Social Stationery and Thank you Notes
Traditionally each person in a household would have his or her own social stationery. As writing notes becomes more of a special occasion than a common occurrence, the traditional standards of etiquette are changing. For those who choose to maintain traditional stationery etiquette, women should use a folded note and a man should use a card. However, we are seeing more combined names or monograms on each of the different types of stationery. For the truly unique stationery, consider hand calligraphy for the names on an informal note, correspondence card or calling card.
We offer folded notes and cards on our own Elegant and 100% Cotton papers.
Additional Social Stationery options may be found by clicking on our Embossed Graphics store front: Embossed Graphics
Monogram Notes
4.875" x 3.5” with initials embossed, engraved, letterpressed or thermographed on page 1— i.e., the front of the note after it has been folded. Monogram notes are frequently considered to be preferable to informal notes when it comes to acknowledging wedding gifts.The typical monogram format is one’s given name initial on the left, surname initial enlarged in the middle and then middle name initial or maiden surname initial on the right, but the initials may also be done in sequence (given name, maiden surname and married surname or first name, middle name and surname) with all the letters the same size. If you choose a combined monogram, the most correct method of choosing initials is to use the bride's first initial, the couple's surname's initial and then the groom's first initial.
Informal Notes
Fold-over notes 4.875” x 3.5” with one’s married name – e.g., Mrs. John Henry Smith – engraved, letterpressed or thermographed on page 1— i.e., the front of the note after it has been folded. Any of our type styles may be used for the type style on the informal as well as adding a motif, embossment, ink color or hand calligraphy for a little different look.
The informal note, ironically, is considered the note that should be used to respond to formal invitations and correspondence. Some of our clients prefer the smaller size of the informal note to the larger monogram note (and some even use a monogram on the informal note instead of their name).
Correspondence Cards
Non-folded cards, 6.375” x 4.625” that are typically used by men as thank you notes. When used by women, they are less formal than either monogram or informal notes. Conventionally these cards have one name centered at the top of the card, women may choose to use only their first name to complete the more casual appearance. However, should you desire a different look, you could use a monogram on the top of the card in the center or a corner, or perhaps having your name at the top and your address along the bottom is more to your liking. As with our other stationery, you can add a motif,embossment, ink color or hand calligraphy for a different look. To use a correspondence card as “house stationery” only your address or family crest would be engraved,thermographed, letterpressed or embossed across the top of the card.
Calling Cards
We offer the traditional size of a "Mr. and Mrs." card. Please note that envelopes are only available for the Elegant papers. You can choose a traditional look with just the name(s) or you can add a motif, embossment, ink color or hand calligraphy for a little different look.
Calling cards are the social equivalent of business cards. In fact, they likely originated from the cards that tradesmen used in the 19th century to attract business. Calling cards became a ticket, of sorts, to climb the social ladder. A small calling card stand was placed in the foyer or entrance way of most Victorian houses. This receptacle was frequently a silver tray in the homes of the wealthy, but glass and china plates were used in other homes. When a family arrived in town, they would leave their calling cards at the homes of residents with whom they would like to become acquainted. Frequently, the card would be left with an attendant who would convey the card to the master or mistress of the house. The residents could receive the new couple or declare themselves “unavailable”. Should the residents want to arrange a meeting, they would likely give the calling family a card of their own, essentially an invitation to return at another time. Once families were acquainted, they would be able to visit each other, giving an attendant a calling card to announce their presence or leaving a calling card if the resident family was not at home.
While calling cards and the rituals associated with them are still used in some circles, the most common use now is as gift enclosure cards. Instead of leaving a card at a house, people frequently enclose a card in a gift rather than attach an additional greeting card. This practice eliminates the possibility that an attached card becoming detached and allows the recipient of the gift to be sure who gave which gift (for thank you note purposes).