Posted on October 5, 2013
Back in the day, people would write letters to one another. They would wish their friends happy birthday, and congratulate them for graduating or having a new baby in the home. They would let their Uncle Joe know that they were thinking about him, and they would wish their Tia Juanita a speedy recovery from surgery.
And some of those letter-writing people would get out scraps of shelf liner or wrapping paper, bits of lace and fabric, scissors and glue, and they would create a greeting card to make their birthday / congratulations / get well wishes more memorable and colorful.
And then somebody, somewhere, during the heyday of the boom of inexpensive printing in the mid-1800s, had the brilliant idea of printing up commercially made greeting cards. “We'll make some money, for sure,” I can just picture them saying to themselves. And so the greeting card industry was born.
These days there are e-cards and texted or social media greetings and well-wishes, which means fewer printed-paper cards, and even the once-popular Christmas card is diminishing in popularity. However, there is something extra satisfying for many people in getting a card in the mail or delivered in-person. Something that they can hold in their hands, display on their wall or mantle or desk, show off to others, keep for future enjoyment.
But—and it's a pretty big but—many greeting cards are now the price of a small gift. Does it make sense to buy a greeting card for $5 to $9? Wouldn't your friend or loved one rather have a slightly better quality paint set, or a slightly bigger toy car—along with a homemade card?
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| This is a cute sort of card to make -- get the instructions here. |
Most people appreciate homemade cards more than store-bought cards, anyway. So get creative today, get crafty, and make your own greeting cards.
You might even consider entering this contest. (Hurry – entries must be postmarked October 15!)
Resources for greeting card ideas:- There are many YouTube videos on how to make cards, such as this one featuring a stencil and an embossing technique.
- The DIY Network features some great ideas, including using homemade potato stamps.
- Check out Pinterest boards featuring greeting cards DIY ideas, including this one I made.
- Red Ted Art has a post with 20 ideas especially for kids.
Hereis an article explaining just why greeting cards are so darned expensive.
Also on this date:
Plan Ahead:
And here are my Pinterest boards for November holidays, November birthdays, and historical anniversaries in November.