Celebrate those who fight for our freedom

Did you look this week for a Veteran's Day card? If so, you probably didn't find one. Hell, I have a hard enough time finding a good "Baby on the way" card (I've needed a lot of these lately -- it feels like all of my friends are with child!), much less one that is federal holiday specific, outside of the biggies. The need is duly noted.

But that doesn't mean you can't support U.S. troops this holiday season. From now through Dec. 7, the Red Cross is sponsoring a "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program. So get a bunch of holiday cards, and send them to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

There are some rules, but the Red Cross has a complete list of best practices to make sure you your mail gets delivered, including "Don't use glitter – excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of wounded recipients."

Anything you send will be screened, so no nudie pics, either, but volunteers will make sure the cards go to servicemen and women who appreciate them -- even if we don't always appreciate all that they are doing in December and so far beyond.

Hallmark brings you Halloween in 3-D, sound

Overall sales are expected to be down, but greeting card sales should hold steady this Halloween and Hallmark is capitalizing on the trend with a new line of cards featuring "visual tricks."

As the cards are flipped open, a haunting image magically comes to life as skeletons dance and black cats cross your path. Sweet vintage-inspired looks and charming extras have been added to greeting cards that can double as holiday decor such as pop-ups, banners, shadow boxes and word garland.

My "visual trick" this holiday season involves 4"-spike-heel boots and a whip. I wonder who would win in a shoot-out?

A bit of a rant, really

I saw "Julie + Julia" today and liked half of it. Julia Child and her husband Paul wrote letters and much of the screenplay was based on a book that drew from that correspondence -- to friends, to family and each other. I think that even if the bulk of their lives had been set in the Internet age, they would have been slipping those thin papers into white and blue envelopes stamped Par Avion and sending them off across the ocean.

I didn't like the Julie Powell part. Not because it was so self-indulgent, not because she was ridiculously whiny about turning 30 (alert: your life doesn't end) and not even because she wasn't professionally (or even quasi-professionally) trained -- but because the character she showed us -- both via Nora Ephron's screenplay and her book (which I read) was simply unlikeable. I never saw the spark, the fire or the love. And yes, I cheered inside as she lay crying on the bed, bitching to her husband (that "saint" that she later cheated on) that her adopted idol Julia Child, when asked about the project, didn't have kind words for it. This cooking blog full of her cyber-complaining about how hard it was to cook the French recipes that took Julia eight years to perfect, bent over stoves and tables that her frame was a good eight inches too large for as she and Paul were shipped around the world. As Julie bawled about how hurt she was that Julia wasn't bowled over with the emulation, all I could think was"Boo-fucking-hoo."

Julia didn't have big, angry meltdowns. She didn't toss food disasters at her beloved husband's head. She wasn't full of complaints and desires for fame and adoration to keep up with her peers. She just displayed unfailing love for everyone around her and devotion to her passion: food. And how did she develop the friendship that would turn into the publishing connection that brought "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" to the world? Well, she wrote a letter, of course.

Pep is going to have a new peep

If we have been a little quiet, it's not without cause: Pep's designer half has some big news -- she's with peep! Congratulations to dear Doreen, a forever friend, great hockey player, amazing artist, creative cook, wonderful wife and dog mommy -- and soon-to-be-mother-of-the-year. And though this scribbler is sad to be without her drinking buddy for a few more months (you can drink when you breast-feed, right DQ?) it'll all be worth it when my new niece/nephew comes into the world and my corruption of him/her can begin.

Superhero-sized licensing deal

Marvel this week signed a long-term licensing agreement that allows Hallmark to develop print and e-cards (and other goods) using the comic giant's more than 5,000 characters from the Hulk to Elektra. Continuing Hallmark's recent trend of technology teasers, the announcement said the cards will "feature lights, sounds and other innovations." Someone please get on details of this, please.

Another twist: "A secondary purpose of the partnership is to include projects announced for domestic and international release that have not yet been covered by a major social expressions category. For example, recently announced feature films from MARVEL Studios (such as The Avengers; 2012), and animated television series' recently produced by MARVEL Animation, are now a part of the agreement."

All-you-care- to-eat e-cards

E-cards have their place (behind paper), but if our best wishes need to get there today -- Hallmark offers a subscription plan that allows you to send all the e-cards you want in a year for less than $10.

And if you don't already track all of your friends' birthdays on Facebook, there is a scheduling option too.

When there is no other way but out

If the poll data cited in this release is accurate, then you probably know someone who has been the victim of domestic abuse. It takes many forms and knows no class, socio-economic or ethnic boundaries. And one of the worst parts is how difficult it is for victims to leave the situation that allows the abuse to recur, as it often means the complete upheaval of their life.

Skidmark Cards is doing its best to make that first step a little easier. They offer a line of greeting cards that "tastefully express and dignify the end of a relationship ... written in a non-angry, non-bitter way." Fifty percent of the proceeds fund domestic abuse shelters, and for $3.95 each with no shipping charges, the small purchases go well beyond the need to bring closure -- they can open the door for a better life.

What is a "pull-my-chin" card?

American Greetings had a big ole $1.69B year. They bought Papyrus and Recycled Paper Greetings. Closed 450 stores. Shuffled around hundreds of staff. Struggled with some licensing lines, including twice failing to jettison its Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties. But they continued to grow strategically and better positioning themselves in an ever-shrinking market (sigh) by buying deeper into the high-end homemade side with Papyrus and adding eco-conscious alternative sentiments with Recycled.

What's next? "An ever-widening array of new offerings, including sentimental cards from Kathy Davis; greeting cards with built-in sound, music and special effects; and humorous items such as singing envelopes and "pull-my-chin" cards," CEO Zev Weiss says.

I'm intrigued by the musical envelope concept and whatever "special effects" they may have in the works (thought I'm thinking anything flammable would be a Nova in the making), but can ANYONE tell me what a "pull-my-chin" card is? Does it make you think, want to buy new tweezers or covet someone's playoff scruff?

Sniffed me out like I was Tanqueray

Please add to the list of things I don't want for my birthday this year: Amy Winehouse cards and wrapping paper. I know that I enjoy the occasional cocktail, but I don't think it warrants "Rehab" status.

Living the dream

Some people say you shouldn't mix business with passion.

Here's an example of why that's total BS.

Wis. girl loves paper. Wis. girl loves independent paper store where she buys greeting cards all through college. Wis. girl gets job at said store. Five months later, she buys it.

New life and real life

I recently found out that one of my best friends is going to have a baby. I already have a lot of friends with wee ones and I love being an auntie. But this particular momma is a card freak too, so she's going to get a lot of mail from me over the next few months. Expecting cards can be heartfelt, beautiful and fun -- and especially fun when the recipient has a good sense of humor. And being able to keep your sense of humor when you're carrying another human around in your belly during a long, hot summer AND can't drink wine -- is critical.

I also this week discovered that a family member and a dear friend's mother are both facing fears connected to cancer -- a disease that already has affected my life many times over -- and the lives of nearly everyone I know. Regardless of diagnosis, it's terrifying to face your body/health's limitations. Without a medical degree, there is little I can do except listen, love and support. Considering that the majority of "get well soon" cards are lame/inappropriate and "thinking of you" cards are too sappy, I mostly go for blanks (kind of a choose-your-own adventure girl). I am also considering customizing some of these amazingly frightening cards from the CDC. If any of you have ever gotten one of these, please let me know so I can beat who sent it to you and then send them one about the "concussion toolkit."

Celebrate the little, the big, the scary and the beautiful things that life hands us. Don't wait for someone to give you a pen and say "write me." You'd want someone to do it for you, right?

Take this card behind the middle school and get it pregnant

NBC Universal has inked a deal with Hallmark to "create a line of greeting cards that use content from the studio’s film, television and music libraries." In the lineup, "30 Rock" and "The Office" -- two shows with the best collection of one-liners on TV today. While I don't think that line "Tell her that you want your privates and her privates to do a high-five" will be spoken when you open a card emblazoned with a smiling photo of Tracy Morgan anytime soon, I hope it's at least ready by my birthday in December.

