Thank You or Thinking of You – Does Sending a Card in the Mail Still Matter?
“In a world where so much communication is merely utilitarian, the simple acts of investment, remembrance, gratitude and appreciation can show the people who matter to your life and business that they are important to you.”
Ahhh…the rapidly disappearing act of sending greeting cards in the mail. Other than for Christmas and perhaps a few Birthdays, who sends cards in the mail anymore? Even Christmas and Birthday cards seem to be fewer and fewer. And don’t even get me started on thank you cards 🙁
When I actually do receive a thank you card in the mail, I kiss the damn thing – in surprise and gratitude. I am SO thankful to receive a thank you card because it tells me that whatever I did, said or gave was actually appreciated…and perhaps even enjoyed.
Now, I certainly don’t always send people thank you cards (or ‘thinking of you’ or ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘congratulations’ or whatever) but I really do try. Based on personal experience (both of having received thank you cards and not so much), I think it does matter.
Thinking of someone or being grateful for something is one thing; actually taking the time to send a card that expresses that is quite another.
Perhaps this why – despite the fact that most people don’t seem to mail many cards anymore and therefore don’t buy them in the first place – I still decided to create my own line of photo greeting cards (alongside the recycled Christmas cards) this past year.
I guess it was just something I wanted to do, regardless of the outcome.
For inspiration, I turned to the some beautiful photos of my beloved dogs (Sable, Soda and Sadie) as well snapshots from some of my recent travels and experiences. Even though I knew selling the cards might be a challenge, I loved making them 🙂
“I am going to spend as much time as I can creating delightful things out of my existence, because that’s what brings me awake and that’s what brings me alive.”
– Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
I know I’m not the only one receiving less cards in the mail these days. Last summer, I sent a friend a birthday card on her birthday – and she e-mailed me immediately, thanking me and letting me know how much it meant to her because mine was the only birthday card she’d received. In other words, it was special…it meant something.
“Life moves too fast. You may be thinking of a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a while, but before you know it a day, a week, maybe even a month passes before you do anything about it. I challenge you to change that! Stop for just a moment and send a card in the mail to that loved one….it will likely be something they keep, either on their fridge, in their nightstand, or somewhere else safe, so that they can look at it again and again and feel your love.”
– Sherry Ballantyne, Eclectic Soapbox
Yes, it’s easier, faster and free to simply post “Happy Birthday!” on someone’s Facebook page or fire off a quick e-mail or text but I don’t think the impact on the recipient is quite the same as a good old-fashioned card.
“Technology has turned the way we communicate upside down. Sometimes emails become more of a bane than blessing. Receiving emails and texts are fun, but nothing replaces reaching into your mailbox and discovering a handwritten card that reminds you how much you’re adored.”
Personally, the fun of receiving e-mails ended a long time ago. With more than a thousand unread e-mails sitting in my inbox at any given time (despite my best attempts at trying to keep up), it isn’t excitement or anticipation I feel when I open my e-mail – it’s dread.
Sure, I receive lots of wonderful e-mails with good news and valuable information but the sheer volume of incoming e-mails is overwhelming.
But when I open my real mail box and actually see a greeting-card sized envelope with my name and address handwritten on the front, now that is fun! Unfortunately, it happens less and less often – and usually just around my birthday or at Christmas.
From an environmental, waste-reduction perspective, I’m happy to see the shift away from sending greeting cards in the mail. But from a human-relationship perspective, I’m not so sure.
Here are a few more samples of our new photo greeting cards:
Visit Our On-Line Store to See Full Selection
Please visit the Pink Gazelle on-line store to view the complete selection of our themed packs of photo greeting cards. The cards are available in packs of 5 ($19.95 and free shipping).
Special End of Season Offer
From now until Jan 31st, 2017, with the purchase of a 5-pack of cards from the Pink Gazelle on-line store, we’ll give you a second 5-pack (your choice) for free (so that’s 10 cards for $19.95 and free shipping)!
Once you have ordered your first 5-pack, we will e-mail you to find out which second 5-pack you would like 🙂
I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts on sending cards in the mail
Are you sending out Christmas cards this year? Do you send thank you cards? Do you teach your children to send thank you cards? Do you mail birthday cards?
Related Blogs by Maryanne
Using Creativity to Bring More Joy & Beauty to the World
Cute Christmas Cards Capture Re-purposing Chic
Browsers, Buyers & Banning Husbands – Post-Game Analysis of Craft Show
Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God’s Country. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and the Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. If you would like to receive her weekly blog, please sign up here.
Still on the lookout for Christmas Gifts?
Our Wise Owl Wisdom Inspirational Quote Cards make a great stocking stuffer…for the quote-lover on your list!
$7.95 for 1 set (30 cards per set) or $14.95 for 2 sets
Please click here for details.
Here is the link to purchase through our on-line store.
2 thoughts on “Does Sending a Card in the Mail Still Matter?”
I still enjoy sending cards, with a letter, as well and love receiving them too. You’re right though, people just aren’t sending cards or letters very often any more. They do mean a lot. Writing a letter was one way of communicating with my husband and kids if there was a subject that was difficult to talk about. A great way to get the conversation started!
Wishing you good health and much happiness in 2017!
Hi Marjorie! Yes…it’s true, sometimes a handwritten note or letter can communicate something in a much more meaningful way than an e-mail or text.
You, too, have a great holiday season and I wish all the very best in 2017!!
Maryanne