Cool Cards

Royal Mail Christmas Stamps 2008

2008-11-04T18:51:00.005Z

Royal Mail Christmas Stamps 2008

A secular issue, for the most part, from Royal Mail featuring a Pantomime theme.

The Pantomimes set:

2nd class and 2nd class Large
- The Ugly Sisters from Cinderella

1st class and 1st class Large
- The Genie from Aladdin

50p - Captain Hook from Peter Pan

81p - The Wicked Queen from Snow White.

Reprinted from the Royal Mail 2007 Christmas issue:

Madonna - 1st Class
The Madonna of Humility by Lippo di Dalmasio

Madonna - 2nd Class
Madonna and Child by William Dyce

Technical details:
Pantomime: Designed by Steve Haskins and the team at So Design Consultants, Bristol, using photographs by Peter Thorpe. Printed in gravure by De La Rue on self-adhesive paper in sheets of 50.
Madonna: Formatting and typography are by Peter Willberg.
These stamps are also printed by De la Rue in gravure. The small stamps are definitive size - 20 x 24mm - and the Large Letter stamps 30 x 24mm. See note below pictures.
The Miniature Sheet is conventionally gummed. It contains the six stamps, arranged as a block of 4 and a pair, within an illustrated border.
As the stamps are definitive-sized, the Christmas stamp booklets will be the same size as definitive books of 12. There will be two different 1st class and two different 2nd class books of 12.
Source

Royal Mail

Cool Cards featured in Stuff Magazine

2008-11-03T10:02:00.004Z

The December edition of Stuff magazine feature several of our Christmas cards..!

The cards featured include:

"Darwin Atheist" from our Atheist and Secular Christmas cards.

"Xmas family" from our Uncooked Christmas cards

"The Evolution of Tradition" from our Atheist and Secular Christmas cards.

View all our Christmas cards at Cool Cards

Greetings from vulgar Britain

2008-09-24T09:46:00.003Z

"Greetings from vulgar Britain: Offensive and obscene cards shame our country"
Shouts the Daily Mail headline..!

"When ALLISON PEARSON went to buy a birthday card for her mum, she was horrified by what she found - cards so offensive and obscene she felt ashamed of her country. And the sorry truth is, most are bought by women.

Female Traffic Warden: 'Anything you say will be taken down!' Male motorist: 'Knickers!' Yes, I know it's a gag so ancient it makes Bob Monkhouse look cutting edge. But sometimes, the old ones are the best, aren't they? Certainly when it comes to greetings card jokes.

The saucy card has long enjoyed an affectionate place in the British imagination - and rightly so.

For a people who were keen on sex, but just weren't very good at talking about it, they offered a welcome outlet for a snigger and a giggle.

Cartoons of hen-pecked husbands . . . doctors and nurses with wandering stethoscopes . . . waiters in trousers so tight you could see their religion . . . barmaids with a cleavage that Evel Knievel would have struggled to jump across on his motorbike. . . they've all brought a cheeky smile to the face of many a birthday recipient

Captions like 'I've got to get Mrs Gimlet to Oldham and then I'm going to Bangor as fast as I can' only added to the fun.

Embarrassment was the repressed Englishman's strongest emotion. Innuendo made a virtue of that fact. Double meanings gave you a good laugh without being too aggressively crude.

Innuendo also made Brits the world champs at wordplay. Greetings cards with saucy double entendres sold in their millions.

It was an essentially innocent approach epitomised by the late, great Donald McGill's incomparable illustrations of wobbling female flesh and pink- cheeked peeping Toms that so captivated generations of seaside holidaymakers.

Cards like his were a naughty-but-nice part of British humour. In my naivety, I thought that was still the case.

Then, the other day, I popped into my local branch of Scribblers with the kids to buy my mum a birthday card. Naturally, I assumed that in a greetings card chain with branches all over Britain's High Streets, the merchandise would be suitable for family viewing. Big mistake.

