I have strict rules when it comes to greeting cards. (Ok, if you follow this blog long enough, you’ll find that I’ve got strict rules when it comes to just about everything…) But right now we’re on cards. Cards are a big deal in my family — growing up, each family member would have a small mountain of envelopes to open on the morning of their birthday, Valentine’s Day or just a random Tuesday. And these weren’t just any cards – they were the perfect cards. Cards that someone spent at least an hour picking out at Hallmark. Maybe it had a relevant picture — maybe the sentiment was ‘just right.’ Whatever the draw, that card was chosen for a reason, and it made you feel special. These days, in the age of email and e-cards, in a time when people type a quick sentence rather than actually dialing a phone, getting one of those unmistakable pastel colored envelopes in your mailbox feels even MORE special. That’s why I make it a point to keep sending them.
But, as I said before, I like to pick the perfect card for the recipient. It just won’t do to have a stack of generic cards on hand! (Not to mention, when you buy these ‘good to have on hand’ cards, you inevitably forget where you put them so you’re forced to go out and buy more. Silly.)
So, how do I organize my card-sending? On the first of every month, I open my calendar and make a list of every person’s birthday, anniversary or holiday coming up that month. I’ll even go ahead and look at the first week of the next month just in case. Then I make one trip to Hallmark for the month, and go to town. When I get home I fill them all out – leaving a post-it note on the outside of the stamped/addressed envelope reminding me to throw it into a mailbox on the right day.
Now that you’ve got a manageable system for card buying and sending, here are some good rules to live by: First, an e-card or Facebook wall posting should not replace a physical paper card for the important people in your life. Second, if mailing your card it, do your best to get it there in time for the celebratory day. Third, if giving your card in person, especially to the people who live in your household, it should be given first thing in the morning — a later-day card screams “i ran to Duane Reade at lunch.” And finally, one card is lovely, but three or four? That’s really special.
Here’s to making the special people in your life feel that way,

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