Greeting Card Trends Tips
Read these 23 Greeting Card Trends Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about eCards tips and hundreds of other topics.
Graduation Cards
Graduating from high school or college has become accepted as an important milestone in personal and social development. It is a rite of passage for the student and everyone wants to celebrate the moment with them. Greeting cards with money inside is the most popular graduation gift for a student. However, graduates are giving thank you cards and small gifts to parents and teachers to show their appreciation and gratitude for the guidance and assistance they've received during their years of education.
Most graduations occur in the months of May and June, although some can be as early as mid-April or as late as the first week in July. Mid-year college commencement ceremonies are typically in December.
Greeting card companies have been increasing their line of graduation cards over the past few years to meet the demand of their consumers. You can find just the right graduation greeting card in any retail store or greeting card shop near you.
Birthday Milestone Cards
Birthday milestone cards have been on the market for many years and have never lost any of their popularity. In fact, they've gained in popularity over the past 10 years.
These greeting cards celebrate those special coming of age years that we call go through from childhood to adulthood. You can find birthday milestone cards for many different years, including the first five years, 16, 18, 21 and most birthdays ending in zero like 30, 40 and 50.
Many birthday milestone cards have a humorous note to them, though there is an equal amount of serious sentiments with these cards, as well. Because baby boomers have redefined the way they look at aging, 30 is no longer considered old. Thus, 50 has become the new thirty and these milestone cards have the most attitude.
Birthday milestone greeting cards are great to give to nearly anyone, including co-workers. People have redefined the way they look at age and aging, making them more comfortable with sharing it with everyone.
Braille Greeting Cards
In 1995, Hallmark saw there was a demand for greeting cards in braille for those who were blind or visually-impaired and created three everyday occasions cards with braille imprinting on the card. Today, there are over 24 greeting cards done in braille, including most of the major holidays and special occasions.
These braille greeting cards have simple, brightly colored designs featuring the printed words and braille imprints on the cards. While the signature of the sender would have to be read to the receiver unless written in braille with a special machine, this is still a great leap toward being able to connect with anyone, at anytime no matter their disability.
Postcard History
Plain postcards were were introduced around 1870. There were some advertisement postcards, even some illustrated postcards, but the use and popularity of these were limited at that time.
In 1894, the post office gave its consent to widely use the pre-page postage stamp on postcards, yet they didn't see success for many years to come.
By 1902, the post office allowed addresses and written messages to be added to one side of the postcard, leaving the opposite side completely free for an image or picture. Britain was the first country to introduce this divided back postcard that we are all familiar with today.
From then on, postcards became extremely popular. Tourists bought and sent these postcards back home to show loved ones of their travel or began collecting postcards as a hobby.
Today, many people still collect postcards for the rich history and beauty they provide. Postcards are still popular to send as well and the post office offers the 20 cent postcard stamp for mailing them!
Types of Greeting Cards
There are four different types of traditional greeting cards that include contemporary prose, alternate, traditional and humorous or studio.
Contemporary prose are cards that sound as if someone were talking directly to the recipient of the greeting card. This type of card is usually non-rhyming and can be a single sentence or much longer.
Alternate cards use contemporary prose and humor to get the message across to the recipient of the card. Alternate cards are very fluid and are usually themed cards. For example, these cards deal with issues such as parenting, death of a pet, etc.
Traditional greeting cards use rhymed, metered poetry to get the message across to the recipient and the number of lines used in these cards are usually divisible by four.
Humorous or studio greeting cards are usually written in a cutting edge style or with a pun-filled voice. This type of card reflects shared experiences and current trends, depending heavily on humor.
Fast Facts: Greeting Cards
When it comes to consumers and greeting cards, you might be surprised by some of the information gathered by the American Greeting Card Association. To illustrate this, here are some facts about greeting cards.
- Women purchase over 80 percent of all greeting cards, but men are more likely to spend the most money on a single card than a woman.
- Although e-cards have gained much popularity, most people say they prefer a traditional paper greeting card to make them feel special.
- On average, a single household buys around 30 individual cards a year.
- An average person receives around 20 cards per year. At least one-third of these cards are birthday cards.
Penny Dreadfuls
Penny Dreadfuls, also known as Vinegar Valentines, began to appear in the greeting card market around 1858. These cards were very poorly printed and the most inexpensive type of greeting card on the market at that time.
Penny Dreadfuls were not the kind of card you would typically associate with Valentine's Day. These cards were full of rhyming insults and humorous verses. These greeting cards were almost always sent anonymously.