Fresh, beautiful and noisy as hell

I spent a few days by myself (mostly...) at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic about 7 years ago. Nothing amazing (I couldn't afford "spectacular," but I could afford unlimited beer in my room), but it was pretty and it had peacocks. They are lovely birds -- strutting around, fanning their plumage and distracting me somewhat from the dismal food on the premises.

The first night I was there, after a few drinks and "dinner", I was sitting in a hot tub and heard the most awful screech -- ever. It sounded like someone being knifed. Being a 25-year-old woman on vacation alone in an island nation -- in a bikini in a hot tub alone late at night -- this was a bit disconcerting in a "all the things Mom warned me about" kind of way. I waited. I listened. The sound came again.

I grabbed my towel and booked it back to my room.

After not sleeping all night, I went to the lobby to try once again to contact my online travel agency about a booking issue (a now defunct vacation site that screwed me over for a good $200) and to see if the police had showed up overnight for that dead lady I was sure was found on the lawn after midnight. On the way, I ran into a peacock, gliding across the lawn -- bobbing its head and checking for a snack.

Then it opened its beak....

The good thing about peacock images -- which are the rage in the greeting card world this summer -- is that they are all jewel-tones and flash, without the noise. Trust me, this is one sound Hallmark will not want to license.

Out of town, but not out of it entirely

I missed the National Stationery Show this year. Bad scribbler. My freelance writing/wanderlust drew me south of the equator to Argentina -- which is another story for another blog. Amazing journey.

The doodler reported that the trade show floor was smaller than years before -- less exhibitors, less buyers. But from the looks of the NSS blog, the talent level was as high as it has been in years past. Congrats to all of the LOUIE winners, new exhibitors and pioneers of new designs and technology.

The doodler also exhibited at Surtex this year for the first time - marking her debut on the licensing scene. Before the show -- which ran concurrently with NSS -- opened, she got an awesome shout-out in Print & Pattern. Pep couldn't be more proud of its designer-in-chief!

Remember, she's carried you a lot longer than 9 months

Moms don't quit on their kids. Ever. At all costs. And you were kind of a brat at times. And you know it.

So consider that when you're weighing what to get her this weekend. Smaller bouquet or 2 dozen rodes. Mediocre brunch or a swanky affair. The cheaper card, or a Pep Greetings card. Come on now.

She didn't eat you alive. And she could have. Trust me.

Happy Mother's Day to all of our favorite mommas. We love every one of you.

Creating a brand

When Kathy Davis started submitting her designs to card companies in the the late 1980s, she had no idea what was born from necessity (a divorce) and talent (freelance calligraphy) would become inspirational. The former art teacher with a master's degree built her business design by design. Recycled Paper Greetings believed in her, and the two worked together to develop her brand, which has grown into four separate entities, 15 employees and more than $50 million in retail sales last year. In 2008, she forged a new partnership with American Greetings and wrote a book. Not bad for the rest of your life.

You don't have to be an entrepreneur to develop your personal brand. It isn't all about mugs and gift bags or book deals. Know who you are. Embrace it. Take a risk. And live it.

"Everybody's going to want a piece of you. Make sure you maintain doing the things you love," Davis said about advice she received on drawing boundaries in business.

It applies well beyond the workplace.

Who writes them? Not me. Well, not those, anyway

This Austin (Minn.? Really?) Daily Herald writer has a good point: There are a ton of shitty greeting card writers who, unfortunately, are polluting your local card buying spot with their attempts at wit and insight.

"You would think an industry that can somehow get a greeting card to play music — the Star Wars Theme, the Chicken Dance — could figure out a way to write cards for brothers buying them for their sisters."

Too bad he didn't venture outside of the shoe box. Often the fun comes in working to make a card's "defined" intention meet your purpose.

Always frequent your happy place

One of my favorite card stores in the world is in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh: Kards Unlimited. I got to go there this weekend while visiting my alma mater for a few days of nerdy bacchanalia (but that is another story for another social media medium.)

