Congratulations to the Winner of our 6th Annual $10,000 Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Congratulations to Kathy Zhou of Philadelphia, PA! She is the winner of our 6th Annual $10,000 Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest! Kathy is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania who is studying Computer Science with a minor in Design. She has created a beautiful design that features a unique and creative representation of a traditional Christmas image. Kathy submitted a design that is 100% original, and we can’t wait to see the finished product! Our judges had a truly difficult decision to make as there were so many creative entries in the finalist pool, but we think Kathy’s design will make a truly amazing card.

Here is the design Kathy submitted:

 

6th Annual Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Winner
Kathy Zhou’s winning design for the 6th Annual $10,000 Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

The 7th Annual $10,000 Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest will begin on March 18, 2013. Be sure to visit the entry page to reacquaint yourself with the rules and guidelines. You may also check out our newly updated winners page to view the designs submitted by our previous winners and to get inspired.

St. Patrick’s Day – Celebrating A Culture

“Top O’ the morning to you!” A traditional Irish greeting whose proper response is “ and the rest of the day to yourself.” Just the thought of it brings a smile and memories of years and years of wearing green and eating corned beef and cabbage. As I sent out photo invitations to my annual St. Patrick’s day celebration I wondered how we came to a food and drink celebration in honor of a man who by all accounts was a devoutly religious man who spent his life in prayer and spreading Christianity. Armed with my curiosity, I did some research and found some interesting facts about St. Patrick and his feast day.

St. Patrick was born around 385 in England to a wealthy and high standing roman family. He was captured at the age of 16 by Irish raiders and sold into slavery to high priest of Druidism, a pagan sect that was the ruling religious influence in Ireland. As he worked as a shepherd he spent much time in prayer for guidance and so became more devote in his Christianity. He had a vision that the children of Pagan Ireland were reaching out their hands to him. In time he became increasingly determined to convert the children he had a dream that impressed on him the need to escape his enslavement. Finding his way back to England he devoted his next few years to learning and eventually was sent to Ireland by the Pope as a missionary bishop to convert Ireland to Christianity. Nobody can imagine that this was an easy task, but apparently his mission was blessed for he survived many trials and converted Ireland to Christianity before his death on March 17, 461. Thus making him the most celebrated of saints in the world. Around the ninth or tenth century March 17 was celebrated as a holy day of obligation for the Catholics of Ireland, although the day is also celebrated by the Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox and the Lutheran church. The traditional celebration which comes during the Lenten period would be to attend mass in the morning and eat and drink in the afternoon since the Lenten prohibitions were suspended for this one day. The traditional meal was Irish bacon and cabbage.

Oddly enough the first parade on this day was not held in Ireland, but in the United States. In 1762 Irish soldiers serving in the English army marched through New York City which helped them connect with their Irish roots. As Irish societies sprang up they joined together and in 1848 united their parades and so was born what is considered the largest St. Patrick’s parade in the world and certainly the oldest and largest in the U.S. Parades are not limited to New York and Ireland now but to many places around the globe, such as Japan, Singapore, Russia, England and Canada. What started out as a celebration of one man’s dedication to his faith has turned into a celebration of all things Irish. Or maybe it is the celebration of how one small nation has sent from it’s shore it’s sons and daughters to spread a natural love of food, dance and a little religion mixed in to the four corners of the earth.

In celebration of St. Patrick and all that he has inspired I will be celebrating once again on March 17, eating corned beef and cabbage, wearing green and singing the words of the old Irish song:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand

Bulk Greeting Cards Keep Employees Happy

Working in a busy office can be tough at times. I try to make life easier by having snacks and developing employee contests in order to keep stress at bay. I’m always looking for new ways to create a friendly working environment. Sending out birthday, holiday, and congratulation cards are a fabulous way to connect with employees and show appreciation. In addition, I feel great knowing that I have wonderful relationships with everyone in my office. In order to continuously give out cards (it seems that there’s at least one birthday every week), I found that buying bulk greeting cards really makes a difference. No longer do I have to continue a weekly run to the local drug store. I have all the cards I need right at my fingertips!

