Etiquette 101: Greeting Card Etiquette

This past weekend I was asked to assist with thank you cards and I wanted to make sure that they were all uniformed and done correctly. I provided a quick lesson on how each card should be packaged, so that we would all be on one accord. After finishing up the cards, I thought it would be a great idea to share this lesson with my Life Identified family since the holidays are quickly approaching.

You might ask, “Is there really a proper way to package a greeting card? Can’t I just put the card in the envelope any kind of way, just as long as it fits the envelope?” Absolutely not! Let me start by saying, all greeting cards must be facing the opening or the flap on the envelope. When the envelope is opened by the recipient, the first thing they should see is the beautiful card’s design. The fold of the card should be placed at the bottom of the envelope so that the card is not cut in half if the recipient were to use an envelope cutter to open their package. In some cases, I will place the card in the envelope with the fold at the top of the envelope if the card has been designed as landscape versus portrait. That’s because I prefer the card to be right side up when removed from the envelope.

If you are sending a blank greeting card, such as a thank you card, you will want to handwrite the card for that personalized touch. It is much more endearing to send a card with perfectly tailored words for each recipient. The relationship with each recipient is different; therefore, each note should appropriately address the reader. Be sure to write on the outside of the envelope or use adhesive labels.

If you are sending a greeting card, such as a birthday or congratulatory card, it is proper to place the card with the fold on the bottom. I have always been told to make sure that you do not send an empty card to anyone. You can thank the matriarch of my family for this etiquette tip. My grandmother does not play about empty cards! The only exceptions to this rule is if you are simply sending a seasonal greeting card (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, simple hello, announcement). Another exception is if you plan to see that person for the holiday and physically give them their gift or if you have placed other contents (i.e. gifts) in the box, then there would be no need to place a monetary gift in the envelope, unless you choose to do so. The biggest lesson about cards is making sure it is packaged correctly, so that the recipient can see the design of the card upon opening the envelope. Lastly, don’t forget to sign your name! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at lifeidentified@gmail.com.

Fashioned in Confidence,

Nolie B.