An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Corrie on March 17, 2015


Before medicine became a profession practiced by professionals, when people were ill or injured they relied on unproven methods  that weren’t often very effective and sometimes more dangerous than the disease. Even today, with modern doctors and proven medical techniques, some folks still turn to superstition and folk remedies. Here are a few (for entertainment purposes only, please don’t try them yourself):

Like you, we at Greeting Card Universe are glad we have doctors around to help us get over our illnesses and offer the treatment  and advice we need without having to resort to a frog smoothie! If you appreciate your doctor too, celebrate with unique National Doctors’ Day cards designed for every profession, perfect for clinics, hospitals, health centers and offices.

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What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I ordered the 30th anniversary card for my Lesbian friends. The card arrived quickly (within a few days). The card was as described and I was very happy with the card and the quick professional service I received. I would certainly order from you again. BK Naples Florida” – William – March 13, 2015

The Eating O’ the Green: St Patrick’s Day Foods

Corrie on March 4, 2015


St. Patrick’s Day or St. Paddy’s Day—never Patty’s since the name’s a diminutive of Patricia—is both a religious and secular holiday falling on March 17th annually. The celebration is observed by devout Catholics as the holy day of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and by non-Catholics as a fun Irish-themed holiday filled with parades, Irish puns, good friends and good food.

Certain foods are traditionally served during this time and we don’t just mean green dyed beer. Here are some of the offerings you’ll find in homes and pubs and gatherings on St. Patrick’s Day.

Irish Soda Bread: In 1816, the Gentleman’s Magazine first published information and a recipe for a new kind of bread made cheaply with soft wheat, which was considered unsuitable for proper yeast-based bread. This “soda cake” became popular in Ireland during the Potato Famine (1845-1852).

Corned Beef and Cabbage: In Ireland, pork and potatoes were a staple of the traditional diet, but Irish immigrants to New York City found it easier to eat their meals from street vendors, most of whom were Jewish and offered corned beef, a thrifty cut. Cabbage was also cheaper than potatoes, so Irish families began cooking corned beer and cabbage in a single pot, making a simple but tasty meal.

Irish Stew with Guiness: From its beginnings in Dublin at the St. James Brewery in 1759, Guiness Stout was revered for its rich, creamy, deep flavor and the beer became a flavorsome addition to the traditional Irish strew. In the 1920s, an advertising agency created the slogan “Guiness is Good for You” based on pseudo research and the idea of a healthy beer proved so irresistible, even pregnant women were advised by their doctors to regularly drink a pint.

Greeting Card Universe celebrates this happy holiday with daily specials (and promises no pinches for you if you’re not wearing green!). Check out our unique St. Patrick’s Day cards. Your friends and family will find smiles at the end of the rainbow.

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What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“My mother has Alzheimer’s and phone calls are difficult for her. I send a card every week and she loves getting the cards. They are beautiful designs and of the highest quality. I have been using greeting card universe for over a year and haven’t had to buy any card twice. Price and delivery are exceptional! Thank you. Best regards, Sharon” – Sharon Garcia – February 28, 2015

 

February Design Challenge Winners

Corrie on February 26, 2015

Each month, Greeting Card Universe hosts a Design Challenge for our artist community. Cards may be in any category and are designed around a specific theme. Winners are selected by a panel of judges.

Winning cards may also be found at our special Pinterest board or by liking us on Facebook.

In February 2015, the winners of the challenge are:

First Place

Barbara Schreiber

Second Place

Christie Black

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all artists who participated in this month’s challenge!


What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I wanted a special card for my grandson’s 17th birthday. Mindy created a custom card for me and I couldn’t be more pleased. It took us a couple tries to get it just right but Mindy happily obliged my wishes. It is just perfect. Charlie is a goalie on his school’s lacrosse team. Just try to find a lacrosse birthday card out there. The customer service is second to none!”- Ruth – Atin, Texas – February 23, 2015

Nowruz Traditions: The Haft Sin Table

Corrie on February 25, 2015


Nowruz or Norooz, also known as Persian New Year, is an Islamic spring festival taking place during the vernal equinox on March 21 in 2015. This 3,000 year old celebration began with the Zoroastrians living in the area or Persia, now known as Iran. Today, Muslims in many Middle Eastern countries—such as Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan—and Canada and the U.S. celebrate Nowruz each year.