'What does OFF YOUR T*** mean, Mum?' bellowed the eight-year-old, holding up one card. I grabbed it off him and was putting it back when I did a double-take. The other cards in the rack made that first one look as pure as a snowy Nativity scene.

'Happy birthday to the office slut' ran the caption over a picture of a girl sitting on a desk in just a bra and skirt.

A photo from the Fifties of an elegant, Princess Margaret type bore the charming greeting: 'FYI: You're a cheap good for nothing rancid old slag.' So Dorothy Parker can rest on her witty laurels. Not much of a double meaning there, eh"

Story continues...

Cool Cards Redesign - Launch!

2008-09-24T07:52:00.002Z

We could wax lyrical about our fantastic new look.
We could rave about our Free Greeting Card Personalisation service.
We could.

But we think a picture paints a thousand words, we've got the pictures, you've got the words..!

Check us out..! Cool Cards

Visiting Cards

2008-09-16T15:48:00.002Z

A distant relative of greeting cards... 19th Century middle class Visiting cards or Calling cards.

"To the unrefined and underbred, the visiting card is but a trifling bit of paper; but to the cultured disciple of social law, it conveys a subtle and unmistakable intelligence. Its texture, style of engraving, and even the hour of its leaving combine to place the stranger, whose name it bears, in a pleasant or a disagreeable attitude..."

"In the 19^th and early 20^th century, social interaction was a richly cultivated, well-mannered affair. The tool that facilitated these interactions was the calling card. Calling cards streamlined introductions and helped remind people of new acquaintances and needed visits. The calling card also served as a way to brand your social identity. The way your card looked and felt or the way you handed it to someone communicated your standing and relationship with the receiver. While the calling card has gone the way of top hats and knickers, they’re starting to make a comeback. What follows is a brief history of the calling card and how men today can resurrect this tradition to create some stylish panache in their social interactions."

"During the 1800’s and early 1900’s the practice of “calling” upon or visiting one’s relatives, friends, and acquaintances was a middle and upper class social ritual governed by countless rules and traditions. Central to visiting etiquette was the use of the calling card. Every gentleman kept a ready supply of calling cards with him to distribute upon his visits. When calling upon a friend, a gentleman gave his card to the servant answering the door. The servant would be holding a silver tray and the card would be placed upon it. If the person the gentleman was calling upon was home, the servant would take the card to them and they would come meet the gentleman. If the person being called upon was not home, the servant would leave the card for when they returned.

Generally upon a gentleman’s initial visit to a home, he would simply leave a card and then depart. If the new acquaintance wished to formally visit with him, he or she would send a card in return. If no card was sent, or the return card was sent in an envelope, this signaled that the new acquaintance did not wish for a personal visit to occur. This signal (the card in an envelope) could indeed be sent after any visit in which the visited party no longer wished to be called upon by this particular person. It was basically the well-mannered brush off. A calling card was also used when a gentleman was desirous to see someone at a hotel or parlor. He would send up his card while he waited in the reception area or office for his acquaintance or business associate to come and greet him.

A man’s calling card was simple and plain in design. About the size of a playing card (they were toted about in a carrying case tucked in one’s breast pocket), they bore a man’s name, and later on, his address as well. The name was written in the center, sometimes with a middle initial and sometimes not. A young man did not preface his name with “Mr.” A military officer included his rank and branch of service. A physician could include his professional title, as in “Dr. Robert Smith,” or “Robert Smith M.D.” But honorary titles such as Prof., Hon., and Esq. were not acceptable. The card sometimes also included the name of the gentleman’s club or fraternal organization a man belonged to."

Via: Wiki

Via: The Art of Manliness

Via: The Gentleman's Page

Support Hallmark against AFA Bigotry

2008-08-25T17:36:00.021Z

The loony religious right are at it again... This time it's partnership cards and this time it's personal. Personal relationships.

The America Family Association (AFA), founded by Donald E. Wildmon, seem hell bent on boycotting any and all businesses which demonstrate sensitivity or accommodation toward same-sex relationships.
The AFA's latest "action alert" targets Hallmark and their range of same-sex wedding cards.

