The Magic of Greetings Cards
How They Boost Our Wellbeing
(& Why We Are Proud to Make Them!)
Today marks the start of the brilliant 'Thinking Of You Week': a UK initiative encouraging people to “Send a Card, deliver a Smile.” So we thought, what better place to start with our first blog than examining the impact these small paper messengers can have on our sense of well-being...
We've seen first-hand for years that greetings cards have a remarkable power to brighten a grey day, evoke strong, positive emotions like love and gratitude, forge lasting connections, reignite old friendships and even heal past wounds.
Our days might be dominated by emails and text messages, but there's nothing more satisfying than receiving a physical greetings card.
But why?
Self-Esteem & Self Worth
According to neuroscientist Dr. Lynda Shaw, “The psychology of greeting cards has a lot to do with self-esteem and self-worth. Simply put, if you receive one, you feel better. Time is the most precious gift anyone can give. So, if someone spends time choosing, writing then giving or posting a greeting card, the recipient knows they have been given some of the sender’s precious time,” she said.
(Click here for more of Dr. Shaw's interview with Progressive Greetings magazine on the wonderful ThinkingOfYouWeek website.)
Personal Touch & Emotional Connections
Holding a physical greeting card in our hand can also have an impact. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research (Liu, Aaker, & Ross) posited that physical touch enhances emotional connections and increases the object's perceived value.
Something simple becomes something precious.
When you combine this tactile experience with carefully chosen words and illustrations, just opening a card can bring us a heady mix of joy, nostalgia, and a sense of being understood.
Images such as a classic Morris Mini an old friend once drove, a border collie your dad once loved, and a farmyard reminiscent of a childhood home – can transport us back to times and places and help us feel loved and considered.
And unlike emails or text messages that can be quickly deleted or forgotten, physical cards also have a lasting presence. Often kept for years, cards can be tucked into books, stored in keepsake boxes, displayed on a mantlepiece or even framed.
And if all that isn't enough, the act of selecting, purchasing, and sending a card also shows that, on a very simple level, you care.,
Positive Reinforcement and Surprise
Back to the science. Receiving a greeting card triggers a sense of positive reinforcement in our brains. Opening an envelope and discovering the card inside activates the reward centres, releasing dopamine, the "feel-good" hormone. A study conducted at the University of London (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2009) found that dopamine release is associated with pleasurable experiences, and the surprise of receiving a card enhances its emotional impact. The unexpected nature of the gesture – especially on days outside birthdays and holidays – heightens the pleasure response, making the experience even more memorable and uplifting...
What can be better than the simple pleasure of spying a handwritten envelope on the mat on a grey Monday morning, only to tear it open and discover an image that brightens the room, and a message that makes you smile and reminds you that you are cared for and appreciated.
Knowing that someone has taken the time and effort to think of us when we least expected it can lift us up on even the worst days.
Preserving Tradition and Sense of Belonging
In a rapidly changing world, greeting cards represent a timeless tradition that connects generations (do you remember the cards you received from grandparents? Or the cards you've sent to excited small children on their birthdays?).
From handwritten notes to beautiful artwork, they bridge the gap between the past and the present. According to research by psychologist Dr. Terri Apter (2012), rituals and traditions provide a sense of stability and belonging. As we send and receive greeting cards, we become part of a shared history, continuing a practice that has brought joy to people for centuries. This preservation of tradition not only cultivates a sense of belonging but also provides us with a sense of stability and comfort in an ever-evolving world.
Send a card and spread some joy today!
Sending a card can be a simple but powerful act of kindness. These small but powerful messengers have a unique power to uplift and connect us, and that is precisely why we're proud to have been making cards – and helping you send them – for the last 25 years.
So browse our site today and get in touch with some old friends or tell someone you think needs it that you care. You’ll spread some joy and give yourself a little boost of serotonin in the process...