Where Americans gather in celebration and cheer,

To honor the signing of the declaration,

Which marked the independence of our fine nation,

We proudly wear red, white and blue,

To show our American spirit through and through,

People gather from far and wide,

Paying homage to this land where we reside,

From picnics, parades, and concerts galore,

To reunions, barbecues, fairs  and so much more,

With fireworks booming loud above us in the night sky,

We say thanks to another year of independence to pass by!

Hoping everyone has a safe and happy Independence Day from your friends at enGreet!

With so much going on in the hussle and bussle of summer somehow many forget about Father’s Day and the holiday gets lost in the shuffle. Once again you’re stuck at the last second trying to scrounge for something to give your dad. You had made a pact to yourself to beat this vicious cycle of last minute gift giving but alas here we are.

Thankfully this year the holiday falls on June 19th. Phew! AKA there’s still plenty of time to find the perfect gift for dad. Now we’ve run into a bit of a pickle…what exactly should you get for Father’s Day? Let me tell you, I understand that finding the perfect gift is no easy task. You’re not alone.

Don’t give up entirely falling into the last minute gift giving trap this Father’s Day. Remember each father is unique which is what makes them who they are. Keep in mind that Father’s Day is a time to not only honor dads but also to commemorate all of the individuals who have been a father figure in your life. Highlight that with your gift whether it be through humor, something heart-felt, or practical. The beauty of Father’s Day is that acknowledgement is all it takes. Regardless of the gift your dad will appreciate the sentiment.

Happy Father’s Day from your friends at enGreet!

An establishment for decades now, the show has certainly seen its share of ups in downs in recent years as a result of the economy.  However, one thing remains constant – the greeting card business remains relatively easy to “get into.”  As an artist, all you technically need is a few hours of time to create some designs, a local printer to run a few copies, and you’re set.  That being said, actually making a living off the process, that’s a whole different story…

Each year we see countless NEW talented artists, but for whatever reason, they don’t make it back.  Sometimes it’s that they have 10 great birthday cards, but not enough to fill a retail spinner year-round.    Sometimes their art is out of fashion (temporarily).  Other times it simply isn’t the right business for them.  It’s certainly painful to watch at times…

With the advent of companies like engreet, the Stationery Show has taken an interesting twist.  There are those who sell online and those who do not.  Data shows that customers that are buying online are purchasing things they otherwise wouldn’t have in stores – typically due to geographic or time restrictions.  However, there still remains a bitter taste about selling online, as if those who are are taking the dinner away from the existing guard.  Whether that turns out to be the case or not will be the subject of debate for many years to come, but one thing is for certain – online is here to stay.  Growth in the online world is tens of times what the brick & mortar channel has been for many years and younger generations simply are skipping the retail experience altogether.

Back to the artists to make it to the show once or maybe never – what they really should do in a digital age is use the power of the internet to test out their designs.  By working with companies like enGreet, Shutterfly (for stationery), and others, artists can hone their products without the cost of printing thousands of copies (that don’t sell and collect dust in the basement) and without the pain of an empty booth for 4 days.

With all that said, we’re excited to find the next crop of artists for engreet and to launch some exciting new products in the year to come.

We look forward to sharing our experiences with you when we get back!

“Really…  is there a reason there is only 10-lanes open… I mean, it’s freaking Christmas!”

“What do you mean I have to pay for expedited shipping charges…. Christmas is still three days away!”

“Grandpa Jim will love those socks…. They will go nicely with his eyes.”

We put ourselves through holiday madness ever year…. We swear to ourselves that it will NEVER go down like this again…. And we do our due diligence to make sure we don’t forget how uncomfortable it was that uncle Bobby mysteriously jumped off the Christmas list. Awkward!

Why do we do this to ourselves…. The pressure is madness! It all starts when your best buddy Amy… AKA, Martha-flippin’-Stewart, graces your mailbox with the perfect holiday card. You know the one I’m talking about… the one with the picture of the whole family, sporting their snow-white sweaters…. sitting on a vintage couch in the middle of (what looks to be the woods) with gargantuan gleaming ornaments sweetly dangling off the leafless trees. DON’T LAUGH… It happened!

