(the following conversation occurred through text.)
Friend: YOU!
Me: Me what?
Friend: You with the sneak attack cards making me all weepy!
Me: Hallmark doesn’t pay me to be pretty.
Friend: As it should be.
I can vividly remember sitting at the dining room table drawing a card for my dad. I don’t remember the details of the card although I would suspect it was for my aunt’s birthday and he had forgotten to pick up a card from the store so he was playing the old “win the family over with a hand drawn card by the kid” card. You know you’ve played it. Or been on the receiving end of it.
He came up behind me and said “You should work for Hallmark.” I’m sure every parent has dreams of their kid going on to pursue something they are wildly passionate about in childhood but in my head I thought “Yes. Yes I should work for Hallmark.”
I was always the kid (and am currently the grown up) hanging out in the card aisle. Reading every single one, buying way too many and sending them to my friends. I always liked the way someone could put into a card exactly how I felt about someone and all I had to do to express my love was sign it and stamp it. Do you remember those Hallmark commercials where the girl gets a card from her boyfriend and then drops something so she can check to see if the Hallmark crown is on the back of the card? Yeah. That was me. Well played Hallmark.
I was convinced that people who gave Hallmark cards loved you more.
Fast forward to 2009, I was sitting in my mom’s living room in New Mexico when an email came through from Hallmark asking me if I’d like to come to Kansas City to tour their facilities and meet with some of their writers. I squealed so loud I scared bats. I sobbed through a good majority of the Hallmark tour, this was my dream since I had been a little kid drawing silly handmade cards at the dining room table.
(photo by Gabby Blair)
But the thing that got me the most was when our group was asked how we keep in touch with our friends.
“Email. Texts. Phone calls. Girls night out. Visits. Dinner.” were some of the answers. After we all finished answering someone from Hallmark said “None of you said send cards.”
THE HORROR. What had happened to that little girl who wandered the card aisles? Here I was in the hallowed halls of Hallmark WORLD HEADQUARTERS and I had to admit that with this digital life I lead I had forgotten about the magic of picking out a card, stamping and mailing it.
I’m pleased to say I have much improved my card sending strategy. But I have broadened my card sending repertoire to include cards from Etsy as well, because nothing says love like handmade (and Hallmark, well played 1990’s marketing campaign.)
I, along with several other bloggers were challenged to send out a stack of cards to our friends and family, while I’m sure they enjoyed opening the cards, I much more enjoyed knowing that my friends were going to know that I was thinking about them and that they had tangible evidence of me doing so.
Hallmark wants to give you the same opportunity. I have 10 packs of cards to give away to you lovely people. Cards you can send to whomever, whenever. (winners chosen! thanks everyone!) Cards that can stand in for a giant hug when you can’t be there yourself. Cards that can make a sad friend laugh or a lonely family member feel a little less lonely. I’ll pick ten people at random from the comments left on this post.
But what I want to know is who would you send a card to right now? Or, who sent you a card or letter that made all the difference in a day (or your life) for you? For me it was a letter from my Anna. Two pages single spaced about how much our friendship has meant to her. I treasure it. And all she had to do was write it (and find a stamp, let’s be honest, that can be kind of tricky.)
While it’s the intention that matters when we tell someone how much we love them, sometimes it’s nice to do it through something tangible that can be treasured.
********
DISCLOSURE: I am working closely with Hallmark during their “Life is a Special Occasion” campaign and have been compensated to share little moments in my life that are special occasions, not for endorsing a specific product, any mention of specific products is purely voluntary and all opinions stated are my very own.
making unbreakable - formerly moosh in indy. 
I’ll assume that I’m not eligible for your giveaway as I live in the UK but this post made me think about my best friend Tracey. We haven’t spoken for months because of a silly tiff that got out of hand. I miss her and she needs to know that. I’m going to send her a card.
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I’m also sure I’m not eligible since I live in France, but this was just too sweet! I send out cards all.the.time, to my friends who are going through rough times, to my family because I miss them, etc. I also love that I get cards all.the.time, it is so nice to get things in the mail and they can just brighten up my day! Right now I’m sending out a card to my friend who just found out she’s pregnant and a simple email of congratulations just won’t do!
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Oh, how I love Hallmark cards. My Mama and I would stand in the aisles for hours, reading every one, laughing hysterically, trying not to pee. I leave them on my husband’s dashboard, or my best friend’s inbox at work. I just sent one to my Mama last week, signed by her precious grandbabies and accompanied by my Hot Find Of The Week: Mint Chocolate Marshmallows (THAT’S RIGHT I SAID MINT CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOWS). So. Hallmark. I heart them.
