I just spent $18 on stationery. But it’s not just any stationery, it’s Crane stationery. Sheets and notes with whimsical or elegant designs that demand you to write something meaningful, something witty, something worthy to be imprinted on such fine paper.
I’m fairly sure I won’t will exceed my $90 budget this week.
Anyhow, I got the paper so I can write to Grandma. We live very far away from each other, so I only have the chance to visit her once a year at most. I don’t write to her often – not because I don’t want to, but because she speaks a different language and it is difficult for me to write in that language.
But I’ve decided that enough is enough, as far as excuses go. Using online dictionaries and what little I remember, I’m going to piece together some short notes even if it takes an hour to write 10 lines. (Which it will, at the beginning). True, I didn’t HAVE to get the Crane stationery – plain lined paper would’ve been fine. But it’d be nice to give her something pretty to look at, and besides, the smaller cards will make my writing seem longer.
My non-financial related goal is to write her a short letter every 2 weeks.
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That’s nice. It is always more special with actually sitting down to write a letter or a card to someone you care about. (Instead of Email or IM).
I hope you’ll improve in this language as you write her.
Is it easy for you to speak this language when you visit your Grandma?
I’m sure that she’ll appreciate everything that you’ll write to her, in spite of possible mistakes in your writing. You’re lucky to keep so good relationship with a relative who lives so far away and speaks a different language.
The paper is worth it. I am quite frugal, but I LOVE my engraved initials on my Crane stationery. There is something quite elegant and Jackie O-esque about exquisite writing paper. It leaves a good impression, I’ve received quite a few compliments on it. I am quite fond of using it for thank yous and random notes, too.
$18 actually sounds like a pretty good deal now that I’ve looked at Crane’s site. Upwards of $300 for a pack of 50 cards? Seriously?
Goldnsilver – But email’s so much easier!
Unfortunately Grandma doesn’t have internet access, and I think she’ll appreciate having letters much more. You can keep letters.
Olga – I speak better than I write in this other language, but I hope that I’ll improve with these letters.
MGB – I know, there’s just something about Crane’s! Besides, grandmas are worth the expensive paper.
GradGirl – I actually got 2 packs of 10-card packs for around $12 (sales section)… it’s the shipping that bumped it up to $18. I don’t think I can justify spending the full amount under my current budget.
I did the same thing for Mother’s Day – I wrote my mom a note using online dictionaries. And it took a long time to find the right words and write it all out. And sometimes the words weren’t large enough on the screen so I was really stretching the writing and hoping it meant what I wanted.
I’m a huge fan of Crane’s stationery. I definitely think it’s worth the money. I feel special every time I write a letter. Also, the quality of the paper is evident from simply holding a piece!
I am ALWAYS tempted by the Crane catalogs…