Really?…. You know what I see in that picture?  I see a woman (sorry men) who called around and found a good photographer…. Called the whole family and pinpointed a photo shoot date…. Scheduled a date to take the photos…. Told everyone to find their best white sweater…. Called their best antique buddy to have a vintage couch delivered to a random field, found some gorgeous ornaments (on sale of course) arrived two hours early to decorate “the set” and meet the photographer…. ran home to place hairs on top of children’s heads and dress them…. And then call everyone to ensure they were on their way. O-M-G who does this!!!!…. God Bless that woman!

Then, we start considering who we need to buy gifts for… and the real pressure begins. This next one has surely happened to you…. You have scoped, plotted and planned the perfect gift for mom and dad! Mom is still taking pictures with a camera you actually load film on! YES…. A new fancy, super zoomy, no holds bar digital camera it is! Her birthday hits before Christmas…. You and your family opt for a nice necklace and earrings! Then she opens a gift from your brother (aka, the spoiler) and it’s a rinky-dink digital camera that you swear you saw at the drugstore two days prior! Really! I mean Fisher Price could have done better! So, your glorious coo of getting the perfect gift for mom and dad is tossed away like the ever-lasting nasty wrapping paper you can’t seem to use up! Ugh! Deep Breath….

Then, gifts start arriving in the mail….. such thought and planning for these sweetly thought out acts of kindness. Never mind that grandma sent you a frozen ham in the mail and you’re a vegetarian…. IT ‘S THE THOUGHT RIGHT!

See, it’s madness….. there is such pressure! Then, you have to cook! You knew that ham would come in handy, even if you throw up a little in your mouth when cooking it!

God Bless this holiday season…. Take the madness and turn into memories! Blessings abound from your friends at enGreet and CardBabble

______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook and Twitter

*Products mentioned in this blog are neither endorsed nor recommended. Please shop safely online!

We’ve been digging around and doing some research to see what people are giving and expecting this holiday season… and just how American’s are spending their hard earned dough this holiday. According to Venebles Bells, an advertising firm in San Francisco, CA, American’s are making a lot of compromises this year mostly due to a less than stellar economy.

Snap out of it soldier! A down economy can actually mean endless opportunity to give smarter, spend less and spark  creativity.  According to the research this ad firm found, 40-percent would do away with gift-giving altogether. Hooray, expectations are low my friends! Meaning, whatever you decide to gift this year is going to be well appreciated (unless you are an irrational toddler.)

Over 30-percent said they would rather be gifted a donation made in their name to a worthy cause. Translation: WIN WIN! You can give to one or more of the many charities in town, and in turn, you will have fulfilled the “true” meaning of Christmas all within the same gift.

There is a great upside to downed economy. 78-percent polled said that they are smarter shoppers because of the poor economy and are also proving to be smarter gift requesters with more than 50-percent of poll takers requesting $100-dollar grocery gift cards.        ($100-dollars in lottery tickets were a close second) So, how simple does this make shopping…. Snag a $100-gift card to their closest grocery store or stop at convenience store on your way to their house and go hog-wild with Mega-bucks! Check Mate!

This will surely make your day: Nine out of ten Americans said that they would be fine with receiving a re-gift. WHAT? (why do I suddenly hear the song…. “The hills are alive, with the sound of music.”) So, dust off that globe that is masquerading in the basement as a bar accessory and pass it on!

“Not only is this economy spurring thriftiness, it is also encouraging another trend – creativity. More than a third of women and a third of young adults (18-34) plan to make presents themselves this year.”

–Venebles Bells, research

That’s funny….. the 18 to 34 year-old group polled  also said it was better to receive than give? Selfish bunch a kids!

(PS – for the record, yours truly is 34 years-old and completely disagrees)

Yes, creativity is sparking all kinds of holiday cheer this season. So, if you have a knack for being crafty then now is the time to put those skills to work. From scrapbooks, hand-made photo story books to painted birdhouses and recycled art…. These gifts tend to have the biggest impact. (So break out your inner Martha Stewart)

Don’t forget to be cost savvy and creative with your greeting cards…. Our partners at enGreet.com have everything you need to ensure your holiday cards are a hit!

______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook and Twitter

Thank you: http://www.venablesbell.com/?tag=2010-holiday-gift-giving-trends

*Products mentioned in this blog are neither endorsed nor recommended. Please shop safely online!

