Don’t Forget to Send a Greeting Card

Greeting cards are a thoughtful and personal way to show someone that you care. They are a small gesture that can make a big difference, especially in today’s digital world.

Here are some reasons why you should send a greeting card:

  • To show someone you care. A greeting card is a tangible reminder that you are thinking of someone and that you care about them. It is a personal touch that can make someone feel special.
  • To celebrate a special occasion. Greeting cards are a great way to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. They are a thoughtful way to show someone that you are happy for them and that you are celebrating with them.
  • To offer your support. If someone is going through a difficult time, a sympathy card can offer them support and encouragement. It is a way to let them know that you are thinking of them and that you are there for them.
  • To express your gratitude. A thank you card is a great way to express your gratitude to someone who has done something nice for you. It is a thoughtful way to show them that you appreciate their kindness.
  • To simply say hello. Even if there is no special occasion, a greeting card is a great way to simply say hello to someone you care about. It is a way to let them know that you are thinking of them and that you want to stay in touch.

So, next time the holidays roll around or an anniversary comes up, consider sending a greeting card. It is a small gesture that can make a big difference.

The Lost Art of Thank You Cards

Recognizing good deeds or generous gifts is just common courtesy; however, it seems that most people of today do not make acknowledgements of “Thank You”.
When I was growing up, my mother would always make sure we sent Thank You cards for birthday gifts, Christmas presents and any other generous offering we received. Of course, my brother and I would whine and complain because we would have to handwrite each card, but it taught us to show appreciation for all that we are given.

I would send Thank You cards out for my children when they were little but now it’s their turn. Naturally, their response is “Can’t I just send a text?” My response is to ask them how it feels when they get a card a mail. That seems to be enough of an explanation. We all get that warm and fuzzy feeling when there is a surprise in the mailbox even if it’s as simple as a card.

Doing the right thing in your personal life will carry through to your professional life. When business associates stop in with donuts or my boss brings us lunch, I always make sure to send a Thank You card. The first time I did this my boss was so surprised that I would do such a thing.

Don’t fall victim to the lost art of Thank You Cards.

Thank You Cards: An Art To Be Encouraged

Why is it that the art of saying thank you seems to be in short supply? I was taught that if someone does something nice for you or gives you a present, you should say thank you. The best way was to write a note to the person with your sincere thoughts of thanks. Today it is easier, there are so many thank you cards available with a great variety of thank you sayings.

Thank you is such a basic part of my life and I find it sad to see that it is becoming less and less personal. Sending a text is okay but it can never replace the art or writing. When you take the time to choose a card, then write a note and address the envelope, you are showing that you were touched enough by that person to spend time selecting just the right card and saying.

Proper etiquette says that you should send a thank you within a month of receiving a gift or even having been invited to attend a dinner party. We should always remember that we are supposed to be practicing an elevated sense of propriety. Let me assure you if I am invited to your house, I will follow up my visit with a thank you card for the lovely evening spent with you.

The Versatility of Corporate Thank You Cards

You probably haven’t received a Thank You card in a while. Is it because they seem passé? Sure feels like it, but in today’s hustle bustle, it is more important than ever to use Thank You cards as a way of acknowledging your appreciation. For example, the elusive client meeting you finally landed.  Sure you may have taken the client out to lunch and sent a “thanks for meeting with me” email, but a Thank You card is a way to get noticed and stand out from the rest. Don’t miss the opportunity to get customers thinking positively about you and your business.  

Thank You cards also work great for your suppliers or vendors as well.  Have any of them gone out of their way to meet a deadline for you?  If so, keep the good relations going with a Thank You card

Thank You cards are great for giving internal kudos to those who deserve it. You obviously don’t want to send a card every time someone does their job right, but you do want to recognize those employees who go above and beyond. 

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish yourself as a company or a person in the corporate world, but using Thank You cards at appropriate times will really set you apart from the pack.

