Occasionally Thoughtful - The official blog of GreetingCardUniverse.com

The only way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2012

Mindy on January 31, 2012

Valentine’s Day is your opportunity to celebrate love, whether you are in a relationship already, or not. Whether you are celebrating the unconditional love you receive from your friends and family members, or you are celebrating the romantic love in your life, you are celebrating the same thing. Love is the most powerful energy known to human-kind and as the great John Lennon so eloquently stated… “Love is all you need.”

Many people make Valentine’s Day up to be much more stressfull than it needs to be. Your ultimate goal should be to spend quality time with those who you love most in your life. Whether you take a weekend trip, a day trip or spend a night in, together, you simply need to take the opportunity to make sure your sweetheart knows how much you truly love them. The more creative you can get with expressing your love, the better.

Contrary to popular belief, Roses, Chocolates and Jewelery are not the most powerful ways of expressing your love on Valentine’s Day. The simple act of expressign your feelings through the written word continues to be the best way to share your true feelings of love. Your words will make them feel like the center of your universe and this feeling is what Valentine’s Day is all about.

With our newly updated system, you can now create Valentine’s Day Photo Cards with your own digital pictures. Above and beyond a heartfilled message expressing your true love and affection, a digital picture of you and your sweetheart will turn your simple Valentine’s Day Card into a cherished keepsake they will display year around.

Our artists and internet engineers have done all of the work for you and all you need to do is customize the card you like best with your digital pictures and heartfelt messag. within a few clicks of the mouse, you will have created a uniqe card that will help you express how you truly feel on this Valentine’s Day.


Valentine’s Day Photo Card	Valentine’s Day Card	Be My Valentine Card

10 Facts About Valentine’s Day

Mindy on January 27, 2012

Valentine’s Day (February 14th) is quickly approaching. In the past, sweethearts exchanged tokens of affection such as little gifts, chocolates, flowers, and pretty cards. Today, Valentine’s Day has grown to encompass not just romantic love, but love of every kind including family members and friends.

In honor of the holiday that celebrates all the most important relationships in our lives , we give you …

10 Facts About Valentine’s Day You May Not Know

Valentine’s Day is observed in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Japan, Denmark, Italy, and Australia.
While Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine, the Catholic Church recognizes three different martyred saints named Valentinus – or St. Valentine, and no one knows which one lent his name to the holiday.
Valentine’s Day is the second most popular card-giving holiday (only Christmas is more popular).
Esther Howland, known as “the Mother of the Valentine,” created and sold the first commercial Valentine’s Day cards in the U.S. in the 1840s.
The earliest known Valentine’s Day card was written in the early 15th century by Charles, Duc d’Orleans, to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London following the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
In 1382, the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer made the first written reference to Valentine’s Day in connection with romantic love in Parlement of Foules.
In Finland, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as Ystävänpäivä (Friend’s Day), and is more about remembering friends than being romantic with loved ones.
Anti-Valentine’s Day cards (and cards known as “vinegar valentines” containing an insulting poem) have been around almost as long as Valentine’s Day cards.
The Women’s Memorial March, held annually on February 14th in Vancouver, Canada since 1992, calls attention to murdered or missing women in the district.
Americans exchange over 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards each year!

Greeting Card Universe offers custom Valentine’s Day Cards for every member of your family, including Valentine’s Day Photo Cards to help you share the love with all the important people in your life (and we also offer unique Anti-Valentine’s Day cards, too).

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I have been absolutely surprised & thrilled with the e-cards I have ordered from GreetingCardUniverse! The choice of designs is more than ample, and I am able to write my own poems and include my own photos, which makes each card one of a kind and more than special. The recipients have been very positively impressed. AND it doesn’t cost an arm & a leg! I plan on ordering many more cards in the future.” — Gretchen, January 25, 2012

Tu B’Shevat

Mindy on January 20, 2012

In 2012, the Jewish holiday Tu B’Shevat, also known as the New Year for Trees, Tu’ Bshvat, and Tu’ Bishvat, begins on Tuesday, February 7th.

“And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of. But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal. And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God.” — Leviticus 19:23-25

In the 20^th century, it has become customary in Israel and elsewhere to plant trees during this time period. Tu B’Shevat is sometimes called “Jewish Arbor Day.” In addition, the day may be marked by eating a new fruit, or familiar fruits such as figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates and dates, or dried fruit or preserves, and may also include a seder.

