Five Reasons to Send Someone a Greeting Card for No Reason at All
Updated: 3 days ago
A thoughtful note, an old joke, or a few words of encouragement can brighten someone's ordinary day. Here are five reasons to send greeting card, no special occasion required.
When was the last time you received a greeting card you weren't expecting? Not for your birthday, a holiday, or any particular occasion. Just a card that showed up in your mailbox, addressed to you.
I can’t remember the last time I opened my mailbox and found something that wasn’t a bill, a flyer, or a coupon for tires I don’t need.
Have you ever gotten a card just because it's Thursday?
Me neither. But I want to. And I can think of plenty of people who would enjoy getting a card out of the blue.
So why wait for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions to send a card? Why not this Thursday? (Or whatever day of the week you prefer.)
There's no reason to wait for a special occasion to do something nice. A greeting card is a simple way to let someone know they matter. You might write about how much you appreciate someone, how proud you are of them, or how much you enjoy having them in your life. Or you might simply say, "I was thinking about you today." You don't need to have something important to say to make someone feel important. Maybe I’m just sentimental, but I think we underestimate how much people need to feel seen.
Loneliness is a real problem, and it's not always obvious when someone is feeling disconnected from others. Research suggests that something as simple as sending a card can make a difference. A 2022 study published by the American Psychological Association found that people consistently underestimate how much others appreciate an unexpected message or note. In fact, the surprise of hearing from someone unexpectedly made the gesture even more meaningful.
Another 2022 study, called Kindness by Post, looked at a project where people exchanged cards containing messages of goodwill. Researchers found improvements in participants' well-being, loneliness, and sense of belonging. People who received greeting cards described feeling special, appreciated, and more connected to others.
I believe the world could use more random acts of kindness, especially ones that help us feel connected to each other. And I love that something as simple as sending a greeting card can have that kind of impact. We don't need a grand gesture or even a particularly clever message. We just need to think of someone and take a few minutes to let them know.
You don't have to wait for a reason, and you certainly don't have to wait until Thursday.
Five Reasons to Send a Greeting Card for No Reason
1) Something Reminded You of Them
Have you ever heard a song and immediately thought of someone you haven't seen in years? Or spotted something in a store that reminded you of a ridiculous joke you shared with a friend? It's funny how something completely ordinary can bring a person to mind, sometimes someone you haven't thought about in ages.
Usually, we smile at the memory and go about our day. But what if we did something with it? Why not share the memory with them?
Imagine getting a card from an old friend that says, "I heard that terrible song you used to play over and over again, and now it's stuck in my head. Thanks a lot."
It's a simple way to turn a passing thought into a personal connection.
2) You Appreciate Who They Are
We all have people in our lives with qualities we appreciate. Maybe it's a friend who can make just about anyone feel comfortable, a neighbor who's always looking out for others, or someone who has the patience of a saint.
But how often do we actually tell people what we appreciate about them? We might compliment someone on a job well done or thank them for helping us, but that's different from telling someone what we value about who they are.
Imagine opening a card and finding a note from a friend who says they've always appreciated your courage, your creativity, or the way you treat other people. You might be surprised to learn they even noticed. And I suspect you'd remember that message for a long time to come.
3) You Haven't Connected in a While
I think most of us have people in our lives we've been meaning to get in touch with. An old friend, a former coworker, a favorite cousin we haven't seen in years. Every so often, we think about reaching out, maybe we give a thumbs up on a post, and we tell ourselves we'll reach out properly another day. And before long, another six months have passed. Or six years. How does that happen?
The longer it's been, the more awkward it can feel to make that first move. What do you even say after all that time? Maybe you don't need to explain the gap at all.
You could send a card with a little news about your life, ask how they're doing, or remind them of something you enjoyed together. You don't have to catch up on everything in one message. You just have to get the conversation started.
4) You Want to Cheer Them On
We tend to celebrate people when they've accomplished something. A new job, a graduation, a promotion, or finally finishing that project they've been working on forever. And of course, those achievements deserve recognition.
But I think we sometimes overlook how much effort goes into getting there. What about all the effort that comes before those achievements? Think about someone you know who's trying something new or working toward a goal. Maybe they're learning a skill, building a business, going back to school, or tackling something they've been putting off for years. You might see how hard they're working, even when they don't have much progress to show for it yet.
Why wait until they've succeeded to tell them you're impressed? Send a card now. Tell them you've noticed their effort, that you believe in what they're doing, or that you're rooting for them. They might be having a particularly difficult week, and hearing that someone believes in them could be just what they need to keep going.
5) You Want to Make Them Laugh
Sometimes you just want to make someone laugh. Maybe you found a greeting card with an awesome pun, a ridiculous illustration, or a joke that's so bad it's good. You see it and immediately think of someone who would appreciate it.
Sending a card to make someone laugh is one of the best reasons to send a card. Find one that suits their sense of humor, write a quick note, and send it off.
I think if you can make someone laugh while they’re standing at the mailbox holding a stack of bills, that’s basically a public service.
So, Why Not This Thursday?
Know someone who might enjoy finding an unexpected card in their mailbox? Pick a card, write them a message, and send it off. You never know what a little unexpected kindness might inspire.
If you need a card to send, I happen to know a place. Take a look around the Mainely Cards shop. You might find just the thing.
And if you're not sure what to say once you've picked your card, we've got some help for that, too. Our What to Write guides have a lot of ideas and examples to help you find the right words.
Mainely Yours,
Shannon