Assortment boxes are the absolute best. I can purchase a box that has cards for every single occasion. I love that greeting card companies choose the best of their selection and put a few of each design in a single box! I know I have a difficult time choosing; all of the cards are so intricately designed! The assortment boxes let me get the best of the best in conjunction with peace of mind. You definitely can’t beat that!

Saving That Trip to the Store for Assorted Birthday Cards

I work as an assistant to the Regional Manager of a large retail chain. I’ve been doing this job for a number of years and part of that job is to make a trip to the local card store to pick up a few birthday cards for my boss to send to employees. While this is not a particularly big deal, it just got to the point where I said “There has to be an easier way”. I started my search on the internet and found a card company called The Gallery Collection that sold an assortment box of birthday cards. The box contained 35 assorted birthday cards and 38 envelopes, with several different designs and greetings. To make a long story short, I ordered, I liked, I used!

Since I was on a roll, I pointed out to my boss that he could place an order for business birthday cards that could be sent to clients. He didn’t need much persuasion. I called and requested a few samples to choose from and he was definitely impressed with the quality of the cards. Once the decision was made about the design and a greeting was selected, I went online and placed the order. The process was so simple that again, I ordered, he liked, he used!

Sympathy Cards are the Ambassadors of Solace

Some people are born with the gift of bringing comfort to those in need; most of us must depend on sympathy cards. Many of us use the clichés that seem to be appropriate, but don’t require any real thought. We are often afraid to say something too personal or too spiritual, thereby making the recipient uneasy.

For the giver of the sentiment, it is important to evoke a “thinking of you” concept to the person who receives the card. That is really what sympathy cards are all about. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of a sympathy card will most likely say that the gesture itself is an act of consolation that is much appreciated.

The card that one selects should be representative of the beliefs of the recipient, not the sender. If there is no way to know what those beliefs are, it is best to rely on the “thinking of you” concept. Of course, the design of the card should also be given some consideration. For instance, if you knew the person well, and they had a passion for a certain type of art or color or flower, etc. you should look for something reflective of that interest. When choosing a card for someone that you don’t know quite as well, it is best to choose a card that will be simple yet elegant.

The bottom line is that whether sending a sympathy card or a thinking of you card, the act of sending one that you have thought about reflects your sincerity.

Birthday Cards for a Busy Business

I own a relatively small business that demands a lot of my time, as well as the time of my employees. As a way of thanking my dedicated staff, I give each of them a card on their birthday with a small message saying how much I appreciate them. With the limited amount of spare time I have, it is important for me to make the birthday cards shopping process as quick as possible. For three years now, the Gallery Collection has served as a one-stop-shop for my employee birthday card purchasing needs.

Each year the Gallery Collection comes out with new designs that are each equally as exquisite as the next. The intuitive search allows me to quickly rifle through their wide selection of cards to find something that is flexible enough to suit all of my employees. Although the search is a great time-saver, what I love most is the quality of the products. I cannot stress how brilliantly crafted each of the cards are; from the packaging the order comes in to the material used for the products themselves, I am always blown away. I will continue to purchase here and plan on making business birthday cards purchases for my clients as well.

Christmas Cards – A Tradition That Transcends Time

Christmas cards are, of course, a great way to catch up with friends in a personal way. When I was younger I always meant to send out a year in review, touching base with the people who meant so much to me over the years, but I was always too busy. It’s a sad fact that time goes quickly. Sometimes years pass before you realize you’ve lost touch with a friend, co-worker, or classmate. Which is one reason why simple, personalized Christmas cards can be so touching.

My mother, for instance, wrote a holiday letter and sent out cards for years. On more than a few occasions I remember her actually handing me boxes of blank cards so I could start my own tradition. It took me more than a few years to finally act on it. Once I did, I realized I had more than 75 people I wanted to reach out to with personal wishes for a happy holiday.

The modern world has simplified so many things, for better or worse. Text messages have all but ended catch-up phone calls. Video games have limited the amount of time children interact with each other away from the television. Email has cut deeply into the amount of actual letters we write. These changing times have made receiving a holiday card that much more special. If someone in this busy world takes the time out of their schedule to write you, it means they care.