One of the important traditions of Nowruz is the Haft Sin table or the Table of Seven S’s, a ceremonial table that signifies the family’s wishes for a happy and prosperous new year, and w which should contain the following elements:

  • Sumac, a crushed dried berry representing the spice of life
  • Senjed, dried lotus fruit signifying love
  • Sabzeh, sprouted wheat grass which represents Nature’s rebirth
  • Seeb, apples to signify beauty
  • Serkeh, vinegar for age and/or patience
  • Samanu, a pudding made from wheat, pistachios and almonds, signifying fertility
  • Sir, fresh garlic representing good health

Other items on the Haft Sin table can include other symbolic objects such as a mirror, decorated eggs, hyacinths, candles, goldfish, rosewater, a few coins, oranges, a brazier, and pomegranates.

Greeting Card Universe offers traditional and modern designs for your celebration with our collection of one of a kind Nowruz cards to send your best wishes from your house to family, friends and co-workers. Need a last minute card? Order on-line, get free in-store pick-up, usually in 1 hour, at most Target and Bartell Drug Stores.

What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I wanted a special card for my grandson’s 17th birthday. Mindy created a custom card for me and I couldn’t be more pleased. It took us a couple tries to get it just right but Mindy happily obliged my wishes. It is just perfect. Charlie is a goalie on his school’s lacrosse team. Just try to find a lacrosse birthday card out there. The customer service is second to none!”- Ruth – Atin, Texas – February 23, 2015

Personalized Passover

Corrie on February 20, 2015


The Jewish holy festival of Passover, known as Pesach, takes place between April 3-April 11  in 2015. While a religious holiday, many non-Jews (Gentiles) and non-Jewish businesses share the traditional seder – ritual meal – celebration.

Why is the story of Jewish freedom so attractive to those who do not share their faith? Reasons vary from person to person. Many Christians believe the last supper of Jesus Christ was a seder. The fact that the celebration takes place at a dining table instead of a synagogue is certainly a factor. And since Jews are a big part of mainstream America, curiosity about one’s neighbors, friends and co-workers lead some to the experience.

Whether you’ve attended a seder in the past or this is your first time, GCU offers one of a kind Passover/Pesach cards featuring traditional and non-traditional designs to give to your friends, family and hosts.


What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I was looking for something special for my sisters celebration of life ceremony. I found several cards for that purpose but looking through the rest of the cards I found exactly what I was looking for, blank, and I was able to write my own words and invitation and attach a great picture of her. I was so pleased with the whole process and received them very quickly.” – Judy – Feb 16th, 2015

Year of the Sheep (or Ram or Goat)

Corrie on February 13, 2015


Chinese New Year falls on February 19 in 2015. This important annual  holiday in the Asian lunar calender is celebrated not only by the Chinese, but by the Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese people.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2015 is the Year of the Sheep, but unlike other years with different animals, can also be celebrated as the Year of the Ram or the Year of the Goat. Why? Because the written characters in Chinese can mean goat, ram or sheep —or, improbably enough, gazelle. While some countries make the choice of preferred zodiac animal clear,among Chinese communities this firm definition isn’t necessarily so.

Greeting Card Universe celebrates the Year of the Sheep, Ram or Goat with you and your friends and family with Chinese New Year cards featuring all the lucky elements. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Need a card in a hurry? Order on-line, get free in-story pick-up, usually in 1 hour, at participating Target and Bartell Drug Stores.

What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“Found it very difficult to find an appropriate card on any of the British sites, when I came across the perfect card on your site. Didn’t know how long it would take to arrive, but was very pleasantly surprised by the time it took – 4 days, and by the cost. Will be looking at this site again. Thank you.” – Sally – February 13, 2015

January Design Challenge Winners!

Corrie on February 9, 2015

Each month, Greeting Card Universe hosts a Design Challenge for our artist community. Cards may be in any category and are designed around a specific theme. Winners are selected by a panel of judges.

