegant, you may choose a printed fold note rather than an embossed fold note.  These notes may be plain or may include an embossed border such as our Embossed Triple Border Notes.  These notes may not have the elegant embossing, but generally the name is printed in a thermograved ink, making the note just as beautiful.  Generally you can choose your name or monogram and occasionally you can add your favorite design or motif as well. 

The new wave of digital printing has increased the capabilities of printers and designers everywhere.  No longer are printers limited to one ink color designs.  Now the sky is the limit for designers and consumers alike; from bright and fun designs to elegant and formal.  Digital printing has not only allowed for multiple color designs, but it has also started a new fad of photo products like our Framed Photo Note Cards.  There are now many designs that allow you to add your favorite photo to your stationery.  This new capability is perfect for holiday cards, thank you notes and even wedding announcements.  Adding a photo to you stationery is another way of making the stationery a little more personal.

Exercise your mind as you would exercise your body. The act of writing is to your brain like walking on the treadmill is to your body. The more regularly you do it, the more benefits you receive. Schedule time for exercise every day, or every other day as time allows and your body will begin to work better, feel better, and look better. The same is true for scheduled writing time. Done regularly, writing produces multiple psychological benefits such as improved decision making, strengthened relationships, and reduced stress in your daily life.

Decision Making (pros and cons)

One of the first benefits to putting your thoughts on paper is discovering clarity. Seeing the words in writing makes them real and solvable. This technique is particularly useful when it comes to making a tough decision. How many times have you heard the advice to fold a piece of paper in half vertically and write all the pros of the decision on one side and all the cons on the other? We know this advice but rarely do people follow it. The act of writing helps you to weigh risks and benefits of decisions, and hopefully leads to making better ones.

Even if you do not have a life-changing decision to make, writing is a beneficial tool to simplify your life and stay organized. To-do lists are a prime example of this type of writing. The greatest benefit of all is the psychological boost you get when you cross an item off your list! Writing helps you to remember important appointments and events, benefitting you and your family in being where you need to be on time. Feeling overscheduled as a family? Try writing down everyone’s activities and then ranking them, giving each member at least two or three activities they get to keep; have each person rank their remaining priorities and get rid of the ones that are not necessary or less important.

Making Amends / Asking Forgiveness

Writing can be a critical step in an individual’s recovery from physical illness, mental trauma or substance abuse. The first aspect of therapeutic writing is having the individual identify and articulate their own feelings: fear, anger, disappointment, anxiety, despair, confusion, and frustration are all common and valid feelings a person experiences. Writing about all these feelings can assist someone in healing and committing to the necessary treatment plan or steps on the road to recovery.

The second aspect of therapeutic writing is related to conflict resolution and strengthening past, current and future relationships. A commonly used technique in recovery from alcohol or substance abuse is to have the individual ask forgiveness or make amends for wrongs they have done in the past. Writing is a useful vehicle in tackling this challenge. Sometimes a person has been shut out because they have hurt someone badly. They may be able to communicate via a letter, or in some cases, the receiver does not accept the letter, but the individual has at least gone through the process of taking responsibility for their actions and asking for forgiveness on paper. The psychological benefits build from there as the person tackles living a better life in the future.

Creative Outlet (journaling / poetry)

A popular form of personal writing is journaling. Generally not meant for other people’s eyes, journals produce benefits that are almost 100% psychological. The act of journaling counteracts daily stress and is a useful tool to learn more about yourself and to clarify your life’s goals. Disorganized in your thinking? Not sure how you feel? Regular journal entries help you to work through everything that is going on in your life and those around you. As you put these thoughts to paper, you are working through these problems in your mind and subtly figuring out how to solve them.

Journaling also has a lighter side and can be used for the sake of creativity alone. Activities such as journal and poetry writing have been shown to improve mental function and stimulate creative thinking for people of all ages, children through senior adults. The process of writing can enable any individual to become a better communicator at home and in the workplace, for all of the reasons above and more. Creativity begets new ideas and new ways of doing things. It can be producing a piece of art for the pleasure of others. With writing, anything is possible.

Think of writing as nourishment for your brain. While writing cannot possibly solve all of your problems tomorrow, with some discipline and a regular schedule, gradually you will begin to see improvements in some areas of your life such as mood and mental health. Chances are your physical health will improve as well. As you make decisions, define priorities, strengthen relationships, and generate new ideas, the transformation you will achieve may surprise you.

Why wait until December to start thinking about your next set of New Year’s Resolutions? Now is just a good a time as any to reflect upon your life and to make plans for positive change in the months (and the year) ahead. Year after year, one of the most popular resolutions made is to reconnect with friends and families. With that in mind, here’s one resource for making 2009 your best yet:

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers and Quicken show that more than 50% of Americans aspire to appreciate and spend more time with family and friends in the coming year. When it comes to reaching out, showing appreciation and reconnecting, personalized stationery is a great first step towards making more frequent and more meaningful connections with your loved ones. Here’s how: when you are prepared with beautiful stationery, you will be excited about (and therefore more likely to) reach out to the important people in your lives on both the biggest and the smallest of occasions.

A 2009 calendar and a current contact list are all you need to get started. Whether you choose to plug important dates into your PDA, or prefer an old- fashioned wall-calendar, use the following list (posted throughout the next couple of weeks) to mark all the year’s important dates and events. The next step is to get into the habit of looking a few days or a week ahead in order to send timely and relevant notes to loved ones on important holidays and celebrations. One idea is to make the first Sunday of every month "letter night" where you (alone or with your family) sit down to write notes to loved ones — whether there is a holiday coming up or not!

You just might find that stationery also helps you hold some of your other New Year’s Resolutions. Beyond reconnecting with loved ones through the mail, you will also be creating quality family time, getting organized and saving money.

Some of these dates will be obvious, time-honored traditions. Others will be totally new to you. Keep an open mind and see our suggestions over the next several days for turning even the most obscure of holidays into excuses for making meaningful connections with your loved ones. . .starting today!

January

• Happy New Year! - Always January 1st
  (Send your friends simple wishes for a happy New Year or pen a personal champagne toast to all of your loved ones)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Third Monday in January: January 19, 2009
  (Take the time to write to people whom you admire or aspire to be like)
• Chinese New Year - January 26, 2009
  (Follow the Chinese tradition and send good wishes or even small monetary gifts using traditional red envelopes)

February

• Groundhog Day - February 2, 2009
• Valentine’s Day - Always Feb. 14
  (Let them know you love them with all your heart. Write a love note on romantic, Valentine’s Day stationery)
• President’s Day - Third Monday in February: February 16, 2009
• Lincoln’s Birthday - February 12
• Washington’s Birthday - February 22
• Mardi Gras - Begins 43 days before Easter: February 24, 2009 (If you cannot invite them to the party, send happy, festive thoughts!)
• Ash Wednesday - 40 days before Easter

March

• St. Patrick’s Day - Always March 17
  (Why not send a limerick or Irish blessing of your own on a pretty piece of St. Patrick’s Day Stationery?)
• First day of Spring - March 20, 2009
  (Use floral-inspired stationery to say "hello" once spring has sprung!)
• Daylight Saving Time - The second Sunday in March: March 8, 2009
  (This year, let your loved ones know you miss them every little minute.) 

April

• April Fool’s Day - Always April 1
  (Make them smile! Send a great joke or your most hilarious memory.)
• Palm Sunday - The Sunday before Easter: April 5, 2009
• Good Friday - The Friday before Easter: April 10, 2009
• Passover - April 9 - 15, 2009
• Easter Sunday - April 12, 2009
  (Write a note or blessing to friends or family on Easter-perfect stationery)
• Tax Day - Always April 15
• Holocaust Remembrance Day - April 21, 2009
• Earth Day - April 22, 2009
  ("Go green" with a nature-inspired and eco-friendly greeting.)
• Administrative Professionals’ Day - Wednesday of the last week of April
  (Don’t forget to say "thank you!" to all those people who make your life easier.)
• Arbor Day - April 24th, 2009
  (Pay homage to friendships as old as the trees with gorgeous green stationery.)

May

• National Day of Prayer - 1st Thursday in May
• Cinco De Mayo - Always May 5
• Nurse’s Day - May 6, 2009
• Mother’s Day - 2nd Sunday in May: May 10, 2009
  (Do not just send her a note; honor her with the beautiful gift of personalized stationery made just for moms)
• Armed Forces Day - 3rd Saturday in May: May 16, 2009
• Memorial Day - Last Monday in May: May 25, 2009

June

• Flag Day/Army Day - Always June 14
• Father’s Day - 3rd Sunday in June: June 21, 2009
• Juneteenth (Liberation of Slaves) - Always June 19
• Summer Solstice - June 21, 2009 

July

• Independence Day - Always 4th of July
• Parents Day - 4th Sunday in July

August

• Air Force Day - Always August 1
• Coast Guard Day - Always August 4
• Friendship Day - 1st Sunday in August

September

• Ramadan - September 2, 2009
• Labor Day - First Monday in September: September 7, 2009
• Grandparents Day - Sunday after Labor Day: September 13, 2009
• Constitution Day/Citizenship Day - Always September 17th
• Rosh Hashanah - September 19 - 20, 2009
• Fall Equinox - September 22, 2009
• Yom Kippur - September 28, 2009 

October

• Columbus Day - Second Monday in October: October 12, 2009
• Navy Day - Always October 13
• Bosses’ Day - Always October 16
• Sweetest Day - Third Saturday in October: October 17, 2009
• Mother-In-Law’s Day - Fourth Sunday in October: October 25, 2009
• Halloween - Always Oct. 31

November

• Daylight Saving Time Ends - First Sunday in November.
• Election Day - Tuesday on or after Nov. 2
• Marine Corps Day - Always November 10
• Veteran’s Day - Always November 11
• Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November: November 26, 2009

December

• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Always December 7
• Chanukah - December 12, 2009
• Winter Solstice - December 21, 2009
• Christmas Eve - Always December 24
• Christmas Day - Always December 25
  (Photo Holiday cards are a great way to send holiday greetings to loved ones)
• Kwanzaa - Always December 26 - January 1
• New Year’s Eve - Always December 31

Do not forget to schedule these other important events in 2009:

• Birthdays (Elegant, personalized stationery also makes a gorgeous gift!)
• Anniversaries (25th and 50th)
• Graduations (Set them up for success with the gift of beautiful, professional business stationery)

Stationery also helps you prepare for the unexpected:

• Engagement cards
• Sympathy cards
• Thank you cards
• Congratulations
• Invitations
• Get Well Soon cards
• Bon Voyage (luggage tags)

‘Tis the season to save! This year, more than ever, American families are searching for creative ways to save money without sacrificing the joy and tradition of the Holidays. American Stationery wants to help. Over the next week, we will share a few original ideas for making this Holiday season jolly and bright, without breaking the bank!

