Why do we do Greeting Cards

 

As a little girl I never received mail, except when it was my birthday.  My Ouma would ALWAYS send me a card in the mail and it was one of the most exciting things to get something with MY name on in the post.  As I got older, she would still send me my birthday card, and receiving something that was not a bill or junk-mail remained as exciting as when I was a little girl getting the handwritten envelope that you just knew was going to be something nice.

 

I still believe in sending cards via ‘snail mail’ and that it will uplift the person you are sending it to.  You will find that you feel better for sending something too.  As they have always said giving a gift is as uplifting and rewarding as receiving it.

 

Cards are just one way to keep in touch as well as to express emotions such as love, congratulations, condolences and gratitude. Although we live in a world run by digital communication, a card sent through postal mail can mean a lot to both the sender and the recipient. They can even mean more than an email, an e-card or even a phone call sometimes.  I believe that it signifies more because it takes a little more time and effort and shows you care about the person!  You have taken your time and effort to make or buy the card, then to go off and send it – these things are important to people as it affirms how much they mean to you!

Nowadays there is a card for just about every special occasion, celebrated holiday, and general sentiment out there. Everybody has a different reason for sending cards. Perhaps it’s someone’s birthday. Maybe you want someone to know how much you love and appreciate them but are too shy to tell them face-to-face. Maybe you know that receiving snail mail with something as simple as a “hello” will brighten a friend’s day. Or maybe there’s a young child that would feel like the king of the world if they received an envelope addressed specifically to them in the mailbox one day.  Just like I used to as a small girl!

More Reasons to Send a Card

Another great thing about sending out cards–particularly holiday cards, which usually only happens once a year, is to stay connected with those that you don’t get to see that often. Perhaps loved ones or extended family that live far away, or that favorite cousin of yours that you haven’t seen in a long time. Sure, you may “see” them or chat once in a while via Facebook but a short, handwritten note in a card can be so much warmer and even more special.

Thank you cards are probably the biggest reason why we send out cards. It’s common practice to send a thank you card whenever you receive a gift, but we also like to send them as a token of appreciation for things such as a home-cooked meal, freshly baked cookies, a particularly fun lunch outing, for taking the time to listen, for being a knowledgeable city tour guide during a visit or for house-sitting while being away on a trip. It’s nice to let others know that they are appreciated. It’s also nice to be on the receiving end of thank you notes, so reciprocating that warm feeling is a kind thing to do.

What is also special about sending someone a card is that there are various options to do so. Store-bought cards can be found just about anywhere but a handmade greeting card just takes it one step further to let someone know that you care.