When was the last time you received something handwritten?
Do you remember the excitement of spotting your name on the envelope, eager to discover what was inside? There’s something truly magical about receiving letters in the post. As adults, letters offer a gentle respite from the bills that pour through the door, stirring nostalgia for the postcards and special messages we received as children.
In my household, Christmas cards often included handwritten letters—wonderful updates about distant relatives and friends, shared long before social media began capturing every detail of our lives. In such a digital age, it can be easy to forget those precious moments and the emotions attached to them. If we don't encourage handwritten connections to continue, they may simply fade away, becoming yet another experience our children never get to enjoy.
The Magic of Receiving Mail (Especially as a Child)
In an era of instant messaging and emails (though emails other than marketing seem increasingly rare!), receiving a handwritten letter feels like opening a tiny treasure chest. Even as an adult, my heart still leaps when I spot the postman approaching my door, hoping there might be something special nestled among the usual bills and flyers.
For children, handwritten letters can be even more magical. Often, it’s the only direct way they hear from loved ones who live far away. My two children have relatives and friends who don’t live nearby, and it always warms their hearts and makes them feel truly valued when they receive letters addressed just to them. It means so much more than another message on Mum or Dad’s phone. They get a special sense of connection, hearing directly about Nanny’s adventures, or simply knowing that someone is thinking about them, even from afar. It strengthens their relationships despite the distance and the long gaps between visits.
Last year, my daughter Dolly’s school launched a lovely initiative, sending postcards home to recognise the children’s achievements. I vividly remember the pride I felt when that postcard arrived. When Dolly got home from school, sharing it with her brought such joy. She proudly displayed it on her wall, later storing it safely in her memory box to reflect on in years to come. It’s these simple but powerful moments that truly capture the magic of receiving post.
How handwriting helps children grow
I've heard several times that children don't need to learn handwriting because "everything is digital these days." While it’s true that typing skills are increasingly important, there's something incredibly valuable in connecting pen to paper. Handwriting allows thoughts to flow naturally, uninterrupted by the endless notifications of digital devices. It’s a chance to be disconnected from technology but deeply connected with ourselves and others in a different, perhaps even more meaningful way.
Handwriting comes in many wonderful forms, and it’s accessible to everyone. That’s exactly why I’ve thoughtfully designed my Dolly and Fred writing sets to be flexible and inclusive, meeting children wherever they are in their writing journey.
Blank letter sheets offer freedom for drawings and doodles, a few words sprinkled here and there, or simply meaningful marks. Half-lined pages gently support children as their simple sentences grow, adding extra emotion and meaning to their creativity. Fully lined sheets await those ready for longer letters, or even for loved ones to share heartfelt notes in return.
Each format represents a stage of a child's journey. Ultimately, it’s not about producing perfect handwriting; it’s about the personal connections made, the confidence built, and the joy found in expressing themselves on paper. The lovely feedback I've received from families using these writing sets truly warms my heart. Parents have shared how their children, once shy, reluctant writers, now eagerly capture precious moments, memories, and messages for those they love.
At the end of the day, that heartfelt connection is precisely what Dolly and Fred writing sets are all about.
The Emotional Benefits of Letter Writing: Slowing down and Connecting
When children slow down to write by hand, they naturally start to reflect and connect meaningfully with their emotions and with others. In our fast-paced, digital world, these quiet, mindful moments are more important than ever.
This became especially clear to me in my early career, working within nursery settings alongside speech and language therapists. Among the many valuable skills and activities they taught me, the idea of "talking tables" has always stayed with me. A teddy bear would visit the children with a large piece of paper and an open-ended question. The children were invited to draw, write, and talk about their answers. There were no right or wrong responses—it was purely about letting their imaginations flow freely and creatively.
The purpose behind this activity was simple but powerful: by encouraging children to focus on playful mark-making and storytelling rather than speaking directly, they naturally opened up and expressed themselves more comfortably. Without the pressure to “get things right,” their words flowed effortlessly. It was about joyful play, not just structured learning.
I've continued to use variations of this technique throughout the years, including with my own children. My son Fred, who sometimes finds it challenging to name or share his emotions verbally, particularly benefits from this approach. Through writing and drawing, we connect on a deeper, gentler level. The marks on the page help us to explore and release emotions, tell stories, and communicate feelings that can sometimes feel too difficult or overwhelming to speak aloud.