Greeting Card Universe offers customized Tu’ Bshvat greeting cards featuring beautiful, unique designs to send to every member of your family for the holiday known as “Jewish Arbor Day.”

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“Very good service and I am really pleased with the cards I received. I liked to be able to change the words inside, as well as the font and size. The choice of cards is very satisfactory too. Although the cards are a little on the expensive side, I will definitely use this site again.” —Julie, January 19, 2012

G’day on Australia Day

Mindy on January 13, 2012

Commemorating the First Fleet arriving at Sydney Cove in 1788, Australia Day is Australia’s national day, taking place each year on January 26. In every territory and state, Australia Day is an official public holiday.

This is the joy-inspiring day
That gave these blessings to our lot
Then let us share the social rites
Join hands, all malice be forgot!
This little star, once marked by none
Now shines a bright – a BLAZING SUN!
—Charles Tompson, A Song for January 26, 1824

Did You Know?
5 Cool Facts About Australia Day

While records indicate a form of Australia Day or Foundation Day was celebrated as early as 1808, the first official observation took place in 1818.
In 1826, the first Anniversary Regatta – later renamed the Australia Day Regatta – was held in Sydney Harbor, and continues to be held annually, making it the world’s oldest continuous regatta.
Australia Day became the first Australian official public holiday in 1838. However, all capital cities did not declare it as a public holiday until 1888 (with the exception of Adelaide).
The Australian of the Year Award, presented on Australia Day, was first given to Macfarlane Burnet in 1960. Burnet won the Nobel Prize that year for his physics research.
In 2002, 7 million people participated in Australia Day

Celebrate Australia Day with friends and family with a customized Australia Day greeting card from Greeting Card Universe – our one-of-a-kind selection will make them smile!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I sent this beautiful card to my brother and he was in love with it. Your product is professional and sent to the recipient in a flash. Thank you for a product that I could not find anywhere else. Thank you.” Pamela, January 10, 2012

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mindy on January 9, 2012

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed – we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”
—–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday. The holiday was first observed in 1986, and is celebrated in the U.S. each year on the third Monday in January (close to the date of King’s actual birthday, January 15).

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Baptist minister, a leader of the African American Civil Rights Movement, and a great social activist. His support of nonviolent protest helped advance the cause of civil rights, and contributed to making him an iconic figure and symbol of freedom. King’s speeches, including the famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered during the March on Washington in 1963, established him as one of America’s greatest orators.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”
—–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, many people celebrate the MLK Day of Service, keeping Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of service alive by volunteering, helping in community projects, and contributing to the benefit and welfare of their neighbors.

Celebrate the life and legacy of a truly great man, as well as Black History, with your family and friends on MLK Day – GCU offers custom Martin Luther King, Jr. Day greeting cards to help you stay in touch, celebrate diversity, and serve as reminders to always Believe in the Dream.

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
” Greeting Card Universe is the best find for me this year. I love the cards, and the people I send them to really enjoy them. What a very clever idea” — Peggy Garrett, South Carolina, January 8, 2012

Chinese New Year 2012 The Year Of The Dragon

Mindy on January 6, 2012

Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar and celebrates the beginning of the new year according to the cycles of the moon. Chinese families all across the world find Chinese New Year to be the most important holiday of the year. The holiday includes activities like gift giving, eating symbolic foods, having big family reunions and decorating homes with many different festive decorations. All of these traditions are designed to celebrate the coming of a prosperous spring and help to bring good luck and health in the coming New Year.

Each year, Chinese New Year falls on a different day of the Julian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar in the world. Although China has officially been using the Julian calendar since 1912, the lunar calendar remains as their symbolic method to determining the exact time of the traditional holidays like Chinese New Year, Lantern festival, Spirit festival etc.

It is a custom for a family who celebrates Chinese New Year, to thoroughly clean their home from top to bottom before decorating for the New Yera. The meaning is to clear out any bad luck that may have accumulated and to get your house ready for the good luck to come with the New Year. Then decorations, tapistries and posters are hung displaying characters meaning “Luck”, “Prosperity”, “Health” and “Wealth.”

