EXPRESSING WHAT YOU REALLY FEEL THROUGH GREETING CARDS

A greeting card is an illustrated piece of card featuring an expression of friendship or other sentiment. Although greeting cards are usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays, they are also sent to convey thanks or express other feeling. Greeting cards, usually packaged with an envelope, come in a variety of styles. They are both mass-produced and handmade versions, which are distributed by hundreds of companies large and small. While typically inexpensive, more elaborate cards with die-cuts or glued-on decorations may be more expensive. Greeting cards could be: Counter Cards, Standard Greeting Cars, Photo Greeting Cards, Personalized Greeting Cards, Reusable Greeting Cards, Risque Greeting Cards, Musical Greeting Cards, Musical Greeting Cards, Electronic Greeting Cards and Pop-Up Cards.

No matter what kind of greeting card you decide to give, what’s important is how you made them feel by receiving the cards. John Beeder, former president of the Greeting Card Association, says: “Greeting cards are effective tools to communicate important feelings to people you care about. Anyone feels great when they receive an unexpected card in the mail. For me, there’s nothing like a greeting card to send a special message. I’m proud to be a part of an industry that not only keeps people connected, but uses both imagery and the power of words to help us express our emotions.”

Nowadays, we can easily send an eCard– thanks to the modern technology. Internet made it possible to reach out and connect in the quickest and easiest ways with the people we value and loved the most. When you send cards you are actually sending an emotional piece of yourself and it one way to show someone that you care. So, make someone feel you care by simply sending a traditional card or personalized eCards, today! 

THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T GIVE AS A GIFT ON CHINESE NEW YEAR

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” 

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

During the Spring Festival people do exchange gifts like Christmas in the West. But, there are some things that you shouldn’t give as a gift to your Chinese Friends. It is important for us to learn to give the right presents in the appropriate ways.

Things in black or white: Red is the lucky color in China. As black and white are often used at funerals, white or black presents and wrapping paper should be avoided. White is definitely not a happy color in China. In fact, it symbolizes death or mourning, which is also why Chinese brides do not wear white.

A green hat: Wearing a green hat means one’s wife is unfaithful.  So a green hat should be avoided.

A Clock: Don’t give Chinese people a clock as a gift because the Chinese pronunciation of the word "clock"shares the same phonetic sound of the word "end" or "death".

Necklaces: Don’t give a necklace as a gift to a platonic friend. These things are often given by boyfriends/girlfriends or couples. Chinese people think things like necklaces, ties, and belts are associated with intimate relations. Sending things like these means you mean to build a close relationship.

How you give a gift also makes a great deal of difference in China and here are some few ideas what to give on the festival:  

Red Envelopes

The most popular gifts are red envelopes. Red envelopes have money in, and are given to children and (retired) seniors. It is not a custom to give red envelopes to (working) adults.

If you are giving a red envelope, there are a few points to remember. The money inside a red envelope should always be new and crisp. Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia. And unlike a Western greeting card, red envelopes given at Chinese New Year are typically left unsigned.

Due to hectic schedule, some people don’t have much time to visit their family or friends during the festival so; they end up looking for alternative ways on how to stay closer to their family or friends. Like, sending cell phone messages has become the main way to greet people on Chinese New Year's Eve or calling each other to express their good wishes. And also by, sending personalized greeting cards. Long or short, these messages are filled with warmth and good wishes.

When you give a gift to a Chinese don’t be surprised if your offer is declined, because it is expected that the person who is getting the present should “decline” your offer two or three times before he/she finally accepts your gift, and it is also expected that you should continue to offer your present until this person accepts it. This ritual “give-and-take” shows that the person to whom the present is given is very polite and not greedy. Chinese also use both hands to give or receive presents to show their mutual respect and they don’t opens the gift right after he/she gets it.

The Power of Greeting Cards

Our world is never too busy to stay connected with those people we love. I always feel so special and loved whenever I receive a greeting card from a friend or loved ones. It’s always exciting to know that someone you love and care about is acknowledging you or thinking of you in some way. It shows special care and love when someone has really taken the time to send it. And it reminds me that no distance will keep them from loving me or vice versa. 

A greeting card has never been sent in anger. Greeting cards are the best way to express your feelings for someone. In spite of busy schedule, I find time to send greeting cards to my lovely friends on their birthdays, special occasions etc. to tell them how much I love, value and appreciate my friends and loved ones for having them in my life. 

Time has changed and websites with e-cards are now plentiful but you can still send traditional cards. Never underestimate the power of Greeting Cards. You can never go wrong sending a card telling someone that you love him/her no matter what and that he/she is the best thing that you’ve ever had. Or a card expressing sentiment when you know that a family member or friends might feel sad or discouraged. And you can also send a cheer up card to someone who did not win an award or didn’t get the job. Make a friend happy by noticing even a small achievement. We need a little more laughter in the world. Make a difference!