Post-Interview Thank You Card Tips

 

You’ve aced the interview, but you aren’t quite done yet. Here’s some helpful tips on how to properly close the interview by saying thank you with a card or note:

1. Addresses interviewer(s) by name and spell those name(s) correctly.
2. Choose an appropriate Thank You card design. Keep in mind that this card is an extension of you and how you’re presenting yourself, so choose wisely.
3. Write neatly and clearly. Use a legible color.
4. Plan what you’re going to say.
5. Reference the conversation you had without summarizing. Add to the depth of the main points or expand on an important issue. Pose questions when appropriate.
6. Reflect on additional useful qualities that you possess as well as reinforcing ones you’ve mentioned.
7. Focus on how you can and will improve the company upon your employment there. Give concrete examples and use your previous employment to support your claim.
8. Realize that they might have talked to dozens of people that day. Remind the interviewer(s) of who you are.
9. Realize that you might not have been the best candidate they spoke to—demonstrate to them why you truly are worth noticing so you don’t get dismissed.
10. Send it in a timely manner. A late Thank You note is not going to help support how you “take initiative.”
11. Don’t follow-up immediately after your Thank You note. There are exceptions, but generally this is unnecessary and looks desperate.

Why People Still Appreciate Greeting Cards

During this technological day and age, everyone is always messaging you or contacting you through social media. That’s definitely a quick and easy way to reach out to people, but there comes a time when you want to show someone you are thinking of them…for example, on special occasions. Digitally, you tend to lose the beauty of the personal feel of opening up a card and reading it. There’s something to say about opening up a piece of paper, reading the handwritten message on it … and this is why people still appreciate greeting cards.

Not to say that sending an email to show best wishes for an occasion is wrong, it just tends to feel impersonal. Sure you can send a “Happy Birthday” text message, or a “Congratulations” email, but then what? The person deletes it, reads it in a hurry and goes on to the thing they were doing, or doesn’t even get it right away because they’re just too busy to check their email or personal messages until later. With greeting cards, someone can actually take the time to read how much you care. They can display your card on their desk at work or on their end table at home, and will be reminded of you every time they look at it! There’s an element of surprise and joy when you open up the envelope, and see what kind of card someone has chosen to send you.

Greeting cards take your well wishes and thoughts to another level, a tangible level. To me, this goes above and beyond a quick text message. I know someone took the time to think of me, pick out a card they think I’ll enjoy and go out of their way to put their thoughts on paper. Even if the note is simply stated, receiving a greeting card beats reading digital thoughts any day!

CHEAT SHEET: WHO TO SEND THANK YOU CARDS TO AND WHEN

In this age of instantaneous communication, it might seem like there is no need to send a personal Thank You Card to anyone anymore.  Surprisingly enough, there are many scenarios, both personal and business, for which this is still appropriate – and even expected.  The question is, who to send them to and when.

Below are the top scenarios for which this show of appreciation is still warranted and also appreciated by the recipient, along with guidelines for when to send the Thank You Card.

Gifts Received

  • Send within 6 weeks after receipt of the gift (sooner is better).

Scenarios:

  • Gifts received at an event that you host or is held in your honor.
  • Gifts received in acknowledgement of a major life event.
  • Gifts given by guests who could not attend and could not be thanked in person.

Examples:

Birthday · Anniversary · Engagement · Retirement · Graduation · Bridal Shower ·Wedding ·

Baby Shower · Birth of Baby · Baptism · Communion · Bar/Bat Mitzvah ·Confirmation · Congratulations · Housewarming · Surprise Party · Gifts received during an illness ·

Condolence Notes/Gifts

Kindness/Show of Appreciation

  • Best to send within a few days of the kindness you have received, but can be sent up to 2 weeks later. Beyond that time-frame, the sentiment will lose some impact.

                Scenarios:

  • A favor from a friend or neighbor such as pet sitting, house sitting, transportation, errands, etc.
  • After a hospital stay, to thank a nurse or doctor who went above and beyond.
  • To thank an exceptional teacher or babysitter.

Thank the Host/Hostess

  • Best when sent within a few days after the occasion, but best if sent no more than 2 weeks later.

                Scenarios:

  • A friend’s dinner party
  • An extended visit at someone’s home

Employment Search

  • Best when sent within 1 day of the interview, but no more than 2-3 days later.

Tips:

  • Not necessarily required, but definitely recommended.
  • Shows the interviewer that you have manners and reinforces your interest in the position.
  • Makes you stand out from the competition (most people do not send them).
  • Puts your name in front of the interviewer again.
  • Should be sent to each person who interviews you.

Business Thank You Cards

  • Should be sent within 5 business days after the event or action you wish to acknowledge, but no more than 10 business days (2 weeks) later. Sooner is always better.

