Message Boards

I still like to send birthday, Christmas, etc greetings cards in the regular mail. We all have time management issues so I prepare ahead. I keep them by my TV chair and address a few everyday so when the holiday comes I'm not rushed trying to write addresses. Of course that means I get to really make use of the end of year sales on greeting cards.

I agree that the old fashion way of sending greeting cards via snail mail is my favorite way also. Whenever I spot thee perfect card that relates to the recipient I buy it on the spot even tho the event could be months away. I spend considerable time reading the cards before I select. Sometimes this process makes me chuckle and other times I tear up. I go for cards that not only relate to the recipient but that have a pretty cover and are well versed too. I once rubber stamped my greeting cards and the envelopes but no longer.

Tho I frequent Hallmark stores, I've found some nice cards in dollar stores at 2 for $1. I stock up there on all occasions so I almost always have a condolence or birthday card on hand. I also keep pretty blank cards for corresponding.

I agree. I really like sending "actual" cards in the mail and feel a bit sad that it's becoming a lost art. Part of that might be the ridiculous cost - $4-5 per card seems to be common now days - so why are those companies surprised that people aren't willing to pay that price? Beats me unless they have invested in the "virtual" e-mail card industry...

I find that both Hallmark and Target have a selection of 99-cent cards. That really helps the budget. Also, if you have a Trader Joe's, they have a nice selection of cards, especially for birthdays, and I think they cost around $1.50 or $1.99 each.

Dear professorc,
Your post remeinde of what my parents used to do with all the Christmass Cards that we received.
As the cards were delivered, they were put in a basket thats only purpose was to hold the cards. Then the same night that we decorated the tree( usually about 2 days before Christmass), they would open the box of very expensive candy that my Dads boss sent each year, fix themselves a drink and open all the cards! The cards were then displayed on the mantel over the fire place!
After the holiday, Mom would sort thru the cards and save the "special ones" and throw out the rest. In fact, she saved all the cards that were given to her, dating back to 1933!
My brother found all the cards that Mom saved, when he cleaned out her apartment when she died(4 years ago). He sent them all to me( 2 rather large boxes).I am slowly going thru them then I get some scrape books and make books for each of my brothers and sister with have all the cards that they had sent to her over the years plus devide the other cards(ie, wedding cards
baby shower cards,) ect for each of them.
Guess I sorta got off track from your post.
I love the idea of doing the cards ahead of time and think that I may follow your lead and do the same thing.
That is if I can motivae myself to make my cards early enough!( as a crafter I usually make my own cards for all occasions).
Mary

In the future, as you receive cards, save the faces of the cards and use portions or the entire face to glue onto plain card stock. You can buy blank cards w/ envelopes in multi packs in craft stores (use a coupon) as this saves over the long run. Printing out captions, using rubber stamps or simply hand written messages will complete your semi-homemade card. BTW, if you're feeling particularly crafty, you can further embellish the cards w/ things like pieces of jewelry, glitter, beads, buttons, ribbon, notion trims, pressed flowers, photos, wallpaper or decorative fabric or paper scraps, etc.. What would be more thoughtful then a card you personalized?

Keep in mind Hallmark stores carry 99cent cards too. Around the holidays, you can also find boxes of greeting cards for little money in places like Dollar stores, Marshalls/Home Goods, TJ's, etc.

I enjoy making cards. When I don't have the time to make a card, I have found some nice cards in the dollar store,and Michaels.

I love to send actual cards, too.