Like most people, we haven’t exactly been spending a lot of time lately perusing the Greeting Card aisle for a ‘birthday’ card or a ‘get well soon’ wish to send. And why should we, when all we need to do is pick up our smart phones and with a couple of clicks, we find a clever meme or catchy e-card and instantly a message is sent. A phone somewhere dings, and moments later a smiley-face emoji is returned.
But wait… something is missing here… YOU. Your words from the heart, your imagination, your way of expressing yourself and making a genuine CONNECTION with someone.
Coming out of two years of isolation, distancing, virtual meetings and happy hours, what we long for most is a HUG. While a greeting card can’t quite replicate the warmth of a human embrace, it can create a tactile experience that conveys being loved, cared about, remembered, and treasured. It is something you can hold in your hands, place close to your heart, and keep it in a visible place to be reminded over and over of the joy it brings – even kept forever in a shoebox to bring a smile to your face many years later.
*Turns out, the practice of sending greeting cards has quite a legacy. *
People have been exchanging illustrated messages and sentiments for centuries all around the world. In ancient Egypt notes would be exchanged on special papyrus scrolls. In 15th century China, exchanging notes became part of the ritual of celebrating the Chinese New Year. The tradition of exchanging Christmas cards is said to have taken off in the 1850s when commercial production made them available in stores. During WWII the British tried to ban the sending of such greetings for a time, citing concern about depleting paper resources, only to reinstate their use as ‘essential to the war effort’ by keeping up the morale of troops on the battlefield.
That very human need to share sentiments about life experiences and relationships, mark special occasions, and make that connection with someone universal and timeless.
The deepest reasoning behind the exchange of greeting cards.
When selecting a card, the sender’s brain is actively processing thoughts of their relationship to the recipient. What memories would they like to rekindle, what emotions do they hope to rouse, could this be a chance to say something they’ve been too shy to express? The sentiment expressed in a greeting card is likely to be read and re-read multiple times, with lasting impact on the recipient. Businesses can also strengthen bonds and personalize their customer experience through greeting cards, affirming that they are valued and ensuring that the business stays in ‘top of mind awareness.’
If warm and fuzzy isn’t your speed, there are other responses that greeting cards elicit. Cards can be a way of expressing identity and values. By expressing sentiments that have mutual resonance between sender and recipient, bonds are strengthened between kindred spirits. Even the material the card is made from has significance – environmentally conscious senders and recipients appreciate knowing the card has been created with recycled paper. Selecting a card that supports a cause or charity by donating a portion of profits is another way to make a statement.
Don’t wait for special occasions to extend a wish either. Reflect on this for a moment. Everyone – and I do mean everyone – is at this very moment dealing with some life struggle, no matter how successful, happy, wealthy or strong they appear on the surface. The lesson? Everyone can use a moment of joy to uplift a dreary day or a hard set of life circumstances.
Science is affirming what our instincts have already confirmed.
A study performed by Mindlab documented the physiological responses that took place in the body when a greeting card was extended and/or received. The neurochemicals – otherwise known as the “feel-good hormones” – dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin had been shown to rise, promoting feelings of well-being, and emotional warmth. Moreover, in the research about whether people experience greater happiness from paper greeting cards vs electronic greetings, they showed that most, particularly moms, preferred the former.
As the world is hurting in so many ways, loneliness and lack of social cohesion are prevalent, and becoming more rampant. A recent World Economic Forum report cited the erosion of social cohesion as one of the greatest global risks we face today. While Facebook and other social media platforms would counter with their part in keeping us all connected, there are several degrees of separation between that kind of connection and the one we’re taking the time to consider here… thoroughly authentic, highly personal, uniquely you.
Find your words
Put your pen to the page! Even if the inscribed message in the card you select seems to nail it, follow it up with a few words of your own. You don’t have to be a professional creative writer. Be clumsy, messy, but above all, just say what’s in your heart. If you’re a joker, make someone laugh. If it’s poetry or prose that you shine in, knock out a few spontaneous lines. You’re not being graded, only heard and appreciated.
The practice of exchanging greeting cards is a way to nurture the innate creativity and sensitivity that children possess, as well. We can be role models and inspiration for the emergence of life-long connections between children, their peers, and significant others in their lives – relatives, teachers, friends. The affirmation children receive from a message ‘well done!’ or ‘keep it up!’ note in their lunch box can go a long way toward building self-esteem, confidence, as well as a sense of belonging and being valued. Encouraging self-expression is more important than ever, lest digital communication make brains lazy and unimaginative.
Signed, sealed, and delivered…
The digital age isn’t going anywhere, but there is room for so many forms of communication – and even more importantly -- connection. Don’t let your Facebook post fade quickly down the feed into nowhere-land – if you care about someone, show it like you mean it. Anyone can plug in an electronic reminder of a friend’s birthday to trigger a ‘send’ – but the lucky person who walks to their mailbox expecting only bills and junk mail will be uplifted to find YOUR card and what it sends – love, encouragement, thanks, hope, condolence, congratulations – whatever the message, it will leave an indelible smile.
At FLUO, our cards are designed with you in mind, to evoke a true emotional connection. Each Tenet of card is meant to touch on the heartstrings of our spiritual Self, connecting your energy to that of the person you are giving the card. We care about what you are trying to convey. And we know that you want to send a special message, something that respectfully and honestly reveals your message, without defaulting to a dog photo to trigger your sense of cuddly. Rather, FLUO created our cards with the ultimate sense of Awe. Give joy, spread love, revel in the warm embrace of humanity, by giving a FLUO: Echo Greetings card today.