Birthday Assortment Boxes: Office Essentials

The Gallery Collection popped up one day while I was looking online for Holiday cards to send out from our office. We placed our order online and had the Company name imprinted in gold foil and were very pleased with the product. I was very pleased that quite a few customers told us how nice our cards were this year.

For a long time I have been trying to get nice individual birthday cards for the employees.  I would travel to a local store to pick out a card for each employee whose birthday would be coming up in the next two weeks. I would leave work early on a Friday afternoon because it really is difficult to pick out a half dozen or so cards that aren’t to personal, lovey or just plain goofy. It is a really nice personal touch my boss likes to do when it is an employee’s birthday. 

He writes out the card wishing them a happy birthday with a short personal note thanking them for all they do. The cost of these cards has become ridiculous. I decided to go back online and look over the Birthday assortment box.  They sent me a few pre-printed samples and decided they were also a great product. With really nice birthday wishes inside. Birthday card assortments are an office necessity in my book! I am very thankful I found the Gallery Collection and their quality greeting cards.

Do’s and Don’ts For Sympathy Cards

The loss of a loved one is a very emotional time for most people.  What to say and do can be a very difficult morass to traverse.  You never want to offend anyone so here are a few sympathy card do’s and don’ts.

Do’s

  1. Send a sympathy card as soon as possible after hearing of a friend or colleague’s loss.  Delaying will just make their grievance longer. 
  2. Add a personal note such as “we are keeping you in our prayers” or “we are here if you need us”.
  3. Address the card to the person and their family.  You can say John Smith and family or Mary, John, and the Smith family.  Remember the whole family will be grieving and they will all appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Don’ts

  1. Don’t write I know how you feel.  This can really sound condescending.  You don’t know how they feel.  Everyone deals with loss differently and you don’t want to convey the impression that their pain is felt the same by everyone, making it insignificant.
  2. Don’t send a typed note. Sympathy cards should always be personal.  Expressing sympathy with a typed note appears cold and unfeeling.
  3. Remember if you feel uncomfortable writing something, it will come across wrong to the recipient.

Most importantly, you should keep in mind that a sympathy card should be a warm expression to help ease a person’s loss. 

Business Holiday Card Envelopes:  What should go on them?

By now I am sure you know that sending Business Holiday Card is a great way to retain customer loyalty and solidify relations with new customers. I am sure you also know that choosing the best quality Business Holiday Card is of utmost importance as the card speaks volumes about your impeccable taste.

If you are going to go all out and do it right, the card is not the only place perfection is needed; remember the envelope is what the recipient sees first, so ok, it ends up in the trash but it is the first impression. Here are some ideas on how to make those envelopes pop with pride.

Always include your return address including your company name, think more exposure.

Address the envelope to the person intended then the company name and address especially if you are sending to a large company.  If you are sending to a large group, address Business Holiday Card to the Manager/Supervisor then add something like “and crew” or “and staff” so no one will feel left out.

Have someone proof read the names and addresses so the recipient doesn’t get an envelope marked up by the post office.

If your handwriting isn’t the best, either find someone who can help or type on the envelope. Don’t use labels, really, this is so impersonal and no offense to those who do but it is tacky. Make sure your recipient knows you care enough to send the nicest Business Holiday Card possible.

16th Annual Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest – Round 5 Finalists Announced!

Congratulations to our Round 5 Finalists!

Let’s Discuss Company Christmas Card Etiquette

One of my most favorite parts of the holiday season is sending Christmas cards to all my customers, family and friends.  The thing is when sending company Christmas cards there is a certain etiquette that must be followed.  Not only do you want to share your well wishes but you also want to make a statement and be remembered.

My first rule is to get them out before anyone else.  I want my card to stand out above the rest.  Sometimes waiting too long means your well-meaning gesture get lost in the mix of every other card.

