Why Give Handmade Greeting Cards and Invitations?

In a world that is now consumed by high tech gadgets, satellites and the World Wide Web, we have immediate access to our friends and family all over the globe with the touch of a button. Networking websites such as Twitter, My Space and Facebook allow us to get up to the second updates on our friends, family, businesses, celebrities and people we don't even know. With all of this we are probably more connected than ever before but are we still as personal?

We used to hand write letters to loved ones to update them on what is going on in our lives. Granted handwritten letters are time consuming and in this day and age it is a lot easier and faster to write a quick email or send an e-card rather than personally hand write something. We are all so busy these days and yes it is wonderful that we have all of this technology so we can keep up with our busy lives and still stay connected to our friends and family. But sometimes it really means a lot when someone sends you a card in the mail because they were thinking of you or a short note to tell you thank you for being you or doing something special for your friend.

Children love getting mail and sending cards for holidays, just because, or as inspirations to do well in school are great pick me ups. We are fortunate to have some card senders in our family. My kids absolutely love getting mail and they are so excited when they get a card. Sometimes the cards have some little present in them like stickers, bookmarkers or a word puzzles.

Lunchbox cards are a growing trend right now. Lunchbox cards are little notes that moms and dads put in their child's lunch bag or backpack that says something nice that give the kids a little boost during their week at school. For example, I sometimes put a lunchbox card in my kindergartners lunch box that says something like..."I love you; Have a great day, Love Mommy!"

I think most people enjoy receiving cards and it really means a lot when someone sends you something handmade whether they made it themselves or someone else made it. You can tell that someone has taken the time to find or make that special card just for you. Handmade cards are more personal and are extra special when you hand write something in the cards. I would bet that because handmade cards are so much more personal people tend to hang on to them longer. Who wants to send a card that gets thrown away right after it is read. Lets face it most cards do end up in the trash sooner or later but if we took the time to send a card we would rather the person receiving it hang on to it for a little while.

Handmade cards are generally cheaper to make or purchase than store bought cards. I was floored by the price of a birthday card my daughter wanted to buy for her classmates' birthday party. I didn't even know the kid and I sure didn't want to spend $7 on a birthday card they were probably going to throw away. I'd rather make a card myself for more than half that price and spend the extra on a present for the birthday girl!

For those of us who love shopping, you can shop for handmade cards on some craft sites such as Etsy. For those of us who like to create, making handmade cards can be a fun hobby, a family craft or a way to relax and let your creativity out. If you have children, making cards is a great way to keep them busy as well as helping them develop their artistic skills. Children are very proud to give their artwork to family and friends as gifts because they made it themselves!

So the next time you need a greeting card or need to send out invitations...think about making them yourself or buying handmade. You will support the craft, give something more personal and thoughtful, save money and may really enjoy the art of making cards!