Comments on: Please don’t send me any store-bought greeting cards!

By: elle mac

elle mac — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:20:38 +0000

I happen to agree with you. Although subtle, the undertones of sexism and shallowness are hidden in greetng cards, certain tv shows, music videos, store front windows, magazines, music, and I can go on. The problem is, is that since it is so subtle, people tend to think that your crazy or over sensitive when bringing this subject up. My quirk was people telling me how cute my son was over and over and over again. My thing was, can’t we think of other compliments to give our children? No one even thinks to say “he looks so strong, or smart, or gifted, well-behaved,etc.” This is why we have a society of young “cute” teens with no self-esteem. When being cute is no longer carrying you, you suddenly have nothing to fall back on!

By: Judy Z

Judy Z — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:10:07 +0000

First of all, do you know that greeting cards can be recycled at nursing homes and senior centers, or many other similar places? They make other things from them! So can paper towel and toilet paper tubes which elementary schools, youth camps such as YMCA, CYO, rehab centers, MRDD places, and the like to make things for art classes, or projects. So instead of throwing them away, which adds to landfills, recycling them with the newspapers, give them somewhere where they’re reused!
Secondly, aren’t relationships worth it? There are people who get upset when they or their situation aren’t acknowledged whether it’s a personal note, a phone call, or a card. I don’t know about you, but I sure appreciate it when I get a birthday or thinking of you card, or sympathy card. It’s just a form of communication. Is it worth getting so upset about how it’s done? Isn’t it just the fact that the sender cared enough to take the time to get a card to send it to you either through e-mail or even more through “snail mail” that matters? I have a two sisters-in-laws who send “snail mail” letters all the time. And how about sending cards to the troops? Betcha they appreciate them, and don’t care if someone other than the sender wrote it? Again, it’s the thought that counts!

By: Judy

Judy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:39:17 +0000

What do you think about a guy (my boyfriend) who sends “Thinking of You”/”Missing You” type cards to his female friends?

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:17:45 +0000

I have never found a greeting card that says exactly what I want to say. Instead, I either use cards with a nice image on the front that are blank inside, or I buy completely blank cards from the scrapbook section at the store and make my own. Much more satisfying, plus it gives me a chance to really think about the person I’m giving the card to.

By: Dan Klarmann

Dan Klarmann — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:30:01 +0000

But Erich, this is a store-bought age. I’ve known people who let apples rot in their yards while they buy apples (appropriately wrapped and labeled) from the store.

In Austen’s time, one not only wrote her own notes, but made their own clothes and cooked their own food. Or had servants who did these things expressly for them. As with sewing and cooking, a certain skill is involved in expressing a sentiment. Arguably, pre-written cards are as false as pre-made shirts or pre-cut meats. Or sliced factory bread in a plastic wrapper.

That all (unnecessarily?) said, I basically agree. On the rare occasions that I give a card, I usually make it from scratch. I admit that I usually use store-bought papers and inks and implements (pens, knives, scissors). Although I have made paper (from old clothes). But the only ink I’ve concocted has been the invisible kind.

Another argument might be that there is pleasure to be had in reading a rack of colorful and clever cards. My wife enjoys spending time at card racks. One can consider the price of the few cards that she found clever enough to want to share as a payment for the privilege. Plus, some tiny fraction of the fare goes to the artist and author. Supporting the arts, that’s what it’s about.

By: Erika Price

Erika Price — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:05:58 +0000

And the silly spectacle that must occur when a card is given! I remember especially how grueling it was to suffer through a birthday or Christmas card as a child when a stack of presents loomed, waiting to be opened. But in any event where a card is presented, we are expected to carefully feign reading it, open the thing with some mock-wonder at the contents, finish reading the inside slowly, and then thank the card-giver for the considerate message. Both parties know what garbage this is. The reader never actually reads the card- after all, you can look over the first few words and automatically glean what the rest is going to say- and many times the card-purchaser didn’t even read the card they bought in the first place.

I have a confession: Years ago, I used to work in a Hallmark. I’ve seen the people who really care about these slips of schmaltzy paper. I’ve seen countless well meaning, misguided grandmotherly women, the types who only know how to buy the affection of their grandchildren, sift through and endless array of greeting cards for their loved ones. These people buy cards for every occasion- birthdays, christmas, earth day, graduation, valentines day, sweetests’ day. But the recipients all respond the same way, I’d guess- the tear through the card without a thought, looking for the money granny has no doubt enclosed. It’s pathetic.

By: Erich Vieth

Erich Vieth — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:24:29 +0000

Carmella: Thanks for the typo correction, which shows that I don’t have all th answers. I assume that I’ve insulted you. How many store bought greeting cards do you send in a typical year?

There was once a Jerry Seinfeld episode that touched on greeting cards. As I recall the episode, the gang decided that one should hang onto these cards for a few days before throwing them away.

Here’s another post that suggests actually REFUSING to accept Christmas cards. http://lifehacker.com/software/holidays/ask-the-readers–politely-refuse-holiday-cards-222813.php. Sounds harsh, since the card is meant as a gesture of kindness. The consensus seems to be to throw it away later, not in the presence of the giver.

By: Carmella

Carmella — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:43:11 +0000

So many things I could write, but why bother talking to one who thinks he has all the answers?

One thing I will tell you - it’s Austen. Austin is in Texas.