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Rediscovering Greeting Cards

Keep Things Simple and Sustainable

By Marilyn GloverPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Rediscovering Greeting Cards
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

With only a week until Christmas the clock is ticking to complete those holiday purchases. While some people have had gifts bought wrapped and ready to go for months, others struggle with last minute shopping searching to find that special someone the perfect gift. This year there is another group of people; ones who have been hit hard by the ongoing pandemic. For these people the very thought of gifting brings extra stress to an already difficult situation. As unemployment being the only source of income for people across the country money is tight. Maintaining a roof overhead, feeding children and providing the essential basics are the obvious choice of reason. For many this season may feel a bit bleak and the pressure for gifting simply too much to bear. Do not fear; I have a simple solution and one that will not break the bank.

This year keep things simple; give greeting cards. Perhaps this may sound lame to some of you but before the snickering and sneering begins please hear me out! Needless to say; Christmas is not about giving tangible items. It is about kindness and sharing. Perhaps think about it this way: over 1million people worldwide have succumbed to the virus. Without question I am positive that all of the surviving loved ones would trade all gifts just to have their nearest and dearest back. I will say it again; Christmas is about kindness and sharing.

In a year of social distancing becoming the “norm” travelling is restricted. We are away from loved ones longing to see them and worrying about their welfare. You may be surprised to learn that greeting card sales have actually spiked throughout the year; a 1200% growth surge to be exact. People are choosing to personally hand pick cards saying exactly what is on their minds. Last year greeting card sales saw a decline from just ten years prior as social media, texting, face time, video chats and so on were replacing the hand-picked card as the method of sentimentality.

Personally I am the sentimental type. I have a box of old cards that I have saved over the years. I have everything from homemade cards from my children when they were small, old cards from past boyfriends, cards from overseas family and so much more. The point is that people save greeting cards as keepsakes to hold onto for years to come. It is a nice feeling to get out that old box every now and again just to reminisce about days gone by. Cards are the physical trigger of sweet memories of long ago. This, my friends, is the gift within the greeting card and worth way more than anything else that can be given.

Please purchase greeting cards but also be sure to choose eco-friendly options. Many of the brick and mortar stores have closed during the pandemic but there are still plenty of options for buying cards. Stores like Target and Walmart participate in go green alternatives. Hallmark sells a line of sustainable cards at over 3600 Walmart stores across the country. Made from 50% recyclable paper and 50% sugar cane pulp, Hallmark offers an earth friendly selection for those looking for ways to reflect concern for the environment while making their purchases.

Etsy and Amazon also offer eco-friendly cards online. This is ideal for those who find walking into a store unnerving. With only a week out until Christmas, however, it is doubtful that an online purchase will make it in time to turn around and send cards out to loved ones. If the thought of being in a public store is just too much then I have a third suggestion: homemade greeting cards! All you need is some recycled paper and envelopes and non-toxic markers and crayons. This is a great family project for the kids to get involved in. Even if you do not have children; get creative. Add a current photo, create a collage effect, write a letter or poem, and just personalize it. The whole point is to use earth friendly materials while creating a gift that is from the heart.

I think that my best piece of advice for holiday season 2020 is to keep it simple. Greeting cards are a back to basics classic that has seen a revival this year. The clock is ticking away but it certainly is not too late. Get your beautiful earth friendly cards in recyclable envelopes. Lick those stamps and get your cards out in the mail today. Loved ones will appreciate the heart felt gesture and you will feel good too. I will say it one last time: the holidays are about kindness and sharing!!

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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About the Creator

Marilyn Glover

I am a top Medium writer, editor, and owner of the publication Third Eye Gypsy. Poetry and spirituality are my favorite genres, and I like writing about topics often left untouched. Follow me at: https://gmarilyn009.medium.com/

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