Writing Lessons & Advice: Writing Greeting Cards
- Katie Johns
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
“There’s an app for that,” was the slogan tech giant Apple used to promote the iOS App Store for their devices in the early two-thousands. Amid the activities that holidays and special occasions entail--
just like with apps--there is almost certainly a greeting card for that!
Greeting cards are like a cousin to writing letters. They are not totally extinct or obsolete despite existing technology. In fact, according to statistics from the Greeting Card Association, Americans purchase an estimated 6.5 billion greeting cards each year and the market confidently anticipates increases and expansions over the next five years. The correspondence cousins also share similar social, mental, and emotional perks. Like a letter, cards are tactile and tangible exchanges between two parties. There are online/computerized options but simpler, physical offerings are just as, if not more so, accessible too. Some cards can even be handmade, adding even more value. But in any case, all greeting cards are special.
A clinical neuropsychologist provides more depth to the experience with them, explaining that “when a card is received, an emotional response is elicited. The limbic system plays a part in this stage, with its role in behavior, emotion, and emotional memory... A card is often easily recognized amongst the dull, typed envelopes containing bills or bank statements. This creates an immediate feeling of excitement, anticipation, and surprise. Even if you are expecting cards on a birthday, you never know until you tear open the envelope what the card will look like or what is written inside. Some cards are so beautiful or significant that they can feel like receiving a gift.” Even for the sender, “research shows that being kind and generous (in sending a card) leads to more positive moods and less anxiety. The evidence certainly points to the fact that sending and receiving cards leads to greater happiness through keeping us emotionally connected.” In fact, the most popular cards are often for occasions that appreciate and/or celebrate with connections, like birthdays, holidays, thank yous, health recoveries, weddings, anniversaries, and graduations.
Who should get greeting cards? They could be given to just about anybody with whom you have or want a good relationship. Good people to start with are family, close friends, and/or colleagues. Some good etiquette would be to give cards to whoever gave you one in previous seasons. Keeping a running list, an address book, a collection, or some way to track received cards would be helpful to that end. One would also be a thoughtful client to send a card to people whose business, services, or expertise they regularly benefit from--like public services, educators/tutors, coaches, beauticians/barbers, medical personnel, clergy, or childcare workers, just to name a few. Those interested in sharing even more goodwill toward men could connect with programs or opportunities that share cards with people in the military, nursing homes, or other places/situations.
What should one write in a greeting card? When the card already has a printed message inside, signing your name is a socially accepted bare minimum. However, a more personalized note will stand out more. If interested in going that extra mile, here are some ideas for writing a good greeting card note:
You might include a personalized greeting or sentiments. You could emulate how a letter starts by adding either the recipient’s name or a nickname/pet name/term of endearment for them above the message. You could customize in other ways like: underlining words or phrases in the preprinted message; including inspirational quotes; sharing stickers, small doodles, printed photos or other small mementos that can fit within a card. The main idea is to add a little more personality or creativity to the card and/or message, however that might be for you. (A link or two in the sources share more ideas.)
Your note can be an abbreviated letter. Another interesting statistic I found during this research was that most card buyers are between 35 and 60, which is the age range when consumers know the most people, older and younger, and are in life stages that include: buying homes, getting married, and/or having kids. This demographic is likely using their cards to share and communicate updates about their life--especially if the recipients are not active on social media or not connected to the sender’s online socials. Following this trend, you could include a few lines about good/reasonable things going on in your life, if you so choose. Just mind that the context is appropriate for sharing; holiday cards, “just because” cards, and maybe thinking-of-you cards would be better for life updates than sympathy cards.
You should draft and proofread. Cards and letters are correspondence cousins and all correspondence benefits from these steps in the writing process. This sounds redundant if you’ve followed other Lessons & Advice, but speaking from personal, professional, and objective standpoints, they are nonetheless important steps to take. Also, several tips from the thank you card Lesson & Advice can apply to most other types as well. Drafting and proofreading for a greeting card note might look like: planning and writing early versions of your message on a document separate from the card so your card(s) won’t be wasted on mistakes; editing and revising as necessary; then transcribing the final product to the card.
You could also find opportunities to submit. If you believe some work you have would be appreciated by a broad, card-purchasing audience, you could look into jobs for or open calls connected to card publishers!
Apple’s app store nowadays offers nearly two million programs, connecting us to a range of tools, news, information, and entertainment. But despite technology, fewer things connect us better than an old-fashioned greeting card (or letter)! Although the common seasons for sending cards are very soon as of this publishing, they really don’t have to be limited to certain holidays. Again, plenty cover most occasions throughout the year; if not, one can be made or improvised! Partaking in this activity is not terribly difficult either and well-worth the effort all around!
I hope you’re inspired to make a regular task of good card-writing and sharing during your holidays and other times of the year!
In the chat or socials, share about a good experience you’ve had with giving or receiving cards! Or if there’s a topic you want me to cover in the future!
sources/further reading
Greeting card research:
How-to research
Brainstorming ideas
Christmas card programs
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