Some people are perfectly comfortable writing a card message to their BFF on her birthday, but other people struggle to put their thoughts into words. Especially if you don’t know the recipient well, you may be wondering, “Will my message come across OK?” Luckily, anyone can write an appropriate note by including the 4 basic components of a card message: the greeting, body, closing, and signature.
The Greeting
Once the recipient receives a beautiful arrangement of mixed spring flowers, they will reach for the enclosure card to see who it’s from. The “greeting” will be the first words they read when they open the card. A formal greeting might read something like, “Dear Mrs. Robinson.” While we don’t usually address people like that in everyday life, you might write that in a greeting card to show respect or admiration. Informal greetings include phrases like:
- Hey there!
- Hiya!
- Hi, Joe.
- What’s up?
The greeting can set the tone for the card, whether formal or informal. Usually, if you know someone well you do not have to include a formal greeting, or any greeting at all if you choose not to. However, in some situations like when you are expressing sympathy, you may decide to write more formally to fit the gravity of the situation. Address the card to exactly who the gift is for; that might include an individual, a couple, or a whole family.
The Body
The “body” is the meat and potatoes of the card. This is the place where you will write your message to the recipient. Consider the following aspects when writing the body of your card:
- Highlight the occasion for your gift by saying, “Happy birthday,” “Happy anniversary,” or “Thank you for helping me.” Some people write, “Just because,” in their cards if the gift doesn’t align with any major celebration. Other times, the occasion may be obvious; like when a dozen artfully arranged red roses are delivered on February 14th. Your partner may have simply scribbled, “I love you,” rather than writing, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
- The physical size of the greeting card is a good indicator of how long (or short) your card message should be. You want your message to fit comfortably on the greeting card in a font size that the recipient will be able to read. An overly long message may appear cramped on the card or have your friend squinting to read the words. Stick to you your main points and save greater detail for later when he calls to thank you for the beautiful flowers! On the other hand, a very short card message can come off as impersonal or lacking thoughtfulness so try to strike a balance on the length.
- The reason you are sending flowers plays a big part in the tone of the message. Is it a congratulatory gift for that big promotion? Then exclamation points (and maybe even emojis) are a great way to illustrate your enthusiasm. But when someone has experienced a loss or particularly hard time in life, you may want to keep your message simple and succinct. Some common messages of sympathy include:
- You are in my thoughts and prayers.
- We are so sorry for your loss.
- My heart goes out to you.
- With deepest sympathy.
The Closing and Signature
The “closing” comes at the end of the card. It is another opportunity to distinguish your relationship to the person. A formal closing might read, “Sincerely,” or “Regards.” You might use those when writing to a colleague, teacher, or elder. Informal closings may include the title of your relationship like, “Your friend,” or “Your cousin.” Write, “Love, Mike” or “xoxo” for close family and friends.
The last part of the message is the signature. Don’t forget to include your name on the card, unless you want to really keep your special someone guessing! Our final tips are:
- Include your last name if you have a common first name or do not know the recipient very well.
- It is a common practice to list the senders’ names in order of age if the gift is from a family.
- Sign with a nickname to make the recipient laugh.
- Skip the signature if you’re sure they will know you sent them.
- Include pets’ names in the signature if the recipient loves animals.
This article was published by Chad Kremp