Write When You Can’t Travel

This year it will be historically expensive to travel during November, December, and January, which may mean that you won’t get to spend as much time with family and friends as you would like. Hand written letters are a great way to reach out with warm thoughts and Holiday memories even if you can’t be there in person. Do you usually go on a weeklong January ski trip with your cousins, but it’s just not possible this year? Write a note sharing happy memories of years past, and include your hopes that you’ll all be able to pick up the tradition where it left off next year. If your family always makes the cross country drive to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving, but gas prices have made that impossible this year, be sure everyone in the family writes a meaningful note to Grandma so she knows that the Holidays just won’t be the same without her. All these examples lead up to the idea that, especially when tradition and sentimentality are involved, a hand-written note is almost always more meaningful than a phone call or a quick email.

Handwritten Letters vs. Generic Holiday Cards

There seem to be two extremes when it comes to the traditional Holiday cards we all receive from friends and family each Holiday season: either a lengthy, family-update type newsletter that’s printed in bulk and sent off to everyone, or the more standard photo or holiday- theme card with a "Holiday Greetings" emblem and a signature. Of course, there is nothing wrong with these long-standing traditions, and everyone is happy to receive them, but why not make your holiday cards a bit more sentimental and a lot more personal? By purchasing fold notes or correspondence cards in bulk, and then handwriting individual messages to your family and friends, you’ll be reaching out in a much more meaningful way. Of course, it will take longer to write individual notes instead of mass producing your cards, but with just a few lines of original thought, you can send something unique, heartfelt, and truly memorable.

Write Handwritten Holiday Letters to Save Money

Photo cards and other Holiday stationery can cost at least a few dollars a pop, not including envelopes and postage. By stocking up on plain stationery or personalized stationery and making it your own with the message inside, you’ll make just as much impact with a lot less money. Without the extra cost of taking that annual holiday photo, or purchasing multiple boxes of glittery holiday cards, you’ll save money and time and put your effort where it counts: in heartfelt, original messages written specifically for your loved ones.

Get Personal

Unsure how to begin when writing handwritten Holiday cards? Just think about the basics of everyday letter writing (see other articles on letter writing). The most important element of any letter is to keep the recipient in mind, and to make the message as personal as possible. Try telling stories of Holiday memories that you’ve shared. Remember those ski trips or talks by the fire? How about the New Years you resolved to stay in better touch? Now is the perfect time to share good memories, refresh friendships, and make new resolutions. Ask the recipients of your letters to write you back. It’s the perfect way to start up a letter-writing relationship that just might last all year long.

Go Green This Holiday Season

All those Holliday cards and coordinating envelopes add up to a whole lot of paper thrown in the trash each year. Instead of sending in bulk, consider sending meaningful notes to a smaller list of your family and closest friends. By sending to a select few instead of everyone on your address book, you can splurge on high-quality stationery and spend all your extra time actually writing a sincere message. Another great option is to send Holiday Cards using recycled paper. American Stationery offers a selection of eco-friendly stationery to suit your holiday card needs.

Holiday Cards For All Seasons

Christmas and Hanukah cards are definitely traditionally the biggest sellers, so why not break from the crowd and start a tradition of your own? Consider sending one of the following options to save you time and money during the busiest Holiday Season, and to make sure your Holiday card doesn’t just get tossed in the stack of others:

Thanksgiving Cards

Send your thanks for having your loved ones in your life. Thanksgiving can be a great time to reflect upon the past year and to express your gratitude to the people who make your life special. You can opt for specifically designed Thanksgiving cards, or simply choose beautiful Thanksgiving themed stationery.

New Year’s Cards

Say "Happy 2009!" to all your loved one’s in style this year. Why not reflect on the year that has passed and the memories you have shared, and maybe make some new resolutions for your relationship? By sending a gift of stationery, you can resolve to be better at keeping in touch in 2009!

Valentine’s Day Cards

Who says Valentine’s Day has to be all about romance? February is just a good a time as any to tell your loved ones that you love them! Send your "heartfelt" thoughts and good wished during this nontraditional time to make maximum impact. Added bonus? The pricey Holidays will be far behind you, so you’ll have a better grasp on your budget.

Holiday Photo Cards

Try placing a professional or candid photo of you and your family inside the folded note you’ve written, It will be a fun surprise to the reader, and a loose photo is something more people will be able to keep by placing it in their albums or photo boxes. Have your heart set on a traditional Photo postcard? American Stationery offers a beautiful collection of Holiday Photo Cards, along with the following tips for an easy ordering process:

• Start browsing for holiday card styles you like now
• Take your picture today in multiple formats (horizontal and vertical)
• Get your address book in order
• Consider the message you want to send (and whether you want to have it printed or want to write it in by hand)
• Calculate postage

Encourage Children to Write Holiday Cards

This is the perfect time of year to start a new Holiday tradition. Encourage your kids to help you write notes to your recipients (the effect will be precious). This is also a great opportunity to encourage your kids in their letter-writing skills. Make this a fun family activity by including the whole family in selecting the holiday cards, taking the family photo, and coming up with the list of recipients. You just may begin a memorable family tradition! For more information on getting your kids involved in letter writing, click here.

Stock Up Now to Save Money Next Year

Take advantage of holiday sales and online overstocks toward the end of December so you’ll be all set for next season. Check out American Stationery’s adorable collection of Halloween Cards, Thanksgiving Cards, and Christmas/New Year Cards, as well as the constantly changing collections of clearance items and web exclusives.

Stationery Makes a Stylish, Sensible Gift

As you start making your gift lists, don’t forget that quality, personalized stationery can make a very sensible and stylish gift for everyone on your list. Check out our guide to stationery gift-giving for specific gift suggestions for each recipient. Don’t underestimate the value (in both time and money) in placing one comprehensive order for your holiday cards and your holiday gifts from American Stationery.

Perhaps you are applying for a new job, or thanking a long-time associate for a recent business lunch. Which delivery method will help you stand out more: paper or electronic? Recent data indicates that, across all media, Americans are exposed to some 3,000 messages per day, or more than 1 million per year. Probably the actual number is now far higher than that.

Is snail mail set to go the way of the pony express? Not if current trends continue. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States population increased approximately 20 million people from 2000 to 2007. Yet in the year 2007, according to its annual report, the United States Postal Service handled roughly 10 billion more pieces of mail than it did during 2003. And that is not even accounting for all of the envelopes and packages handled by the other major carriers such as FedEx and UPS. Clearly there is still healthy demand for postal delivery.

No email can duplicate the impact that a well-written letter or personalized stationery can generate in someone’s mailbox. There are three factors that make your handwritten card or letter stand out above electronic mail: (see Wed. for the third factor)

The Spam Factor

Can you really rely on the internet for guaranteed communications that will be read? There are several reasons that your email may not be seen, or seen but not read. The first reason is it may get caught in the wide net of junk filters. Some companies block emails from unknown domains altogether. Many legitimate emails disappear this way. But even if your email does arrive at its correct destination (which we know, most of them do), your recipient may not take the time to really read it. Overfull in-boxes plague most of today’s computer users. It is hard to get noticed in a sea of similar-looking messages. Conversely, the majority of people check their ‘real’ mailbox once a day and pay attention to items that are different than the usual household bills and sale advertisements.

The Touch Factor

This moment when your recipient is fingering through the mail stack is a crucial opportunity to stand out in the crowd. Paper can be seen and touched. The tactile sense is one that humans do not get to use that much in modern communications — where most information arrives via sight and sound. Conscious or not, the receiver is learning and processing information about each piece of mail as they sort via touch. Your letter can get noticed by sending an envelope in a unique texture, heavier weight or smooth coating or unusual shape or size. Adding a vibrant color can help the eye reinforce the message from the sensory touch to “Hey, read this!”

The Wow Factor

Once they touch your letter, you have just increased the likelihood that your target is going to read your letter. Now how it looks on the inside, the design, color, etc. all come into play. You have their attention. Increase your chances of getting your letter past a “gatekeeper” by adding a little wow to your message. And wow does not have to be ground-breaking. Wow can be as simple as honing a meaningful message that is short, to the point and relevant to your audience — with no grammar and spelling mistakes.

When you send a physical letter, the receiver knows that somebody had to spend money to buy the paper, create the piece, mail it, etc. Remember the saying about getting what you pay for? Free equals not much value, which is the value many people ascribe to electronic mail. Paper mail has trustworthiness because it costs money to create it. It almost always is identified with a physical return address, in the least, a postmark with the city of origin. There is an inherent lack of trust of email because its point of origin cannot be verified. Email can be sent in an instant and deleted just as quickly, or even more quickly, than the time it took to create the email.

Traditional postal mail is here to stay, through the next half-century at least. Movie cinemas and live theatres did not go away after televisions appeared in every American home (some closed, but new mega-cinemas have shown up in their place). Traditional mail definitely has value to add for today’s American, even though electronic mail is the wave of the future.