Greeting Cards Vs. E-Cards
With the many electronic methods of communication that Americans have at their disposal today, it is easier than ever before to stay in contact with those we care about. Even though these electronic methods of communication, such as e-cards, are very popular, it hasn't hurt the traditional greeting card industry at all. If anything, it seems to be bolstering sales.
Some people view e-greetings as a transient form of communication and treat it as such, prefering traditional greeting cards more than sending e-cards. Some sociologists believe that because of the Internet, people are developing more relationships that are strengthened further by sending traditional greeting cards through the mail.
In the end, it is really all in the eye of the beholder. Some people prefer to send e-greetings because they are quick, easy and free. Others prefer to send traditional greeting cards because they are a tangible source of connection and caring.
Black & White: Hot Colors for 2007
It's no surprise that the classic elegance of the colors black and white are making a comeback. From simple cartoon stetches to vintage patterns, greeting card collections are utilizing these two simple colors to make some great looking cards for consumers.
Greeting card publishers are also making a bold statement by adding a splash of color to the overall black and white color scheme. This showcases and draws the eye directly to the words.
Greeting Card Trends for 2007
Everyone is already making predictions on what will be hot in the greeting card market for the new year. Here are a few inside hints at what 2007 holds for the greeting card industry and what you can expect to find the next time you go shopping for greeting cards.
- All things organic or "green" are very popular for the coming year. You can expect to see a lot of greeting cards made from recycled materials.
- You're likely to find a blast from the past at your local stationary retailer with the mod and disco patterns that have come back into style. These designs will feature paisleys and plaids that have new color combinations that didn't exist in those eras. Basically, the retro patterns of the past have been modernized by the greeting card industry of today.
- With so many Americans serving overseas in our military, the greeting card industry has also turned its eye toward products that address these issues. You will find cards for military servicemen and their families, along with many other products geared toward those who serve in the military and the people who love them.
- In 2007, you will be seeing a lot of stores catering their products, including greeting cards, to teens and tweens. The youth culture continues to be one of the top demographics that drive retail sales.
2007 will bring many different, new trends to the greeting cards we buy, while keeping the older favorites that have been popular throughout time.
Designer Greeting Cards Explained
Designer greeting cards have made a big splash in the retail market, but not everyone knows what the different types of designer greeting cards are. You can easily find specific types of designer greeting cards if you know what to look for.
Mod or Retro - This type of card has gained much popularity over the past few years. This type of designer card is easily spotted by looking for bold colors with strong, eye-catching contrast, patterns of dots or waves and an overall vintage look to them. Think of the 1960s and 1970s when looking for this type of card.
Victorian - This type of designer greeting card can be distinguished by its clean, very formal design. Victorian designer greeting cards have a very antique look about them, usually including the classic appearance of lace.
Browns - The color brown has made a major impact in the designer greeting card industry. This color is replacing black and is very popular coupled with the color pink. This type of designer greeting card is very easy to spot; just look for the color of chocolate coupled with the color pink!
E-card History
E-cards became popular among webmasters in early 1996 because they could offer e-cards for a very low cost to themselves as a web feature on their site. Popularity of the e-card grew in leaps and bounds with some websites being created exclusively for the purpose of offering e-cards.
While the majority of e-cards are still free to send, there are many sites now that you must pay membership to send their e-cards. Some charge a fee for premium e-cards they offer.
The Art of Cardmaking
The art of cardmaking is basically the craft of making hand-made greeting cards. People that are interested in crafts, such as rubber stamping and scrapbooking, turn these handy skills toward the art of making beautifully designed greeting cards. Cardmaking has become a very popular hobby among those who scrapbook and are crafty at heart, in general.
Many people have turned their craft of cardmaking into a lucrative small business because so many people want special one of a kind cards to send to their loved ones. Hand-made greeting cards can be found at different local shops that cater to local crafters, giving them a place to showcase and sell their products. However, just as many people make cards by hand for the sheer pleasure of the craft and the happiness it brings to those they send their creations to.
Greeting Cards with Sound
Greeting cards with sound are one of the hottest types of greeting cards on the market today. These greeting cards have all the same quality features and sentiments of a regular greeting card, but with the added bonus of CD quality recordings of original music and sound clips that play when the card is opened by the recipient.
These greeting cards evoke more emotion because sound is a powerful tool of remembrance. Sound is a great way to help the sender of the greeting card express what they want to say more clearly. It's also a great way to surprise the recipient of this type of greeting card.
You can find greeting cards with sound anywhere that Hallmark products are sold and they are priced at around $5 per card. These cards cover all sorts of occasions and non-occasions, while having different cards that appeal to all generations.
These greeting cards are a hot new trend and can help you express what you want to say to that special someone more clearly, while still staying with the classic greeting card approach.
