This just in from the Texas Motor Speedway…

While taking a practice run this morning in preparation for tonight’s qualifying race, CardsDirect car #411 hit the wall, taking a nasty tumble. Word from the track is that a greeting card competitor may have been responsible for the mishap which is still under investigation.

Driver, Sam Steady, was uninjured but the car is not in good shape. In fact, according to the pit crew, it cannot be repaired in time for qualifying. And so, unfortunately, CardsDirect’s Nascar run has ended before it’s even really begun!

The experience has, however, put CardsDirect out in front of the personalized greeting cards race and sparked some creative discussions opening up a new line of cards perfect for fast paced corporations interested in powering up their businesses. New card designs will include, “Rev up Sales by Sending Customer Appreciation Cards” and “Lead the Pack by Remembering Loyal Clients with Corporate Birthday Cards”. Still others include, “Drive Sales with Business Referral Cards” and the unfortunately popular, “Sorry I Passed you on the Last Lap Sympathy Cards”.

Hopefully with Thank You Cards for the pit crew and some repair and recycling, #411 will be back in the race by April Fool’s Day next year!

We at CardsDirect are pleased to announce our entry into Nascar’s Samsung 500 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Yes, although plans have been in the works for months, we have just now added the paint to our car and selected our driver. He is none other than one of Grand Prix’s best, Sam Steady. Know as “Mr. Speed” in the racing community, Sam was quite excited to be named CardsDirect’s driver of choice and looks forward to leading the pack at Sunday’s race.

At CardsDirect we believe that the race for business is key in today’s challenging economic times and personalized greeting cards sent to commemorate big events like birthdays or anniversaries or just to say thank you for your purchase are key to maintaining and growing your business. To enhance this mission we feel the buzz surrounding Nascar is the perfect vehicle for carrying our message forward and leading the pack in the greeting card industry.

Buckle up for a fast passed run for the checkered flag when CardsDirect and Mr. Speed take on the pack this weekend. Cards and Cars, a great winning combination!

I have a nephew who was born on January 5. Unfortunately, his birthday is nearly overlooked each year as it comes just after the big holiday hoopla season. When he was young my sister would celebrate with a party for friends and family on June 5 just so he would get some special attention. He, of course, never knew it wasn’t the real day of his birth but that didn’t last long.

My mother was born on the fourth of July. Until she was around 6 she thought all the parades and fireworks were in celebration of her birth. I doubt my grandparents did much to correct her misperception.

I would love to hear from any of you out there who know of someone born on or close to a holiday and how you help them celebrate and feel special.

Speaking of which, CardsDirect has an entire line of wonderful Birthday Party Invitations you just have to see.

CardsDirect has donated 4,180 greeting cards in a variety of styles and sizes to the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the USO.  The collection includes Thank You Cards, Birthday Cards and Holiday Cards, all with envelopes.

The USO (United Service Organizations) will repurpose these cards in their effort to make sure that all 170,000 courageous men and women who are risking their lives every day for us know that they have not been forgotten while they are defending our freedoms.  The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform and their families.

CardsDirect has gladly donated over 8,000 greeting cards during this holiday season to charitable organizations in need.  Those represented include For the Troops, The RWJ University Hospital Foundation, Holiday Cards for Heroes, and now the USO.

It is CardDirect’s mission to promote social interaction and networking through the sending and sharing of greeting cards for all occasions and CardsDirect is especially pleased to be able to donate cards that can be put to good use throughout the year by worthy charities.

Dear Ms. Cards Etiquette,
When signing a card (i.e. birthday card) whose name should go first? Is etiquette to put the man’s name then follow with the wife and then the kids, or does it matter which name goes first?
Lisa

First Lisa, I think it is great that you are sending greeting cards and are concerned about signing them properly. There is nothing quite as nice as receiving a thoughtful greeting card that is hand signed and sent as a lovely surprise.

When it comes to signing the card, the rules are not quite as formal as they once were. Conventional etiquette dictates that the man’s name goes first, then the wife and then the children, from oldest to youngest. However, it is perfectly acceptable to put the woman’s name first, especially if she is the one most closely connected to the recipient. For example, if a woman was to send a birthday card to her mother, she could sign it … Love, Mary, David, Katie and Sam.

For business purposes, when the recipient knows the family, the first name should be that of the business associate, then the spouse. Include the children if appropriate. A business greeting should be more formal so often does not include the extended family, depending on the level of professionalism you are attempting to portray.

Of course the nicest greetings are those that are individually hand signed by all who know the recipient. And, a short note added with each signature makes the recipient feel just that much more special.

There is really no absolute right or wrong way to sign a greeting. It is the effort and thoughtfulness in sending it that will be noticed and appreciated.