Category: National Holidays

National Tooth Fairy Day in the United States is February 28  a day set aside to honor the tradition observed by many parents when a child begins to lose their baby or “milk” teeth at around age five or six. Although rituals about the disposal of children’s teeth have ancient origins, and people in many countries follow similar customs, the Tooth Fairy as we know her didn’t come along until around the turn of the century.

European immigrants brought with them their mother country’s traditions, such as the “tooth fee” paid to children when they lost their first tooth (mentioned in the 13th century Norse writings). In the later Victorian era, fairies became very popular in works of fiction and children’s plays. Around the early 1900s, a “tooth fairy” emerged who gave rewards in exchange for lost teeth.

The Tooth Fairy a we visualize her didn’t go mainstream in America until the 1950s. Today’, many parents and grandparents use the opportunity to teach their children and grandchildren about the importance of good oral and dental hygiene. Dentists and dental hygienists have also paired with the Tooth Fairy to spread the message.

And of course, the Tooth Fairy still leaves money under the pillow in exchange for a tooth.

Greeting Card Universe offers one of a kind cards to congratulate a child for losing a tooth to send to your nieces, nephews, sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as they go through this important rite of passage from childhood to youth.

SPECIAL: Order 5+ cards, get 10% off and free shipping in the U.S.! Use code 2013FEB10

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
Excellent quality, prompt service and reasonable prices. Very happy purchasing from them and will purchase again when needed. A better selection than most stores offer. I’ll be back.” – Sid, February 22, 2013

Groundhog Day is celebrated every February 2 in the United States. Each year, Punxsutawney Phil in Philadelphia and other groundhogs (and occasionally prairie dogs) across the nation are coaxed of their holes. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. However, if he doesn’t, an early spring is predicted. This date is also Candlemas Day, a Christian holiday with traditional weather lore attached to it.

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Here are five interesting facts about Groundhog Day. Let’s hope the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow this year!

• 5. The custom of winter weather prediction in February using a burrowing animal comes from Germany, where the folklore encouraged folks to watch a badger come out of its hole on Candlemas Day to see if winter would last longer. When Germans immigrated to the United States, they brought the custom with them, but substituted the groundhog (or woodchuck), a much more common animal.
• 4. While Groundhog Day is celebrated by many people in many U.S. States, it it not an official holiday.
• 3. Why was the Groundhog Day weather prediction important to early settlers? They were primarily farmers. Lacking accurate weather forecasting, they turned to folklore to learn when they should plant their crops.
• 2. The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day comes from 1841, in the diary of James Morris of Berks County, Pennsylvania.
• 1. In Alaska, Groundhog Day is known as Marmot Day because they aren’t many groundhogs in the Last Frontier.

Whether the prediction falls on the side of an early spring or a longer winter, Greeting Card Universe helps you celebrate Groundhog Day with friends and family!

SPECIAL: Order 5+ cards, save 20%! Use code 2013JAN20 at checkout

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“Great site, unique selection of cards for all occasions & outstanding quality of cards & efficiency regarding speed of delivery, even to the North of Scotland. Many thanks, this will be the place all cards will be purchased from in the future.” – Helen, January 24, 2013

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time when many individuals and organizations highlight the urgent need for volunteer  blood donations.

Most healthy people are eligible to give blood, but less than 10% of eligible potential donors actually do so.  Every day, patients in hospitals and treatment facilities receive blood transfusions. Without the donations of blood given by generous volunteers,  vital medical procedures couldn’t be performed and lives would be lost.

If you want to give blood, check for blood drives in  your community.

Greeting Card Universe appreciates the difference volunteers make in many people’s lives and offers unique birthday, holiday, and Thank You Volunteer greeting cards designed especially for organizations and individuals to express their thankfulness to those who give of themselves.

SPECIAL: Order 5+ cards, save 20% – use code 2013JAN20 at checkout!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“The quality of your cards is amazing. The glossy print brings out the colors, and your selection is awesome. Can’t find better Christmas cards anywhere” – Terry, January 6, 2013

January is Celebration of Life Month, a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. Everyone is  encouraged to  find ways to celebrate the positives while looking for ways to change the negatives.  To appreciate your life and the years you’ve lived, the times you’ve shared with loved ones and friends, and learn to take things as they come.

Few people knows how precious life is more than the survivor of a serious illness like cancer.

Survivors are strong individuals who have learned how to take one day at a time. A survivor knows the importance of appreciating and celebrating each moment. And survivors deserve support and recognition, too, which is why Greeting Card Universe offers a unique collection of Cancer Survivor Anniversary Cards and End of Chemotherapy Cards so you can show your love and appreciation of the survivors in your life.

