Birthday ECards: Do They Send the Wrong Impression?

Over the years, the internet has rapidly increased in popularity. At one time, most used it to communicate with family through email and to research a particular subject. Now, you can make money online, watch your favorite television shows, and even send birthday eCards. Speaking of birthday eCards, they sound like a neat concept, but are they really a good idea?

The Pros of Sending Birthday eCards

Most are free. Ecards come in a number of different formats. It all depends on the website you choose. Perform a standard internet search with a related phrase "like funny birthday eCards," and you will get many results. Some websites have free cards, others charge you a small fee, and there are those with a collection of both. Right now, the economy is in poor shape. Many Americans are worried about feeding their families, let alone paying the average $3 for a birthday greeting card. Free is nice; we all like free things.

They are easy to find. As previously stated, many websites have birthday eCards. Not only do you have multiple websites to choose from, but there are thousands of cards available. Are you looking for a funny birthday eCard, a romantic card, or a birthday card for a teenager? You can find it. Remember, get started with a standard internet search. Most free websites do not require you to create an account, so you can freely browse.

The Cons of Sending Birthday eCards

The impression it sends. Anyone who uses the internet has heard of electronic birthday cards before. They may have yet to send one personally, but they know they do exist. Unfortunately, they also know that most are free. What does this mean? Your recipient likely knows you spent $0 on their birthday card. This may be okay for a long distance friend you haven't seen in years, but what about your mother? What will she think? Yes, it is the thought that counts, but why not buy a greeting card from the dollar store and drop it in the mail. It will cost $1.50 at most.

It is easy to make a mistake. Speaking from personal experience, if you send a birthday eCard, proofread it and all options first. I accidentally sent my grandmother a birthday card with the date of July 18th . Unfortunately, her birthday was June 18th. Not only did I have to create and send another card, but I had to explain she would be receiving one the following month too. My otherwise nice gesture turned into an embarrassing experience. Make sure yours does not.

In short, birthday eCards have their pros and cons. So, should you send one? It all depends on your own personal preferences, but keep the impression you want to create in mind. For close family and friends, it is best to opt for a printed birthday card. If on a strict budget, they are available for sale at most dollar stores. If you won't see your friend or relative on their birthday, send an electronic greeting.