If you are like me and live in a greeting card wasteland populated only by a (crappy) American Greetings store in the mall, a single aisle at (several thousand) CVS locations and a teeny, tiny Papyrus (full of dull Papyrus cards) -- a store like Kards Unlimited is an oasis. Loads of crowded racks showcasing beautiful (Flying Elephant), pretty (you send me), snarky (uncooked, selfish kitty) and dirty-funny (ripe, mikright) cards of all shapes and sizes. I'm not even going to go on about the temporary food tattoos, zombie stuff and funky cookbooks, but I want to. Badly.

If you have one of these independent gems in your neighborhood -- shop there. Kards Unlimited has been around for more than 40 years and was busy on the Saturday afternoon that I stopped in looking for a "recover soon from your stab wounds and remember not to chase your muggers next time" card (I actually found one) -- but it needs two things to thrive: you and me.

We all feel the pinch

Hallmark Cards this week said it plans to cut 8% of its workforce -- which could result in up to 750 jobs lost. CEO Donald Hall Jr. is keeping a stiff upper lip about the whole thing, but let's be honest -- no one is immune.

That new Peep smell

I once dated somone who lived about a 1/2 mile from the Just Born candy factory in Bethlehem, Pa. He turned into a bit of a stalker, but for a few weeks I did get to experience the joy that is driving around Bethlehem on an early spring day -- the sweet smell of newborn Peeps lingering in the air.

Thankfully you don't have to go out with an emotionally unstable young man to smell the marshmallow candies any time you desire. Just Born has licensed the Peeps brand (and flavors) to be used for a frightening array of products including key rings, stuffed animals, popcorn, candles, figurines and other fine china (tell me if you plan to register for Peep china for your wedding and I don't care who you are, I'll buy you some salad plates) as well as SCENTED greeting cards. Mmm -- Easterlicious.

John Potter, do not make me come and kick your ass

Bottom line: Mail is down 12% and the USPS could be out of money by the end of the year.

“The Postal Service, which has served America for 234 years, is experiencing a very serious financial crisis because of the downturn in the economy,” John Potter, head of the U.S. Postal Service, told lawmakers. He went on to say the losses, in the billions of dollars, are of "historic proportions."

So what does he do? He asks to cut a day of service. Five days a week of mail, people. This could really happen!

Mail delivery is one of the cornerstones of this nation. Even in post-apocalyptic times, there will be mail. Didn't anyone see "The Postman"? (I know it was a terrible movie, please don't miss the point here.) I'll bet even those children in rags got their New Yorkers on time. And their VISA bills. And the sweet, sweet ValPak.

It is time for another bailout. This is bigger than AIG. And the banks. And whatever other madness TARP is covering (unless it's petting zoos. That is completely valid). The mail. We must save the mail. Who is with me?

Recession Part 2: The power of an "unexpected gesture" (and music choice)

Hallmark's new ad campaign is called "A Card. It's the Biggest Little Thing You Can Do." Featuring music by John Mayer. And 99 cent cards. Umm, I love the idea ("returning to basics, reaching out and letting people know they're loved and appreciated or just to say thanks"), but it also freaks me the hell out.

A few boxes over the garage

Mom asked me to go through "a few boxes" (8) of my stuff from junior high and high school while I was back in Maine this weekend. She is packing up the house in anticipation of a move -- a sad thought for me, but an important new start for her.

While she looked ahead, I got to dive into the past. Not surprisingly, it's full of letters from a world without easy e-mail access, when long distance calls still cost something and text messages & IM didn't exist. I have boxes of postcards, birthday cards, notes passed in class and scraps of paper stuffed into envelopes. Scrawled script on legal pad yellow, beautiful monogrammed linen and even sandpaper (a boyfriend who wrote to me during breaks at his construction job) . Some were from people I had met for a few hours (a 14-year-old Canadian that I had apparently met on the beach while I was visiting my grandparents in Florida) and others were from people I still write to today (my dear friend Jessamy, who has been writing me without fail for more than 20 years -- including when we lived less than an hour apart).

Several "High Fidelity" moments: Poetry from the boy who inspired me to go to CMU. Song lyrics from one of many musician loves. About 20 one-page notes from a wrestler who struggled to keep how he felt about me from his family... and mine ... for a year (he made up a new name for each return address). Advice on love, sex and college life to come. Admissions of anger, guilt, fear and longing. There was a short story in every few inches of time.