According to the AFA, "Hallmark pushes same-sex marriage" and requests that you "Ask them to stop promoting a lifestyle that is not only unhealthy, but is also illegal in 48 states."

It gets better...
"We've all given or received Hallmark Cards – remember their slogan – "when you care enough to send the very best." But promoting same-sex marriage for profit is not the very best for families or our nation. Hallmark is a private company obviously driven by greed. Let them know you do not appreciate Hallmark promoting a lifestyle which is illegal in 48 states. American Greeting Cards, Hallmark's competitor, does not offer same-sex marriage cards."

Now we don't much care whether Hallmark sell same-sex greeting cards or not. But what we're not indifferent to is the bigoted interference from a right-wing religious group attempting to force its values on others.

The AFA request that you email Donald J. Hall, Chairman of Hallmark Cards, and tell him "to stop promoting a lifestyle that is not only unhealthy, but is also illegal in 48 states". May we suggest that you use the AFA's online form and tell Donald J. Hall what you think of the AFA and their attempts to influence the lawful activity of their business?

These are the wedding card images from Hallmark which "Push same-sex marriage". What do you think?

Read: AFA Action Alert
Cool Cards: Gay Cards

Greeting Cards for Creative Problem Solving

2008-08-21T06:04:00.005Z

Think greeting cards, think creatively! That seems to be the message from Arthur B. Van Gundy in his book: Techniques of Structured Problem Solving. A set book used in an Open University, Creativity, Innovation and Change course, it describes a method of creative problem solving using greeting cards...

"Prior to introducing a group to a problem the Greeting card method invites the group to create their own stimulating problem solving environment. A sense of comradeship is thus introduced and a feeling of ownership and involvement in the problem solving is experienced. This technique was created by James Pickens in 1981 and described by Arthur Van Gundy in the first edition of his book, Techniques of Structured Problem Solving.

Developing the environment

1. The supervisor encourages the participants to produce some motivational objects that will be of use in problem solving.
2. Split the main group into sub-groups of 4-5 individuals equipped with paste, scissors, magazines, illustrated catalogues, thick A3 or A4 paper, and felt-tipped pens.
3. Members of the sub-group browse their catalogues and magazines, cutting out at least 10 pictures of interest and relevance.
4. Together or individually the sub-group member create several greetings cards (or ‘stimulus cards’) sticking pictures, collage-style on A3 or A4 sheets that are folded thus that they function as greetings cards. They then add their own ‘greetings-card’ style message.
5. Each sub-group displays their greeting cards to other sub-groups.

Using it in problem-solving

1. A problem is put on view and deliberated by the sub-group members.
2. Participants use the images on their cards to generate ideas to decipher the problem
3. Time permitting, each sub-group passes its cards to the next sub-group and repeats step 2. This can be done several times if necessary.
4. All the ideas are gathered and appraised in any appropriate way.
5. It is essential participants are not aware the nature of the problem prior to the problem solving session. If participants feel uneasy about the ‘childish’ activity of making greetings cards, portray it as ‘assembling stimulus objects’."

Source: Mycoted

If you've used this technique, let us know how it went..!

Smilers - Personalised Postage Stamps

2008-08-05T12:17:00.005Z

Smilers - Your image next to a Stamp!

A delightful idea from Royal Mail - personalised postage stamps!

Smilers Customised Stamps allow you to add a personal touch to your mail by combining Royal Mail stamps with a photograph of your choice - the perfect complement to invitations, birthday greetings and letters.

Pick your favourite photo and turn it into a Smilers® stamp. Choose from one of 16 stamp designs and give your mail that personal touch.

Source: Royal Mail Smilers

Get Well Cards - Hazard Alert !

2008-08-04T16:33:00.006Z

'Ban' on greeting cards at Frenchay Hospital:

"Nurses have told elderly patients not to put up 'get well soon' cards on a ward at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, UK.

John Nickolls sent his aunt Edna a card to cheer her up after she fell at her home.

