when you care enough to send the very best

I recently heard a friend tell me his woes of trying to find a birthday card for another friend. This is something I hear at least once every time I'm work at Hallmark. It's not just men either. People come in and have no clue where to begin. I do my best to help them, and most of the time we end up finding a good card. I thought that since there are so many out there who hate trying to find "the perfect card" I would share some of what I've learned about Hallmark cards with you.

First of all, it's always going to mean more if you make your card yourself. However, I realize that can't always happen. So when you need to buy a card and you walk into a Hallmark store (or Kroger, or Walgreen's) here are some hints that might be helpful to you:

1. Hallmark cards are first separated by "brands" or "lines" and then each brand section you will find the breakdown of a card for every occasion (for the most part). So there is not just one spot in a card store for birthday cards. There are birthday cards under each brand...and some brands are better than others.

2. The general Hallmark brand. This will be the largest section in the store and should have the greatest amount of choices for what you are looking for. However, this can make it very overwhelming. I typically will vote against looking in this section for birthday cards for someone you are close to. Though, for specific family members, anniversaries, or babies, this is one of the best places to look.

3. Shoebox. The Shoebox line of cards are probably the most popular. This is where you go for humor...humor for birthday, love, get well, miss you, etc. Some times it can be on the corny side but usually funny. Most are great for middle-aged people to give other middle-aged people, however they have recently come out with some current event cards as well as pop culture stuff...including the simpsons, that make it great for my generation.

4. Fresh Ink. These are my favorite. They came out 8 years ago and have continued to never disappoint. These are great, totally random, but also some sweet ones mixed in. Great for "just because" cards or cards for girlfriends (as in "where my girls at?!", as well as actually girlfriends, AND girls that are just friends). They aren't mushy, or say too much. Most of the birthday cards are completely random and funny. Just be sure if you are mailing it to get the larger envelope so you don't have to pay extra postage.

5. Nature's Sketchbook. great for grandmother's or sweet women in your life.

6. Dayspring/Christian Expressions. Most of the time I find these fantastically cheesy. However, sometimes you really do want to send a scriptural card. I find these to be good for sympathy cards or for pastors, mentors, people going on mission trips, etc.

7. Journeys. This is the newest line of Hallmark cards. They are targeted specifically for those dealing with cancer or other serious illnesses. These are refreshing, honest, upbeat, and to the point.

8. Music Cards. I'm pretty sure these have changed the greeting card industry for good. There is everything: TV and movie theme songs, sound clips, current pop music, country, disco, oldies...everything. These are FANTASTIC...except for the price. At $5.45 (that includes tax...in TN) you might as well buy them a meal. However, these always bring a smile and make for great conversation wherever they are opened. Good for kid birthdays, or for just acquaintance birthdays, or even those you are really close to that just LOVE that song or movie. Sometimes the songs can be quite a stretch for the card, or it can be hard to find one that says the right thing (if you are looking for more than birthday) but overall I'd at least glance in this section if you are in the store.

9. (RED). Hallmark has started to promote the (RED) campaign with everything from greeting cards to wrapping paper. I really like these cards...they are funny, encouraging, clever, and uniquely designed.

10. general advice: give yourself time to find a good card, don't be afraid to ask for help, know your audience, don't just look in one spot or in one brand, AND always look at the bar at the top of the cards - it will be very informative as to brand and type of card.