Greeting Cards - 6 Tips to Knowing What to Say

Greeting cards are a fact of life. We are asked to sign a card for a friend, boss, family member, etc...Personally I have seen people cringe at the thought of having to sign a card for someone and put a personal comment. It is almost like you are asking them to do the impossible. Most often you will run into this occurrence at your workplace. Someone is having a birthday, perhaps someone is retiring, or maybe a friend has had a death, there are a multitude of issues when a card is placed in front of you.

How many times have you personally been in a quandary as to what to write on that card? How many times have you waited till you know what you want to say? How many times have you just signed your name and left the personal message out? This has been a real dilemma in a facility I know of and the funny thing is, this facility is 98% women. I f you would happen by the break room at midmorning, you would not be able to get a word in edgewise. But it becomes a different story when a greeting card is brought in and everyone is asked to sign. Suddenly everyone of those women, who were all talking at the same time, with apparently so much to say, clammed up and left the card on the table.

If you can identify with what I am saying, then these 6 tips could help you every time you have a card to sign.

1. Mentally put the receiver of the card in front of you. Ask yourself, "What would I say if they were right here?" I believe your greeting could be easy and very genuine.

2. Relate your own experience lightly into the greeting. Remember to keep it light. If the card is for the birth of a baby, and you have experienced that, convey how wonderful their lives will be with a new addition to the family.

3. Don't say that you understand their situation if you have not personally gone through it.In the situation of a sympathy card, a good starter phrase could be, "I can only imagine how difficult this must be." If the sympathy card is for the family of someone you knew well, you might consider adding a personal experience that you both shared.

4. If you don't personally know the recipient, it is more difficult to be personal. Well wishes can be written just the same. If it is a retirement card for someone, simply wishing them many long years of enjoyment is very appropriate and not too personal.

5. For graduation greeting cards, it's nice for the recipient to receive any sage advice you have learned along the way. Remember to tell them that life's goal is the journey in getting there.

6. A card in itself is never a wrong gesture. The recipient will be usually very impressed that you took the time to send one. Thinking of others is a very compassionate thing to do. Remember to not wait for an occasion, as these days there are cards for any and all reasons.Have a few extra on hand.