But when he visited her on ward 107 she told him she had sent the card home because she was forbidden from putting it up beside her bed.

Mr Nickolls, who lives in Brislington, said during a previous visit he had been told he could not take flowers on to the ward.
A spokesman for the hospital said there was no blanket ban on cards or flowers, but flowers were discouraged because they could clutter lockers and hamper cleaning. They are banned in intensive care and wards where there is electrical equipment at patients' bedsides.
He said senior nurses would ask for cards to be moved if they were taking up too much space.

Mr Nickolls, 73, noticed there were no cards on the ward during his visit, which “stunned him”. He said: “We wanted to cheer her up and there aren't many things you can give to someone who is ill.“I thought it was taking away something very important from someone who wasn't very well.

“If I was on a ward, I'd like to receive cards.

“Frenchay is a wonderful hospital but it seems a shame people can't receive cards or flowers.

“They could maybe put the cards and flowers in an area away from the beds.”

Mr Nickolls, a retired fundraiser, said when his aunt was first in hospital he took some flowers in but a senior nurse stopped him and explained plants were banned “for health and danger reasons”.

He said: “We had never heard of this before and can only assume it is due to any bugs in the flowers or vases being knocked over.

“We asked if they could be left in a dayroom or nurses' quarters but this was also rejected, and they wouldn't dispose of them so the alternative was to bin them or bring them home.” "

Source: This is Bristol

Greeting Card Writers Lack Empathy, Imagination

2008-06-25T18:08:00.006Z

Sad and lonely Hallmark writers...

Aspiring greeting card writers be warned. It's not necessarily the life of wild women, fast cars and celebrity lifestyle you might have imagined. Oh no. Most likely it could lead to a sad and lonely existence with neither friends nor family. And god help you if you're an Atheist greeting card writer. The chances of happiness? Slim to none.
Needless to say, the dangers of seeking solace in hard drugs and alcohol become all too apparent. This is a high risk occupation and not one to be taken lightly. When the deadline approaches for that Anniversary verse and the clock ticks down can you fake it? Well? Have you got what it takes?

Christian mentalist Tim Challies appears to suggest that greeting card writers lack empathy, creativity and imagination in his blog Challies.com
Sadly, he goes on to state that they "...return alone to an empty home and a life lived alone".

"Have you ever stopped to consider what it must be like to work for Hallmark or another of the companies that create greeting cards? Imagine spending your whole day attempting to come up with wonderful statements of deep feeling—love, remorse, sympathy—yet without feeling any of the associated emotions. Imagine having to write words that express sympathy, yet not feeling any sympathy yourself. Or imagine having to write words that can express the deep, passionate love a man has for his wife as they celebrate fifty years of marriage, but without having ever experienced that sort of love yourself. It must be very odd to spend the whole day writing words of love and passion from a husband to a wife but then return alone to an empty home and a life lived alone."

I wonder why Tim chose greeting card writers (and Hallmark writers especially) as opposed to scriptwriters, authors, poets, songwriters or indeed any endeavour which benefits from creativity, imagination, free-thinking and perhaps most importantly, empathy? I wonder if Tim when he reads a book or watches a film constantly asks himself "Yes, but has the author personally experienced all these things?" Does Tim question the authenticity, let alone accuracy or truth, of all he experiences? Critical and historical review of, say, the Bible, reveals much of it to be wildly inaccurate, mis-translated and apocryphal. Yet here, Tim, as a rational human being, is more than able to suspend his disbelief as regards this Murder Mystery! How strange...

Lay off the creative free-thinkers Tim and look elsewhere for your analogies.

Source: Challies.com

Father's Day Exposé

2008-06-15T08:07:00.005Z

Are Dads Portrayed Fairly in the Media and Greeting Cards?
Joeprah on Father's Day Cards...

