It’s the thought that counts

Sometimes, we send a card ‘just because’. To help cheer up a friend, tell someone we’re proud of them - or just to remind them that we’re thinking about them. Here’s a selection that do just that.

Usually we send a greeting card so the recipient knows that we are thinking of them on their special day - whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or sadder occasion such as a bereavement. But recentlyand especially since the pandemic when we were unable to meet our loved ones in person - the trend for sending cards just to let someone know you care, has risen in popularity.

The Greeting Card Association’s Thinking of You Week also taps into the trendencouraging the public to ‘send a card, deliver a smile’. This year’s event runs from September 18-24, so this is a perfect time to start putting in your orders.

Dr Emma Lawrence, illustrator and owner of Emma Lawrence Designs, explains some of the benefits of sending cards on mental health, on the GCA blog.

She says: “Every stage of selecting, sending and receiving cards has a psychological element. There are many reasons for sending a card but whatever the occasion, alongside the picture on the front, you are expressing an emotion and communicating a feeling to the recipient. This isn’t just in the words written in the card but the card itself and the whole process of sending a card.

“When a card is received, an emotional response is elicited. The limbic system plays a part in this stage, with its role in behaviour, emotion and emotional memory. Studies have found that the emotional response to a greetings card is greater than to a digital message or email. A card is often easily recognised amongst the dull, typed envelopes containing bills or bank statements. This creates an immediate feeling of excitement, anticipation and surprise. Even if you are expecting cards on a birthday, you never know until you tear open the envelope what the card will look like or what is written inside. Some cards are so beautiful or significant that they can feel like receiving a gift.’’

You can find out more about Thinking of You Week on the website at www.thinkingofyouweek.cards, where you can also download a free toolkit with posters and online posts to encourage customers to take part.

Our cards have a wide offering of thoughtful, thinking of you captions, and we’ve added many more over the past year or so. It’s a time when people need more emotional support, and a card is the perfect way to tell someone you’re thinking of them; it’s tactile and a visual reminder that lasts much longer than a text message, it’s a paper hug. I’d expect there to be more demand for thoughtful cards in the future. They act as a little bit of reassurance in times of uncertainty

Tracey Colliston, Ginger Betty

Thinking of you captions have always been a popular part of our Sympathy collections and do really well for us. During the Covid pandemic these captions were very popular for obvious reasons. Special friend cards with thoughtful words have always been incredibly popular, too. Our cute Fudge & Friends Sending You a Hug is a favourite, for sure. We plan to continually expand in this category, responding to a need to express emotional and heartfelt good wishes to friends and families

Jonny Spears, The Jonny Javelin Card Company

Rainbow Designs

Rainbow Designs has a host of adorable toys and gifts in its best-selling collection that make the perfect gift or accompaniment to show friends and loved ones just how much you care. Make their day with Rainbow’s Guess How Much I Love You collection of high-quality soft toys of the much-loved Nutbrown Hares from the heart-felt children’s storybook. The super soft and cuddly Large Nutbrown Hare Soft Toy, with ‘I Love You’ embroidered on his paw, makes a wonderful gift for all ages, and is perfect to let them know just how much you love them.

01329 227300 www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk