With the recent passing of Valentine’s Day, I was reminded of the power in expressing our appreciation for loved ones in a written message. Maybe it’s a humorous inside joke, favorite shared memory, or simple expression of gratitude that gets scribbled down. Regardless of what the words say exactly, the card helps communicate your love and support for the recipient.
When I worked in a card shop for four years, I was constantly reminded of all the occasions for which we purchased cards – baby showers, anniversaries, birthdays, promotions, losses, etc. I also was fortunate enough to be taught the value of the “just because” message, too. One year, as a teenager, my mom gifted my siblings and I a pack of blank stationery and encouraged us to write a monthly “just because” card to someone we knew. It is fascinating how despite technology, we still find value in giving someone a handwritten message to mark an occasion.
Amidst the hustle of our daily lives, we rarely sit down to write anything by hand. And while it can feel antiquated, the physical act of writing can help slow our thoughts and focus our minds on the present. With wedding season and Easter coming up, there are many opportunities to put this into practice.
However, finding the right card can be difficult. You’ve likely found yourself in the card aisle at the grocery store or pharmacy trying to find one with the perfect message. A card that isn’t too wordy, not too sappy and says all the right things. What would you think if I suggested that the Goldilocks “just right” card is actually a homemade one?
I decided to put this into practice by making my own watercolor Valentine’s Day cards for all the special people in my life who have shown a lot of support to me recently. I even made it a girl’s night activity with two close friends. The simple pleasure of sitting down with my paint and some good music brought out a childlike joy from within.
Personally, I already had watercolors, paper, and a marker on hand, which made this both a fun and cost-effective project. However, there are many other affordable ways to go about creating homemade cards. You could explore Park Avenue’s packs of stationery, fun stamps, and colorful ink pads. Rummaging your house for leftover ribbon, paint and stray stationery is another good way of finding creative uses for what you already own. Perhaps what you find could be used for a craft activity with your children and their friends to make homemade Teacher Appreciation cards in May. The options are endless with a little creativity.
This week, I challenge you to find someone who could use a “just because” homemade card – maybe it’s a coworker, a friend or a new mom. It could be a simple piece of paper or a beautiful watercolor painting you make, but regardless, I am almost certain that whatever you create will spread joy.
