Thanks to modern technology, we are able to fire off texts and emails to convey any message we may need to send. In today’s society, we have gotten used to modern conveniences as the main methods of communication. Instead of walking to the next office over, we quickly write and send (usually without a second glance) an email to our coworkers. After house warming parties or bridal showers, it is not unlikely that the host might want to send a mass thank you text to all the guests. Plus, in the business world, it is not only the norm, but also expected for someone to send an email after meeting with a potential client or after a networking event to further the relationship or send thanks. To update our friends, we might send a tweet, make a Facebook status, or post an image to our Instagram feed about achievements and milestones that happen in our lives. It is easy to get lost in the sea of instant communication, but some situations call for the simplistic beauty of a handwritten note. Think of how much better you will be perceived, in all of those situations, if you send a handwritten note...Read More
You know the feeling. It’s been a long, busy week full of work, activities, cooking, cleaning—the works. You can’t wait to open that bottle of Oliver’s Soft Red wine and snuggle up with a good book or binge-watch Friends on Netflix for the third time. I’ve been there. In fact, I was there just last week, but I opted for Gilmore Girls. I opened my wine, poured it in my margarita glass, and relaxed. That is until someone pointed out that I wasn’t using the proper glassware for my red wine. Thanks, Emily Gilmore. This someone is a wine connoisseur. We all have our things, and this is hers. I thought, “Well, I’m an adult woman. I should know these things, right?” Now, it is my duty to continue spreading the knowledge, in case you end up hosting a party and all of the Emily Gilmores of the world show up. You do not want to be ridiculed for serving white wine in a red wine glass. Or red wine in a margarita glass… American Stationery provides a variety of glassware for your favorite adult beverages. The best parts? The glass is hand-blown, and can be personalized in your choice...Read More
From work and family obligations to the omnipresence of technology, we live in a time where everyone is extremely busy and wrapped up their own lives. As a result, the basic rules of etiquette sometimes fly right out of the window. But as businesses struggle for differentiation, etiquette is really more important than ever.  Professional social situations can be awkward. The rules are slightly different from standard social settings, yet business schools rarely discuss professional etiquette topics. From how to introduce yourself to what to order at restaurants, these are the social rules you need to know when establishing relationships. For organizations and employees alike, recognizing the critical link between business protocol and profit is the key to your success. In a business situation, you should use your full name, but you should also pay attention to how others want to be introduced.  Stand when meeting someone or shaking hands. Stand up, show a modicum of respect, and pretend like the person you are meeting is of some interest to you at the moment. Anything less is disrespectful. Think to yourself, “is this how I want to start this relationship?”. I’m a big believer in the concept of paying it...Read More
Though most business correspondence is fairly formal, don’t make the mistake of being too formal. There’s no reason to say “In the event that” when “If” will do. You want your writing to sound natural, not stuffy or stilted. Some writers suggest, for example, that it is wrong to use the pronoun “you” or to include contractions in business writing. However, doing so is appropriate in all but the most formal correspondence. In most writing, you should feel free to use such constructs, as they give a conversational, natural feel to your writing. No matter the subject or the circumstances, you should be positive in your writing, even if the information is negative. Word choice is very important in accomplishing this. Be honest and sincere. You must also avoid discriminatory or derogatory language. Avoid flowery or verbose language. Don’t be wordy in a misguided attempt to be diplomatic or to sound more eloquent or educated. Rather, use clear, concise, simple language without talking down to your readers. For more information on these topics, see the articles “Clarity” and “Conciseness”. In most cases, it is best to use active rather than passive constructions in your writing. Because the active voice is more direct, it is generally shorter and clearer. Moreover, it...Read More
As we grow older we long for the good old days, when things were simpler. The kind of the days when towns were mostly made up of small, locally owned businesses. Our home towns consisted of marketplaces like the local butcher, small hardware stores, and hot dog stands across the street. It’s nostalgia like this that keeps us humble, but hard working, it’s that little spark in us that is bringing back local farmers’ markets and pushing small town America forward. These days it’s so important to learn and maintain skills such as letter writing and proper ways to correspond.  They will help us in many different ways such as:  thank-you notes, college letter writing, customer correspondence, and job applications. Classic Vellum Typewriter Stationery – Qty 100 Sheets 100 Envelopes – This heavyweight vellum paper has your name and address tastefully printed at the top of each letter sheet. Size: 8 1/2″ x 11″ Paper Color: White or Ivory Ink Color: Black matte ink Consumers we crave personalized attention, and in today’s increasingly impersonal marketplace, are having a harder time finding it. If you want to build a loyal customer base, you need to practice good customer correspondence. In the race...Read More