Holiday cards, for me, have simply become a tradition. I enjoy keeping in touch with my close friends and informing them of what is going on in my life—and hearing from them in return. More than a few of my friends have asked me where I find the beautiful cards I send and have started reciprocating, mailing out their own cards annually. There really is nothing more heart-warming than receiving a card from someone you’ve lost touch with. Cards reconnect you in a uniquely personal way.

Business Greeting Cards and Missed Opportunities

Did you order your business greeting cards this year? If you did – congratulations! You won! Won what, you say? You won the opportunity to advertise your business. Greeting cards are one of the most economical ways to get your name out there and then keep it out there. Many companies order holiday greeting cards, which are kind of expected. Spreading greetings of the season, goodwill and maybe a thank you, is the most common. However, we are not limited to sending greetings just once a year. We now have the opportunity and ability to keep our name in the minds of customers’ throughout the year. Thank you cards would likely be the next best way to keep your name in the fore front. Thank you for your business. Thank you for considering us. Thank you for your referral. These are just a few reasons one might send a thank you card.

Corporate greeting cards are no longer limited to holiday and thank you. How about a calendar card? One that can be hung up and viewed all year long. Include your company name, address, telephone number and even an email or web address. A card that will stand out all year long. Make it more personal by sending a birthday card.

Advertisements in a newspaper are costly and you can never be sure what audience you are reaching. Is also quite generic. Sending business greeting cards is a direct hit. You can be sure that it is getting to your intended target. Exposure is the name of the game. What better way to do it!

Employee Anniversary Cards Add That Personal Touch

I work for a relatively small company and the other day I got a very pleasant surprise. I’d been working for the same manager for about a year when he called me in and handed me an envelope. My heart sank and then he told me to open the envelope. As I was opening it, he thanked me for a great year and told me how much they appreciated having me in the department. To my amazement, the envelope contained an anniversary card. Never in all my years of employment have I received employee anniversary cards from my employer.

I think I actually felt tears welling up in my eyes. Even though I’ve only been with my current employer a little over a year, I really felt like part of the team and I had hoped they felt the same way. You know, when you think about it, considering there are only 24 hours in a day and you sleep for about 8 of them, you are with your “work family” half of every day. To get anniversary cards seemed to cement that relationship.

I proudly displayed that card on my desk for the week and then brought it home to show my family. I found out from other employees that the company recognizes every year’s anniversary with a card. I guess I didn’t think companies took the time to add that personal touch, but I was wrong. Getting that card meant the world to me.

Business Birthday Cards And Yummy Treats

I’ll never forget one of my employees, Gretchen. She certainly was a spark plug in the office; always laughing and enjoying her time with fellow co-workers. However, one mention of her birthday always ticked her off because she hated to think about getting older. She already dyed her hair to keep the grays at bay, and loved her spa days to minimize wrinkling. Gretchen even claimed that her birthday was February 29 just so she didn’t have to deal with it every single year! As the good boss that I am, I knew her little trick and I let it slide, not trying to blow her cover. However, I was planning on going through my slew of business birthday cards in order to find the perfect one for her. That of course, was just the beginning.

As a boss, I do like to keep things very professional. However, I don’t want my employees to feel like they are in prison. I let them chat amongst themselves during downtime, and I like to surprise them with little gestures from time to time, such as corporate greeting cards congratulating them on a job well done, or free lunch or dessert. My grandmother always made my birthday feel special, and I like to convey those same feelings to everyone, including my colleagues.

Now you know why I was somewhat upset for Gretchen’s lack of enthusiasm toward her own special day. I knew I had some work cut out for me, so I did some investigating and found out she could never pass up a piece of scrumptious red velvet cake. My friend, Bobby, owned an award winning bakery. I walked over, told my buddy about my dilemma and pulled out my camera. I took a picture of Bobby holding a piece of red velvet cake with Gretchen’s name on it- literally. I printed out the picture at my desk (thank you technology, or else I would’ve needed by 1980’s Polaroid), placed it within the birthday card, explained that she had a treat waiting for her, and signed my name.

I slyly gave Gretchen the card on her birthday (April 14, NOT February 29), and she glared at me while I grinned. Later that day, she surprised me with a lovely thank you card written with pretty gold foil. I started laughing hysterically when I opened the card- inside was a picture with Gretchen devouring her cake. Underneath she had written, “Don’t worry- I ate a piece for you too!”