What to write on a card (birthday card, baby shower card, appreciation/thankyou card, wedding card)

theesplanadeshop
Apr 7, 2020
3 min read

Writing a card I find is similar to thinking of a caption for my Instagram photos. I will type a caption, then delete it and start over like ten times. Frustrated, I give up and post the photo with no words - maybe one emoji. I have definitely sent my fair share of cards which went like this:

"Happy Birthday ____"

"text already printed on the card"

"From / Love ___Me__"

Yet the whole idea around sending a card is to acknowledge, encourage and celebrate the other person. Let them know they matter and are valuable. The card is too often is just another obligation to chuck in with a gift - commercialised to the point we send them because it seems to be a society norm, but we miss the very point of their existence.

I want to give a few thoughts to help you write your next card in a way which demonstrates appreciation and heart connection to your card receiver. Take time for this, especially if you are use to writing cards like my example above. Sometimes it is hard to listen to your heart and tune into how you actually feel, it takes effort to get past the junk (eg. bitterness, anger, jealousy) and find what you treasure in a person. Imagine gold mining, you have to dig through the dirt to find the gold - now do this with the person you are writing a card for. So, some questions to help you find the gold and write a good card:

Who is this person to you?

Think attributes & characteristics (eg. Dad you are my hero, you have always been there for me in the hard times, thankyou for being loyal and loving me so well)

When did you meet this person?

We first met when you tripped over your shoe lace, after laughing at you I helped you up. Who would have thought that would have been the start of a 10 year friendship.

What did you like about them when you first met?

When we first met, I remember thinking "this guy has a real good beard"

What do you like about them now?

My favorite thing about you is how well you love our children, it makes me feel proud.

What is a funny/good memory you have with them?

Remember when we ______ . Good times Sister. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

When did you first think you were going to be friends?

From the moment you said "I like to watch The Office" I knew we would be best friends.

Why are you thankful this person is in your life?

Honestly, you are my best friend, you make me laugh, you make me smile, you make me do stupid stuff! But you make my life interesting.

What do you hope will never change about this person?

The feeling I get when I see you smile or laugh.

Grab some of those answers and try to thread a paragraph together and that will be the main content of the card, then you can finish it off with the generic card sayings.

Example:

Heading:

Happy Birthday, Congratulations on your wedding, Hope you have an amazing day, Thanks for everything, Happy Mothers Day, Happy Fathers Day, Best Wishes, Thinking of you on your special day, Happy Anniversary, etc.

Main Content

"Your Heart Felt Message"

Closing

Much love, yours truly, lots of love, from, your homie, respect, etc.

We hope these points help your next card to be the best one you've written! I'll leave you with this neat quote to keep in mind while writing your next card.