What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to a special occasion or when you want to treat a friend or loved one? Most of the time, it will be a gift - you’ll want to buy (or maybe make) them something that you know they’ll love and appreciate. However, as lovely as this might be, there are some downsides to gift giving, including the price and the fact that it can be hard to work out just what to give them.
So what are the alternatives? Well, what about that thing you’ll often give alongside a present, only you’ll more than likely think of it as an afterthought? We’re talking about a card. While presents are always going to be exciting, there’s something so special about the tradition of giving and receiving cards, and from birthdays to Christmas and everything in between, cards have the amazing - and quite unique - ability to convey thoughts and feelings that gifts just can’t. Let’s take a deeper look at why cards are better than presents and you might just change your whole outlook on gift-giving. Read on to find out more.
Personalisation
When it comes to truly expressing your emotions in a heartfelt and honest way, nothing beats a personalised card. Unlike presents, which can be chosen for all kinds of reasons, including when you’re in a hurry and you’re not really thinking of what the recipient might want, there are so many different cards that you’re sure to find the ideal one to say whatever it is you want to say.
You can include a handwritten note and choose a thoughtful design that actually means something to the recipient, so you can essentially tailor your own thoughts and ideas into their card, making it something that no one else has and no one else can give. You don’t have to be a master poet to get the words right; you just have to think carefully and write from the heart. Take a look at some things to write in a Mothers Day card as a way to get you started, and you’ll begin to get the idea about the kinds of things that you can include. Writing something or picking a design that has a deeper meaning allows you to say things you might not be able to say otherwise, and that’s not something a gift can often do.
Lasting Memories
The great thing about presents is that they’re fun - they give the recipient (and the giver, to some extent) an instant thrill as they’re being opened, and it’s enjoyable to get beneath the wrapping and see what’s inside. However, that fun factor soon disappears, and no matter how great the gift might be and how well received it is, as time goes on it can quickly be forgotten. It’s a short-term thing.
Cards are different. A gorgeous greeting card has the power to create long-lasting memories that keep fresh in the mind long after the occasion for giving the card has passed. That’s partly because you can keep a card up on your windowsill or mantelpiece for as long as you want to, meaning you can look at it all the time and keep re-living the occasion you received it on. Plus, cards are so small (even large cards are still flat) that you can easily tuck it away into a keepsake box or a folder or drawer somewhere, and you can enjoy it over and over again when you go to look at it. Every time you revisit the card, you’ll be transported back to how you felt when you got it, and that’s much more special than a gift.
They’re For Everyone
One of best things out of many great things about cards is that they’re so versatile and they’re universal - everyone can buy and receive a card easily. Unlike presents, which can be limited by things like budget, availability, cultural differences, location, and so on, cards can get past all those obstacles and can be tailored to suit any occasion or relationship. It could be a birthday, anniversary, graduation, for good luck, to say thanks, or just because, and there’s going to be a card out there that’s just right.
Plus, you can buy a card in a shop and then customise it to make sure it’s completely unique and special. You can even make your own cards if you want to, and that’s something that can be wonderful; who’s going to throw away a handmade card that so much effort and hard work went into? No, that’s the kind of card that’s going to be kept forever - everyone is going to appreciate what you’ve done.
The Environment
At a time when sustainability is something many people are interested in, and it’s certainly something more and more people are aware of, you have to understand the environmental impact of giving a gift. There’s the gift itself, which might have been shipped from far away or be made of unsustainable materials, or that would perhaps cause the recipient to throw out their old version of whatever it is you’re giving them, then there’s the packaging to consider - although many shops and online stores are doing their best, there’s still likely to be a lot of plastic around.
Cards are a much more eco-friendly alternative. Most of the time they’re made from recyclable (and even recycled) materials, so even if you don’t decide to keep hold of a card, they’re not making too much of a negative impact when you throw them away. Plus, you can even get electronic cards, so you don’t even have to worry about those materials, and you certainly don’t need to think about postage, which can be another issue when it comes to the environment. So, if you want to be more eco-friendly, buying cards rather than presents is an excellent idea.
Cost
Money can be quite tight, and although it’s nice to treat someone once in a while, if you want to say thanks or good luck or wish someone well, it’s going to be a lot cheaper to buy a card.
The great thing is that although that’s the case, and although your recipient is going to know that, no one’s going to mind because the thought behind the card-giving gesture is such a positive one.
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