Forgive me if our lukewarm relationship only warrants a cookie-cutter Christmas greeting card from the local dollar store. Have traditional paper greeting cards gone passé in today’s modern connected world? If you still haven’t gone mainstream and sent your card in the mail, then you may be out of luck. During this busy hectic season, we have to “draw the line in the snow” somewhere. Very few people have time to personalize and be creative with greeting cards. Time to be selective and follow these key points.
Will your greeting card reach them on time?
Canada Post struggles to handle the amount of mail volume during the holidays. Hate to be the mail carrier at this time of year with all the flyers, letter mail and parcels. Deadlines for regular mail have passed so you may be out of luck. Something to consider is throwing cards together at the last minute. Not to mention there is a possibility of a gift card and letter getting misplaced or lost. Sorry, Granny…. your subscription to Reader’s Digest was lost in the mail. Of course, it depends on the person. Most people are understanding and won’t lose sleep over it. The best bet is to hand deliver the card along with a gift.
Distant or close relationship?
Okay, Gladys, first cousin of your grandmother, twice removed. You have been downgraded to a no-frills greeting card that I normally reserve for work colleagues and distant relatives. Who are you kidding? No one has the time and money to send greeting cards to everyone in your family. How do you express a warm gesture through a canned one from Hallmark or Carleton cards? Now if you send a single greeting card to your loved one or close family member, expect a knowing evil glare and awkwardness at the next family reunion. Use good judgment. Some people may not care about generic greeting cards, but what about your spouse? There better be a hundred-dollar bill or a free foot massage voucher tucked inside!
Use E-Cards as an alternative
Bit of a novelty and Eco-friendly way to convey your Christmas message. No scrambling to a card store for an overpriced card! One good thing. However, unless you have a paid digital subscription for multimedia E-cards, the free selection is paltry and not worth it. 123 Greetings is one of the popular E-card sites. Yes, the holiday jingle is cute with the flashy monkey animation, but I suppose it is better than nothing. It loses its charm and purpose when it gets lost or tossed into the junk email. Other times, it will require Adobe Flash, java and sound to work to appreciate it. Forget about playing it on a mobile device. By sending an E-card, you may end up opting to be on an emailing list as well. There goes your privacy. Didn’t you read the finer print of the service level agreement? I didn’t think so. The “price” you pay for free service.
Bundling gift cards and cash
Sweeten up the offer and make it more enticing for me to open. Let’s face it, canned greeting cards can be a “letdown”. Unless the card is directed to a distant relative or co-worker, stuff some cold cash or a gift card inside. Not everyone splurges on frivolous stuff for themselves so it can be refreshing. Bit of flexibility and you are not stuck with a gift that you have to return. Whether it is a massage or spa treatment, restaurant or coffee card, many people appreciate that bonus stuffed in the envelope. It does not take as much thought or effort compared to a wrapped Christmas present, but it is easier for mailing purposes. Yes, a bit of a cop-out, but it makes sense for people who are hard to shop for.
Boon for card companies
Holidays mark an economic boon for greeting card companies like Hallmark and Carleton cards with their 300% price markup. The holiday message comes from some disgruntled assembly line worker in China – It must be hard to be poetic and original with the right message. Workers are paid pittance and greeting card companies thrive during this commercialized buying frenzy. No one wants to be lost for words and greeting cards seem to fill the void. You don’t want to be left scrambling for the “perfect” greeting card. If you must get a card, shop at the dollar store for old Christmas card stock – you will save money! Sometimes I grab a blank card and personalize it with a note.
Be creative and personalize it
Make your greeting card more meaningful and creative or it may end up in the blue recycle bin. Okay, after a 5-day grace period. However, that is what sums up my feelings about the number of “canned” greeting cards I receive. Most recipients read between the lines and realize it is a measly effort and false sentiment. Better yet, get your children to prepare colourful hand-drawn or computer-generated Christmas cards instead. It makes a great memorable keepsake when you reflect on when they were a small child. A lot of times elementary children make crafts including cards at school so really there is no excuse. Try adding a personal touch with a handwritten note or letter.
Embrace the spirit of giving, kindness, and gratitude during the festive season. While commercialization exists, let’s focus on heartfelt gestures. Choose cards that resonate with the recipient. Happy Holidays!
