You can choose a card in a minute and then spend much longer looking at the empty space inside. The printed front has already said happy birthday or thank you. What do you add?
We'd start with one small thing that's yours to say. A memory, something you noticed, the reason this particular present made you think of them. It can be ordinary. In fact, ordinary is often where the good details are. A card doesn't need to sound like a card company wrote it.
For a birthday, borrow from your actual relationship
If you're writing to a child who draws creatures, you might say, “I love hearing about the animals you invent. I can't wait to see who's next.” For a friend, something like “Still thinking about that walk where we got completely lost. Let's go again, maybe with a map.” These are examples to loosen things up, not lines you need to copy.
Our Happy Birthday Card is A2 size and comes with a lilac envelope. There are also Birthday Ribbons, Birthday Ice Cream and the And Many More card. Choose the front that feels like the person, then let the writing sound like you. It doesn't have to match the illustration perfectly.
Welcoming a baby
“We're so happy you're here” is already a good beginning. A new-arrival note can welcome the child and acknowledge their family without predicting how everyone must be feeling. You don't need to call it the happiest time of their lives, or offer advice they haven't asked for.
The Hello, Baby card keeps its message open. Baby Makes Three says something more specific, so choose it when those words fit the family. It's worth reading the front as carefully as you'd write the inside.
If you want to offer help, make the offer something you can actually do: dropping off dinner on a particular day, for example. That gives the person a real choice without asking them to invent a task for you. For something to give alongside the note, our reading and writing gift guide for new parents has a few gentle starting points.
A thank-you note can be short
Name the thing, say why it mattered, and stop when you've said what you mean. “Thank you for bringing dinner on Thursday. It was such a relief to have one thing taken care of. I'm glad we got a little time together, too.” That's a complete note.
A Thanks! Greeting Card makes the occasion clear, while the Heart Balloon card leaves more room for an affectionate message of your own. Neither needs a formal speech inside. You can thank someone warmly for a small kindness without making it sound enormous.
When a child has something to add
Ask what they remember about the person receiving the card. It might turn into a drawing, a dictated sentence, or a word they want to write themselves. Our Color-In Holiday Card starts in black and white and comes with a lilac envelope, leaving the coloring to them.
For a ready-to-write holiday design, Goods Gang makes Warmest Wishes, Merry & Bright and Happy Holidays. These have a longer format than our A2 cards. Think about the amount of room you want for your message and check the dimensions if you're planning to mail one.
Add the date, sign the name you actually use with that person, and leave the little imperfections alone. If writing a few lines makes you want to keep going, there are journals and conversation cards to explore. If you still need a present, there's the gift guide. But the note itself is worth your attention, even when it's the only thing you're giving.
Leave a comment