Henry L., Author at Gallery Collection Blog

Design 644AR – Congratulations Banner Greeting Card

I remember years ago when I worked as an employee for a sporting goods chain. One of the nice things working for the folks who ran that company was their acknowledging of both my birthday and company anniversary with the presentation of very nice congratulations cards. Now that I am a member of a corporate executive team, I make absolutely sure that my employees always receive business congratulations cards to commemorate special occasions in their lives.

The one I picked out for this year is Design 644AR – Congratulations Banner Greeting Card. This is a fun and colorful design that says exactly what I want to say in a most cheerful and happy way. The design depicts a banner across the top of the card that reads, ”Congratulations from all of us!”, with the lettering in all different colors ranging from blue and green to red and gold.

Below are four people – two men and two women (the same makeup as our executive group) – with big smiles on their faces, holding multi-colored balloons and standing in a large, opened gift box. Multi-colored streamers and confetti lend an accent as a final touch.

I have yet to see a more joyful and pleasing business congratulations card to give to a valued employee! Design 644AR – Congratulations Banner Greeting Card really fits the bill!

Business Christmas Cards a.k.a. Good Will Ambassadors

Business Christmas cards will never be passé, and I’ll tell you why. Last year I almost cut sending corporate holiday cards from the budget. When I discussed this idea with my office manager, she was appalled. She reminded me of how the look and tone of our office changed last year when we started receiving our holiday cards from customers, vendors, and business associates. Her question was, “If we enjoyed receiving holiday cards from other businesses, why would we not expect the recipients of our cards not feel the same way?”

Instead of thinking of how much they would cost, I started to think of the positive effect these business Christmas cards created. The Gallery Collection’s cards are among the finest I have seen. The selection is varied so that I can always find a card that reflects my company’s image and that I know will not offend anyone. They are truly more than cards; they are good will ambassadors.

When you peruse the selections, you will notice the magnificent quality of these cards. Embossed, colorful, high quality paper, and an envelope designed to let people know that something special is inside. The highly competitive pricing is another reason I chose my corporate holiday cards from Gallery Collection. Of course, Martha, my office manager, was quick to remind me that shopping early and getting us an especially good discount was her idea.

As her reward, I will make sure we get the seal fast envelopes again!

Design 154CX – Watercolor Poinsettia Holiday Card

Being an artist and loving to paint, I have a bit of pressure every year to send out the perfect personalized Christmas cards. I am very interested in watercolors so when I saw Design 154CX – Watercolor Poinsettia Holiday Card, I knew I finally found the perfect card for me.

One of the unique features of this Christmas card is the colors of the flowers and ivy on the front of the card. With its beautiful splash of colors, it actually looks like an artist brush stroked each and every card personally. The poinsettias are delicately placed on thick matte, buff colored paper which allows you to choose personalizing inside of the card, of either ink or foil printing, with ease. You can choose either the red or green ink to match the flower and ivy accents, or if you prefer your personalized Christmas card a bit more elegant looking , you can emboss the inside of the card in beautiful gold foil to match the gold flakes of shimmering snow falling around the poinsettia flowers. Each flake on the front of the card is bursting with an array of different colors depending on how the light hits the snow flake. I personally love how the gold foil looks when you open up this card and see how it glistens in the light.

Design 154CX - Watercolor Poinsettia Holiday Card — Design 154CX - Watercolor Poinsettia
Holiday Card

With the poinsettia being a symbol of the Christmas season, when your clients, friends and family receive Design 154CX – Watercolor Poinsettia Holiday Card, they will immediately identify that the Christmas season is upon us once again.

Are You Obnoxious at Work and Don’t Even Know it? Take the Quiz and Find Out!

There are certain behaviors at the office (and in life) that are best to avoid and can actually hurt your chances of being voted “Coolest Co-Worker”. Are you going through life blissfully unaware of how you are perceived by others? Take our quiz and find out.