Although I celebrate Christmas, I want to avoid offending anyone.  If I am unsure of their belief, I send Season’s Greetings or Happy Holiday verses instead of Merry Christmas.

The third rule of etiquette for sending company Christmas cards is to always, and I mean always, include your return address.  Not only is it important for your recipient to have your address, it is important to know if one of your customers or potential customers has relocated.  By adding your return address to the envelope, the post office will return the undeliverable card to you so you.

My last rule but of significant importance is to include a brief hand written note.   This shows that you really care and that you believe in the personal touch.   

Sending company Christmas cards is a great way to leave a lasting impression.  Just be sure to make it a good impression by following certain rules of etiquette.

Corporate Holiday Cards That Represent Your Company

There are so many types of holiday cards these days.  I thought I would send some cards that are specifically identified with my business. I found corporate holiday cards that represent your company are easier to find than I thought.  I’ve been looking around for something fun!  I’m a dentist and my company makes dental implants.

  There are few cards that really represent the dental industry to begin with since no one really wants to go to the dentist, ever!  That’s why we have such a bad reputation and people sometimes think we are sour pusses.  But, in my part of the business we help people smile with pride and then they look really good!  This pushed me on.  I started an internet search and came up with the online store for the Gallery Collection.com.

Wow, some really good ideas popped up and made me and my whole staff chuckle.  There were 11 different ones to choose from that were dentist related with tooth brushes and floss and lots of teeth across the card. We wanted something subtle, and only 2 designs really fit that desire. We got samples of both and we voted in the office to decide which one we would have printed with our names in gold foil!  We really enjoyed the whole process of choosing a card. We then went on to have a pizza party during which we prepared the cards and put a stamp on every one for that truly personal touch!  

16th Annual Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest – Round 4 Finalists Announced!

Congratulations to our Round 4 finalists!

How To Choose Your Annual Thanksgiving Card

Are you new to the idea of sending a Thanksgiving Card? It can be intimidating to begin this trend, especially when there are so many designs to pick from! You want your card to be well-received, but you’re not sure yourself what you’re going for this time around. The Gallery Collection has dozens of Thanksgiving Cards to choose from. Here are a few options that will really impress your recipients and get everyone fired up for Fall (and the holiday season ahead).

1. If you want a Classic Autumnal card ….

Thanksgiving Impression Holiday Card: This card is a beautiful photo-mount card with a gold border. The card is saturated with Fall hues and will surely dazzle anyone who receives it.

2. Sugar Pumpkins Card : This has almost a Halloween feel, displaying little pumpkins in a row surrounded by leaves.

3. If you’re looking for a card with Gold foil lining….
Colorful Thanksgiving Card: Gold foil and bright colors shine on the front of this festive card.

4. We Give Thanks Thanksgiving Card: Classic images cover the front of this card with rich Fall colors throughout.

5. If you’re looking for a card with a Foil inscription on the cover….
Fall Reflections Thanksgiving Card: This rustic card features ducks floating past Fall foliage.

Crafting The Perfect Business Holiday Card

Well-crafted holiday cards have the potential to provide a dual benefit to corporations, businesses, and organizations that send them to clients, employees, customers, patients, etc.  The obvious dividend is in the authentic goodwill that these cards can engender as you truly thank your recipients for their support and trust in your organization over the past year.  The second benefit is a direct offshoot of the first. 

The appreciation that your recipients feel as a result of receiving a holiday card might, in turn, inspire them to continue to be associated with your organization and may even strengthen that bond resulting in more business, referrals, and solid loyalty.  While a great advantage for any organization, this loyalty can only be achieved as described.  It must be a direct offshoot of an authentic goodwill.  If the holiday card is sent only with the intention of drumming up more business from your customers, it might not be as well received. Besides creating your holiday card within this mental framework of authenticity, you need to find the right balance on what to include in your clients’ card no matter how well-intentioned.

16th Annual Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest – Round 3 Finalists Announced!

Congratulations to our Round 3 finalists!