LIFE WAS JUST perfect until that day last month: a worry-free series of sun-drenched days in Newport, madcap trips to the Cape, and quick getaways to Gloucester. Even when you were stuck in town, fun still abounded. There were snazzy Beacon Hill roof-deck parties and gourmet BBQs set on quaint South End patios. So many invites, so many mojitos, so many gracious friends to thank.

Er, you did thank them, didn’t you?

No — e-mail won’t cut it. It’s time to Emily Post it with an old-fashioned, handwritten missive to show your appreciation (and ensure a second invitation). And late is better than never.

A kiss on the hand can be quite Continental, but classy cards that boast famous architectural monuments are an invitee’s best friend. Cavallini & Co. presents handsome, travel-inspired notes featuring archival images and a " thanks " in native tongue — bound to get you a return trip. Or perhaps you favor a little food for thought in return for a great meal? Try Quotable Cards. Here, East meets West: a simply presented Zen-like proverb or a lilac-toned quip from TV evangelist Robert Schuller.

Plain Janes and Joes can get the job done with Crane’s elegant cream-colored, foil-stamped cards or Marcel Schurman’s sobering woven-look notes with smart black borders. But outstanding individuals will opt for their own exclusive stationery. According to Brenna McCormick, assistant manager at Crane and Co., proper etiquette dictates that ladies jot their thanks on personalized note cards, while men ought to use correspondence cards. Crane’s catalogues are crammed full of styles, but two examples we found fetching are, for women, azure cards with a navy monogram; for men, ecru cards with crisp black lettering. Crane’s has been around since 1801; you might be familiar with some of the engraver’s other work: US currency.

Where to get it:

• Monument cards ($12.60 for 10) are available at Gnome and Rose, 1110 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 576-7673.

• Quotable Cards (Chinese quote, $13 for 10; Schuller quote, $2.25) are available at Bob Slate Stationer, 1288 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 547-1230.

• Marcel Schurman cards ($7.95 for eight) are available at Papyrus, 800 Boylston Street, Prudential Center, Boston, (617) 262-6449.

• Monogram cards ($154; includes dye and 50 cards/envelopes), correspondence cards ($124; includes dye and 50 cards/envelopes), and pre-printed thank-you cards ($8.50 for 10) are available at Crane and Co. Papermakers, 800 Boylston Street, Prudential Center, Boston, (617) 247-2822.

Issue Date: October 18 - 25, 2001