Gifts that are making the biggest impact this year are those that are both personalized and “edgy.” We don’t want you to confuse edgy with raunchy or inappropriate. A shower caddie that looks like a giant nose and spews shampoo out of the nostrils is just one such nasty gift. DO NOT DO IT!  Think of the edgy gift as being hyper personalized.  Take the interests of those on your list and begin by tracking those trends with a quick online search.

 Mom may wear a lot of gorgeous scarves, but the three you bought her last year are probably still in style and alive and well in her closet. Make an impact by identifying her interests….. say books for instance, and choose gifts that will encourage her passion. Female book lovers may like something a little daring like the “Porn for Woman” product line. Fear not, this has little to do with the stereotypical porn (inappropriate) we have come to know. These products, like books and postcards are a comical twist on what women find sexy and will make any female laugh out loud!

The idea of adding a little “edge” to your gift giving this year is two-fold. A. You will make a huge impact with the thought behind the gift and B. you will spend less money because you avoided buying quantity to make up for not buying quality.

Have a photo enthusiast in the house? If you take a look at what is happening in the land of photography, you will surely find some awesome gifts. The websites, www.uncommongoods.com and www.urbanoutfitters.com both have photography kits that are unique and vintage inspired. The lomography camera is back and accessories like the bottle cap tripod are just plain cool!

If you are shopping for a golfer, please don’t fall victim to golf balls, tees and ridiculous club covers! Step it up with a new take on helping them hit um’ straight!  Unique gifts that are also “usable” are always a hit!

Teens can be tough, but you don’t have to scour the couch cushions for change to get your teen the hottest tech gadget. (Let them save their own money for those items) Try giving them things that will inspire and fuel their creativity. We liked these unique fish bowls at www.gifts.com and duct tape project book!

After you find the best gifts that are going to make you look like a hero…. We encourage you to get edgy with your greeting cards this holiday season as well. Traditional cards are always wonderful for the right recipients (aka, your boss)… but, Let your funny bone wreck havoc this year and get a little scrappy…. By choosing these awesome picks!

Gingerbread and Jesus

George Bush and Santa

It’s all About Me

Allow the web to be your guide this season and pay attention to the passions, interests and personalities for those on your Christmas lists!

                                                                                                                ______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook  and Twitter

*Products mentioned in this blog are neither endorsed nor recommended. Please shop safely online!

to express our deepest thanks, or to briefly spew a rant.

We pick choose so careful, to match our heart with words,

sorting through the dozens, so we don’t look like nerds!

There are cards that make us laugh, that we vow we’ll never toss,

from saying something daring, to dealing with your boss.

There are cards that give us hope and cards that give them hell,

For those we care the most for, to ensure they’re recovering well.

Cards allow us to address, some of the toughest days we face

To say it with some humor, can be in the best of taste.

Did you know there are cards, which celebrate adoption?

Or those that speak in languages, and those that embrace your options?

Birthday cards are great, some are better than others,

Some we’d give our friends, some we dare not give our mother’s.

Cards can really speak volumes, without even saying a sound

While others make a statement, to acknowledge what you’ve found.

Who doesn’t adore a card, that marks a major mile stone?

a card that can be scheduled, and sent quickly to another time zone.

You can even earn rewards, for sending a card to aunt Mickey

And sort through hundreds of cards, for those that seem a bit picky.

Who knew that there were cards, that bring Mardi Gras to your door,

cards that celebrate beliefs, and those that hit us at the core.

Some may say they’re sorry, and some might make you speechless,

Cards can be a way, that others try to teach us.

Cards that say “I love you”, will always be in style,

If you think that doesn’t last long, just check her personal file.

A card that acknowledges they’re pain, some of the hardest you’ll ever choose,

But sending one they’re way, is like send them hugs and tissues.

Don’t underestimate the card, and we don’t mean the one in your email,

Send an actual card of paper, they will appreciate the detail.

Oh how we love the card, we pray they never get old,

We happen to think that cards, are the best thing someone can unfold.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Card Babble and enGreet!

                                                                                                                ______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook  and Twitter

Before you create a whole heck of lot of enemies by shaking things up this Thanksgiving, consider maybe not completely throwing out your traditions, but simply making room for new ones.