For the professional direct marketing world, both media are equally important. A survey by the Direct Marketing Association reported that electronic marketing communications have surpassed traditional direct mail with 79% of surveyed marketers employing electronic tactics while approximately 75% of them use postal direct mail. Yet in the same report, titled “The Integrated Marketing Media Mix”, surveyors reported that traditional offline media still accounts for a greater share of campaign revenue — 29% versus 21.6% of revenue generated by electronic methods. So while electronic marketing is growing in prevalence, it has yet to surpass traditional marketing in terms of total revenue (ROT was not reviewed in this analysis).

For businesses and individuals who want to grab someone’s attention, sending a letter or card in the mail is a great way to cut through the clutter and get noticed, especially if what you are mailing is of high quality and has something meaningful to say.

Ensembles are a combination of different styles of stationery or party accessories that share a common design or theme. American Stationery offers several different ensembles including raised print, embossed print or digital flat print. The following will discuss a few of the different ensembles offered by American Stationery.

Flirty Polka Dot Ensemble - This ensemble is a fashionable wardrobe for all your personal correspondence. This ensemble features everything you will need to round out a stationery wardrobe. The ensemble features letter sheets, correspondence cards, fold notes and labels. To top off your ensemble each envelope is lined with a polka dot design. This trendy polka dot design is perfect for fashion forward young women.

Purple Rose Ensemble - Our Purple Rose ensemble is a perfect gift for the letter writing enthusiast. The set features a purple border featuring roses and leaves. This ensemble is a very elegant set for yourself or an exceptional gift for that special someone on your gift-giving list. Similar to our Flirty Polka Dot Ensemble this ensemble features everything your stationery wardrobe needs.

Elegant Embossed Monogram Ensemble - This ensemble has been a staple in the American Stationery collection for years and it is for good reason! If you prefer elegance this is the ensemble for you. The set features your monogram beautifully embossed on the sheets, notes and gift enclosures. This stationery will impress everyone who receives it.

Chevalier Memo Ensemble - Ensembles are not limited to just beautiful notes and correspondence cards. American Stationery designers have incorporated their beautiful designs into memo ensembles as well. This set reflects their creativity in the 4 different sized sold in this set. These ensemble boasts 210 personalized memos for one low price!

Business Envelope Ensemble - Do you find yourself looking for the correct size envelope every time you mail something only to find you do not have the correct size? Our Business Envelope Ensemble is the solution to your problem. The set features business, check and mailer size envelopes with your name and address printed on them.

Party Ensembles — One of American Stationery’s most recent items are party ensembles. Perfect for the Halloween season is our Black Cat Party Ensemble. This ensemble features matching napkins, placemats and drink tumblers. Everything you need to accent your decorations at your Halloween party! If Halloween is not for you but the fall season is, we have an ensemble for you as well! Our Autumn Hues Party Ensemble features everything our Halloween ensembles do but with a fall flair.

As you can see, we offer a variety of stationery ensembles; one of which is certain to fit your style.

In today’s age of quick and simple online communications it would certainly seem that way at times. The thought of personalized stationery may seem slow or outdated. The number of people leaving personalized calling cards or brunch invitations being sent on monogrammed, embossed or printed paper seems to be dwindling. Today, websites allow you to coordinate party invitations and responses entirely online and job hunting sites have turned resumes into an online phenomenon. So where does personalized stationery fit in a world driven by the simplicity of online activity?

It was not long ago that Emily Post was warning people that a telephone call would not replace the need for a formal thank you note, and still today it is common knowledge that a phone call does not express the same personal feeling that makes receiving stationery special. Today, thank you messages and common correspondences are being expressed via email. This is easy to understand considering the speed and ease in which these messages can be exchanged. However, Miss Manners and personnel recruiters reaffirm Emily Post’s thoughts that nothing makes a great impression like a well written, hand written letter on personalized stationery. There is no denying it; there is something about receiving a letter that someone put time and thought into that makes you feel special.

So when should you send personalized stationery instead of email? Typically personalized stationery should be sent when writing a condolence letter, congratulations, apology or saying thank you. Using email for general communication is wonderful. However, when it comes to the events listed above it should be common sense to take the time to write your message on stationery and mail it to those special people in your life.

What is personalized stationery? Personalized stationery can be many things including casual memo pads personalized with your name and a design or formal stationery printed with your name, address and title.  Personalized stationery can be purchased in many different quantities generally starting out in sets of 50 or 100. There are many forms of personalized stationery to choose from and many of them will go a long way in expressing your condolence or thank you in a tasteful and special manner.

(see Writing Letters in an Email World Part 1 and Part 2 for more information)

Americans are busier and under tighter budgets than ever before. To lessen the burden, now is the time to look ahead to the coming year and put a strategy in place to make your life a little easier and your expenses a little lighter in 2009. Each year, gifts (including but not limited to major Holidays) put a major strain on our annual budgets. American Stationery offers a simple solution: stationery provides the perfect opportunity to give unique, high-quality gifts that your loved ones will love to receive and use. Still not sold? Imagine those long lines at the mall. Imagine the undeniable pressure that comes with picking perfect gift for everyone on your list while staying under budget. Now imagine avoiding it all and buying beautiful, high-quality gifts at a great price from the comfort of your own home.  Over the next few days, we will list a few reasons why stationery makes the perfect gift for any occasion.

• Stationery is Timeless
  Forget the trends. Pick a present that will stand the test of time. Whether the recipient uses their new stationery this month or holds onto it until next year, their timeless stationery will never expire, go out of style, or run out of valuable everyday uses.
   
• Stationery is Versatile
  Not all occasions call for extravagant gifts, but it is always nice to shower the people you love with quality treats to make them smile! Personalized calling cards and correspondence cards make a great "thinking of you" gift, especially at times when more lavish gifts are either not appropriate or not budget-friendly. 
   
• Stationery is Now Eco-Friendly
  According to a recent poll, 49% of Americans are more aware of and concerned about the environment than they were 5 years ago, and that awareness is driving their decision-making when it comes to purchases. In an effort to meet that need, stationery is going green.  American Stationery has a new Eco-Friendly line of stationery, products that exceed even our normal conservation efforts.
   
• Stationery is Sensible
  Think about your own life and your own needs. . .do you really want another scarf or scented candle? Probably not! Give the gift that your friends and family will be able to use time and time again throughout the entire year. 

• Stationery is Stylish
  Today’s correspondence cards have come a long way since your grandma’s stationery. If plain ecru paper or floral motif cards are not for you or your stylish friends, do not let that stop you. Our new generation of stationery is stylish, straightforward, and allows people to communicate in a modern way. 
   
• Stationery is Easy to Shop for
  Think monogrammed or personalized gifts require plenty of processing time and a big budget? Think again. Our personalized stationery makes the perfect last minute present - especially when you select from our quickship options. We have selected a variety of items that can be ready to ship in just one business day!
   
• Stationery is Budget Friendly
  Beautiful, statement-making stationery can come at an unbeatable value. We offer quality products at competitive prices, and we also have a huge collection of gifts priced under $30.
   
• Stationery is Personal
  Forget cookie-cutter gifts that everyone has already received. Names, colors, return-addresses, even symbols let your loved ones know that you have taken the time to select personal gifts just for them...after all, it is the thought that counts!  

Stationery is timeless and traditional, but that does not necessarily translate to stale. Explore these new styles of modern stationery gifts that are bold, beautiful, and anything but boring.

• Safari Memo Stack
  A "wild" collection of classy yet daring paper, all tied together with a bow and a coordinating pen.
   
• Chocolate Toile Gift Tower
  Classic stationery styles in a trendy palette of blue and brown, all tied together with a coordinating pen and tied up in a ribbon.

In 2009, we’ll all be looking for creative ways to express our individuality and to communicate in style while sticking to budgets that are tighter than ever before. In these times of economic uncertainty, we will all be relying on and encouraging our own family and friends to help get us through. We at American Stationery believe there’s no better way to pull together than with heart-felt, sentimental letters of love, support, and friendship.

As 2008 comes to a close, we are looking ahead at the trends, styles, and designs that will be big in the next twelve months and beyond. And, in order to help you stay in touch and stay in style in the coming year, over the next week, we'll show you the top stationery trends for 2009.

Luxe Details

Small, unexpected, and even understated elements all add up to create a polished feel and an interesting effect that’s all your own. In order to make a big statement, you don’t necessarily need an overpowering color, message, or print. Look for small, meaningful motifs, interesting personalization options, and even accessories like lined envelopes for major impact without a lot of effort or expense.

• Hand bordered correspondence cards in Chocolate and Aqua get a little extra embellishment with a whimsical Palm Tree design.
• Rounded corners, beveled edges, and a doubled thickness cardstock offer sumptuous luxury on these silver correspondence cards.

Complete Ensembles

As 2008 comes to a close and things start to feel a bit hectic, look for little ways to get organized and feel ready for anything. Complete, comprehensive stationery ensembles in creative, high-quality designs help you start off the year on the right foot. Look for packages that come complete with a variety of styles so you’ll be excited to reach for that trusty stationery set each and every time an opportunity arises. Use your unique stationery ensemble for everything from thank you notes to dinner invitations, and get the most of these sweet and sensible sets.

• For the perfect ensemble: select your favorite American Stationery pattern or color for lined envelopes, labels, and seals to be paired with our traditional correspondence cards for a totally unique stationery set.

The New Neutrals

Long gone are the days of boring, blank white stationery. You can now select from a rainbow of exciting styles to be used for everything from everyday notes to formal thank yous. New patterns, fresh graphics, and exciting hues are becoming the standard as people start to think outside the box for everyday communication. Consider bold pinks and greens, exciting yellows, and even metallic tones which, when paired with classic stationery styles, offer a new interpretation of traditional taste.

• Our Hot Pink hand bordered correspondence cards are perfect for everyday correspondence.
• Fine quality, heavyweight, tangerine hand bordered correspondence cards are the ultimate daily accessory.
• Add just the right dash of glamour by designing your own correspondence card and incorporating a signature gold motif for understated elegance.

