For years now, I’ve saved on the huge time-consuming and financial costs of writing and sending cards, with few exceptions. Usually, I send eCards. And friends and family really like receiving them too! I know this, because they tell me so. 😊 However, there are those times when I prefer the handwritten touch, but they are fewer and farther between, but the appreciation of those is actually much higher.
I use Blue Mountain eCards (I’m not paid to say that), but there are several companies out there, so shop around. What I love about eCards is they can be interactive, personalized, and most of all – fun! They can be beautiful, funny, or even an interactive game. I love finding just the right eCard. I can send one card to multiple people or individualize them to each person. They can be sent via email or posted to Facebook. The flexibility is endless.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed few people even bother to send paper cards anymore. Paper cards seem to me to be a waste of money, because either the receiver appreciates it for a bit and then throws it out or feels obligated to save it in a stack of cards in a drawer out of sight (read – clutter.) And paper cards are $5 – $10 each now. Ecards eliminate the clutter but keep the sentiment intact for both sender and receiver.
Although I do prefer the zero-waste eCards, I do have a couple of exceptions. And you may feel differently than me. I still send sympathy cards via snail mail. Sympathy eCards are available, but in the situation of losing a loved one, it doesn’t feel quite right to me. Maybe the handwritten note just feels more sentimental.
My second exception is intentionally writing a letter to a friend. Think, Pen Pal style. I even promote handwritten letters on my social media as an intentional way to let someone know you are thinking of them. Our mailboxes these days are really just filled with people wanting our money one way or another. Receiving a personal piece of mail is so rare, it has a huge impact on the receiver. And receiving “just because” mail carries even more positivity when it’s not associated with a birthday, anniversary, or holiday season.
I think it’s important to be intentional about reaching out to our loved ones. Does an eCard fit this or that situation? Is now a time for a handwritten personal touch? Do I feel better about saving the earth some grief? Do I feel better using a handwritten method? For each person this is an individual decision, but either way the receiver will be thrilled you thought of them.