Traditions are something we are all comfortable with, whether they came from our family or they were handed to us from the pilgrims…. The holidays without traditions are, well, almost “un-American.”  How about however that we toss a few traditions out such as leaving mom on her own to build a massive meal for all to enjoy…. so we can create new memories and build something all our own for our children? All it takes is a little imagination and it’s something the whole family can get on board with. This works really well for non-traditional families or “blended” families that may not have the luxury of “traditions” just yet.

TableScapes | Hand it to your kids!

We tend to be the recipients of a lot of turkey-type crafts this time of year…. So why not encourage your kids to make placemats, napkins ring holders and centerpieces to reflect the holiday. Please, who can resist a turkey made of primary colored hand prints cut out of construction paper and glued together by your own children!

Goodbye Green Beans | Hello Soup?

A green bean casserole can be hard to resist, right? Well, that depends who you ask! How about switching out a tired ol’ recipe everyone has had (aka green beans) and substituting it with something… new! Maybe tomato soup with mini grilled cheese sammies for an appetizer. (cozy) Use your imagination!

Post Meal Naps | Woops… we mean Crafts!

It’s inevitable; someone is going to lose the fight to the post meal naptime. So, gather the kids and take pictures (Polaroid’s or print off) of the poor snoozing souls and start building your Christmas cards! Maybe these cards should only make the family list…. No need to rub in the embarrassment publicly!

Cook it | Then Forget It

You will have spent, love knows how many hours in that kitchen, so do the cooking, and let the rest of your Thanksgiving team do the rest. They can prep the table, gather the dishes, cut the bird and perfect the presentation while you freshen up and take a few minutes to yourself. Vow now… “I will not eat Thanksgiving dinner in my worn our sweatshirt or gravy-stained jeans!”

Over the River | WooHoo… No Cooking!

You might fall into sheer luck that someone else might be slaving in the kitchen for Thanksgiving. If this is indeed the case, you might want to pour on the thank you’s about as thick as you pour on the gravy. Organizing this sort of meal for any group larger than four, is not only is time-consuming, but stressful as all heck! (No matter how easy she/he makes it look) Rather than leaving it at a simple thank you when you head out the door, (keeping in mind that you’re also leaving a Thanksgiving mess) how about sending a couple of rounds of thank you cards from enGreet.com. You can schedule these cards to go out a few days apart… and we promise, when the recipient receives theses… well, let’s just say you will have likely scored a least a few years of return visits and  no cooking for Thanksgiving!

Football Fantasy | For EVERYONE!

Again, why fight it…. Football is likely going to be on the menu for your Thanksgiving, so why not be a part of it! Set up a scoreboard on your kids’ chalkboard, hand out a fantasy draft sheet for everyone to pick their players and whatnot at the start of the day … and pull together a ridiculous prize for the winner. (Like a jar of rocks) Chances are… that same jar of rocks will be a part of every Thanksgiving from here on out. In fact, that jar will likely be around well after you are gone and your kids are teaching their kids about football!

Use your imagination this Thanksgiving… and build some new traditions that will leave goose-bumps on the arms of your whole family…. For years and years to come!

                                                                                                               ______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook  and Twitter

*Products mentioned in this blog are neither endorsed nor recommended. Please shop safely online!

If you need some inspiration on how to encourage simplicity with your children, then we’re here to help. Here are some fantastic ideas from our partners at www.enGreet.com, their staff as well as their loyal fans!

“To be honest, a frozen Coke” says enGreet’s CEO, Adam Weinstein. “Music, running and good conversation rank right up there too.”

 enGreet fan, Todd Foreman says “A person’s smile.”

 “Walking to the park with my kids…. especially when the weather is perfect!  “ Stephanie Craig, one of enGreet’s newest fans tells us.

Let’s pause a moment and recognize the trend here…. Most of these simple pleasures are FREE! In order to pass on the excitement of what makes us really happy to our children, we have to see ourselves, what truly makes us content. Yes, it’s fantastic to get a new car and not reveal to our kiddos how exciting that is. The idea is to make sure that a rain shower in the pumpkin patch is just as thrilling and memorable.

Here are some other ideas to really “treat” your kiddos!