"Happy Father's Day You Lazy Alcoholic
Is this what society is saying to dads across America? The answer seems to be a resounding yes. If you have been shopping for a Father’s Day card for your husband/father/father-in-law you may have had to sift through the less than flattering clichés cards that portray dads in a none too favorable light. Moms have to deal with cliché cards too, but theirs aren’t based on them being horrible people. According to the cards, moms cook, clean, have rollers in their hair, juggle many things at once, and eat chocolate. Dads on the other hand are very different. According to the greeting cards I surveyed this year, dads are poor caregivers, drink in excess, constantly golf and or fish, pass gas constantly, grill food 24/7, seldom leave the cozy confines of their couch except to spend hours in the bathroom, and if they ever get lost on the way to the bathroom they never ever ask for directions..."

Source: Fatherhood Examiner
Source: My Life As A Stay At Home Dad

Why does the UK have the WORST greeting cards??

2008-06-14T14:33:00.006Z

Greeting cards: Cultural differences... UK - USA

Delightful banter from some of our cousins...

"The cards here are shockingly horrible, they either have a joke about farting, football or drinking on them or they have freaking teddy bears! Now I know why I try to stock up when I go to the states!!!"

"I LOVE greeting cards here. The funny ones are hysterical. My whole family looks forward to the cards I send for birthdays and stuff. We have a really mean/inappropriate sense of humor, so I guess they just push the boundary a bit more than Shoebox cards."

"it seems to be impossible to just buy a cheap and cheerful card. I just can't bring myself to spend more than a couple pounds on a card but it seems like you have to if you want something nice. Especially for men - i.e. Father's Day. I just want to get a card without alcohol or sports prominently featured on it!"

"You name it I have shopped there, high street, boutiques, Clinton, Asda, Tesco, independant shops...everywhere. I just think the cards here are pants! Total pants! I am not a big fan of cards anyway, I would rather give someone a phone call or buy them a drink. This isn't going to be a popular view, but what a waste of money greetings cards are! £2 that you throw away a few weeks later! Bah Humbug I say!"

"That's bizarre! I've never ever heard anyone complain about greeting cards in the UK before! In fact, when I lived in the US, most of the cards I bought were imported from the UK."

"I've always found it to be the other way around - I think the stores in the US have terrible card selections - although maybe that's because I'm British and am used to the UK-style cards."

"I agree with Racheee--the "regular places" Clinton, Hallmark, etc. don't do it for me at all. Enough with the teddy bears and balloons already! There is one small independant place in my neighborhood that has great cards--classy, cute, artistic--really good ones. I know cards are sort of a waste of paper and money, but sometimes you've gotta do it, when it's expected--like Mother's Day, etc. I used to make my own, but lately I don't have the time to do that."

"I *really* had a hard time finding my dad a Father's Day card here. He's not into boats, golf, beer, or fishing and he's *not* the "greatest dad", etc. That being said I do think I had a hard time finding him cards in the US as well."

"I can't stand the silly sentimental poems in American greeting cards! There seem to be more lovely blank cards here, for those of us who like to use our own words. I haven't actually noticed teddy bears on British cards, either, but I certainly wouldn't buy one like that. I seem to remember a lot of cutesy teddy bears at Hallmark, though. I guess they're everywhere ... because I guess people do buy them."

"I prefer blank cards myself but the choice here is very limited, as far as what I have found. I found in the states you weren't restricted to soppy stuff, in fact Hallmark has really pushed the envelope (ah bad pun) in terms of creating cards that run the gamut from sop to straight and simple."

"ooo...see I'm different. I could always find the funny cards in the U.S. a lot easier than I can over here! I think the difference being is pretty much what everyone has already said, over here any funny cards have to do with farting, drinking, naked ole men, fishing, boating, etc. My dad isn't like that and I don't do sentinmental cards as that's just not how we are. I used to find the best funny cards in the states! Now I have just taken to buying a decent card making program and do my own!! And I definately don't do sentinmental card as my mom is already mental and I don't want hear about it! (Kind of think Stacey Slater's momn just not so dramatic)."

"I love Edward Monkton - I've sent some of those that have brought tears to my eyes (from laughing, obviously!)"