Give yourself one point for every Q you said yes to below:

1. You firmly believe that the thermostat at the office should intuitively adjust to your body temperature alone. The rest of them can put on a sweater or buy a fan.
2. You keep a smug little smirk on your face at all times like you know all of the office gossip, most of which you started, so you should.
3. You plague your office co-workers with Facebook Friend Requests and get all bent out of shape when they are ignored.
4. You bring a cell phone into the rest room and proceed to carry on your conversation for the whole duration of your visit. After all, you’ve got some really important stuff to say.
5. You gave one of your co-workers a ManGroomer, a handy tool that conveniently removes all that unwanted back hair, or some other equally embarrassing gift at the last holiday office grab bag.
6. You talk really loudly on your cell phone going up the office elevator, in fact, you talk loudly every where you go. Everyone wants to hear your plans to attend the next Star Trek convention don’t they?
7. You show up for every meeting late, unprepared and looking put out that no one thought to remind you that the meeting started 20 minutes ago.
8. You never bring anything to the office party or buy the cheapest thing you can find yet you are first in line for the food…going back for seconds and even thirds.
9. You take off your shoes, exposing your bare, un-manicured “hobbit like” feet at the work. After all, how are you expected to get anything done if you are not comfortable?
10. You think that everyone in the office over the age of 30 is old and gleefully take every opportunity to remind them that you are “much too young to remember” whatever unbelievably boring thing they just mentioned or sprinkle conversations with endearing comments like “Wow! I didn’t even think that was invented when you were my age!”
11. You enjoy going for jogs in the hot sun at lunch time and then join your co-workers around the meeting table in the afternoon. Of course, you are considerate and put on lots of your favorite perfume or cologne so as not to offend anyone.
12. You are absolutely convinced you are always the smartest person in a room. You are sure to let everyone know it too through a series of yawns, patronizing remarks, snorting when others speak, or rolling your eyes in disgust at their sheer ignorance of your own brilliance.
13. You delight in the mistakes of others and think it is both cute and funny to discuss them loudly while the boss passes by. Really, though you are only trying to help.
14. You think “business casual” means wearing pajama pants to the office or a stained t-shirt that your Mother forgot to wash…again.
15. Complaining is the job you do best. When you make a mistake it is always your co-workers, customer or management’s fault. No doubt, the government also had a hand in it.

The Results Are In!

13-15 Points – Congratulations on your Winning Behavior at Work! You just won yourself a Charlie Sheen “Winning” T-Shirt! Be sure to post your quiz results on all of your favorite social media channels!
8-10 Points – You appear to suffer from Borderline Office Obnoxious Disorder and should seek guidance from your HR Department. Ummm…hopefully, you don’t work in the HR Department.
7-5 Points – You can be quite annoying at times but are not full fledged obnoxious. As long as there is at least one person more obnoxious than you at work, your less desirable behavior will go, for the most part, undetected or at least ignored.
5-3 Points – You in the vast majority of people who have infrequent bouts of obnoxious
that can be brushed off by attributing it to a) that recent case of swine flu b) erratic hormone levels c) global warming d) all of the above.
2-0 Points – You are either a considerate co-worker or your complete lack self awareness made you fail to score yourself accurately on this quiz. 🙂

What are other annoying habits of co-workers left off this list? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know!

Design 307CW – Patriotic Dove Peaceful Holiday Card

Every year at Christmas, my father goes through all the holiday greeting cards he has received to see which ones were purchased from the company I work for. This all started years ago when I spotted one of “my” cards, Design 307CW – Patriotic Dove Peaceful Holiday Card, sitting on his fireplace mantel. It was a holiday card from his investment broker depicting a white dove against an American flag background with the words “Peace on Earth” inscribed in gold lettering. He was fascinated that a company created patriotic Christmas cards and this one especially brought to mind a “greeting card” he had received back in 1945. Being the 83 year old reminiscing storyteller that he has become, my father proceeded to tell me about the “greeting card” he received that year.

He had just turned 18 and by law had to register with the local draft board. World War II was winding down in Europe but was still going full force in the Pacific. He had been assured he would not be called to serve before he graduated from high school in a few months. In the interim, his school officials were working with the Navy to get him into a new training program.