Mad for Monograms

Monograms were everywhere in 2008, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Not only do you get to customize your cards with your initial(s), but you can create your own unique look with almost limitless combinations of colors, fonts, and printing styles. The appeal of a totally customized product makes monogrammed stationery a perfect base to your personal stationery collection, and also makes a welcome gift for almost any occasion.

• Navy hand-bordered cards create a tailored and professional presentation.
• Sophisticated styling and subtle texture make Embossed Linen Notes an elegant addition to any stationery stash.

Pretty Prints

Stationery designs have come a long way from their "plain" past. Notecards are no longer restricted to an understated monogram or simple stripe. Fashionable styles and daring designs will keep you in style throughout the coming year. Whether you are passionate about polka-dots, mad for metallics, or can’t get enough of the daring damask trend, there is a fashion-inspired stationery design for your unique tastes. And, the best part is that when you select a stationery style that is so striking, you can save money by making these cards multi-task as birthday cards, invitations, thank you notes, and everyday stationery. Multi-tasking stationery is the ultimate in stylish accessories!

• Elegant yet edgy Damask notes are as stylish as they are practical.
• Whimsical, eclectic notecards will make you (and your recipient) smile each and every time.
• Browse Stylish Bella J Stationery from American Stationery

Affordable Luxury

No matter how much you are looking to spend, your best bet is to look for high-quality stationery from a reputable source offering appealing prices. Buying the cheapest option ensures that you’ll "get what you pay for," and might not get the quality or customer support you deserve. While rock bottom prices might be immediately appealing, do some shopping around before you commit to making a purchase. Who you buy from can be as important as the stationery you select. Online ordering is a wonderful convenience and can help you save time and money, but know who you are buying from before placing an order. Click here for a list of questions to ask your stationer.

You just might be surprised at the assortment of gorgeous, superior quality products that offer true value with a combination of craftsmanship and low cost.

• American Stationery makes it easy to shop for hiqh-quality stationery with confidence and ease. Click here to start shoppinq for your 2009 stationery today.

When you are doing business, image is a vital part of your success. Whether you are a small, home-based business with just yourself as an employee or a huge multi-national company with thousands of workers, your business image is a key part of your ability to connect with clients and associates. These days, the popular term for it is ‘branding’. In the old days, business consultants called it what it is — building an image. Any business consultant will tell you that one of the vitally important tools in branding is your business stationery.

Business stationery is more than just your letterhead, though your company’s official letterhead stationery is certainly important. The term stationery encompasses every bit of paper that your company uses in communicating with its customers and associates. That means letterhead, envelopes, invoices, shipping labels, calling cards, calendars and presentation folders — to name just a few. In order to make the best impression on prospective customers and business contacts, you need to first define your brand — and then make sure that every single piece of communication that leaves your office carries through on the theme. Coordinated office stationery and business stationery make it easy to keep your brand consistent across a wide range of communication and correspondence products.

Why Business Stationery is so important

Imagine that you are interviewing salespeople to handle a million dollar manufacturing contract for your company. You are handed two business cards from two different sales representatives. The first is lightweight and bends easily, has the company logo printed on a plain background and the sales rep’s name is written on a line below the company name. The other card is heavy card stock with a smooth finish, the printing is raised and glossy, and the sales rep’s name is engraved in a font that coordinates with the company logo. Which company would you rather do business with?

Communication on your business stationery is often the first impression that you and your company make on a new business contact. Whether you send a letter of introduction, drop off a business card or include an invoice with a shipped order, the paper on which that message is printed carry a subtle, but very potent message about your business. Choosing business stationery that presents your company positively with the image that you want to project sets up an expectation in the minds of your business contacts. 

What you want your Business Stationery to say

Of course, the message you want to send will vary depending on your company, but there are some constants that you want to convey. No matter what your business is, you want your business stationery to deliver the message that "we have really got it together and can get the job done." Coordinated business stationery delivers that message unequivocally. When everything from your business cards to your letter stationery to your invoices includes the same design elements, you subtly establish your company as truly professional.

Branding is more than a logo

There is more to a coordinated appearance than just putting your logo on everything. Every design element of every piece of stationery should coordinate to present a polished image that is unmistakably your own. Every time a customer or contact sees a piece of paper from your office, they should immediately recognize that it came from your office. That is what branding is all about — creating an impression and then making certain that every time your company is seen, it fits that image.

That means that all of your stationery, from business cards to invoices to executive correspondence cards carries common design elements. You should keep colors, fonts, sizes and typefaces consistent across all of your business papers.

What your Business Stationery should include

One of the best ways to ensure that your business image is consistent across your entire suite of office and business stationery is to order it all from the same source. When you source all of your custom business stationery from one supplier, you can be certain of the quality and the consistency of your design across the full spectrum. When you are choosing a source for your business stationery, be certain that they can supply all of the pieces that you will need to put your business’ best face forward. A full suite of business stationery includes:

• Business cards
• Letterheads (including departmental letterheads)
• Envelopes in various sizes
• Invoices, receipts, purchase orders, shipping labels
• Internal-use forms (inventory, billing orders, supply request)

Creating an image with your Business Stationery

What impression do you want to convey about your brand? Here are some specific suggestions for paper and color choices that you might make for your company.

• Youthful, Creative and Hip — Choose bright, clear colors and rounded typefaces, smooth surfaced papers and glossy finishes
• Green and environmentally conscious — Keep it simple. Use unbleached and un-dyed paper with a rough, matte surface.
• Executive, Traditional and Formal — Blue and gray are colors that ooze tradition. Stationery in soft gray or blue, or pure white, engraved black type and crisp typefaces will convey authority and tradition.

When choosing your personal stationery there are a multitude of choices. Consider what purpose the stationery will serve. Are you using it for thank you notes to friends and family, is it for business letters, or is it for both? Be sure to consider the many occasions for which you’ll be using the stationery. Once you’ve decided this then you can select a stationery set to meet your needs or start building a stationery collection. Here are some solutions for your stationery needs.

Be ready to send any message in style by stocking up on trendy, distinctive stationery pieces. These stationery sets are a must have if you’re interested in original, artistic, happy, high quality stationery.

Looking for stationery with a flourish of color? Then look no further than our Peacock Quill Notes. This fun stationery set comes with matching striped envelope lining.

The Flirty Pink Polka Dot Stationery manages to be both trendy and ageless at the same time. Complete with sheets, cards, notes and labels, it is everything you need in one fabulous stationery set.

Having trouble picking just one color? There’s no need to struggle with the decision. Take a look at our collection of colorful stationery. This is the ultimate creative correspondence set in one simple package. It even comes with a gift box.

Want to send a heartfelt thank you? What could be better than saying thank you from the bottom of your heart? Anything but ordinary, these correspondence cards are perfect for a heartfelt thank you.

Your friends and family won’t be able to hold back the smiles when they open the Polka Dot Pizazz Notes. These are a cute, colorful choice for your letter writing needs.

Are you one of the people who think stationery is out of style? You might want to think again. Because we live in such a technologically advanced world most people actually value a handwritten letter. If you’re thinking about purchasing stationery, but aren’t sure what kind to get then keep reading. Here are a few tips to help you find the right stationery for you.

• When choosing a stationery get personal. Your stationery choice should reflect your personal style. Even if you’re buying it for business purposes the stationery should still reflect who you are.
• Think about the purpose for your stationery. Deciding how you’re going to use the stationery will help you decide what kind to get. Fold notes or embossed notes are a good choice if you’re looking for something to use for shorter letters. They are also good for thank you’s. You might also consider one of our correspondence cards. They are good for business or personal use and come in a variety of colors and designs. Letter sheets are a stylish choice for either personal or business needs as well.
• The next thing to consider when purchasing stationery is your budget. How much are you willing to spend? The more intricate your stationery choice the more expensive it will be. Make sure that you don’t go overboard when making your choice. Simple stationery is sometimes a better choice than a more elaborate one.
• The last thing to consider when buying stationery is the company you’re buying it from. Make sure you choose a stationery company that guarantees their work. If you order online make sure you write down the number for the customer service department in case you have to call about something. If you’re ordering from a catalog be sure to keep it for the same reason. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You want to know what you’re buying so there are no surprises when you receive the order

Did you know that organized people save time? It’s because they’re not always searching for things. The National Association of Professional Organizers say, “Organized people save time and money and reduce stress and frustration levels. There is no one right or wrong way to get organized. Organizing systems help you deal with everything from your paper to your professional responsibilities and give you parameters on what to keep, what to toss and what to take action."

Now, you may be asking yourself what is an organization system? The answer to that is it’s totally up to you. Your personality, environment, and personal style will help you come up with an organization system that’s perfect for you. Basically, it doesn’t matter how you de-clutter your space as long as you do it. By getting organized you’ll save time, stress and probably even a little money.

Evaluate your space: where’s the mess?
Do you have a place by the door where you toss your mail, keys and whatever else you have in your hands when you walk in? Instead of having a heap of stuff on that table, why not have a bowl or basket for the miscellaneous items. Hang a hook for your keys. Do something to contain the clutter. Get a bill organizer for your mail. That way you can divide it up by who it goes to or by how important it is. If you have separate areas for the separate items you’ll always know where they are.

Wherever you decide to keep your mail it’s a good idea to keep your stationery close by. That way when you get a letter it’s easy to respond to it because everything’s right there. You’ll be prepared to drop any type of note with our handsome desktop stationery.

Do a little spring cleaning
When it comes to your stationery, make sure that you keep it up to date. The last thing that you want is to reach for a piece of stationery and realize that all you have is sticky notes and leftover note cards from high school. On the other hand don’t go overboard when stocking your supply because then you run the risk of being stuck with a bunch of out of style stationery.