Thanks for sharing!
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I would send a card to my sister. She is 38 1/2 weeks pregnant. It is 59203 bajillion degress outside. And she is so over being pregnant.
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I too send a card whenever I feel the need to make someone else feel special. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas, Get well, or for just whatever I was thinking about you. Hallmark has always been there for me when I couldn’t put into words exactly what I wanted to say. I heart the writers!
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I live over 700 miles away from family and friends that I miss very much. I would love to win the cards because to me Hallmark is for when you care to send the very best!
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Awwww, I’ve been seeing these posts pop up in my reader this week and I’m so glad Hallmark is doing yet another wonderful campaign.
I live in Kansas City and it was always my dream to work for them (I have applied but not even gotten an interview).
That is AMAZEBALLS that they brought you here for a tour! Amazing!
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I LOVE cards and stationary. I usually keep a stack of birthday cards just in case someone’s sneaks up on me. It’s so much fun to receive real mail in the deluge of junk mail!
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I love email and texting as much as the next girl, but there’s just something about a card, isn’t there? I love what Hallmark (and you!) are doing here.
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I would definitely send one to my sister who is having a hard first pregnancy with no family near by. I love hallmark!
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I love Hallmark! I have lots of people I would send these cards to!
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I love to give cards. Typically giving more than one for an occassion as I find different ones that have different special meanings between me and the recipient. Hallmark too was a dream for me – as an illustrator. Alas, a different path was taken – but the love is still there. If I could send a card to anyone it would be to my dearest Aunt Mary who we lost a little over 4 years ago. I miss her greatly and would love the opportunity to send another card sharing a laugh with her. Ahhh – the power of Hallmark is great – just thinking of the act has brightened my day.
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I would send a card to my sister just to encourage her and make her smile. I’m pretty proud of how well she manages her crazy, busy life working full time, raising two awesome kids, and dealing with her husbands re-entry into civilian life after 18 years in the Army. For being my pesky little sister, she’s turned out alright and I don’t tell her that often enough.
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I would send a card to my brother. He left the Marine Corps in June and is currently living back home with our parents (and his wife & daughter). I need to send him a card to simply welcome him home after all of these years.
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My cousin. We used to be close, as kids and then grew up and apart. He’s had a real rollercoaster of a year, losing his brother and gaining a new baby. I’d like to get back in touch with him, but I’m so bad at social stuff.
I never thought of using a card to bridge the gap.
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I would send a card to my mom. We’re friends now that I’m adult and not a %*(&$-y teenager.
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Right now I need to send a card to one of my oldest friends, her birthday is the 24th! Thanks for the reminder!!!
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I always make it a point to send birthday cards… Mostly because I’m 24 and STILL get excited about birthday cards. So I always send them to my mom and dad, best girlfriends and recently I started sending a card to each of the 5 children I used to nanny on each of THEIR birthdays. I also may or may not include something extra special in their cards, because let’s face it, when you’re 7, a blank card doesn’t always cut it. Except maybe for you, Casey! ; )
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I would send a card to my best friend Amber. She is the most amazing person I know, with the biggest heart on the planet. She is the type of person who is ALWAYS there for her friends, no matter what, backing them up 1000%.
She sent me cards and care packages when I was living in South America for a year, and I treasure them all. I wish I could send her a card every single day just to let her know how awesome she is.
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I would send a card (or several) to my grandmother. She still very much appreciates the stamp and uses them often:)
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I’m a long-time card sender who also lives in Indianapolis. I would send a thank you card to my cousin who just hosted me for a week at her home in Alaska. We had a wonderful time reconnecting. I can’t think of anyone who deserves a thanki you card more–she gave me a kidney 10.5 years ago!
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I would send a card to my friend Mare. We both love finding the funniest cards we can to send each other to make the other laugh. Its a special day when I get one of her cards.
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I would send a card to one of my oldeset friends who just recently lost their unborn baby. They need to know that others are thining about them in this time…even if a month has passed.
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I wander the card aisle too! And buy every card that makes me laugh or reminds me of someone. I have a giant drawer full of cards. I would send a card to my friend who is about to leave for a month on a grad school related trip to the Dominican Republic.
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I love it! This post resonated with me as I have a healthy Hallmark addiction.
I love receiving cards. The one that sticks out in my mind is on that my mom stuck in my suitcase when I went away for church camp for the first time. I had terrible separation anxiety and I carried that card around with me everywhere (so much so that by the end of the week, it was already falling apart). I still remember what it looks like, some 20 years later. A mom cat snuggling a baby cat. That card showed me love.
