5 Tips On Making
Greeting Cards Memorable
By Lilia L. Fallgatter

Do you throw away many of the greeting cards you receive? Do the greeting cards you send get tossed?

     According to the American Greeting Card Association, the average U.S. household buys 35 individual cards per year, at an average retail cost of $2-$4 per card, and the industry generates more than 7.5 billion dollars in annual retail sales.

Greeting cards take the work out of communicating with friends and loved ones. They are a convenient way of letting those we love know that we care about and are thinking of them. So why do some cards end up in the garbage, while others are tucked away for safekeeping? The reasons why people don’t keep cards that on the average cost the sender anywhere from $2-$4, may be as varied as the individuals receiving them. It may depend on who sent the card (close friend versus acquaintance), the occasion for which it was received (birthday versus St. Patrick’s day), what was included with the card and any number of other factors.

     If you enjoy sending greeting cards and cringe at the thought of the card you so carefully selected being discarded, take heart. There are simple steps you can take to give your card a better chance of being the one that gets tucked away as a treasured keepsake. The key is: personalization.

     There are many talented writers in the greeting card industry who make great efforts to capture the essence of what a person may be feeling on a particular occasion. Simply browse the greeting card aisle of any store and you’ll find that beautiful messages abound. However, no matter how beautiful the card or how inspiring the message, you did not think of the words and you did not write them. Therefore, they simply don’t mean as much to the recipient. 

     A card that has been personalized by the sender stands out from the typical greeting card. It makes the statement that the sender made an effort, not just in selecting the card, but thought about the occasion and relationship with the person to whom they are sending the card. Below are 5 things you can do to personalize a card:

◊ Include a personal message

     The best way to personalize a greeting card is by taking the time to include a personal handwritten message. A card with only the signature of the sender is just not the same. Some people may not be inclined to include a personal message because they don’t know how to get started or what to write. A good starting point is to answer a few questions: Why am I sending the card? What message do I want to convey? What does the person mean to me or represent in my life? What memories do I have of the person and how we met or events we may have shared? Jot down the answers on a sheet of paper, and you will at least have some of the content for the message you wish to include.

     If what you wish to write is more than just a few sentences, including a personal letter with the card will have the same impact as that of the personal message. Answering the questions suggested above will help you develop the content for the letter.

◊ Include poetry

     Including poetry (whether an original poem written by you or a classic poem) can go far in helping to communicate your sentiments. As a recipient, there is something special in knowing that someone took the time to think about and write or select a poem for the occasion. 

◊ Include photos

     If you have a long-standing relationship with the person, there are bound to be photos of moments you have shared together. A photo will trigger memories of happy times spent together and will make the card that much more special.

◊ Include personal mementos

     Many people keep personal mementos of special events. If you have items saved from times shared with the person (such as a movie or concert ticket stub or a pressed flower), including those mementos with the card is sure to make an impact.

     Including any one or all of these items will set your card apart from the rest. More importantly, they will go far in communicating the thought and effort you put into letting them know how truly special they are to you. The key to effectively personalizing your card is to do so well in advance of the event or occasion, at a time and place where you are inspired to write.

     If you take these steps to personalize the cards you send, don’t be surprised if you later find that the card has become a treasured keepsake.

About the Author:
Lilia L. Fallgatter is president and founder of Inspirit Seminars and Inspirit Books, LLC. Her book, The Most Important Letter You Will Ever Write, How To Tell Loved Ones How You Feel ~ Before It’s Too Late, offers a simple process for communicating with loved ones in writing and helps readers connect with loved ones on a more direct and personal level. For more information, visit www.lovingletter.com or send an E-mail to Lilia@lovingletter.com.

©2006