Scenarios:

  • After meeting with a prospective new customer.
  • After a customer places their first order.
  • In appreciation of a customer’s continued business.
  • To a customer who has been patient in a difficult situation.
  • To the host of a business meeting or conference you were invited to and attended.

There may be many other reasons to send a hand-written Thank You Card.  The point is, there is really no reason not to take the initiative to show your appreciation to another person.  So go ahead!  Be creative, be appreciative, and send a beautiful Thank You Card.  It will be well-received!

Thank You Cards – When Is It Appropriate to Send One in the Workplace?

Saying thank you with a card is never really inappropriate however in the workplace just as everything else, we must practice moderation and follow policies that are set in place.  A simple thank you for a favor a coworker has done or to all the employees for their hard work during the quarter is almost always okay.  The only reasons a thank you can become a problem is if it disturbs someone or embarrasses them.  Personal thank yous can also show favoritism if there is a difference in hierarchy so bosses should refrain from sending out individual cards leaving that as a reward for something like a company-wide contest that everyone is aware of.

Appropriate occasions for a thank you card are plentiful keeping everything previously mentioned in mind.  Contemporary Thanks Anniversary Card this clean and spaced design gives a professional thank you to an employee the way you want it to, showing gratification without overdoing it.  While for those looking for something to write a more personalized message the Signature Thank You Card captures sincerity with a more artistic approach.  So whether you’re looking to thank all your employees or show appreciation for your coworkers for favors done a thank you card is definitely appropriate to send.  Trust me, it will definitely be appreciated and show in the future.

Greeting Cards Highlight – Thank You Cards

Chances are that there are people in your life who have helped you along the way, contributing positively to you or your business. We all have people in our lives who we are thankful for and sending them a thank you card is the perfect way to express that you acknowledge their impact, work or business.

Here are five great Thank You cards that will help get the message across:

First, the Thank You Scroll Card is the perfect card to thank your clients or customers. The “Thank You” message is written elegantly over a swirling tonal backdrop and stamped with embossed gold foil. The overall design on cream matte card stock looks polished and well-put together.

Another great thank you card for your clients or customers is the Thank You For Your Business card on a navy blue background. This thank you card is less formal than the “Thank You Scroll Card” but looks equally great with the gold lettering on navy background. The interesting lines underneath the “Thank You For Your Business Card” works as the focus point and is sure to draw in your customers.

If there is someone you’d like to thank during the holidays, the Regal Thank You card is a great card to send. The royal red and gold design on cream matte stock features subtly embossed details that remind one of the holidays, without being too specific as to which particular holiday. The classic card can be sent to employees, coworkers or loved ones, making it a great all-purpose card for you or your business.

One of my favorite thank you cards is the Peacock Thank You card because the design features just the right amount of detail to make a colorful impact. The “Thank You” message is simple, embossed in gold, while three peacock feather plumes featured in blue, red, and yellow stylishly wrap around the “Thank You” message. The embossed details on each feather stand out, leaving a tasteful impact. This card would be a great personal card or even a stylish card for your clients if you want to leave a lasting impression.

Last but not least, if you prefer a background design over a “Thank You” font design, why not express your gratitude with the Water Lily Nympheas card? This famous background by Claude Monet is outlined in a thick gold embossing and leaves room in the inside of the card to personally sign or handwrite your gratitude to your customers or loved ones. If you enjoy the Claude Monet backgrounds, there are also many other Monet landscape cards you can choose from in the Thank You card collection.

Remember what your mother always taught you: Always say please and “THANK YOU!”

Why You Should Send Thank You Cards

What ever happened to sending someone a Thank You card? Technology evolved and took over every aspect of the manner in which we do things. It has made us lazy and quite insensitive. We no longer write personal notes or sentiments to those we appreciate as a symbol of our gratitude. Instead we shoot them an email or a text that conveys a simple, emotionless message. Sometimes we are too busy to even complete a word that we resort to text slang, SMH (Shaking my Head)! Did we ever stop to think of how impersonal those texts and emails are?

Knowing that someone actually took the time to pick out a nice card, chose the words they wanted to use in describing how grateful they felt towards you can bring about quite a remarkable feeling of importance. Receiving a personal Thank You card always gives you a wonderful conversation piece because it is something you will want to display in your home upon receiving it. One quickly forgets the text or email that simply says thank you, but a card lasts longer than a quick enter on the delete button. Let’s take a moment to reconnect in the manner we used to, send a personal Thank You card.