Where to Find Postcards
Many people collect postcards for the pictoral history and beauty they provide. Others purchase postcards to send back to their loved ones to show them of the places they have traveled. There are many places you can find postcards, even near your own home. Here are just a few places you may find postcards.
- Gift shops, especially in tourist towns offer a wide variety of postcards at great prices.
- Hallmark or other card shops.
- Some gas stations, especially in tourist towns offer postcards at a good value.
- Zoos
- Amusement parks
- Hotels and airports. Airport postcards are sometimes expensive.
Grading Postcards & Greeting Cards
If you've ever been on eBay, you know there is a grading system for nearly everything in this day and age. This also applies to postcards and greeting cards that are older or unique. Below is a chart that will take the confusion out of the grading system so you can easily figure out the condition of the greeting card or postcard you are trying to grade.
- M or Mint - This is a perfect card. It has no bends, tears, creases, discoloration or writing on it. It looks as it did when it came from the printing press.
- NM or Near Mint - This is very near to being mint, though it may have some discoloration or aging that is visible.
- EX or Excellent - This card is like mint with no bends or creases. It may or may not have been used postally and is clean.
- VG or Very Good - May or may not have postal writing on it. May have bends or rounded edges. May have a light crease or lightly show age.
- G or Good - Corners may be more blunt or rounded (this would be easily noticed) and may have slight creases or bends through the card. This may also have postal marks or writing on it.
- F or Fair - This greeting card or postcard is intact, however, it has excess writing, stains, wear or age. This card will show creases and blunted corners.
The Day You Were Born Greeting Cards
Birthday history keepsakes are personalized greeting cards that include all the major events that happened on the day you were born. These cards include sports history, popular music and movies, important events, famous birthdays and so much more that happened on the same day you were born. Birthday history greeting cards range from January 1, 1880 to the present, ensuring that you can find the right date and year you're looking for.
These greeting cards make for a special keepsake that can be treasured for all time. Another great aspect of this greeting card is that you can utilize them to teach children about the difference and changes that happen between years past and the present.
Greeting Cards for Gift Cards
Everyone loves receiving gift cards! In fact, giving gift cards for almost every occasion has been growing in popularity so much over the past few years that even gas stations and restaurants are offering gift cards.
The greeting card industry has grown and adapted with this newest trend in gift giving, expanding their greeting card line with special greeting cards that have notches for gift cards. There have always been greeting cards that hold paper money, but now most of those s
Designer Cards Going for Texture
For the past few years, the use of texture on greeting cards has grown more and more popular as texture becomes more popular in fashionable home decor.
Many designer greeting cards are featuring some kind of texture. These textural interest points are created with the use of materials like leather, fleece, glitter, cotton and many other materials to give the cards a more three-dimensional effect. These textures, coupled with rich, darker colors make for one of the hottest trends in greeting cards!
Anti-Valentine's Day Cards
The anti-Valentine's Day greeting card is taking the place of the penny dreadful from days long past for those of us who are unattached or for adults who would like to send a Valentine's Day card to a friend.
These greeting cards celebrate the single life in some cases, thumbing their noses at cupid and in other cases, show appreciation for close friendship. Anti-Valentine's Day cards are somewhat cynical, yet humorous and you can find them with serious sentiments, as well. This type of greeting card is great for those that are unattached or just want to wish their friends a Happy Valentine's Day!
Sparkle & Shine Cards
The use of embellishments such as glitter, sequins, faux crystals and gems are making the greeting card industry sparkle and shine.
Retailers and consumers alike are drawn to jewel embellishments because they lend a distinctive richness to the greeting card. These embelishments are ideal for making the everyday card much more and increasing its value.
With the addition of these gems and sparkling embellishments, a greeting card is transformed into a memorable, more personalized gift without increasing the cost of the card by much.
Greeting Cards in Bulk Quantity
Buying greeting cards in bulk quantity is a great way to make good use of your time. You can buy bulk boxes of greeting cards that are themed to one occasion or boxes that contain cards for all different occassions.
Having greeting cards on hand for different occasions can keep you from having to shop last minute for greeting cards and ensures that you always have the perfect greeting card on hand and ready to be sent out whenever you need it.
You can buy greeting cards in bulk online through most greeting card distributors or at any local retail store. These cards are usually more cost effective and in the long run can save you money!
Bloom Cards
Bloom cards are one of the hottest new trends for the coming year. These greeting cards are three dimensional pop-ups that can be used as gift decoration, a gift tag, a traditional greeting card, a bookmark and much more!
Bloom cards come in a variety of different colors and an assortment of different types of flowers ensuring that you will find one that appeals to nearly anyone on your greeting card list.