Writing down our feelings takes away some of the pressure and fear we may feel in verbal conversations—there’s no need to worry about saying the wrong thing. Unlike spoken words, writing can remain private, giving us a safe space to express ourselves honestly. In this way, writing offers us—and especially our children—a wonderfully gentle, calming way to explore our feelings and move forward positively, without worry or fear.
Why it matters even more today
In today’s world, dominated by screens and constant notifications, receiving a handwritten note can feel like a gentle hug—a meaningful moment of pause amid all the digital noise. It's a special way of connecting deeply, even when we’re physically apart.
Both Dolly and Fred have packed lunches at school, and when they returned at the beginning of the year, it was a tough transition for them. To help reassure and support them, I began slipping small handwritten notes into their lunch boxes. They absolutely loved discovering these little messages—sometimes a joke, a fun fact, or a riddle, but always accompanied by words of love and encouragement to carry them through the afternoon.
For me, it was a way of letting them know I was there with them in spirit, even though I couldn't be physically present to give them a hug or lift their mood when they needed it most. On the days when I ran out of time or forgot, they immediately noticed, always asking, "Where was my note?" And over time, something truly magical happened: they started leaving little notes for me too.
We're building something special—a deeper connection. At times, I worry about them growing up, retreating to their rooms, and losing that closeness we share now. But moments like these reassure me that we’re laying a foundation of trust, warmth, and openness. They know I’m always on the sidelines cheering them on, ready to be silly, honest, and real with them. They know they’re valued and important, and that together we’re a strong team.
Now, just to be clear, we’re far from the perfect family. We have plenty of moments when things don’t go to plan. But we’re always trying, and at the heart of everything we do is our connection to each other.
Perhaps you’re thinking, "I don't have packed lunches to make," or "I don't have time for handwritten notes." But all it really takes is a small moment and a scrap of paper. Maybe it’s tucked into a reading diary, hidden in a coat pocket, or placed lovingly on their pillow for when they come home. I can assure you, what starts as just a little gesture quickly evolves into something truly meaningful—something that enriches your family and grows stronger every day.
Making Writing Fun with Dolly and Fred Writing Sets
Our Dolly and Fred writing sets turn handwriting into a joyful, imaginative activity, designed specifically with little hands and big imaginations in mind. Eco-friendly, colourful, and playful, they make writing letters something children genuinely look forward to. But they're not just about paper and envelopes—they come with special little extras to make writing even more exciting!
Each set includes delightful sticker sheets designed to inspire creativity. Sometimes, a blank page can feel overwhelming, but stickers provide a fun starting point for children’s stories or drawings. They also add a lovely finishing touch to envelopes, sealing letters with an extra sprinkle of personality.
These playful touches transform letter writing from a potentially daunting task—“I don’t know what to write about”—into an eagerly anticipated activity: “Can I write another letter?” Because when writing feels like play, it becomes something children want to do, rather than something they feel they must do.
Every sticker sheet matches its writing set theme, bringing letters to life. Imagine tiny dinosaur footprints playfully stomping across a dinosaur-themed letter or "Lola the Mermaid" happily sealing the envelope to protect its precious contents. Each cohesive theme invites children to immerse themselves in their own stories and then share that special story with someone they love.
Dolly and Fred writing sets have been lovingly tried and tested by many children throughout the stages of product development and refinement. My daughter, Dolly, particularly loves sealing her letters with two stickers—one next to her signature and another holding the envelope safely closed. Some sets even feature special “thank you” stickers, thoughtfully included because Dolly felt it was important for writing those extra-special thank you notes.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Letter Writers
In a world that moves so fast, a handwritten letter gently reminds us to pause, reflect, and reconnect. That’s exactly what I hope every Dolly and Fred writing set inspires. If this post has reassured you that it’s perfectly okay, even essential, to slow down and disconnect from our busy digital lives, then I’ve done my job. Writing teaches patience, nurtures thoughtfulness, and reminds us that something as simple as a handwritten note can carry an abundance of love.
Whether scribbled in crayon, sealed with a playful sticker, or decorated with joyful doodles, each letter a child sends is far more than just marks on paper. To children, these letters are treasured moments of self-expression, heartfelt attempts to communicate, and wonderful steps along their journey to bringing more joy into the world. With our encouragement, we can ensure that handwritten letters don’t become a lost art but remain a cherished part of childhood.
