The Greeting Card: How to Write a Personal Message

Does the thought of picking out a greeting card make you sweat? Do your hands tremble when you realize you'll have to pick out a personalized card for Mom, or choose that perfect anniversary card for your wife? How about that birthday card for your son or daughter? And what about the business of picking out holiday cards for clients?

A Brief History Lesson

The tradition of sending greeting cards to family and friends is an old one, going back more than 200 years. Mostly hand delivered and hand lettered on expensive paper, only the wealthy could afford them. With the advent of the first postage stamp in 1840, manufacturers began to mass produce affordable greeting cards.

Card-giving gained its highest popularity during the Victorian Era. By the year 1850, the Christmas Card had become the most popular card in Great Britain. Americans had to import their cards from England for thirty years, until Louis Prang published the first American Greeting Card line in 1875. And the rest, of course, is history!

Selecting the Right Card

The right card is the most personal aspect of any gift, whether it be a birthday card, a Christmas card, a business card, or any other type. Your card can be funny, professional, sophisticated, or filled with love. Today greeting cards are available everywhere: in department stores, card shops, discount stores, and even grocery stores. Many times online resources, however, offer the widest selection.

There are cards for close families, not so close families, and for distant relatives. There are holiday cards for Grandma and Grandpa, Granny and Pop, Mom and Dad, daughter-in-law, foster parents, son-in-law, strangers and old friends.

The selection process can be stressful or joyful. Some people choke up over words of endearment and love. Others laugh and giggle over funny cards. The choice is really up to you. Just remember, a personalized card is appreciated beyond the gifts and lovely wrapping paper. The card tells someone that you know them, and care about them. And that's often the best of all gifts!

Writing a Personal Message

Writing a personal message is not as difficult as it sounds. It's one of the most important gifts you can give to someone you love or care about. After all, you know how you feel. You really like Aunt Sally, and Tim is your best friend. Tell them in a card.

Your wife or husband is the light of your life. Your children, your parents, your co-worker, and your business partner all mean something special to you. You remember your first Christmas together. Say it in your Christmas card. You remember when you fell in love with him the very first time. Tell him you still love him in his card.

You remember the first time you saw her. Give her a framed copy of your first photo together, and tell her in your card just how special she is. You remember how you felt when your child first curled tiny fingers around your thumb. That's what you write in her birthday card.

You remember how Mom once sat waiting-up for you, long into the night, not able to sleep until she knew that you were safely home. Tell her "Thanks, Mom" in her next holiday card. These are the type feelings that you tap into when you search for words that are already there.

Sometimes we get tongue-tied when a moment suddenly comes upon us, and we get choked up. It's natural not to want to express sentimental feelings in today's busy world. But if we withhold these type feelings from people we care about they may never know how we truly feel.

A simple personalized card can say so much. Go ahead tell your son or daughter, "I'm so proud of you!" Tell your spouse, "I'm still in love with you, even more than before." Let your mother and your father know that you still need them, no matter how old you get. Tell your boss or your business partner that you appreciate them; express gratitude for knowing them and for the opportunity to work with them. If you like, say it with a funny card to lighten the moment.

Writing a personal message in a greeting card need not be elaborate, nor does it have to be great literature. It can be as brief as a whispered prayer or as long as your favorite song. The card should say something personal. This is the time to self-disclose. It's the truest of gifts that one can give to another. A brief personal message is like a photo of the heart!

Article written by: Lori S. Anton