We suggest you clean out your stationery supply often. Keep only what you absolutely love. If you don’t love it, you’re less likely to use it. Your stationery should inspire you to write and reflect your personality. You’re probably asking yourself what to do with all the old stationery? Give them to your children. They’ll love having the paper to color on and it can help them practice their letter writing skills. You could also give the old stuff a makeover with cute paper, colorful stickers or paint. It can be a fun art project and it’s a good way to recycle the old paper.

American Stationery offers a complete collection of stationery options to fit your individual needs, whether it is for business or personal use. We offer professional stationery customized with your name, initials or logo. Below are a few items to get your correspondence collection started:

Embossed Border Stationery: These classic vellum sheets with their embossed border offer a classic option for your stationery needs. They are appropriate for both business and personal correspondence.

Handcraft Vellum Business Stationery: This classic vellum paper is perfect for pen, computer or typewriter. It is available in monarch size for your business use and social size for personal use.

Best Value! Our Standard Box: This stationery has been a customer favorite for over 85 years. This is an excellent value for its quality. It is a medium weight, social size stationery perfect for social or professional writing.

Handsome Desktop Memo Set: This versatile memo set works well for professional individuals of all ages. Not just for business, it’s a perfect gift for dads and grads, too.

Top Qality Business Stationery: Just as the name suggests this stationery will fit all your business needs as well as your budget.

Recycled Sheets: If your business is trying to go "green" then this is the perfect stationery for you. Since it’s made from 100% recycled fibers you get to be environmentally friendly and still get quality stationery.

Adding a signature color to your stationery offers the perfect chance to make a unique and personal statement each time you write a note. It also gives your stationery an extra boost of style. Whether you have loved the same color since kindergarten, want to keep up with the latest color trend or want a variety of colors to choose from when writing a letter, the color you pick for your stationery should reflect your "true colors".

The colors you like actually say quite a bit about who you are as a person. The color you choose for your stationery will let people know that you are one of a kind, just like the color clothing or nail polish you wear or the color car you drive. If you don’t know which colors you like, then the color masterminds at Pantone can create custom colors based on your birthday. Looking at your surroundings, your wardrobe and your home furnishings can clue you in to just what colors you like.

When picking your stationery you should consider the season. You don’t want to be sending out a Christmas theme in July, just like you wouldn’t want to send pastel colors in the fall. Pastel colors are perfect for spring time. Look to the flowers for inspiration. Summer colors are usually bright, electric yellows, oranges or pinks. For fall you’ll want to choose rich shades like chocolate brown, burgundy, hunter green or rusty orange, think autumn leaves. For winter red and green are an obvious choice, but you could also use gold, silver, plum or navy.

Now that you’ve decided what color you like and which colors go with what season, you’ll also want to keep in mind the purpose for the stationery when choosing a color. You’ll want bright, vibrant colors for fun correspondence cards. However, for a condolence letter you would want to go with a more subdued color such as black, grey, tan or navy. For business stationery you would also want to choose something a little more subdued. It can be a little cheerful, but still should have the business look. Ivory or white paper with black or navy ink is the most common choice for business stationery. For baby announcements pastel colors are the likely choice. Thank you notes can be as you and me. Whether it is vibrant and colorful or discreet and muted, it is completely your choice. Keep in mind though that the thank you note should fit the mood of the message.

For years. greeting card and stationery companies have marketed their products almost entirely to middle aged women. However, recently there has been a major shift to a younger generation of consumers, both male and female. This shift is due to the fact that younger people are motivating the stationery market. This shift creates an opening for conventional stationery companies to branch out to new stationery ideas that will appeal to a younger generation of stationery customers.

Now, you might be saying how can this be true. With the technological world we live in where email, text messaging and internet, how can stationery be so popular? Easy, because of how technologically advanced the world is people are often longing for human contact. This makes traditional stationery even more appealing for important or sentimental purposes.

Obviously a box of stationery will not be replacing a PDA or cell phone any time soon. Stationery will always be around to help people communicate in a more personal way which is an idea that appeals to every generation.

Stationery has historically provided people with a personal form of communicating, however, today keeping in touch means much more than simply exchanging contact information and important news. Stationery is an outlet for personal expression as well as a communication device, which is why today’s stationery companies offer a variety of products to meet the quality, personalization, convenience and style and demands of their customers.

Quality is a must have when shopping for stationery. Well produced stationery will last you for years to come. As well as being a lasting product, the quality of the stationery will be apparent to your friends and family. Good quality stationery tells the person you’re writing to that you have taste and they will appreciate what you have to say more.

Personalization is everywhere. In today’s society you can get just about everything personalized. Why not get personalized stationery? By adding your name, monogram or initials to a product you automatically make it more of a personal thing. When you’re buying stationery for a gift you always want to get it personalized. This tells the person that they meant enough for you to take time.

Convenience is an important thing to keep in mind when shopping for your stationery. It might be easier to go to your local stationery shop (if you even have one), but it might cost more. Why not shop online from the privacy and comfort of your home. When choosing your stationery company, whether it’s online or in person, be sure to pick a stationery company that won’t charge you for the conveniences they offer. A few things to keep in mind are:

• Make sure the company guarantees their product against any printing error or damages.
• Make sure to get the company’ s phone number. It’s usually easier to reach a customer service representative by phone than it is through the website.
• Make sure the company has a secure site. Before placing your order you might want to view their security certificate. Also, it’s probably a good idea to check out their privacy policy.

Personalized stationery makes a great gift for almost any occasion. American Stationery offer a large assortment of design options and styles to fit the distinctive personality of the person you are buying for. Below are a few ideas to help make your gift giving a little easier.

Wedding Gifts
A fantastic way to celebrate the joining of a couple and their names is to give them personalized stationery. You’re certain to find something perfect for the newlyweds with our endless color and style options. If you’re looking to get the couple a classic set of stationery our Elegant Embossed Monogram Ensemble is a good choice. With three different pieces all personalized with their monogram it has everything they need. If you’re looking for something a little more fun and lively you might consider the Your Favorite Stationery Set. Since it’s available in 22 different colors there is sure to be one that will fit the happy couple.

Anytime Gifts
Any of our products would make a nice gift regardless of the occasion. We have many wonderful and useful items to choose from. Who the gift is for will help you narrow down what type of stationery to purchase. You can’t go wrong with one of our Correspondence Cards or one of our Embossed Notes.

Men’s Gifts
If you’re shopping for the man who has it all think about getting him some stationery. Chances are he doesn’t have any. We have a wide variety of stationery perfect for the special man in your life. Here are few suggestions:

• If he’s a traditional guy take a look at the Embossed Correspondence Cards or for something with more color you could choose the Classic Stripe Gift Set. 
• If he’s into sports we recommend the Tennis Anyone? Correspondence Cards or the Hole-in-One Correspondence Cards.
• For the true businessman the Top Quality Business Stationery is always a good choice. There’s also the Handsome Desktop Memo Set or the Diplomat Correspondence Card.

In case he doesn’t fit into any one category browse our full selection of stationery for men.

Anniversary Gifts
Stationery is the traditional gift for the 1 year anniversary. However, it makes a great gift for any anniversary. If it’s a milestone like the 25th or 50th we have the perfect stationery. Take a look at our 25th Anniversary Silver Hand Bordered Cards and 50th Anniversary Gold Hand Bordered Cards. If the couple hasn’t been married quite that long you might choose one of our Letter Sheets or Fold Notes.

Housewarming Gifts
Stationery is a perfect way to welcome someone into their new home. You could get our All-in-one cards since the name and address is right there on the card. One of our note cards with personalized envelopes is another good choice. For a gift that can’t go wrong, try purchasing one of our Return Address Labels or the New address cards

Every family needs personalized stationery. Even if you don’t use it very often, it’s nice to have for a note or thank you from the whole family or something from an individual family member. No matter who in the family uses the stationery it should be personalized for your family, whether it be flashy and bold or something uncomplicated and simple.

A good choice for family stationery is something that includes the last name as well as the first names of all the family members. Our Dynasty Note does just that. It has your first names repeating in the background and the last name printed on top. Since it’s available in a variety of colors there’s sure to be a combination to fit your personal style. Feel free to get creative when personalizing your notes. Instead of having "The Smiths" you could put "The Smith Gang" or "The Smith Bunch". For a fun twist on the repeating names try using nicknames. If your pets are like family members feel free to include them on the note. Anything goes with this fun note so get creative.

Another option is The Heart of the Family note card. It has the same concept as the Dynasty notes only instead of covering the entire front of the note card, the personalization is in a heart shape.

If you want a more formal and traditional family stationery you can’t go wrong with the Debossed Panel Informal Notes or the Timeless Embossed Notes. Either one can be personalized with your family’s name, monogram or just your last name initial. Even though it’s formal stationery it should still reflect you and your family.

If you’re still having trouble deciding which item is right for your family’s needs, take a look at the family thank you cards. They are simple and to the point. You can use them for a variety of things, not just thank you cards as the name suggests.

American Stationery understand the significance of creating an identity for your company, no matter what the size you want your integrity and professionalism to show. Since you can’t have face to face contact with all of your customers and colleagues your business stationery often times has to do this for you.

If you want to send a professional looking letter, you might consider one of our custom letterhead choices like the Executive Stationery. There is a wide variety to choose from to help you send a professional, sophisticated message.

For over 85 years businesses have used our Standard Stationery Box for their correspondence. It is available in ivory or white with a variety of ink colors and typestyles. No matter which one you choose, it’s sure to be a quality product for your business needs at a reasonable price.

Our Top Quality Business Stationery is another good buy at up to 40% less than retail prices. Offered in white, ivory or grey 8.5" x 11" sheets it’s sure to be a hit with all of your business associates.

Since nobody wants to spend a lot of time paying bills, try using our Self-Seal Privacy Envelopes. Available in two sizes their perfect for business or personal use and since they’re self seal there’s no licking the envelope.

