March 22nd, 2009 by Solange

I once went to an 80th birthday party, the 80th Birthday card message was a poem, written by an “old friend” of the celebrated new octogenarian. It rhymed with 20 and add that very personal touch, it was witty and funny.

You can add your own poem to your e-card, but where do you start? It all seems very easy when you see cards in the shop, and think “I can do that” but a very different ball game when contemplating the blank space where you words should be.

It sounds obvious but think of the person you are sending the card to. Then quickly make a mental review of what define your relationship with the recipient of your chosen words.
• What does this person means to you?
• What does he or she does/did for you?
• Why are you sending this card?

You will also need to think of a short list of words that define the person. Scribble all this down, now you are ready, you can start.

For example : you would like creating an ode for your best friend’s birthday card whom you have known for a long time; shared a lot of the good times and bad times with, he/she has always been there for you. The One you  have shared secrets with, if fact he/she is a bit like your confessor. This person is dependable  and very …nice which by the way that rhymes with… advice.
So what about :
 To my best friend,
“my one confessor
I trust your advice
I thank you for
being reliable and nice”

Of course it may not be as good as Emily Dickson or Shakespeare’s but it is yours and it rhymes and it comes from the heart so that what counts, really it does. Think about all the cards you have received, and the presents, these that first spring to mind are these that had a special touch, which were hand made or put together with you in mind. In lots of ways when you send a card you aim at achieving the same effect.

My dad was really touched with my “Number one Dad” poem last year,  The greeting card was printed and it hangs on his wall, though I suspect my mum has put it there!

And don’t forget with Mother’s & Father’s Days coming up soon, you could send a card to your friends who had their first baby to wish them love and luck in the future.

March 12th, 2009 by Solange

Bright sunny yellows, fresh greens, sweet Camaeiu of blues, milky cream background,  Easter greeting cards colors celebrate the joys of spring and revival.

Easter postcards were first sent to friends and relatives at the end of the 19^th century. Back then, most of the pictures represented decorated eggs. Poor Easter bunnies, symbol new life which can be traced to the 16^th century had almost disappeared from the pictures. The pairing of the 2 : Bunny & egg was a marketing ploy hatch in the 1900’s to boost sales.

I don’t remember ever receiving many Easter cards, they are certainly on the declin which make vintage cards rather collectable as they are not easy to come across. The most impressive Easter cards were stamped in silver and gold.

Nowadays When sending a Easter card you can choose a religious theme and/ or incorporate the history of Easter:

• The most sacred festival in the Christian calendar, Easter commemorates the Resurrection of Christ.
• In pagan times a festival was held in honour of Eostre, goddess of dawn, hence its name Easter.
• Easter is a moveable feast which takes place on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after the 21^st of March.
• Passover, the historic Exodus of Jewish people was for a while celebrated during the same period,  as  it was during Passover that Jesus was crucified.

If you decide on a more modern and secular twist, you could rely on new symbols such as basket full of goodies and chocolate, cards with lively flowers such as the white lily symbol of purity.

The white Bermuda lily is the accepted symbol for Easter and is the most popular flower for Easter decorations today.

There is a large choice of e-cards for Easter, free e-cards are easy to send. Religious or  secular, it is about time we bring the tradition back to its former glory don’t you think? So make a list of people to send your “Best Easter Wishes” to on:

2009 April 12

2010 April 4

2011 April 24

March 6th, 2009 by Solange

Say it with cards- part 2-

If our cards sending habits have been modified  by the advances of the internet, the messages and the occasions have evolved too, they have moved on with the times.

Major holidays and traditional messages:

As might be expected Christmas remains the most popular car-sending holiday in the Anglo-Saxon world; though it is New year’s greetings which figure at the top of the list in the rest of Europe. Sales of  Valentine’s Day cards take proud second place  and account for 25% of seasonal card sales. Most people send a least 2 Birthay cards a year.

“Everyday non-occasion cards”

But our habits are changing, in the past 5 years we have seen appearing a new genre of cards:

“the everyday non-occasion cards” which are proving to fill up a need as they are fast becoming very popular.

But what on earth is a “non-occasion card”? Cards such as friendship, encouragement, thinking of you  which answer the need of a caring generation,  people who wish to reach-out to their friends and family. Individuals who want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. People whose priorities are centred around others and not so much focused on work or on obligations.

Holidays we celebrate with a greeting card

New year’s

Valentine’s Day

Easter

Passover

Mother’s Day

Father’s Day

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Hallowen

Thanksgiving

Hanukkah

Christmas

But that is without taking into account the fact that we have a lot to celebrate and that we love celebrating…….about anything and almost everything.

Announcement cards and their replies

Among this array of cards there is another category: announcement cards and their replies. We love to send our best wishes to acknowledge a happy event, such as a new home, a new job and among these special events, one of the most special of them a card for a new Baby: