At a glance, the subject of business birthday cards probably strikes you as pretty dry and boring. It probably did for me, too…if I had stopped to think about it, which I’m pretty sure I hadn’t. Then I saw something really creative that captured my attention in an upbeat way.
I had gone to a friend’s office to meet him for lunch. A red, white, blue and gold birthday card was posted on the bulletin board just outside his door. Since my friend’s birthday was in January and my luncheon visit was in July, nosey me tipped open the birthday card to look inside. Inside of the birthday card below a handwritten “Dear Jeff,” was a Happy Birthday greeting, and below that, in all capital letters, it read, “Happy Birthday, America!” Below that, a company name was imprinted, plus a little handwritten note and signature. Of course I had to ask for Jeff to tell me more.
It seems this birthday card was sent by a business associate with whom Jeff has had many political debates, usually ending in agreement to disagree. I have always known my friend to be a politically minded and very patriotic guy. He described his business associate in much the same way, except for holding views about 180 degrees from Jeff’s. The handwritten note said, “I may not be very good at sending birthday cards and remembering the birthday of each person who I know and respect, but I know we’re all proud to celebrate this very important birthday.”
What a classy gesture!