For quick notes or interoffice memos consider using our professional memo pads. They’re perfect for advertising your business since they have all of your business’s information printed on them. You could even use these as client gifts. If you’re interested in something a little more compact you could try our personalized, self-stick memo pads. Since they’re sticky notes they’re great to use for reminders and because of their size they’re perfect for beside the phone, computer or fax machine.

If all of these choices are a little daunting and you can’t quite decide which one to go with there’s always our Business Basics Box. It has everything you need to get your business’s stationery supply started.

Everyone knows that teachers are constantly writing, whether it’s on the chalkboard, on homework or notes to parents. A main part of a teacher’s job is to stay connected to her students and their parents. It is time consuming and probably a little daunting but it must be done. There’s no reason why it can’t be done on nice stationery.

If the stationery is already personalized with the teachers name and information it saves a lot of writing as well as time. Even the busiest on the go parent will take time to appreciate a nice-looking note with the teacher’s name and contact information clearly printed.

Teachers can customize any of our Correspondence Cards with their name. The professional memo pads are also a good choice because of the amount of information you can have printed. The teacher can not only have their name, but the school’s name, their room number, phone number, and email address. You can even get creative and show your school spirit by getting the paper and ink color to match the school’s colors.

Everyone should have at least one set of blank note cards. A blank note card is perfect for a variety of uses. Having a set of blank notes in your stationery collection will keep you prepared for any occasion. Here are a few situations when a blank note card will be perfect.

Last minute dinner invitations

Just because the dinner party is last minute doesn’t mean you should call people to invite them. Phone calls not only take up a lot of time, but it also makes your friends feel obligated to make a decision right then. Sending invitations frees up some time for you and it gives your friends some time to decide. Don’t send emails either. Put your blank note cards to use and write a quick "invitation". Here are some tips to help you turn your note cards into inviting invitations:

• Casual and simple
  "Stop by next Saturday for a cookout. Burgers, drinks, and games are on us. Plan on eating around 6:30 and feel free to stay as long as you’d like. Be sure to bring big appetites, music, and good sports!"
• A more formal event
  "Please join us for a Sunday morning brunch complete with champagne mimosas. Coffee, tea and a variety of delicious treats! Sunday February 22 at 10:00 am to 12:30 at Jessica’s house. Please let me know if you plan on coming.
• Extra uses for your blank note cards
  Write out the menu for the meal and put a few copies on each table.
  Write individual place cards for each person to make a seating arrangement.
  Make tags for the food on the buffet so the guests know what’s what.

Belated Birthday Cards

There’s nothing worse than forgetting someone’s birthday. Why make a trip to the store and make the card any later than it has to be? Use one of the blank note cards you have on hand and get it sent that much sooner. Here’s an idea for writing a birthday greeting that will help them forget it’s late:

Happy Belated Birthday Leah! I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to help you celebrate the big day. Sorry this note didn’t quite make it in time either. I hope you had a great day and I wish you lots of happiness in the year to come. You deserve it! Lots of love as you begin your 27th year. Let’s get together soon to celebrate!

Love, Jessica

Spur of the moment situations
Invitations aren’t just for dinner parties and formal events. Impress your friends by sending invitations to everyday events. You never know, a hand written invitation might encourage them to come, which will encourage you to entertain more. Here are a few everyday spur of the moment events for which blank note cards would make the perfect invitations.

• Ladies day out
  Our Pastel Border Note Assortment is the perfect note card to use when organizing a Ladies’ Day.
• Father/son go if outing
  Your guys will be the talk of the green when you use our "Hole in One" Correspondence Cards to announce tee time.
• Prayer Group
  Our Golden Cross Cards are the perfect way to let people know when the next meeting is.
• Dinner with extended family members
  Why not invite the family over for dinner, you have to cook any way right? They’ll be happy to come when they receive your invitation in the mail when it’s written on our Favorite Hand Bordered Notes.
• Children ‘s play dates
  Our Swizzle Notes are the perfect way to invite friends to a day at the park.
• Beach Trips
  Our Starfish correspondence cards are a great way to invite friends and family to a day of fun and sun at the beach.
• Movie Night
  For an invitation to movie night any blank note card will do, but why not do it with style and use our Jet Black Hand Bordered Correspondence Cards. Be sure to remember the popcorn!
• Game Night
  Impress even the biggest game enthusiast with an invitation written on our "Cards, Anyone?’ Cards.
• Book Club
  Our Bibliophile Correspondence Cards are perfect for book club meeting reminders.
• Going Away Parties
  Use our Bon Voyage! Correspondence Cards for invitations to any farewell party.

Grocery bills can be expensive. Staples like milk and bread are costing families more than ever. One way to combat the costliness is to write out a grocery list. By having a plan and sticking to it, you can reduce your costs and increase your savings.

The first step is to begin keeping a memo pad on your refrigerator. In doing so, you can keep a running list of anything that you are about out of or need throughout the week. Next, plan your menu using the circular. Your local grocery stores advertise in the circular and based on sale items that week (particularly meats and vegetables) you can determine what you want to prepare for the week ahead. Use a separate memo pad for the menu. You can post this on your refrigerator as well so that you and your family know what to expect for meals. Planning your menu will help you to visualize what food will be eaten. Be sure to include meals out on your menu. This way, you can use leftovers most effectively, instead of throwing it out. Setting your menu will help you to easily determine what you need to pick up at the grocery store. It will reduce the number of trips you make to the store, and in turn help you to reduce your gas prices.

Once you plan your menu you can start writing your grocery list. Peruse your pantry and refrigerator to see what you already have. Make sure any recipes you will be using are out so that you can reference them and write anything you need to prepare them on the grocery list. The grocery list will help you from overbuying on food or making impulse purchases that you don’t need. Write your list. Some people prefer to lump the list by the location in the grocery (i.e. produce, frozen, meat, etc) but this isn’t absolutely necessary. Grocery lists are an asset in today’s economy. They are one easy way to save on food. The key to cutting costs is no further than a memo pad on your refrigerator!

You can text an invitation, email an invitation or leave a voice mail but there is nothing like getting a personalized invitation by mail.

The excitement you feel when you open your mailbox and see a hand addressed envelope with your name on it and it’s not a bill or credit card application. You carry the envelope into your home and carefully turn it over to see if there is a return address and name on it, then you carefully open the back flap to see what is inside or you can be like some and rip it open leaving pieces of envelope on the table. It can be an invitation to your grandchild’s first birthday, a Graduation Open House invitation, Housewarming Party, maybe a Surprise Party invitation. Some you will save the invitation and scrapbook it, put it on the fridge for a reminder and some of you will just put in a drawer for safe keeping to find at a later date and bring a smile.

Don’t get us wrong, we know the convenience of technology and are all for it. However, may we suggest sending out a personalized invitation and then later send an email invitation that is more of a reminder. Like we said there is nothing like opening the mailbox and seeing your name handwritten on the front of an envelope, knowing someone took the time and thought about you.

Can you hear it? Can you hear the alarm buzzing loudly in your ear? Can you hear the moans and groans as the children drudge down the stairs? It won’t be long now. Soon, if not already, these sounds will become part of your daily routine and join the tune of the school bells, recess whistles, and rumbles of the school bus. It is nearly time for your home to empty and the school halls to fill up. This means you will also be thinking of the many people and activities you and your children will become part of over the next several months.

Your children and youngsters usually equate going back to school with getting up early and doing homework. You, however, as a graduate of the school of life, know that the school years are filled with many experiences that become fond memories. Many of those memories will be derived from the personal experiences they have with teachers and classmates.

We place a huge amount of trust in our children’s teachers. Looking back over your own school years, it probably stands to reason that you encountered some really terrific educators. So too will your children. These individuals not only impart new knowledge, but they are role models and are often a source of confidence building. It is a heavy burden teachers carry for the children in their temporary care. Teachers have chosen their field of expertise, but rarely get the credit they are due. It is not for some glorious high honor they are after. It is the satisfaction of knowing they have made a positive impact on their students.

This school year try to remember that the only reward your child’s teacher may earn is the acknowledgment of a job well done. Share your enthusiasm with that teacher with a gesture of kindness. You could have your child bring in an apple for the teacher or maybe even some colored chalk to spice up their time spent at the chalkboard. But, don’t forget them on special occasions like a holiday or their birthdays. A teacher would perhaps enjoy some personalized memos, such as our DYO Memos. This type of gift highlights their name as well as their love for teaching (by selecting our school days icon — F54).

Teachers not only need feedback from their students, but would appreciate a shared thought from you as well. Think about it, many of us focus on the negative. What a difference it would make to get a little note from a parent expressing gratitude or a kind thought. Maybe you could send a note to the teacher on your personalized stationery. Maybe you have something like our Multitasking Padded Memos that you could pull out of your desk drawer and let them know just how incredible they are.

Summer break is over. You have returned to your classroom and your students will be there soon, if not already. You have probably been cleaning, decorating. arranging and rearranging desks and brainstorming for ways to start the impending school year off on the right foot. We have a few gidgets, gadgets and ideas that might be useful.

• Square Stamper
  Your room is more than likely filled with books, books, and more books. You will have books for instruction, books that have been provided by your school or books that you have invested in personally, and books for entertaining your young readers. Even though you are sharing these texts with others, it is important to still claim your ownership. It makes an easier return for the borrower as well.
• Teacher Memo Set
  This memo set would be perfect for jotting a note to a colleague. sending a note home to a parent, or even writing yourself little reminders. Perhaps even for taking a few quick notes at a faculty meeting or conference. This memo set highlights your name as well as your school. Maybe you are not the only Mrs. Doe in your school or corporation and need to distinguish yourself.

You have an important task in front you. It is your job to introduce your students to new experiences, ideas, and concepts. But, we know you are also looking for ways to keep your students engaged and actively learning.