Son and sun; knead and need; capitol and capital. All of these are homonyms. If you remember back to grade school, homonyms are words that are spelled differently but sound alike. They are also words that are commonly misused for one another. Even spell check is no match for the homonym. Stationery and stationary are homonyms and both are frequently used incorrectly. Webster’s dictionary describes the words as follows: sta-tion-ery Function: noun 1 : materials (as paper, pens, and ink) for writing or typing 2 : letter paper usually accompanied with matching envelopes sta-tion-ary Function: adjective 1 : fixed in a station, course, or mode : immobile 2 : unchanging in condition <a stationary population> The reason for the confusion stems from the words’ origin. Both come from the Latin word statio, meaning job, station, or position. The adjective stationary was used to refer to a fixed military position. Later, it was used to describe stationary sellers (as opposed to peddlers who would travel). These “stationary sellers” became known as stationers. Booksellers were often “stationers” because their items were too heavy to transport. It then made sense to term the items that “stationers” used, such as pens, ink, and paper as...Read More
Keeping in touch is as easier as ever these days. Most of us walk around with a mini computer in our pockets every day. It can text, video chat, and send email. But, think about it, are you really communicating? Are you engaging in conversation? Letting someone know how you feel? Thanking them for a gift they sent or are you simply sharing jokes, and checking in? This is why, now more than ever it is so very important to send a handwritten note.  Many would say why wait for it to travel through the mail when we can contact someone across the globe within minutes? Well, formality for one. Formality is one of the main reasons handwritten items are still very important. Sure, telling people you are having a last minute BBQ via text message is perfectly acceptable. But, the Labor Day BBQ and pool party that you host every year, certainly needs a mail delivered invitation. The great aunt who lives half-way across the country always sends you a birthday card with a gift card to your favorite mall store, deserves a handwritten note. Tell her how much it’s appreciated that she always remembers you, and remembers your...Read More
What is etiquette and why is it necessary? These are two questions that are often asked. Webster’s Dictionary defines etiquette as “the conduct of procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life.” There are many other technical definitions such as Webster’s, but the best is a combination of many sources. Etiquette is a guideline for respectful and socially acceptable behavior in all phases of life. Contrary to popular belief, etiquette is not a list of strict, outdated rules for the wealthy. If we know what type of behavior is acceptable in our more casual world, we can navigate any situation with confidence and grace. While etiquette still encompasses table manners, thank you notes, proper introductions, good grammar and so on, the basic tenets are respect for all people and their customs, the ability to put others and oneself at ease in any situation, recognition of a person’s experience and personal ethics. The Golden Rule is a great example of these qualities. So how does etiquette enter into our daily lives? We have social interaction every day with family, friends, neighbors, business colleagues, clients, service staff— the list goes on and on. Think...Read More
Thank you notes seem to be becoming a thing of the past. We at American Stationery believe that it is not only proper etiquette, but appropriate to write thank you notes for certain things. Thank you notes can be formal or informal, simple or complex, but should always be heartfelt and genuine. Here are just a few of the occasions where thank you notes would be appropriate: Wedding Gifts Baby or Bridal Shower Gifts Gifts and Visits Received While in the Hospital Sympathy Letters or Flowers Gifts Received Through the Mail You can use formal stationery or the preprinted thank you notes from the grocery store. The situation will help decide how formal you should be. For wedding gifts, a formal thank you note should be used, usually one that matches your wedding invitation or theme. Baby shower or bridal shower thank you notes can be informal, although you can typically get thank you notes that match the shower invitations as well. You can substitute personalized stationery instead of an actual note with “Thank You” printed on it, but we would not recommend getting too informal and using a memo sheet or notebook paper. The card should reflect the occasion...Read More
If you have spent any time on our site or curled up with our catalog, you no doubt have noticed there are a lot of stationery styles to choose from. We sell correspondence cards, fold notes, letter sheets, memos, postcards and ensembles. We have had many people ask us over the years why we need so many different types of paper and how are you supposed to use it all. Well, we’ll tell you… Correspondence Cards are designed to be used as a quick note for business or personal reasons. We’ve been told that the heavy weight of the stock and the 4 ½ x 6 ¼ size make them perfect for mailing photos. We offer a selection of correspondence cards that have a colored hand-bordered edge. Whether prim and proper or spunky and creative, there’s bound to be a correspondence card that fits your personal style. Fold Notes are used for a longer note. Like a card, they also can be used for business or personal purposes, with styles ranging from the more formal embossed note to some very creative printed designs. Embossed notes are very popular as thank you notes. Our wide variety of printed designs range from...Read More
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