Hello all,

I was wondering what the general feeling is on note cards that same something like, A note from Joe Doe or a note from the desk of Jane Doe. I'm a member of an orginization that will mail out these cards to you every so often.

I've never used them for anything more then making notes to myself or a to do lists, etc etc.

What is the etiquette, if any, for using these types of note cards? At first I thought they were pretty cool, but then I started to think about using them for a quick note to a friend and thought, gee this just doesn't feel right sending out a note with that at the top of the paper. I know, I know, if I don't like them don't use them.

What are your thoughts on this and would you feel getting a note with this from a friend a little impersonal.

Just wondering.

Mike

I personally think it's classier to just have your name without something written like "A note from...."

I agree. 'A note from...' sound contrived. I received one recently with a name and address in a very simple classy font andt hat was nice too - always nice to get an address reminder from someone you get snail mail from - that way you can respond in kind one day.

I've never seen a problem with personalized stationery, and I'd imagine postcards and note-cards would fall in the same category. The "A note from..." heading strikes me as redundant, though. If I get a note-card from a friend, I'm fairly sure I'll be able to tell it's a note.

If the card has your name and address, or just your name, or whatever else, that's not impersonal. And if the note is hand-written, that's certainly not impersonal. Quite the opposite. I'd be pleased to receive a note of that sort from a friend.

I don't mind "a note from John Doe" but really dislike the "from the desk of" bit. Your desk didn't write to me - its not needed. The more of the note you hand write the better it is for me.

Hey Mike –

I suppose if my desk wanted to go out and develop its own social life, dating credenzas and end tables – well, I would not have any objections, as long as it didn’t bring a Trump L’Oeil bureau home to Sunday Dinner.

I have always thought these little pads (I’ve seen them as notepads, not as cards) were classless affectations that quite unsuccessfully tried to make the writer seem important.

Well of course it’s a note – was I likely to mistake it for a basket of puppies?

And despite my opening line, I don’t think my desk has ever written a note. The note is from me – not from my desk. Ibid InkyPete.

Would I have my Montblanc 149 engraved with “From the Left Coat Pocket of Ray XXXX”? Would I have my shirts monogrammed “From the Closet of Ray XXX”?

I am impressed by well designed, understated, quality stationery. That shows good taste and an appreciation for the customs and rituals of our better forbearers. Good personal stationery stands out without slogans or unnecessary embellishments.

For me, my name engraved at the top of the card and my address on the envelope flap is good enough. If I am being really modern, I’ll add my phone number, email address, and maybe (just maybe) my website.

My desk can order its own stationery if it can lumber down (rim shot) to the stationer and pay for it. Maybe the chair can help pay the bill. The stuff costs an arm and a leg. (rim shot).

Thanks everyone. Trust me, I didn't go out and have these made. I get an envelop with about 25 of them every six months or so, of course there is no charge for them, but if I could "please enclose my check for any amount" blah blah blah.

I have toyed with the idea of getting my own stationery with just my name at the top. I'm leaning toward doing that now.

And your right, my desk is on it's own. I wonder how he feels about using a pencil for his writing.

Mike

The "proper" response is, note cards need no personalization at all. They don't need to say "Thanks" on the outside, for a thank you note, because you are going to say thanks on the inside. They don't need to have your name on them, because a note by definition is informal. This is "old school." I mainly agree, and most of the notes I write are on stock that says nothing at all until I write on it. Might be a fold-over card, might be a correspondence card, might be smaller size note paper, but the principle is the same.

That being said, for informal notes I would not hesitate to use free "stationery" that said "A Note From ..." if I liked the paper. Emily Post is not going to do a drive-by!

Etiquette is meant to serve us, not the other way around.

I'd like to be as witty as Judith "Miss Manners" Martin. She would probably have some funny comment to make about this.

Looking at some old letters from various "writing master" books of the early 20th century, I noticed that most of the letters had a simple, one-line return address written across the top, date two lines down, and the letter following. That makes a lot of sense to me. It clearly identifies the writer (signature at the bottom) and gives information about where to send any correspondence back as well as knowing when the letter was written. Anything more is gilding the lily.

However, like some of the other responders, I am not going to not use free stationary. That would be against my religion.

Yours,
Randal

The only down side to a desk having a social life is the problem of unwanted furniture produced out of wedlock. My advice is to be sure all its drawers are firmly locked before it leaves the house or it will no longer have an unvarnished reputation.

Being unable to coming close the the witty "unvarnished reputation", I'll have to play this straight: like most everything, the answer depends.

For writing a sympathy note, not so good.

For a quick note short of a full letter, informal in tone, just fine.

It's the in-between that you have to think about whether it's closer to the formal/serious end of the continuum.

gary

My grandfather used to be in the printing business and had a small operation in his basement. I still remember all those "From the desk of" pads we would always receive as gifts. I am pretty sure he printed them himself in the basement. Fond memories.

Yikes! Cut the message off and use the rest of the page

"A note from ......" seems to be as redundant as starting a letter with

"I am writing ......."