Thinking of Others

The Importance of Sending Greeting Cards

This was originally posted on my previous blog on February 5, 2018 and has been transferred over for your enjoyment.

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Thinking of Others: The Importance of Sending Greeting Cards

In today’s technological world we have access to a plethora of websites, smart-phone apps, and digital services that can save us time and make life easier. Although there are a multitude of fantastic benefits, there are also some aspects of personal interaction that we’ve lost touch with due to technology. One of those areas is in our communication with those in our lives. Yes, technology makes it easy to pick up the phone and call or text someone in an instant but it also means that we use digital resources in place of traditional communication methods. 

The Importance of Sending Greeting Cards

February 7th is ‘Send a Card to a Friend’ day. Although some of you may scoff and think this is a silly holiday that was created by the greeting card industry, I think it’s important to remind yourself of the wonderful people in your life and the difference it makes in their lives.

There’s something to be said about receiving a hand-written note in the mail addressed to you. Someone took the time to sit down to send you their well-wishes on a special occasion, to thank you for a gift, or tell you that they’re thinking of you. I’d be willing to bet you don’t know a single person that doesn’t enjoy getting mail. Whether you’re sending a birthday card (with or without money inside!), an anniversary card, a ‘get well soon’ card, a ‘thank you’ card, or a ‘just thinking of you’ card, the list of occasions and reasons to send a hand-written card is endless, and in all situations, always appreciated.

What to Write?

Perhaps you agree that sending hand-written notes is important but you don’t usually send cards because you’re at a loss of what to say. You purchase a card, take it home, and then stare at the blank page wondering what to write. If this is the case there’s multiple books available that have greeting card sentiments and quotes for every occasion. I personally have two books on this subject (‘Words to the Rescue‘ and ‘Thinking of You A Card Greeting for Every Occasion‘) but there are numerous options available and all of them have fantastic purchaser reviews online, which means these books are helpful and they’ll provide guidance on what to write when you don’t know where to start. I’m a big fan of inspirational quotes and I love incorporating quotes in the greeting cards I send.

Where to Buy?

The amount of money you spend on the greeting card itself is not important especially since most people toss their cards after a certain point, it’s the thought that goes into the card and the act of sitting down to write it and popping it into the mail. You can purchase cards in the 2 for a dollar section at your local Dollar Tree that normally retails for more money. Stores like Target have a nice selection of cards for a dollar and I’ve found some really beautiful cards from Trader Joe’s. I’ve also found a few great options that you can purchase on Amazon that have a nice assortment of different greeting cards for a great price and they include coordinating envelopes and some even include envelope stickers. Buying in bulk is a great deal and it means you’ll have a ton of options!

How to Store?

Regardless of where you buy your cards, I urge you to buy a bunch! Go out and purchase an assortment of birthday cards, anniversary cards, general thinking of you cards, and a book of stamps. Get a storage box to keep them organized by occasion for easy use. If you have cards available at home and someone’s special occasion comes up you’ve got no reason not to send a card!

How to Remember?

I recommend getting a small perpetual notebook where you can make note of the special occasions that happen on the same day every year; birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions (both happy and sad). Once you write it in the book, it’s always there and you’ll never forget someone’s special day again. There’s also a great option on Amazon that you can house the dates and the cards in an envelope for each month. I recommend sitting down at the end of each month and writing a card for the upcoming occasions for the next month and pop them in the mail. It’s better to send them early than realize you forgot someone’s birthday. If you send it in advance then they’ll get to enjoy the card on their counter leading up to their birthday rather than for a day or two and then tossing it in the trash.

Hopefully I’ve inspired you to send cards to the important people in your life. I’m interested to know, do you send cards and do you enjoy getting cards?