• KaDoodle Kit
  This product could be used for a variety of purposes. But, here are a few ideas. How about utilizing this kit as an extracurricular activity or for extra credit. Instead of having a specific name personalized, perhaps the kit could just be called Classroom Doodles. Maybe you have been studying a specific topic like oceans, wildlife or space exploration. What an excellent way for a child to illustrate in drawing what they have been gleaning from lessons. Or if you have been learning about elephants they could draw it and then write a short story. Maybe you have a love for show and tell. Children are notorious for forgetting to bring things to school. Give the child an opportunity to draw that special toy and then show it during class and tell all about why it means something to them.

A new school year is upon us. The sights, sounds & smells of the schoolyard will soon be filling your child’s senses. The excitement of seeing who their teacher will be, the activities they can participate in, and the friends they nearly forgot will all come into view in the near future. We would like to take a few moments and explore some of the experiences your child will have this coming year.

Pre-School Age

Okay, so your child hasn’t quite started school per say, but he or she is about to embark on a new journey. They will soon be getting a taste of the social aspects their school days will offer as well as the learning expectations they will face. It is during these formative years that they will learn their A-B-C’s and 1-2- 3’s. They will learn to express themselves through art and learn to recognize their own names. It is an exciting time to see little ones grasp a sense of who they are. You may begin to look for ways to encourage their development. You may want to give them opportunities to express themselves through art. yet keep some organization to their work space.

• KaDoodle Kit
  The KaDoodle Kit brings attention to their name, provides a space for artistic expression as well as a way to keep their space orderly.
  
  
• Melamine Personalized Plates
  Maybe you just want them to feel special about who they are. May we suggest a gift they can use daily? These plates show their name multiple times around a central design. If their school requires you to supply their own lunchtime utensils this would be a good way to ensure their belongings remain their belongings.

Grade School Age

Children are typically excited about their first school year experiences. Many kids have gone home and played school with their stuffed animals or imitated their favorite teacher. Here are a few items that will personalize their play and imagination.

• Your Child's Fun Penmanship Stationery
  Allow your child to practice what they learn at school at home.
  
  
• Kid's Travel Desk
  A desk of their own... just like teacher, complete with pencil cup. This desk is travel appropriate, but will also contain all their teaching goodies: pens, pencils, crayons, scissors, stickers, and more.

Pre-Teen & Teens

The pre-teen and teen alike see school as an opportunity for learning, but also for socializing with friends.  The school year is filled with all kinds of things to do with friends. Here are some ideas for your pre-teen and teen this school year.

• Kid's Pillowcases and Door Hangers
  Slumber parties and sleepovers are a lot of fun for both boys and girls. Children of this age are searching for their personal space and belongings. Why not show your child that their personal space is important to you too. Our pillowcases give a place to reflect their personality and our door hangers clearly state where their space begins.
  
  
• Pizza Party Invitations, Bar / Bat Mitzvah Invitations and Sweet Sixteen Invitations
  Nothing is more social for a kid than a party. Your pre-teen or teen may have a variety of reasons to have a celebration. Perhaps you want to throw your child their first boy/girl party, or maybe your son or daughter is starting a new chapter in their lives, or your daughter is celebrating her once in a life time, sweet sixteen. What ever the occasion, celebrate it with a little personalized style.  

It is said that getting married, buying a house and having a child are three of the major life changes we will experience throughout our life times. If you have experienced any or all of these changes we are confident you would agree. Major life changes can be overwhelming and probably even scary, especially if it is your first time encountering them. But, they are also happy, joyous. and celebratory moments.

Here Comes the Bride...

Marriage is the event that takes two individuals and transforms them into one union. And with that union comes a much larger circle of family and friends. Couples getting married have a lot of things on their plate; the dress, the rings, the caterer, the honeymoon, and the list could go on and on. It is during this prenuptial time that this larger circle of individuals plays a huge role in giving support, helping to de-stress, and certainly in celebrating. Here are a few ways (besides the wedding day) that family and friends can be incorporated into the big event.

• Save the Date:
  A Save the Date card is intended to give your family, friends and soon to be guests a heads up on the special day. In some cases, this may be the first many have heard the wonderful news. This type of card could be sent when your wedding date is quite a ways down the road or if you have several out of town guests that will need to make arrangements. Perhaps you will be having a more intimate wedding at a far away locale, this type of card will allow your guests to plan accordingly.
  
  
• Engagement Announcements:
  What is the purpose of announcing your engagement or having a party to do so? It is a great way to have an informal or formal meet and greet between the two families and friends of the marrying couple.

• Bridal Shower Invitations:
  Showers can provide many things for the bride-to-be whether housewares or for intimacy. Showers can be thrown in a variety of ways and cover a multitude of necessities. They can be traditional or quirky; think outside of the box. For instance, if the couple is having a winter wedding a more traditional holiday invite could be turned into a unique and thoughtful event.

• Bachelorette Parties & Men’s Outing:
  After months of planning and nervous jitters, there’s nothing more welcoming than the bride-to-be having a night to kick back and relax. This could be a planned event with the bride's suggestions or a surprise event. Invites would be a good idea if you are planning a larger social occasion. Let’s not forget the gentlemen. Men don’t get showers, but what about having a men’s outing or a special event in honor of the groomsmen. An event such as a golf scramble could be a perfect fit for the sports enthusiast of any age range.
  
  
• Rehearsal Dinner:
  Though the rehearsal dinner is typically reserved for those directly involved with the wedding ceremony, a dinner by invite could be right up your alley. Maybe you have out of town guests that you would like to include. They have traveled far and a little extra quality time could be well deserved. Maybe your bridal party is coming from several locations, a more formal invitation just might be the key to ensuring everyone is where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there.

Are you moving out of your parents home and into an apartment? Are you newly weds looking for a starter home? Has your current home lost it’s ability to meet the needs of your growing family? Or is it that you are now enjoying an empty nest and need to down size? Maybe a job or retirement has called you to a new destination. No matter why you are moving, it sounds like you are experiencing a major life change. There are many family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to inform. You have held these people close through other life changes, why change now? Give your move a little personalized attention.

Moving Announcements

The search is over and you are now making mortgage payments. Between packing, tossing out old stuff, purchasing new stuff and getting acquainted with your new home, you may have forgotten to share your new information with everyone. Save yourself a few phone calls and emails and let the mail man do the hard work. Invest your time in the simplicity of using an "our new address" card.

You may not have had an opportunity to spend a lot of time saying your good-byes. Relocating due to a job or military transfer sometimes leaves people working on short notice. Moving announcements, such as our We’ve Moved Cards are an excellent way let your social network know you have moved. Such a card will allow you to provide not only your new address, but your phone number and email address as well. The recipient will appreciate being able to update their various address books in one fell swoop

Open House and Housewarming

You may have spent days, weeks and maybe even months looking for the house that met your expectations and dreams perfectly. Now that you have settled in, you may want to welcome visitors and entertain friends with style. Consider having a housewarming party.

It could be that you are not moving at all, a move may not have been the solution for you. A remodel or renovation may have been the alternative to your moving plans. A great way to introduce your new surroundings may be to have an open house. An open house will give you an opportunity to display your efforts and celebrate a job well done that may have involved many of your family and friends.

Whatever the reason you are planning a move, it is important to keep your family, friends & even the unavoidable bill collectors in the loop. Why send out a blah e-mail or make many phone calls to bring people up to date.

Coos, goos, and stinky-poos... soon life will be changing (no pun intended) upside down and inside out.

Having a child is a very personal decision and certainly one that requires much planning. It is a good thing, generally speaking, parents get nine months in which to prepare. It is fortunate that pregnancy, birth, and child rearing is not something we do on our own. Everyone loves a baby and looks for ways to celebrate and pitch in, especially for the first time mom.

For the Mom-to-Be

The mom-to-be is a very special person. She is the temporary sole caretaker of the forth coming bundle of joy. But, that only lasts for a short while. Soon her little one will enter the world and mom will learn to rely on others, probably much more than she had been accustomed. One of the many ways friends and family can jump start that support process is through gift giving. A baby shower is of course the traditional way to invite family and friends into the experience as well as supply items that will get mom and dad started.

Have you ever thought about the mom-to-be that isn’t surrounded by a lot of people? Maybe she is new to town or has a limited list of extended family or maybe she is a single parent. Maybe your community has an outreach program for mothers and children in need. Something to consider, especially if you are a church or non-for profit organization, would be to throw a large baby shower. Invite (literally) local churches and other organizations to give gifts that would provide the basic, yet all important necessities a new baby will require. Invitations, even for a larger community project, add that personal affect that people desire.

For Family and Friends
Okay mom and dad, the attention has been focused on you for the past several months. You have often been the center of much attention. That will to come to a halt when your little prince or princess makes their grand entrance into the world. Rightly so. Their arrival has been highly anticipated not only by you, but by those around you. Celebrate the new love in your life with a baby announcement. You could provide all the relevant information people want to know as well as include a photo. What a neat way to say thank you to all those who have been very supportive.

Whether you or someone you know is a first time mom or on the fourth go around, there is so much to anticipate, learn, prepare, fear and look forward to. If you are the mom-to-be, embrace those around you who are willing to impart their wisdom and guidance. If you are a loved one, the mom-to-be will appreciate your efforts to equip her in many ways; materially, physically. and emotionally.

Our designers at American Stationery thought it was the perfect time to offer new concepts relating to our American heritage and company patriotism.  With many of our proud soldiers returning home, we expect there will be family gatherings and lots of celebrating to be done.  It is our hope that our designs may add to your festivities.  In order to serve you best, we would like your thoughts and critique of our most recent patriotic additions.  Your ideas and input will help us develop designs more to your liking and needs.

Patriotic Flag & Eagle Invitations

Stylish Stars & Stripes Invitations

Stars Galore Invitations

Patriotic Ribbon Bordered Invitations

Heart of Honor Invitations

We invite you to make comments, suggestions and requests here on our blog.  Of, if you have purchased one of these designs, feel free to write a review for your fellow customers.