More than a few made me want to set them aside to try to find their writers. Where were they now, after so much time?Did they have my letters in return ... and what did they say?

So, keep your letters. You may think they are just taking up space today, or you may fear that someone else will read them and not understand who you were when you received them. But if you are lucky enough to have someone write to you, it captures a moment in your life and becomes a part of your personal history. One that you probably weren't even conscious that you were building. But you'll be happy you have them one day, sitting on the basement floor of a packed-up home, surrounded by boxes -- a glass of wine in hand. Trust me on that.

Ugly babies need love too

I'm not a Mom (yet), so I can say it -- some people have ugly kids. Not any of my friends, of course. But they are out there. And they apparently sell. OK, not UGLY wee ones -- but scowly ones. And messy ones. Or ones making faces. Oh hell, just kids. Kids sell. And Hallmarks knows it. And they know that parents want to crow about them -- so they've finally found a way to let them have their day.

But it goes beyond children. Last year, Hallmark -- which before now only used in-house staff for designing its thousands of cards each year -- launched Greeting Card Competition.

"You're creative. You've got talent. And passion. We LOVE that. So, by golly, you deserve a spot to submit your brilliant card concepts. Card competition, anyone?"

People are encouraged to submit their ideas & personal pics for use in funny cards, parenting cards, bloopers -- all with the chance to be made into a real greeting card and win prizes (such as cash and money for a favorite charity). I think it's a smart corporate move that connects with the card-buying public, sources new ideas in a time of creative cut-backs and creates a charitable write-off channel. Complete with a blog and Facebook page.

Right now if you go to hallmarkcontest.com you can vote on the Mother's & Father's Day finalists. OK ... some of them are cute. By golly, indeed.

Faith in the Vernal Equinox

Had an idea for a thank you card as I was walked home tonight from the train to my house.

Thanks ...
Your several weeks of silence have made it much easier for me to stop obsessing over you.

Doodler, any idea how we can illustrate this one?

After 4 days of amazing weather around D.C., it was nice to enjoy the last threads of warmth as they began to mix with the cooler breeze that tomorrow will bring March back to reality. Warm days allow me to sleep with open windows, run outside and shed my mental cobwebs. Note to the spider walking along my ceiling when I woke up today: Don't come back soon.

Next week officially marks the beginning of spring. It has been a particularly long winter -- crazy cold, storms, economic turmoil, friends out of work, struggle and some heart hiccups. But the green is there. Grass, Leprauchauns, grape vines and crocus leaves. Right around the corner. And they're ready to warm you up again.

Same old address

One of the cool things about living in America is that with enough notice, the most powerful leader in the free world will send you a card for a milestone birthday or anniversary.

I think we should do this when people turn 18 as well. I can't think of a better way to be reminded to get your ass out to vote than to receive a note from an elected official saying "Welcome to responsibility." Love who is representing you? Work to keep him/her. Hate them? Do something about it.

Give the gift of sweet hallucinations

Birthdays. They happen. Every year, in fact. Right now, no one has any money. That has not, however, dampened most people's insatiable appetite for recognition. And gifts. Especially on their day.

So, when you care enough to go beyond posting "Happy Birthday" on someone's Facebook wall and when just another "Many Happy Returns" $2 Happy Hour beer won't do -- consider giving one of Pep's' inaugural birthday cards. It's more than a fun shade of green. It goes well beyond the colorful hat. It's like a free hit of acid that will never show up on a drug test. With the added delight of a yummy cupcake recipe.

BONUS: For a limited time, buy a 5-pack (or hell, buy an individual card) and the scribbler will personally call the recipient and sing "Happy Birthday" over the phone. The scribbler has a lovely singing voice, if not a bit loud. She cannot, however, guarantee that she will be sober when said call is placed. But that makes it all the more fun. Surprise!

Sympathy cards can be sent to Kansas City

"Hallmark Magazine" has died. The March-April issue will be its last. At least 500 subscribers are going to be really unhappy when their subscription turns into "ESPN: The Magazine" come May.

