It seems the subject is up for debate on who popularized sending greetings to loved ones. Many credit the Chinese because they sent greetings and well wishes to loved ones on New Year’s Day. The ancient Egyptians communicated with loved ones through inscriptions through out the year. Either way, Hallmark and American Greetings has gotten wealthy.

How wealthy? Despite the increase in postage, the greeting card industry is expanding. Many credit the Covid 19 pandemic for helping the market experience a period of growth. When you can’t see your loved ones apparently we send a “when you care to send the very best, you send a Hallmark” greeting card. (Remember that slogan?) The US greeting card market in 2023 was worth a reported $6.8 billion.

We send greeting cards for everything — birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s day, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, etc. But how often do we read the inscriptions on the inside? We usually peek to see who sent the present, who sent the card or to look for money, but on the inverse, when buying the card, we spend valuable minutes reading the inscriptions to find just the right one. I find it a little disheartening when someone doesn’t take the time to read the card I have purchased.

That is my challenge to you: Read the inscriptions in the cards you receive this year – not just the words someone has taken to write inside the card. After all, they have taken the time to read it and decided that it was worthy of you.