Winning cards may also be found at our special Pinterest board or by liking us on Facebook.

In January 2015, the winners of the challenge are:

First Place (tie)

Liz Van Steenburgh, Starstock Greetings

Rycky Creations

Second Place

Julia Bryant, JJBDesigns

Congratulations to all our winners and runners-up, and a big thanks to our participating artists!

National Curmudgeon Day

Corrie on January 27, 2015


If you’re a grouch or if you know one at work, in your family or among your friends – or if you’re craving the chance to growl, snark and be miserable for 24 hours -then the 29th of January is time to celebrate with National Curmudgeon Day!

Curmudgeon Day also honors comedian and professional curmudgeon W.C. Fields, whose grumpy persona made him a Hollywood legend.

January 29 is a great time to make your favorite curmudgeon laugh! Greeting Card Universe has humorous Thinking of You cards sure to bring a chuckle to the biggest sourpuss. Easy to order on-line and we’ll mail your message the next business day OR take advantage of our FREE in-store pick-up at participating Target and Bartell Drug Stores.

What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“My card arrived quickly and in perfect condition from the reseller.. I also spoke to customer service after my order to make a revision and the young woman I spoke to was friendly and efficient. I will use this site again.”- Margaret – posted yesterday

Woodchuck Weather: 4 Things You Didn’t Know

Corrie on January 22, 2015


February 2nd is annually celebrated as Groundhog Day—an animal also known as a woodchuck. Just how much wood would a woodchuck chuck is irrelevant to this lighthearted holiday. Instead, the humble groundhog has become a national winter weather predictor. How and when did the association begin? Here are the answers to this question and others you may not know.

In the Beginning: Originally, Christians deemed February 2 as Candlemas Day, a time when churches distributed candles to hold back the winter darkness. In Germany, a tradition began around the hedgehog to determine if winter would end early or continue longer. When German immigrants came to  Pennsylvania in the U.S., they chose groundhogs—a more plentiful animal—to prognosticate.

A Legend is Born: The very first Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania took place in 1887. The legend was created by a newspaper journalist and member of the Punxutawney Groundhog Club.

They Called Him Pete: Prior to 1952, the groundhog living on the famous Gobbler’s Know was named Pete. When, an AP journalist did a story on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and the local weather predicting groundhog living on Gobbler’s Knob in 1952, he named the groundhog “Phil” instead of Pete and the new name stuck.

The Rivals: Punxutawney Phil isn’t the only groundhog with the special “ability” to let us know whether winter will last six more weeks. His rivals include Staten Island Chuck in New York, Smith Lake Jake in Alabama, General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia and others.

Whether winter snows and storms will last six more weeks or not, send someone a sunny smile with unique Groundhog Day cards from Greeting Card Universe. Order on-line and we’ll mail your cards the next business day!


Run For Your Life

Corrie on January 16, 2015


Many athletes around the world enjoy the physical challenges of marathons and other track events. Apart from competition with other runners, the constant physical and mental joy of  physical challenges and training draw many men and women into the sport.

The marathon goes all the way back to Phidippides, an Athenian runner during the period of Greek war with the Persian Empire, who ran 140 miles to the city of Marathon to fetch help for his outnumbered people. Victory was won that day and Phipiddides went on to perform other great feats of running. Eventually, the marathon race became an Olympic sport.

Today, marathons are held in many cities including London, Boston, Paris, Vancouver, China, South Africa, Athens and other destinations around the globe.

If your friend or family member is entering a marathon this year or just loves to run for fun, Greeting Card Universe helps you express your heartfelt wishes with Good Luck – Run/Race cards for runners of every age in every race. Need a card in a hurry? Order on-line, get free in-store pick-up, usually in 1 hour, at participating Target and Bartell Drug Stores.

What Are Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“This card reminded me of gracious living in nature with a sense of healing from the harmony of colors. I was looking for Native American greeting cards with flute music and animation but could not find any and then I stumble upon your Teepees In The Twilight card Like the idea of mailing directly from the cad center, very handy specially on late browsing and the birthday is only two days away. — kanil”- Kanil – posted 2 days ago