To be honest, I'm not sure how this magazine differed from "Martha Stewart Living". I could swear that they were exactly the same book. Recipes. Crafts. Kids. Completely geared toward women. And I did see it a few times. Picked it up. Flipped through it. It's been around for three years, after all. But it was a magazine branded by a greeting card giant. What brilliant person wrote the business plan that got this project greenlighted? I need their help selling my social media strategy. If you subscribed to this, seriously -- tell me why?

No. 2 by the numbers, No. 1 in your heart

Not surprisingly, a survey found that average spending for this year's VTD would drop more than 13% from last year's total, but still top $14 billion.

• Some 63% of the group plan to celebrate Valentine's Day.
  
• The most romantic age bracket: 18- to 24-year-olds, 74% of whom will spend some of their discretionary income on items like flowers, jewelry and candy.
  
• The 25- to 34-year-old set will sink the most dollars per valentine, $160 on average.

A majority of folks say they plan to exchange greeting cards -- estimated to be about 190 million total -- making it the No. 2 holiday behind Christmas for exchanging cards. Why, you may ask, then does PEP Greetings NOT have a VTD card this year? We're working on it. It may be a little late for this year, but we like to think of it as early for 2010. Thank you cards come first, and they are only a day or two from being made public. New recipe. Beautiful art. Whimsy. Humor.

What more could a card buyer want? Other than a card in return. Always.

The Great American Thank-You Card

Darby Conley either has a soft spot, or a vendetta.



Earlier this year: Beating card.

Porn mail

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but e-cards are not always to be trusted. If "a friend" sends you a virtual card, and it makes it past your spam filter, that "friend" should be smart enough to identify themselves. And you, despite being excited at the prospect of an animated monkey blowing out birthday candles, should be smart enough to treat the e-card with suspicion. The most recent concern: American Greetings and other card companies are working with federal authorities to ferret out who/what is sending e-greetings that redirect unsuspecting readers ... TO PORN SITES.

"The best way to make sure you're opening a legitimate card is to:

Type the card company's URL into your browser. Do not click on the link. Do not cut and paste the linked address into your browser.

Type the card code from the e-mail into the search engine on the legitimate Web page. If the e-mail was legitimate, your card should appear."

Of course, this may be a good excuse for people who get nabbed while surfing for skin at work: Hallmark made me do it.

What would Cliff Clavin do?

I know that we could break this down, run some numbers, get a consultant or 200 in to figure out the grave inefficiencies in the system (D.C. Main Penn. Ave branch, I am looking at you) and avoid what the Postmaster General proposed could be a scenario to save money if something doesn't change soon.

We're talking about the possibility, albeit remote and temporary, of one less day of MAIL, people.

If faced with the nation reducing its delivery days, Cliffy would lose it. Unacceptable. Unfathomable. The mail is the one thing that runs on time (or relatively so), come hurricane or flood or other national disaster. It reaches every tiny township in America. And mailmen (and women) are completely dedicated to the service they have become inscribed to -- a badge of honor. They're not just serving residents, they're serving their country in those dreamy postal blues.

Cliff: I've the best safety record in the branch, Coach. Never even been near an accident.
Paul : Not since you were born.
Cliff: Was that comment addressed to me, Paul?
Paul: Oh, no Cliff. If it were addressed to anybody, it'd probably get lost in the mail.
Cliff: If I wasn't wearing this uniform, I'd ask you to step outside.
Norm: If you weren't wearing that uniform, we'd all step outside.

* Props to my home state's Sen. Susan M. Collins saying she was "very disappointed" at the possibility of changing to five-day delivery. Regardless of political party, we Mainers do not like to go without our mail. Not everyone is online and many don't have phones. Or a TV, much less cable. But everyone, even on the islands, has a mailbox.

And the lows more frequent

Order of St. Nick has combined dire economic times with Valentine's Day to come up with a New Depression-era love extravaganza.

"One card shows a Dust Bowl farmer and his wife cooking a pot of slop in an open kettle. Its caption reads: "William took Martha out to eat for Valentine's Day." Another shows a bunch of down-and-out guys in fedoras loitering outside of an automat. "Box of chocolates?" exhorts the caption. "She'll be lucky to get a box of rocks from me this year.'