Shortly after graduation in May, he received a rather “bland” notice via telegram that began: “Greetings. You have been accepted by the United States Navy as a volunteer for their Electronic Technician Training Program. Report to… Congratulations.”

Recently, my father was going through some old papers in his desk and he came across this tattered, worn telegram that changed his life in many ways. His first thought was that this piece of paper should have been put in a picture frame many years ago because of the impact it had on his life. His second thought was that this message should have arrived on beautiful Design 307CW – Patriotic Dove Peaceful Holiday Card, inscribed in gold foil with the message of his induction into the Navy embossed with the official naval insignia inside. If that had been the case, this multi-colored patriotic greeting card would have been proudly displayed on the wall of his living room for the past 65 years.

Don’t Lose Your Holiday Greeting Cards

It was a beautiful Christmas Eve day with just a hint of snow falling, enough to enjoy the spirit of the holidays but, thankfully, not enough to cause a traffic calamity. As we were getting ready to leave for our annual Christmas party I was sure I had planned everything that was necessary to make this day complete. As I was going over my checklist, the first item to cross off was gifts. They were all festively wrapped, something in which I take great pride; making sure the lid of the box and the box itself are wrapped separately so that only the lid needs to be removed to reveal the surprise inside. Although this takes “talent” and time (chuckle) it saves a lot of wrapping paper and the boxes can be reused with the same wrapping paper. After checking each name, one by one, and placing the appropriate tags on the presents, it was time to carry them to the car, and, luckily, the snow at that time had stopped completely. The next items to be crossed off on my list were the hors d’oeuvres I had prepared for the party along with my famous, absolutely delicious, baked lasagna. This, too, takes “talent” and a lot of time to make. (Chuckle again). After carefully covering the lasagna with heavy duty aluminum foil, and arranging an array of appetizers on trays, these goodies were also carried to the car. I was almost finished, so back to my checklist. There was one item left to check off. Holiday greeting cards. Where were they? After checking my desk drawers, night tables, credenza and every other place that I thought I may have put them, to no avail, I could not find them. I was grateful that there was still time to go to the store and purchase holiday cards. Fortunately the stores were still open and I was able to select individual cards for everyone on my list.

Is there a lesson to be learned? Yes, indeed. I now have a supply of holiday cards on hand at all times. There is an assortment box of holiday cards that I keep in my desk, ready for me to sign and send. What a pleasure to know that it will no longer be necessary to have to rush to the store at the last minute to purchase cards. These include not only Christmas cards, but an assortment of holiday cards. I now have on hand cards for thanksgiving, birthdays, sympathy, thinking of you, thank you notes, congratulations and more. Merry Christmas to me; this was a gift I gave to myself.

Design 717CX – Thanksgiving in the Park Holiday Card

Thanksgiving has always brought a feeling of warmth to my family. The chill in the air, the smell of cinnamon and apples as pies are baking in the oven, and the thrill of excitement on the city streets announce the time of year. Design 717CX – Thanksgiving in the Park Holiday Card, reminds me of those wonderful holidays spent growing up in the city. I can feel the anticipation as I prepare the dining room table for our sumptuous feast and several heads peek around the corner trying to judge just how long a wait there is. Finally everyone takes their places and the joy that is on their faces lights my day. Oh, Thanksgiving in our city apartment is wonderful. Thanksgiving cards can share that wonderful warm feeling with everyone.

Design 717CX – Thanksgiving in the Park Holiday Card, showcases an array of vibrant colors set in front of stark city buildings. It brings a feeling of awe for the beauty of nature with Happy Thanksgiving simply stated beneath the lovely setting of autumn in the park. The tone on tone embossing surrounds the central picture featured in yellow, rust, green, brown, and flecks of gold on a buff card evoke a feeling of pleasure. I can feel the crisp air and smell the roasting turkey as I look at this richly displayed scene. Just like we do in my family, you will want to take a walk in the park after dinner.

The feeling of warmth that the Thanksgiving season brings will spread as you send these exquisite cards to associates, clients and family.

The Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day and Veterans Day have a long and storied history. They began as two special days in our country’s history, Decoration Day and Armistice Day. The first came into existence after the end of the Civil War almost 150 years ago as visitors to cemeteries in both the North and the South honored the war dead by “decorating” tombstones and gravesites with fresh flowers. The latter holiday signified the end of the fighting on the Western front of the Great War (World War I) at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918. Again, that day was to honor those who died in that war. Since the advent of both holidays, there have been quite a few changes, however.

Although Decoration Day began to be known as “Memorial Day” beginning in 1882, it was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. The following year, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, moving the celebration (which had always been on May 30) to the last Monday in May instead so that Americans could have a convenient three-day weekend, thereby “announcing” the unofficial beginning of summer. That same bill also moved Armistice Day–better known since the end of World War II as Veterans Day–to a Monday. (Because of public furor, however, the official celebration of that day was moved back to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.)

The Gallery Collection features several patriotic Christmas cards, the designs of which are perfect for holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day or even Veterans Day for those who are inclined to send out cards commemorating those days. It’s a wonderful way to remember those who have given so much.

Both holidays were meant to be special days on which the United States and its people would honor those who fought and/or died in all the wars in our country’s history, for which these special days are now known. Although this is still the thought and practice for many people, over time thinking about our fighting men and women on these days has become much less important, having been replaced by visits to the mall or to the beach or staying at home and enjoying barbeques or video games during the long weekends. With U.S. military personnel serving all over the world–especially in far-away places like Afghanistan–and with the news of the demise of Osama bin Laden at the beginning of this month, a real sense of patriotism is in order for this Memorial Day. Certainly having fun with family and friends and enjoying the warmer weather during the holiday weekend is a great thing. But let us not forget how wonderful it is to have the freedoms we cherish in this country, thanks to those who came before us and those who continue to serve in our armed forces. That’s what these holidays are all about.

Design 592AR – Precious Footprints New Baby Card

Searching for new baby cards to send to a neighbor’s daughter, I came upon Design 592AR – Precious Footprints New Baby Card, which made my heart stop. You see, the front of this card shows two little, gold-embossed footprints…so cute and tiny! What caused my reaction was that this past weekend I started to do some spring cleaning and I came upon a box with an album that I hadn’t seen in years; it was filled with new baby cards my wife and I had received when our youngest daughter was born more than 26 years ago. And, along with all the cards was this little piece of paper the hospital gave us shortly after she was born, showing her diminutive, petite feet – almost a replica of what the front of that baby card shows. Amazing!

The beautiful style of Design 592AR – Precious Footprints New Baby Card, features a shiny white card stock with the words “Congratulations! On Your New Arrival” in gold foil below a pink, blue, and beige gift box. The footprints are in the center of the gift box and a foil ribbon completes the package. I knew the instant I saw this card that it would be perfect!

Personalized Holiday Cards + My Dog = Business Booming

When companies send personalized holiday cards there are always different thoughts behind them. Should it be informal, should it be formal, should I do foil, should I do ink? This paralysis of analysis can sometimes slow you down so much you don’t bother even sending cards out.

It may not seem like a big deal but getting personalized Christmas cards out to your clientele is truly significant. In these trying times it is nice to know someone remembers you spent money there. The card puts you back on the mind of your valued customer.

I found a fool proof way of doing cards each year. I sell heavy equipment parts. So each year I take a picture of my dog Frank and pose him on a new construction vehicle as the driver. So when I make my Christmas cards, I throw in the added bonus of a picture of Frank inside.

You cannot even imagine the reception this gets each year. There isn’t a returning customer who doesn’t ask about Frank when he or she comes through the door. And the key to that statement is, “when he or she comes through the door.” I want my customers to return, I hope if you are a business owner you would want the same. I guess the only exception would be a funeral home. I suppose there is not much return business when it comes to that.

In most businesses you need to go that extra mile for your customers. The moral of the story is take time to put together a personalized Christmas card and have fun with it. It does not have to be something you worry about doing each year, you can make it exciting!