Often in a hurry, with ten other items in hand, you search the greeting card aisles for the perfect card. You find one and it looks great, until you read the inside message and it just doesn't seem right. It comes across as too aggressive or too cheesy, or just a bit awkward. Then you reach out for a super cute card, and it is perfectly blank inside. Ahh, great! You can just write something yourself.
You leave the store and now it's time to write something down. You pull out your pen and think...what do I say? You thought you could conjure up the perfect words, but you just blank on it...much like your blank card. You know you have so much to say but the words are somehow locked in your brain right at the moment you need them. You also know that your friends or family will value your personal notes and thoughts above pre-printed, stamped words. What do you do?
This kind of situation happens to pretty much everybody. Nobody ever has quite the right words to say or to write down when the opportunity is hurried, rushed, or pressured. Luckily, there are methods to helping your blank brain dig out the words stuck deep inside. If you are wondering what to write in a greeting card, follow the simple formula below:
1. Address the person with a name you specifically use for them. Who is this person to you? Write their name down by your most common reference for them. If this is somebody close, you can write "sweet Rachel", or "my boo boo" (yes use your cheesy names if you have to). However, if this is not someone you are particularly close to, writing their name as you say it is the best option. Don't over think the address of the person, just go by what you often call the person, and it's ok if it is just their general name. You can add "Dear" in front of the addressee if you think this person deserves some formality.
2. Write your first sentence directly addressing the occasion for which you are giving them the greeting card. If you are trying to write a thank you card, write down your gratitude for the specific thing you want to thank them. If you are writing a birthday or congratulatory card, write those first words about what you are celebrating in their life. In other words, the reason for the card should be front and center. Be specific about your occasion. Better to say "I wanted to thank you for the sweet socks, slippers, and soap you gifted to me when I needed that most" rather than saying "Thank you for your gift". Being specific makes the recipient feel like what they have done, or whatever they are celebrating, really does matter to you.
3. Write something about your wishes or current thoughts for this other person in their specific circumstance. If you are writing a greeting card, you obviously have some sort of relationship to this person. If you are celebrating their birthday, write down what you hope this next year will be like for them, as they face their current challenges or situations. If you are celebrating their accomplishments, write down how proud you are of their hard work and what you hope this work and experience will further produce for your friend. Whatever the case, express kindness and write intentionally with this particular recipient in mind, and everything you know about them in the current time.
4. (Optional) Address a way to further develop the relationship. This part will strongly depend on the kind of friendship or relationship you have with the person, but it is a great way to keep up with your friends' lives, or fill up some empty space on your card if you still need to add a few sentences. You can invite them to come visit you if you live far away, or you can suggest a meetup for some coffee if this is someone that you have yet to get to know better. Either way, a greeting card is a great place to invite others into your life (if you are comfortable with it), or to help keep developing an existing friendship at your desired pace.
5. Sign your name with a personal touch. This is a fun and underrated part of writing a greeting card. You can always opt to keep it simple, or you can get really creative. Either way, the sign off is a pretty important way of re-iterating how you feel that you relate to the person you are writing. If you are in a very close loving relationship with your spouse, you can get as personal, cheesy, or funny as you can fit in the space. However, if you are not so close, maybe a simple dash and name will do for a sign off. Whatever the case, just do not forget to sign. It is a great way to close off your note and let the other person know its from you.
We hope these steps help you the next time you need to write something in a greeting card to whomever, and that you feel much less frazzled about it in the moment. Keeping a loose formula for writing a thoughtful note can make this process less daunting and can even encourage you to give more greeting cards throughout the year. This will make your friends and family feel all the more appreciated and loved. If you are looking for some awesome, cute, or hilarious greeting cards, check ours out! Our greeting cards feature 100% original artwork by our Golubee design expert, are printed on 100% recycled paper, and are accompanied by 100% recycled envelope. And yes, all of ours are blank inside for your personalized notes and regards because you know your friends and family best. We appreciate all of your support of our small business, and please feel free to contact us with your suggestions or feedback!
