Business Birthday Cards That Show You Care

In every stage of my life the most important thing I’ve learned is that people will appreciate being appreciated. From my time in the Army when our commanders acknowledged our birthdays or anniversaries to when I was working in a corporate environment and smiled every time my bosses praised me for a job well done. Even walking down the street and someone saying a simple “Thank you for your service” when they saw my military shirt. It just feels wonderful to know that people care. And it’s a great motivational tool. That’s why when I started my own small business, I didn’t hesitate to order  business Birthday cards from the Gallery Collection. I knew from experience that it was well worth the few extra dollars to let my employees and clients know that they weren’t just a number to me and that they were valued. More so, I wanted them to know they were worth the best quality cards out there, not some cheap dollar store card.

Once you give your employees and clients their special card on their special day, it’s hard not to light up inside just as much as they do. The feeling of making someone smile is great. And you know what, I notice that once you give cards your employees and clients will be more loyal, friendly and appreciative back. It’s not only a good thing to do, but it’s also a great business investment. I find that throughout these years since I started sending cards my business has only gotten stronger. In fact, now I buy my birthday cards in bulk, in case I have new clients who come in. As the Army taught me, it’s always best to be prepared. I wouldn’t want to miss a single chance to reach out to a client and dazzle them with the beautiful cards that we have. They create a lasting impression and it’s always nice to let people know that we’re much more than your average business.

Sympathy Cards and Treasured Thoughts

Sending sympathy cards is not the most pleasant task, as we all know. It is however, a part of life. Our logical minds tell us that but our hearts aren’t as easily convinced. Just conveying condolences can be stressful. We are never quite sure what to say. We don’t want to upset anyone. If you are like me, just the thought can bring on the waterworks. What if we send the wrong type of card or say the wrong thing? Sometimes this means we may do nothing at all.

As one that has been on both ends as a sender and a receiver, way too many times I might add, I can vouch for the value of sympathy cards. After losing my daughter several years ago I received many, many sympathy cards. Every single one was so greatly appreciated. I placed all of them in a plastic container. Once in awhile, I would pull them out and read them. It was so comforting to read all of the kind words. Some were just simply signed, while others had handwritten notes. It didn’t matter. Each one was a great source of comfort. I still have that little plastic container with the cards.

At work corporate sympathy cards come into play. Over the last few years I have lost a few more family members. Each time I was sent a sympathy card be my employer, as well as my co-workers. These too were treasured more than words could ever say.

Whether you’re a business or sending out personally, consider keeping a supply of sympathy cards on hand. Choose a couple or order an assortment box of cards. Include a few words if you like or just sign your name. It doesn’t matter if it is simply signed or includes words of remembrance. The receiver will be eternally grateful.

Keeping the Tradition of Birthday Cards Alive

Need to talk? Send an email! Not sure how to spell a word? Spell check! Ah, the wonderful age of technology. Now don’t get me wrong – we have come a long way with the help of computers and other digital gadgets. But where does it end? Is it possible we are using technology a little too much these days? It’s sad that even a simple practice like sending birthday cards is slowly diminishing. I recently received an automated email (the kind you cannot reply to) wishing me a happy birthday from one of my business associates. How impersonal!

While I can’t stop the rapidly-changing world we live in, I can pick and choose the traditions I’d like to preserve. I pride myself on the fact that I still send high-quality birthday cards to my employees, family and friends. Besides, it’s quite an enjoyable process. At the beginning of each year, I buy a box of assorted birthday cards from The Gallery Collection and keep them at my office. As birthdays roll around, I pull out the box from my drawer and select the perfect design (this is my favorite part). After jotting a note inside, I hand-address the envelope, slap on a stamp and off it goes. The responses I get are overwhelming! I think it reminds everyone that a touch of humanity every now and then is still very much needed and appreciated.

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.