"Please Mr. Postman"
I know that it’s politically incorrect these days to use the term “postman” but the title of this post is in reference to an oldie but goodie song by The Marvelettes, “Please Mr. Postman”. I find myself singing this song whenever I am coming down to the wire and need to get something mailed off immediately so that it arrives on time. This scenario happens often. Let’s just say - I keep postal workers busy all year round and I sing this song a lot!
Chances are, if you are using a postage stamp these days, you are using a Forever Stamp. According to Stamps.com, “Forever Stamps were created by the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) in 2007. They are non-denominational First Class® postage, which means that they can be used to mail First Class letters no matter what the postal rate. “ Using a Forever Stamp is the most convenient way to mail a letter or card domestically because it sufficiently covers the cost for delivery; making a trip to the post office unnecessary.
I remember when Forever Stamps first came out; I considered them frivolous because it used to cost more than the rate to send anything locally and domestically. To me, it was a matter of principle paying the correct amount as opposed to paying, for example, .10 cents more when using the Forever Stamp. Flash forward to the year 2020, I pay double, sometimes triple, NOT to have to go into the post office. I do like post offices, I just don’t like waiting in lines at post offices. A postage stamp, regardless of its worth, is more than just the cost to mail an item. The value is in the convenience to leave a letter or card in our mailboxes so that postal workers can come pick it up and it can be delivered. Also, when I miss the mail pick up from my home that day, which again, happens often, I have the option to drop it into a designated mailbox by a designated pick up time. This does not require me to go inside the post office. Unless of course, I ran out of stamps. A little stamp is like a ticket for my handwritten thoughts, gratitude, wishes, condolences, congrats etc. to be delivered from Point A to Point B.
Have you ever stopped to think about postage stamps? Nationaldaycalendar.com says, “The United States issued its first postage stamp on July 1, 1847. At that time, stamps were not required. A letter could be mailed without a stamp and delivery paid for by the recipient. In 1855, the postage stamp became mandatory. “
National Postage Stamp Day, which is on July 1st every year, is an easy national day to observe because we are only asked to recognize that the usage of stamps make delivery of mail easy and simple. However, I think that in order to fully appreciate this day, we should all write a card to someone and celebrate by using a postage stamp. For inspiration, check out two posts Jotted Lines and The Art of Handwriting. These posts will motivate even the least interested card writer to write a card. Another way to celebrate the postage stamp is to give a thoughtful pinch of a pack of your favorite stamps to someone who loves to write and mail cards.
I wish I bought more books of this sports collection of stamps. I love the round shape and vibrancy of the colors. I am a fan of every sport that is represented by these stamps. FYI, I was such a good kickball player!
I wish I still had some of my Little Moe tennis stamps (Maureen Catherine Connolly-Brinker) but I used all of them up this Spring. These Arnold Palmer stamps, to me, represent Summer - a classic sporting activity enjoyed in the Summer.
For birthday and graduation cards I try to use these “celebrate” stamps because they are so colorful and lively on any color envelope.
I use the boutonnière stamps for Spring/Summer correspondences. The LOVE stamps are a staple in my supply. I use them as much as I can, whenever I can. So perfect for Valentine’s Day - OBVIOUSLY!
I’ve had two books of these Oscar dela Renta stamps for so many years. I use them very sparingly. The cost was more than the usual book of 20 stamps but they are all so pretty. I admire them so much that one can see, I only use them for very special occasions and for very special recipients.
I mean, enough said, right? These are the best for Harry Potter fans of all ages. We used these stamps when we sent thank you cards for my daughter’s HP-themed bday party. It took a lot for me to part with them. I have a few left but again, wish I bought more than one booklet.
Yes - State Fair stamps are awesome! I love the MN State Fair and since the fair this year was cancelled due to Covid, these few stamps are even more precious. Reserved to be used only for true state fair lovers.
These are international (Global) stamps that my mom and I use to send cards to Canada, Switzerland and Singapore every year for Xmas.
I recently learned that these same stamps could be used for any domestic mailings that weighed more than the average ounces. I used them to mail these Spring thoughtful pinches to the teachers during Covid.
I also used the same stamps to mail the oversized, yet underweight Earth Day teacher gifts during Covid.
I just learned about these dollar stamps in May 2020. They are so large that they command attention. They are also textured. I used these stamps to send out Mother’s Day mix CD’s to all those special mamas in my life.
I am not into Philately, the study of stamps and postal history, but I do LOVE picking out fun, inspiring stamps that I try to match appropriately with the sentiments inside the envelope. In fact, when I recently gave advice to the parents of young dancers for writing thank you cards, I suggested that the parents bring them to the post office to choose the stamps. This simple step in the thank you card writing process gets the young person involved in the decision making and gives them some ownership of the task at hand. However, if bringing a child into the post office isn’t your cup of tea, ordering stamps online is an option in which they can still choose the stamps. I just learned about ordering stamps online myself. Look at the stamps below. I ordered them online from Wal-Mart of all places!
Scratch and Sniff? And popsicle-themed?! Yes please! If you do the math, I paid over a $1 per stamp that is worth, at this time, .55 cents . My younger self would have been completely appalled at that price for stamps. But since spending money on cards is my thing these days, it seems appropriate that I would care about the postage stamps that are on the envelopes!
Heck, I’ve been known to use a Forever stamp (going rate is .55 cents) on a post card - which only requires .35 cents to mail. Yes, I have really let myself go in my older years! Speaking of post cards, Nationaldaycalendar.com has templates for postcards. The sites also has links for designing stamps and digital scales to help calculate costs for mailing items.
Here are my tried and true stamps. I almost always have the American Flag stamps at the ready because I buy them by the hundreds. I use them for bills (yes, I still send payments for some bills in the mail) and/or if I absolutely do not have anymore fun stamps left.
This Wednesday, July 1st, National Postage Stamp Day, try to celebrate the postage stamp. It’s tiny but mighty!
Pinches,
Barb