unfold uk

all loved out

I used to love Valentine's Day when I was in school; it was just a fun day.  Then I grew up and realized how phony it all was.  That sounds like such a curmudgeonly thing to say and I'm all for love etc. etc. but the holiday just seems so forced.  Lots of people feel the same way about it, yet we bow to the pressure every year.

However, as I'm never one to shy away from a good greeting card, I thought I'd collect a few that are interesting. My friend Heather Perlman, graphic designer extraordinaire, gets to the heart of it [crap pun, I know]:

And here's a damn funny one from Bald Guy Greetings, which gets right to the point:

But I do like the sentimental ones too; I'm not completely without a sense of romance [this one's from Cartesian Graphics]:

My friend Monica has done something really clever in creating a line of cards called Style Diaries.  Basically, she creates cards out of fabric that holds a sentimental value to someone.  The story behind the card is one that lots of us can relate to, and it makes for a really interesting twist. 

Monica made a Valentine's Card out of a dress that Monica's friend Helene donated: 

... and here's the story behind the dress [plagiarized from Remanents' website]:

The diary entry on the back of this outfit is..."I went on many dates in this dress, too many actually. This was the dress I always pulled out when I wanted to impress. I looked good in this dress, maybe too good. My mom always said you have to kiss alot of toads to find the one. I felt like I went through the entire pond. I thought I would get lucky in this dress...funny how things turn out. I am not really sure why I decided not to wear this one with the last guy I dated. He seemed more of a jeans and t-shirt sort of guy. But maybe that is where it's true luck lies because now he's my husband.."

Each card is numbered and 20% of the online sales will be donated to the Global Fund for Women.

For a really pervy twist, you could use a pair of your underwear that has sentimental value... I'm laughing at the thought of Monica receiving a pair of dirty pants in the mail with a note saying 'can you make a greeting card out of this'?  I think I'm going to do just that...she'll never speak to me again. 

Have fun today, no matter what you do or with whom. 

sympathize

Nothing turns otherwise smart, capable people into clueless idiots like the task of buying and writing a sympathy card.  I have to send one to a very close friend who tragically lost her husband, and it's daunting to think of something appropriate to say in the face of her overwhelming sorrow. 

Some people prefer a greeted card that expresses the sentiment for them, so all they have to do is sign their name.  Others prefer a blank card that lets them say what comes to mind.  The most common design I see is quiet and subdued, with or without religious overtones.  I've seen so many cheesy sympathy cards and not enough truly beautiful ones, and I'd like to give my friend something beautiful that might lift her spirits even for a second.

I tend to prefer a handmade sympathy card - the right one feels rich, important, and serious without being morose.  Laila Rezai of Looky Loo Press does a great job of this, since she keeps her colors light and her letterpress design subtle and classy.  These have a greeting on the outside but remain blank inside.

Cartesian Graphics does a nice job as well - fabric swatches in a neutral tone add weight and texture to an ivory card.

As for what to say, I always follow my friend's advice.  She lost her brother, and the cards that meant the most to her were written by people who shared a personal story about him, and expressed how much her brother meant to them. When I don't know the deceased very well, I try to write something I've heard about the person or the impression they made on me the few times I met them:

I'm so sorry for your loss. Frank was kind and charming and clearly well-liked by so many people. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

It's never a fun card to write but it's definitely worth doing. People get too hung up on what is or isn't appropriate, what will make the recipient feel better and what's the proper etiquette to follow.  My friend stressed how important those cards were to her, and how it made her feel better to know that so many people cared.