How to Pick the Perfect Diwali Card
 | Celebrations of light, joy, and prosperity have their place in many cultures. Diwali – also called Deepavali or Deepawali – is an important annual tradition for many Hindus, Jains, and even some Theravada Buddhist practitioners. It celebrates wealth, prosperity, luck, and happiness. The chief patron figures honored during this festival are Lakshmi, the mother of wealth, and Ganesha – who are often attended by symbols of luck, abundance, and material comfort. This is a time when we show gratitude for what we have attained and offer prayers for the coming year. Why We Celebrate At its core, Diwali is the celebration of Light over Darkness. The terms refer to Knowledge Click to Read more… |
Let’s Do Tea: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Afternoon Tea
 | Come and share a pot of tea, My home is warm and my friendship’s free. —Emilie Barnes The scene plays out the same in many houses: a child sits around a table having a “tea party” with their stuffed animals, dolls, and playmates. But when did the ritual of afternoon tea first start? Who began the tradition and why? To answer these questions, here are: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Afternoon Tea According to British legend, Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 19th century, became hungry in the hours before a late night dinner. She called for tea and snacks, thus setting off a 200-year Click to Read more… |
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Rosh Hashanah
 | In 2014, Rosh Hashanah – the major annual holiday celebrated annually and known as the Jewish New Year or Yom Teruah – begins on September 24 when the sun goes down and ends September 26. The moveable date is calculated each year based on the Hebrew lunar calendar. Rosh Hashanah is the official beginning of the Hebrew calendar’s year. These days, Jews celebrate by eating apples coated in honey (for a sweet new year), going to religious services, and many participate in the ritual of “casting off” – throwing bread into running water, such as a river, to “cast off” their sins. However, Rosh Hashanah wasn’t always the same as Click to Read more… |
Do You Know the Red Hat Society?
 | September is Fall Hat Month, which puts us in mind of the Red Hat Society, a U.S. women’s organization founded in 1998 which now has chapters in other countries. “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat that doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.” —Warning, Jenny Joseph (1961) The Red Hat Society is open to women of all ages interested in socializing and bonding with other women. When attending meetings and events, members over age 50 wear red hats, purple clothes, and are known as “red hatters.” Women under the age of 50 wear pink hats and lavender clothing. While chapters are free to Click to Read more… |
What Makes a Rosh Hashanah Card Special
 | Rosh Hashanah is a very special holiday on the Jewish calendar, literally meaning “Head of the Year.” As a celebration of a new year, there are many traditional observances, rituals, and gatherings to mark its significance. That these are often symbolized by food—both that which is eaten together and more indirectly by images of the special foods—is no accident, but a reinforcement of cultural and spiritual practices. When you give a loved one or a friend a card to mark the holiday, you’ll often see very specific imagery and messages—both directly in language, and in the associated meaning of those special symbols. Symbols and Their Traditional Meanings Many holidays in Click to Read more… |
The Golden Years
 | Today’s seniors are staying fitter, healthier and more active after retirement. It’s not just about physical wellness, but mental, emotional and spiritual wellness that improves the quality of life for our older generation. Studies suggest even moderate amounts of walking or other exercise can help stave off disease, keep the body flexible, promote healing and other positive benefits. Getting out and socializing—such as attending a senior center and participating in activities—assists mental focus and well-being. We love our grandparents and want them to stay golden in their golden years. They are often the glue that helps keep families together. Greeting Card Universe celebrates Grandma and Grandpa (or Meemaw and Papaw, Click to Read more… |
Saying Thanks to a Teacher
 | Teachers work long hours preparing lessons for their students, grading tests and papers, taking care of necessary administrative tasks, and all the other work that goes above and beyond their job description, often including using their own money to purchase classroom supplies. During Teacher Appreciation Week (taking place annually on the first full week in May) we express our thanks to the awesome men and women who teach and care for our childen. We also send Teacher Thank You cards to show our gratitude. But what if you’d like to send a teacher a litlte somethign more in addition to a card? Wonderful gifts for teachers include: School supplies (grade Click to Read more… |
Back To School For Teachers
 | Teachers will also begin a new school year in late August or September and need to make lesson plans and get ther classrooms ready for their students. Teachers also need supplies like chalk, ballpoint pens, rubber bands, paper clips, markers—all the little things necessary to help their classes, their students, and themselves run smoothly and with minimum fuss. The first day of school is perhaps the most challenging as teachers learn about their new students and their needs. To ease the stress, some teachers print “Welcome” brochures for students, plan a fun scavenger hunt for the class, help students make name plates, and other activities. Greeting Card Universe respects those Click to Read more… |
Are Greeting Cards Still Relevant in the Social Media Age?
We just don’t really send cards like we used to. Nowadays, if we want to get in touch with someone, we send a text, an email or a message via Facebook or one of the many social networking sites. Although the message gets to the intended recipient, if you really wish to make an impact on someone else, it’s best to rethink your strategy. In a 2013 study conducted by the Royal Mail Group and UK-based market research firm YouGov, mothers were asked what type of gift they would like to receive on Mother’s Day. Choices included a day at the spa, going out for tea at the Ritz, being Click to Read more… |
First Day of Kindergarten
 | The very first day of kindergarten is busy and stressful for parents and children alike. Students need to learn the rules of the classroom and how to behave with their new classmates. Preparing children for school keeps parents on their toes with all the little details like remembering to put the child’s name inside the lunchbox and making sure they understand how they’re getting home from school. Remember, practice makes perfect. Children who’ve never been in a structured environment like a school may not even know how to get in line. If you know a child about to take that first big step into school, encourage them with a First Click to Read more… |