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I love sending random cards to my HS girlfriends. Fifteen years later, we can still make one another giggle! And, I’d love to get one last card from my grandma- I have lovingly saved the old birthday cards she sent me when I was kid, filled with her cursive handwriting.
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I’d send a card to my first piano teacher… just to let her know how much she inspired me when I was little, and continues to do so now.
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I would send a card to each of my grandmothers. Neither of them live closer than at least an hour away, but I rarely think to send a card.
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I want!
I love giving cards, and boy howdy will I be sending out a sh!t ton of them in the near future! Announcement cards, save the date cards, invitation cards, more announcement cards, thank you cards… the mind reels. I’d love to send some “just because” cards!
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I would send a card to my college roomate. I miss her dearly.
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A good friend always sends me handmade cards to remember my son Matthew on his birthday, and it means the world to me. Right now I have at least three people that I need to send thank you cards to, and I have two girlfriends with birthdays coming in the next couple weeks. As much as I like receiving cards, sending them makes me feel even better.
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I would send a card to my sister. We’re going through a rough spot right now. It’s been two weeks and we haven’t spoken, emailed, or texted. Neither of us is making a move to make amends and it’s killing me. So, I would send her a card to say I’m sorry and that I miss my sister and my friend.
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I love Hallmark and cards! This has inspired me to send out some cards. I treasure a card my grandmother sent me.
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I would send one to my daughter, who I miss dearly this summer while she’s on an extended visit with her dad…she is my world!
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I would send one to my dear friend Lisa who moved way too far away last year.
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I’d send one to one of my best friends. He’s been there for me through everything since HS. We can go many months without contact, but always pick right back up. I think about him every day, the least he deserves is a card. 🙂
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I have a box just for cards, I love sending them. If I could send just one I would send it to my friend that’s on her journey with PCOS, trying desperately to have a baby. I can’t fix it but I just wish she didn’t feel so alone.
http://chosenchaos.blogspot.com/2011/07/bad-news-bears.html
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I would send one to my best friend, who I have only been able to spend two hours with in the past 15 months. She is so missed and so loved.
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My husband. He’s deployed in Germany right now for a year, and I know he’s been missing me and our daughter pretty badly…I think a card would make him smile. 🙂
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I love sending cards for no particular reason – I’ve collected so many cards over the years just for this reason 🙂 Right now, I would send a card to a family friend who’s going through a rough time- battling cancer for the 5th time and dealing with other health issues. I tell her every day that I love her, but it would be nice for her to see it in writing 🙂
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I am SO that “hanging out in the card aisle” girl, who has to find just the right card. I have received a few cards that have touched my heart, but most recently it was a thank you from a friend who lost his wife to a very untimely death that has stuck with me (and it was his words on a blank card, no pre-written stuff!). I love sending cards to people as a just-because surprise!! 🙂
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I recently got a card from my brother on a mission in the DR. Hand-written on notepaper and stuffed in a white envelope, it meant the world to me.
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I have a list of cards I would like to send out. Thanks for the reminder that such a little thing can brighten someone’s world for that moment. I really need to get back into send out cards.
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The best cards I get are from my online friends because it breaks the boundaries of the internet. And its always when I really need it too. I, myself am gearing up for a birthday filled summer! 3 nieces, uncles, aunts, Motherly, and friends!
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The best card I recently received was from my college roommate’s daughter as a thank you for her college graduation gift – but, more importantly than thanking for the gift – she shared how much I have meant to her throughout her life. many tears!
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Oh…. sniff…
I would have to say my mother is long overdue for some card love from me.
I would also give one to my husband… even thought I see him every day… because he needs one.
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My grandfather always sent the best cards – with handwritten notes and usually a few coupons tucked inside. Now that he’s gone I’m so glad I decided to save some of them.
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I love this! I adore Hallmark. and even more so Hallmark cards. I was taught at a young age to make sure the card fits the person. And is nothing better then making a loved one cry..out of happiness and love of course. I must admit that I have had to cut down to holidays bc of my banks account. But by far my fav card story is when my husband and I were going though a rough patch..like driving on a road made of nails. and on my birthday and said he gave me a card that told me how he really feels. I know gag me but it honestly was the best gift I could have received. He said that he spent an hour reading all of them bc he couldn’t find the words but knew Hallmark would.
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I love cards! There are several special people in my life going thru some difficult times right now and I think a card is a nice way to remind them that I’m praying for them! Thanks for a fantastic giveaway!
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I love to send “pick me up” cards. The 1st card I would send would be to my friend who lives abroad, she is missing home right now.
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