Giving gifts of money in red packets is part of Chinese tradition as well. Most common is for adults to give the children and grandchildren money to symbolize prosperity and wealth for the coming year. Chinese New Year cards can are also included in the tradition for when family members want to include a personal message or to stay in touch with family living in other areas.

Chinese New Year cards offer you the opportunity to reflect the special holiday spirit that you can enjoy with your friends and family members you hold closest to your heart. This Chinese New Year is the year of the Dragon, signifying power and fortune in the coming year. Whether you send a Happy Year Of The Dragon card or a Chinese New Year photo card with your own family photo, your friends and family members will truly appreciate the heart filled message from you in this festive holiday season.


Chinese New Year Photo Card	2012 Year Of The Dragon Card	Happy Lunar New Year Card

Looking Forward to the New Year

Mindy on December 30, 2011

Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay –
Stay till the good old year,
So long companion of our way,
Shakes hands, and leaves us here.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One little hour, and then away.
—A Song for New Year’s Eve, William Cullen Bryant

The Greeting Card Universe family wants to thank all our customers and partners, as well as our highly valued artist community, for their help in achieving our goals, and their contributions to our successes in 2011. We look forward to serving you and working with you, and achieving even greater success, in 2012.

Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“Got my card just a few days after ordering. I really like being able to personalize it. I am extremely happy with the job they did on the card and the very reasonable price of it. I will definitely order more in the future.” — Beverly, Witchita, Kansas, December 29, 2011

Happy Holidays!

Mindy on December 22, 2011

The Greeting Card Universe family
would like to wish
all of our customers, partners,
and our artist community,
a wonderful, magical holiday season
celebrating with friends and family,
and a happy New Year!

“Bah, humbug!”

Mindy on December 16, 2011

Charles Dickens’ classic novel, A Christmas Carol, contains one of literature’s most recognized characters, a man whose name is synonymous with miserly curmudgeons everywhere: Ebenezer Scrooge. His catchphrase, “Bah, humbug!” used to declare Christmas a fraud in the novel, has lent itself to a very modern invented holiday… Humbug Day.

Invented by Wellcat.com, Humbug Day “Allows everyone preparing for Christmas to vent their frustrations.”

For many people, Christmas is a very stressful time of year. Buying presents (and not forgetting the wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and tape), making presents, preparing for holiday parties and dinners, family gatherings, special events, more work piled on top of more work, last minute shopping… it’s no wonder folks feel the need to let of a little steam!

Greeting Card Universe can take one worry off your shoulders – we offer fast, easy Internet ordering of all your holiday cards including Christmas photo cards, Hanukkah, Kwaanza, and lots more. And don’t forget Chinese New Year – our selection of unique, custom cards will carry your wishes for peace, prosperity, and good health to all your family and friends!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I have difficulty finding nice Chanukah cards and other Jewish themed holiday cards even in card stores, and Greeting Card Universe always has a beautiful assortment.” Mona, December 14, 2011

The “Real” Rudolph

Mindy on December 9, 2011

We see it every year around the holiday season – someone forwards an email or makes a post on Facebook about how “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was created by a father hoping to comfort his daughter while his wife was dying of cancer. It’s a beautiful, sad story… but unfortunately, it’s just a story, albeit it with grains of truth. Rudolph may be an extraordinary reindeer, but he’s got a somewhat more ordinary origin.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You would even say it glows.”
—Johnny Marks

In 1939, one of the Montgomery Ward Company’s copywriters, Robert May, was assigned to create a Christmas character for a booklet to be given away to customers in a promotion. May had a knack for children’s stories, and eventually came up with a version of the familiar tale of Rudolph, a reindeer ostracized because of his glowing red nose.

For the whole story on the true origin of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and to learn what happened to Robert May, check out this page on Snopes.com.

Reindeer are a popular part of the holiday season, drawing Santa’s sleigh as he delivers toys to all the good boys and girls of the world. At Greeting Card Universe, we have lots of fun, custom holiday cards featuring reindeer that will bring lots of color, light, and good humor to your friends and family!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I purchased three cards for someone who just received their PhD…impossible to find anywhere else. There was a large assortment to choose from and I was extremely pleased at the quality when they arrived.” – Evelyn, December 7, 2011