Kindness by Design #1: Start a Greeting Card Stash
To kick off the Kindness By Design series, I thought I'd start with something fun and easy: Stop buying overpriced greeting cards last minute. Start a greeting card stash!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I'm a big advocate for keeping a stash of greeting cards. I have a huge family, and need over two dozen cards each year just to keep up with birthdays. At the going rate of your standard department store greeting card, that's a ton of money. And if you factor in how annoying it can be to run into a store just for a card, it's also a ton of time.
There are three really good reasons to stop buying drug-store greeting cards five minutes before you're supposed to give it away.
1. Save money.
No more $5 greeting store cards!
2. Save time and energy.
No more last minute shopping!
3. Give something more "you".
No more weird cards with monkeys that you try to pass off as an inside joke!
And, if you're into this sort of thing, here are two more really really good reasons to start a card stash:
4. Support a maker.
It's so much more interesting to buy cards from real people!
5. Don't force your friend to pretend to like a terrible card.
Everyone loves receiving a card that seems to fit just right, just like we like giving them.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I'm a big advocate for keeping a stash of greeting cards. I have a huge family, and need over two dozen cards each year just to keep up with birthdays. At the going rate of your standard department store greeting card, that's a ton of money. And if you factor in how annoying it can be to run into a store just for a card, it's also a ton of time.
There are three really good reasons to stop buying drug-store greeting cards five minutes before you're supposed to give it away.
1. Save money.
No more $5 greeting store cards!
2. Save time and energy.
No more last minute shopping!
3. Give something more "you".
No more weird cards with monkeys that you try to pass off as an inside joke!
And, if you're into this sort of thing, here are two more really really good reasons to start a card stash:
4. Support a maker.
It's so much more interesting to buy cards from real people!
5. Don't force your friend to pretend to like a terrible card.
Everyone loves receiving a card that seems to fit just right, just like we like giving them.
I'm not expecting you to be as hardcore as me, and pre-assign cards for everyone at the start of every year so you can shop for the next year of cards. However, if you decide to go that route, I recommend keeping a notebook or printing yourself a calendar with everyone's birthdays and adding to it as you go. And buy a few generic ones for those less personal occasions. Cuz yea, we've all been there.
I buy all of my cards from small stationery shops or from online makers. I admit, I occasionally splurge on some $6 cards, which may or may not make it a moot cost point. However. The rest of the perks---less wasted time, more unique cards, that burst of pride in giving something handmade---makes it totally worth it.
Most shops I shop offer 6/$20, 3/$12, etc. I've even seen discounts on 20, which definitely works in the case of my abnormally gigantic family. In the end, pre-buying cards isn't just less expensive and easier, it also just feels like a nicer gesture. And let's face it. People can tell when a card is a last ditch effort. If you can find a stationery company that sounds like you, the fact that you care a little more will shine through.
Here are a few of my go-to sources:
{gotamago.etsy.com}
Most shops I shop offer 6/$20, 3/$12, etc. I've even seen discounts on 20, which definitely works in the case of my abnormally gigantic family. In the end, pre-buying cards isn't just less expensive and easier, it also just feels like a nicer gesture. And let's face it. People can tell when a card is a last ditch effort. If you can find a stationery company that sounds like you, the fact that you care a little more will shine through.
Here are a few of my go-to sources:
Do you already keep a greeting card stash? If so, has it helped make special occasions a little less work, and a little more personal? And if not.... are you going to go start one? Now is a good time. :)
The objective of the Kindness by Design series is to build thoughtfulness into your day to day life and make random acts of kindness an easier thing to accomplish.
9 comments
I have never thought about looking for cards online. I am the serial going to the store the day of or before to be disappointed in my overpriced not quite perfect purchase! You may have opened up a whole new world for me!
ReplyDeleteEtsy is the jackpot. I also super love QueeniesCards.com and visiting little stationery shops. I am a complete stationery geek! <3
DeleteI used to have a stash. I've let it run out. I should build it up again through makers!
ReplyDeleteYes, refill your stash and go handmade! I've gotten more questions about where I get my cards than I ever expected. Most people just read dollar store cards once and then forget about them.
DeleteYou do have an insane stash! Mine has dwindled, especially in the postcards. Guess it's time to go shopping for more… :)
ReplyDeleteI keep a stash too. I went through all my scrapbooking supplies and cleaned out everything I didn't want anymore...and made cards. I wait till the last minute to put the sentiment on them though. Your right, it is such a money and time saver! Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of sources! I used to make my own greeting cards using Shutterfly and order my stash at the beginning of each year, but have gotten out of the habit. I need to start again because it does make life easier, will have to check out some of your suggestions. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? I hope you will join us again this Monday!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking I need to do this; stock up on cards (or make my own) so I'm not rushing to the store at the last minute to grab one! Thanks so much for sharing your resources and tips with us at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!
ReplyDeleteThat's actually a really good idea to have a stash of cards ready to go. Cards are expensive! Pinning! Thanks for sharing this at Totally Terrific Tuesday last week. I can't wait to see what you have lined up this week.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Her Organized Chaos
Thank you for your comments! I love reading them all and will reply when I can.
xo♥clem