Breakfast in Bed | We typically do this for our significant others, but why not our younger counterparts? Word of caution… when it comes to teens, you might want to consider an early lunch in bed!

A Scavenger Hunt | This requires effort, but you will have a ball pulling this together for your kids and they will have an equally good time trying to figure out the clues. This will help you get started!

Send them Mail | The wonderful thing about the mail is that it’s like a little gift for kids. They may think you’re crazy for sending them a card when you live under the same roof, however, we can’t rely on grandma to send a card all the time. If you want to keep this a secret and turn it into an ongoing tradition, try using www.enGreet.com to send your greetings!

Break Bread | This may sound like what you do every night, but with soccer practice, piano lessons and dad’s bowling tournaments…. Well, it’s not so simple these days. Once a month, you and your child can find a new recipe, shop together then cook together and break bread. They will value the time they spend with you, feel a sense of accomplishment and learn life skills all in one day! PERF!

Turn to Technology | Kids are always receptive to technology… so use it to your advantage. If you have little ones, get them started with an email account (older kids usually already have these) and explain to them that they can use their email to talk to their family and share pictures and stories. Use your daily life to guide you online. If it’s Halloween, take them to a website that teaches them the history. If they are learning about Grasshoppers, take them to a site that features these unpredictable little critters.

Capture the Moment | Use your cell phone camera or digital camera to capture the family in all kinds of ways. Show me your funny face, do your best impression of Sponge Bob, build a fort in the living room and snap away. Look at the pictures together, print or have them developed and post those on ribbon boards or on the frige for all to admire.

If you have more ideas, we’d love to hear about them. Post a comment now and share your simple pleasures with the rest of us and let’s work together to encourage our children to appreciate the simple things. There will always be a new video game or pair of jeans you’ll just HAVE to buy…. but for all the times in between…. Let simplicity be your guide!

                                                                                                                ______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook  and Twitter

*Products mentioned in this blog are neither endorsed nor recommended. Please shop safely online!

November 11^th marks Veteran’s Day… and while most may pay more attention to this day for its “day off-like” disguise… perhaps we can take a moment and appreciate those who were so very important enough that they have their very own holiday. It might not be in the cards to volunteer some time to this noteworthy holiday, but if you do know someone who is somehow affected by a military situation…. Perhaps a call or card should be on the “to do” list that day.  We can never underestimate the power of appreciation.

Tis the season to be thankful, yes? This time of year allows us to reflect on all those who make our lives full and worthwhile and to be thankful for the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Some work two jobs, some stay at home with crazy toddlers, some drive hours to work for little in return and some simply make it a point to call you every week just to say hello. (Thanks mom)The greatest thing about giving thanks is that it’s free! It’ doesn’t cost much to say how thankful you are and even better, it tends to have a bigger impact than a gift. This kind of behavior also has a domino effect; hence, “we pass it on.”

Did you know there is a “Mom’s and Dad’s day?” There is… and whether you celebrate it or not, it might be nice to remind them how much you care. After all, had they not come to together, you wouldn’t be reading this right now! Tell them you care on November 13^th! And while you’re at it, “pack your mom a lunch” day is on November 15^th. (Who Knew?)

It’s natural to think of Thanksgiving when it comes to the month of November…. Honestly, who can’t be thankful for a day we all get a chance to carb load and protein overdose all in one day! There is another sense to the holiday which is not at all “lost” in the celebratory shuffle of stuffing and pie, but can be somewhat overlooked. (Guilty as charged) We don’t need to look up American history to know that we should be thankful for this holiday, but it might be good to reflect this point before fighting over the wishbone!

Whoever thought of making national “Cake Day” November 26^th, really needs a talking to! How in the heck are we to be thankful for such an important dessert one day after gorging ourselves all day? All in favor of moving it to February…?  

The point is…. passing thanks is as easy as passing the potatoes. When one person does this, others will follow… and so on. We can all be a part of that cycle, we can all be leaders of that line or captain’s of that ship. But ‘someone” has to start that cycle…. So it may as well be you!

Pass it on…. And just sit back and watch what happens next! 

                                                                                                                ______

If you think Cardbabble can help you with your next card giving project, just visit our partners at: www.engreet.com also find us on Facebook  and Twitter!