Greeting Cards versus Email
No TagsEveryone is talking green these days. From driving less to carrying your own canvas bags to the grocery store, just about everyone is at least thinking about ways to help our environment.
With an interest in preserving the tradition of sending hand written notes and letters, I have wondered how this effects the environment. I am apparently not the only one, as recently a reader asked this same question in a syndicated article in my morning newspaper. I discovered that delightfully, none other than Miss Manners is supporting the mailed greeting. See her article, “It’s Not Easy Being Grateful and Green” dated July 9, 2008 at www.Washingtonpost.com.
In the article, a ready asked how best to send a grateful greeting and still support the green initiative. Miss Manners asked that you weigh the effort used to send an electronic greeting versus a hand written one that is stamped and mailed. Which would more impress the recipient? In comparing an email to a greeting card, she said, “It is rather like handing over a bare object as a present rather than gift-wrapping it.” Where niceties are concerned, the trouble it takes to write and mail a card is well worth the effort and will be far more memorable than a quickly dashed off email.
Regarding the green concern, there are now recycled greeting cards made from recycled card stock. When ordered in bulk online, you are also helping the environment by saving a trip to the store each time a greeting card is needed. Think how many times you send thank you, birthday, anniversary, sympathy, holiday, and get well cards each year. And, often it takes more than one trip to find just the right one.
By sending greeting cards, you are not only putting forth effort that will be warmly received, you are also doing your part to help environmental efforts, especially when sending a recycled card. And, you may even enjoy a bit of exercise while walking to the mailbox!