"If Hallmark came out with this, it would be in poor taste," (owner Andrew) Shaffer admits. "But people need to laugh in tough times. As long as it's approached with humor, even the Great Depression works.""

The Iowa City-based card company also has a line of Nietzsche Valentine's Day cards that would suit the sense of humor that a lot of boys I know have about this time of year. My favorite:

Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.

As if Valentine's Day wasn't bad enough

"A new worm has been detected by PandaLabs which is using Valentine's Day to spread itself through email greeting cards. The network security company is calling it a new variant of the Waledec Storm worm ... The Waledac.C worm spreads by sending a fake Valentine's Day greeting card using email. The recipient then clicks on a link to download the fake card which downloads the Waledec Storm worm."

The piece goes on to explain that Valentine's Day is one of the biggest days of the year for hackers to spread viruses. For someone who is expecting something lovely and sweet in their inbox, this is a huge pain in the ass. And for someone who isn't -- it's downright cruel.

"To make matters worse, the e-card entices the user to click on a row of hearts or roses by stating, 'Guess, which one is for you?'"

So, this VTD, don't open e-mails from strangers claiming to be sending you e-love. Clearly, it's not safe. Protect yourself. Wait for something in your true mailbox. It takes longer to get there, but usually it's worth it.

We're blushing

BUST -- a 15-year-old national magazine that is "fierce, funny, and proud to be female" had some sweet things to say about us and our "Get Toasty" card in a recent blog post:

"This little card from PEP Greetings is too adorable, and so are the ladies behind it."

It's true! We ARE adorable. And easily flattered.

Finally taking down those holiday cards?

I know you have them. Stuck to your fridge. All around the door jam. In that special display holder on your kitchen counter that someone gave you last year. Or, if you're like me, they are all over the kitchen counter and littering your dresser tops.

But now it's time to say goodbye to the holidays. Box up the ornaments, the garland and the menorah. Bring in the lights. But those cards -- handwritten greetings from family and friends. Glitter. Stars. Smiling reindeer. Peppermint-laced martini glasses. Warm blues, greens and reds. Are they destined for the trash? Can they all fit in another stack of shoeboxes (or in my case, Kate Spade boxes)?

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, an organization that cares for abused, abandoned and neglected children, hopes not.

"Over thirty years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into "new" cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique "thank you," they requested the children sell them the special cards... since then, the Program expanded to include all occasion greeting cards… the children participate in making the new recycled cards by removing the front and attaching a new back made with recycled paper. The new card is a beautiful, “green” card made by the children and volunteers. We are accepting used, all-occasion greeting cards thru February 28, 2009. Mail your donations to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005"

You can also order their recycled cards online. I would encourage it -- as long as you consider ordering some of ours too.

And I hope you realize that if you still have your tree up, it's a major fire hazard. You can recycle that too. Just let it go.

Do not bend

Envelopes are important. If they are too thick, they can feel wooden (and add to postage rates). If they are too thin, they can tear and get jammed at the PO, and no one wants a card in a plastic bag.

We are proud of our envelopes. Made of medium cardstock and thick enough to hold up in the mail sorters, but thin enough to be able to hold up to the light and get a peek of what is inside. If you're into that.

And we promise -- no baggies in your mailbox. Unless, of course, you're into that too.

Beating card

"Get Fuzzy" is an often amusing comic strip, and considering the amount of times it makes references to Maine, lobster and now greeting cards, I sometimes wonder if I am writing it in my sleep...



Thanks to Patrick for the link.

I've got your M&A activity right here

Dear American Greetings: I know we're just launching things, but everyone seems to like the cards we've released so far and the talent level Doreen and I can offer is worth way more than the several million dollars you're shelling out for Recycled Paper Greetings. I know you probably got them at a fire-sale price, but they're in Chapter 11! Were they paying their illustrators and writers in gold? Are you sure you want to deal with folks with those types of business practices? We are a safe bet -- well run, young, smart and full of fresh ideas. All we require is a fully stocked bar. Health insurance would be nice too.