Occasionally Thoughtful

National Doctors’ Day was proclaimed an official holiday by U.S. President George H.W. Bush in 1991 and is observed annually on March 30. Doctors’ Day honors all physicians who make a difference in the lives of their patients every day. The date of the observance – March 30 – is the date the first general anesthetic was used in surgery by Dr. Crawford Long, who removed a tumor from his patient’s neck.

The first unofficial Doctors’ Day celebration was held in 1933 in Windor, Georgia, and included both sending greeting cards and laying flowers – particularly red carnations – on the graves of deceased doctors.

In the United States alone, there are more than 700,000 physicians and surgeons. Each of them deserves recognition for their dedication to the health and well-being of their patients. Greeting Card Universe offers a unique collection of Doctors’ Day cards to help you celebrate this important occasion.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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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“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