I’m not sure who dislikes writing thank you notes more: my husband or my teenage son. Thankfully, American Stationery has a great selection of manly correspondence cards that come in different sizes. If the men in my life only jot down a few quick lines of gratitude, their personalized notes look sophisticated and thoughtful. The Classic Stripe Gift Set is very masculine and comes in a sturdy gift box which keeps the cards neat and "at hand". The unique shape of The Slender Hand Bordered Single Panel Cards make an immediate impression—they look great! My husband prefers the traditional appearance of the Embossed Border Correspondence Cards. There are so many more options to choose from—check them all out for yourself and the men in your life!

-Your Fellow American Stationery Customer, Mindy Mac

Read more from Mindy Mac

In life you will go through many changes, grow to new heights. and accomplish great feats. These times of change, growth, and accomplishment are frequently the result of closing one chapter in your life and starting another. In other words, you are reaching milestones along life's path. You meet some milestones very early in life. You learn to sit up and roll over and you learn to walk and talk. But, there are many other significant milestones life presents over time.

Let's take a sneak peek at some of these milestones that many of you will encounter, whether in your own personal life or in those around you. Over the next few weeks we will be talking about these milestones and giving some stationery suggestions to go along with them.

Coming of Age

• First Birthday
  
  
• Bar and Bat Mitzvah
  
  
• Sweet Sixteen

Graduation

• Pre-school
  
  
• High School
  
  
• College

Life Events

• Career Advancement
  
  
• Anniversary: silver and golden
  
  
• Retirement

The notion of coming of age can take on a variety of meanings. Coming of age could be the transition from being young and childlike to becoming older, wiser, and developmentally more mature. A few familiar representations of this would be the transition from infancy to a toddler or the celebration of one’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Coming of age also suggests taking on new responsibilities.

First Birthday Stationery

Though a little one may not remember this moment, it is a significant jump. Over the course of a year an infant grows, changes, and develops faster than many other stages in life. It is an occasion to delight in and remember fondly. The birthday boy or girl is special and should be honored by family and friends. A child celebrating their first birthday may not have a huge need for stationery, however, there are items available that will keep a first birthday memory alive or allow a parent to send a quick thank you note from the child to a gift giver.

The notion of coming of age can take on a variety of meanings. Coming of age could be the transition from being young and childlike to becoming older, wiser, and developmentally more mature. A few familiar representations of this would be the transition from infancy to a toddler or the celebration of one’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Coming of age also suggests taking on new responsibilities.

Bar / Bat Mitzvah

Though many would think of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as a party it is actually the term given to represent youth of the Jewish faith who have now reached an age to accept certain religious responsibilities. Many families will celebrate this occasion in a ceremonial manner.

The notion of coming of age can take on a variety of meanings. Coming of age could be the transition from being young and childlike to becoming older, wiser, and developmentally more mature. A few familiar representations of this would be the transition from infancy to a toddler or the celebration of one’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah or even that sweet sixteen party. Coming of age also suggests taking on new responsibilities.

Sweet Sixteen

Though some may feel turning 16 doesn’t change much there are significant responsibilities and opportunities that are now afforded, such as obtaining a driver’s license or holding a job. Sweet Sixteen parties are gaining more popularity. It somewhat embodies the idea that you’re only young once and is often a point in time adults remember fondly. It’s a youthful celebration. A party in which you are no longer a little child, but are not yet viewed as an adult. Here are some stationery suggestions:

Perhaps one of the largest milestones you will face is a graduation. How fitting is the word commencement (or beginning)? It’s kind of the epitome of what defines a milestone, isn’t it? Graduation certainly does close the door on one era and begins a new one. Graduation signifies a time of completion, a successful end to an academic era culminating with a ceremony, in which you are handed a diploma. Perhaps in the past the most celebrated graduation was high school. Now, however, there is significance placed on preschool and college graduations as well.

Pre-School Graduation

A pre-school graduation is a celebration for your little one as they prepare for greater achievements in their academic development. One day the achievement of learning their A-B-C’s and 1-2-3’s and writing their name will seem quite insignificant to them. But, as a parent, it’s a huge milestone! You should be proud of how well your little one is learning. They are completing the ground work for a successful education experience. Celebrate, honor and cheer them on in their future endeavors. It will be the confidence builder they need to push them into the next stage they will face.

Perhaps one of the largest milestones you will face is a graduation. How fitting is the word commencement (or beginning)? It’s kind of the epitome of what defines a milestone, isn’t it’? Graduation certainly does close the door on one era and begins a new one. Graduation signifies a time of completion, a successful end to an academic era culminating with a ceremony, in which you are handed a diploma. Perhaps in the past the most celebrated graduation was high school. Now, however, there is significance placed on preschool and college graduations as well.

High School Graduation:

The tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" almost resonates in your ear, yes’? High school graduation is the dream everyone strives after. Year after grueling year has been put in to achieving this high honor. It is an achievement that one works towards from kindergarten forward. A child faces many obstacles, challenges, and advancements in working towards this goal. It is an honor and one to be celebrated and acknowledged. It is the stepping stone into the military, working world or higher education.

Perhaps one of the largest milestones you will face is a graduation. How fitting is the word commencement (or beginning)? It’s kind of the epitome of what defines a milestone, isn’t it’? Graduation certainly does close the door on one era and begins a new one. Graduation signifies a time of completion, a successful end to an academic era culminating with a ceremony, in which you are handed a diploma. Perhaps in the past the most celebrated graduation was high school. Now, however, there is significance placed on preschool and college graduations as well.

College Graduation

College graduation is not a feat all can accomplish. Many have left behind school friends, family and hometowns in an endeavor for higher education. College is where dreams start to unfold, relationships blossom and careers take birth. It is a catapult into the unknown. It is an opportunity to achieve greater financial stability, an opportunity to embrace a specific field of study and to take personal flight into higher elevations. College graduation is often a push away from the world of academia and a lunge onto a focused pathway.

What is a gift enclosure card and why do you need them? These versatile cards are not very big... less than 3x4 inches; but they make a huge impact when they accompany your gift. I like to use these cards when I want to write a quick line for the recipient. "Thanks for your hospitality!" ... "Thanks for watching our dog while we were away." ... "I enjoyed working on this project with you." ... "Congratulations!" ... "Thanks for being such a reliable babysitter." ... "We’re glad you’re our next door neighbors." Any heartfelt sentiment looks larger than life on these practical little cards. Gift enclosure cards can be tucked inside a gift bag, taped to a package or attached to a bottle of wine with a ribbon. Gift enclosure cards also add a touch of class to a bouquet of flowers you pick up at the local grocery store! A sticky label the size of your thumb is a good way to indicate who a gift is for and who it’s from. Using a personalized or monogrammed gift enclosure card makes a fabulous impression—and it won’t get tossed out with the wrapping paper it’s permanently stuck to. American Stationery also sells really fun gift bags! These are personalized and imprinted with the holiday greeting of your choice. They’re a wonderful way to share your personality and sense of style when exchanging gifts! If you’re like me you’ve spent a lot of time choosing just the right gift. Take the time to wrap it and present it with as much thought as you’ve put into your gift selection. Those little details really can make a big difference!

—Mindy Mac

Read more from Mindy Mac

Life changes such as marriage, moving, and having children have been discussed in some detail in previous writings. But, what about other life events such as career advancements, anniversaries, and retirement? Though these are significant events you may experience, they are more of a milestone, almost an achievement deserving recognition.

Career Advancement

Depending on the field of choice, you may have had to climb a very high corporate ladder. Maybe years of study have escalated you directly to a top notch position. Maybe you have finally been able to open your own business. No matter how long the journey, career advancement is exciting! You have been faced with challenges academically, personally, and professionally. You (or perhaps someone you know) may be deserving of some sort of accolade or recognition in honor of a job well done. Maybe a party is in order or maybe something more subdued and useful would be perfect.

Life changes such as marriage, moving, and having children have been discussed in some detail in previous writings. But, what about other life events such as career advancements, anniversaries, and retirement? Though these are significant events you may experience, they are more of a milestone, almost an achievement deserving recognition.

Anniversaries

In this day and age, a flourishing marriage is certainly a thing to celebrate and cheer. The first anniversary, also known as the paper anniversary, hopefully marks the start of many more anniversaries to follow. Perhaps paper seems like an unusual gift, but it’s actually quite sweet. Allow the paper to inspire endearing love letters to your mate. Of course, let us not over look the major 25th and 50th anniversary mile markers. Marriages lasting through the decades are often celebrated with parties or even vow renewal ceremonies.

Life changes such as marriage, moving, and having children have been discussed in some detail in previous writings. But, what about other life events such as career advancements, anniversaries, and retirement? Though these are significant events you may experience, they are more of a milestone, almost an achievement deserving recognition.

Retirement

After putting in tireless years in the working world you can finally retire. The time has arrived to kick back and relax. Retirement carries you into a new phase of life. It is a time to reintroduce yourself to your spouse. as you’ll now be spending more time together. You many even get reacquainted with hobbies you have only been able to squeeze into your weekends or even pick up a few new ones. You may begin travels and new adventures. A great way to usher in this new phase of life is through a party or social gathering of family, friends, and colleagues. Once you have said your good-byes and moved on, you can continue to share your new adventures and exploits on special stationery that illustrates the new casual you.

My patents have been retired for almost 20 years and enjoy traveling together very much. They have 5 daughters, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren to visit in addition to taking trips to places they’ve always wanted to experience.  American Stationery carries Gold Stamped Luggage Tags, Big ‘n’ Bright Luggage Tags and Engraved Luggage Tags. These personalized and durable markets are perfect for them! They don’t have to worry about someone else picking up their luggage by mistake. Like everything that American Stationery sells these luggage tags are quality products—they can stand up to any rough trearment they may encounter. I can’t always travel with my parents; but I can help make their adventures less stressful by helping them locate their luggage as soon as it shdes onto the baggage carousel!

—Mindy Mac

Read more from Mindy Mac