Now just in the month of January, but every day.

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What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“This was my first time using this website. I have to say I am delighted to have found it. Now I no longer have to spend lots of time browsing in stores looking for just the right card. It’s now always at my fingertips. When I called with a question, the staff were so courteous and helpful. I’ve shared the website with my family and friends.” – Jean, December 24, 2012

November 14 marks National American Teddy Bear Day, when we celebrate the flurry, furry, cute stuffed animals that delight us as children, and continue to hold our hearts when we grow up.

Since 1902, teddy bears have remained an extremely popular gift for children (and sweethearts). A couple of the world;’s most famous teddy bears are Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear.

The Teddy Bear Cops program provides the stuffed animals to police, other emergency responders, and firefighters to give kids during crises. Other charities collect donations of new teddy bears to give to children with cancer, patients in the hospital, and other worthy causes.

Teddy bears remain a popular subject on all types of products, including greeting cards. At Greeting Card Universe, we offer teddy bear themed cards for many different holidays and occasions. When you want to send your “beary” best wishes to family and friends, it’s hard to beat a bear!

A teddy bear is a faithful friend,
You can pick him up at either end.
His fur is the colour of breakfast toast,
And he’s always there when you need him most.
—–Anonymous

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What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“The cards are the beautiful, great design, the shipping is super fast, will definitely shop for more cards from Creeting Card Universe!”- Lilia – Nov 7, 2012

November is National Family Caregiver Month as proclaimed by U.S. President Barack Obama in 2012.

In many American families, caring for a loved one who can no longer care for themselves because of debilitating injury, disease, or other cause falls to relatives, spouses, partners, friends, and neighbors. These caregivers dedicate many hours to tending the needs of another, bringing comfort and support. Their love and compassion makes a difference every day in someone else’s life.

These caregivers often go unnoticed and unacknowledged. National Family Caregivers Month raises awareness of the important role family caregivers play, and encourages everyone to offer their support and gratitude to these selfless individuals.

At Greeting Card Universe, we feature unique Caregiver Encouragement and Caregiver Thank You cards with heart warming messages for you to send. Choose your card from our collection of designs, personalize, and we’ll put your best wishes in the mail the next business day.

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What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“This is the second year that I have purchased our company Christmas cards for all of our accounts. Over 150 holiday cards all came out great. It’s nice that I can customize them with what I want to be written inside and even put an image of our company logo! I received our shipment earlier than expected and packaged very professionally. I would recommend this site to anyone looking to order greeting cards for any occasions. Thank you!”- Shirene Derakhshandeh, November 8, 2012

ALL ABOARD THE SMILE TRAIN!
World Smile Day® and National Orthodontic Health Month

Getting braces is a symbolic rite of passage for many preteens and teens.  It’s an exciting time, albeit an uncomfortable and expensive one.  There is something so cute about a big tin grin although never having had braces myself I have to imagine the novelty wears off pretty quickly.  But such a great payoff when the big day arrives, time for the reveal – a perfect, pearly white smile – tah dah!

We love to send cards to our kids’ friends to celebrate their big event!  It’s a big deal for them.

Achieving a perfect and healthy smile is very important to many Americans.  You’ll notice if you travel the world that it is not as important, available, or affordable in other countries.  And in developing countries where even the most basic of healthcare is not available or affordable there are millions of children who cannot smile – cleft lips and palates are some of the most common birth defects.

Smile Train is an amazing charity that helps children born with cleft lip and palate achieve better health and gives them back the precious gift of their smile, and with it another chance at life.  Their vision:  Every child born with a cleft anywhere in the world has the opportunity to live a full, productive life.

According to Smile Train, over 170,000 children are born each year with a cleft lip or palate.  Most cannot eat or speak properly.  They aren’t allowed to attend school or hold a job.  And face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache. Their clefts usually go untreated because they are poor – too poor to pay for a simple surgery that has been around for decades – a surgery that costs $250 and takes as little as 45 minutes.

We ask our own children when they are little, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”.  Might some of these children’s wishes simply be “when I grow up I want to be able to smile?”

For the month of October, in celebration of National Orthodontic Health Month and as a World Smile Day® Ambassador, Greeting Card Universe will be donating 100% of profits from the sales of cards in these select collections to Smile Train –

Congratulations on Losing a Tooth

Congratulations on Getting your Braces On / Off

So let’s celebrate the joy of a healthy smile today and all month long!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I buy all my cards here. Fast delivery and a wide selection of cards. Was delighted to find cards in different languages and for every occasion. Definately recommended !” – Maureen, October 3, 2012