Source: UK Yankee. Americans in the UK

- Edward Monkton Cards, as mentioned above, available from Cool Cards

RHS Photographic Competition 2008

2008-06-12T11:16:00.006Z

Royal Horticultural Society - The Medici Award
For photos of gardens and plants that would make a successful card design.

The Medici Photographer of the Year : Image made into the 2009 RHS/Medici greeting card.

The RHS Photographic Competition, supported by fine art publisher The Medici Society, is for aspiring greeting card designers. Enter an eye catching and commercially savvy photo to win the title of Medici Photographer of the Year and your image will be made into a greeting card.

Here's some advice on choosing an image from Medici CEO, Graeme Derby: “Buying a card is an emotional practice and the card design must move its buyer. Often the picture has to fit a specific purpose, Valentine’s Day or a thank you card. The colours are often bright and the focal point must rest in the top half of the card – so when it’s on display in a shop, the image is not hidden by the stack of cards in front of it. It’s definitely an intriguing process we go through when we buy a card – I think the old slogan, I saw this and thought of you, sums it up best.”

What makes a successful card design?

Content choice - does the image fit the occasion; will it seduce the consume; is it a familiar image to the consumer (familiar image=recognition) or alternatively is it unusual and thus attracts our attention for this quality.
Focal point – If you mentally divide your screen into three horizontal and three vertical sections, where the lines intersect are focal points. Focal points are what the eyes naturally seek out when they look at a photograph. They may also come through contrasting elements of light and dark, scale, an isolated image, or simply through placement.
Unity – the elements of the imagery belong together. If the various elements are not harmonious, if they appear separate or unrelated your composition falls apart and lacks unity.
Colour – Properties of colour to consider are hue, intensity, complementary colours and colour discord.
Use of balance – A distribution of visual weight within a composition. A sense of balance – generally an innate lack of balance or imbalance disturbs us. However this does not mean that there is no place for purposeful imbalance. An unbalanced image can often interest us and attract our attention for exactly this quality.
Texture – the surface quality of objects. Texture appeals to our sense of touch. Even when we do not actually feel an object, our memory provides a sensory reaction or sensation of touch.
Scale and proportion – realistic. How is the image filing the space?

Competition details and entry form : RHS

Happy Birthday Henry - 112 Today!

2008-06-06T07:43:00.003Z

"cigarettes, whisky and wild women..."

"Britain's oldest man, thought to be one of three surviving UK World War I veterans, is celebrating reaching his 112th birthday.

Henry Allingham, who was born in London on 6 June 1896, is also the last surviving original member of the Royal Air Force - formed 90 years ago.

Mr Allingham, from Ovingdean, near Brighton, will celebrate at Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

The event will include a fly past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

There will also be a parachute jump display.

The event will be attended by Air Vice Marshal Peter Dye (retd) and Vice Admiral Sir Adrian Johns.

As well as the fly past and the parachute jump by the Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display Team, Mr Allingham's birthday will be marked by a visit from local school children who will give him a cake.

Somme

Now partially deaf and almost blind, Mr Allingham, who was born in Clapham, London, now lives at St Dunstan's home for blind ex-servicemen, in Ovingdean.

His life has spanned six monarchs and has taken in 21 prime ministers.

Mr Allingham is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland in 1916, and also fought at the Somme and Ypres where he was bombed and shelled.

He joined the Royal Air Force when it was formed from the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and the Army's Flying Corps in 1918.

His many medals and honours include the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Legion D'Honneur - the highest military accolade awarded by France.

He has joked that the secret to his longevity is "cigarettes, whisky and wild women".

Source: BBC News (includes video)
Wiki: Henry Allingham

Father's Day v Mother's Day - In Coversation

2008-05-23T23:07:00.012Z

Father's Day greeting cards: In conversation with Cool Cards employee Mark Blaseby, Senior Mailboy (due to his age).

Hi Mark!

M: Who are you? You've not been down in the basement before? Only joking boss! What you after this time? Tapping my brain again? I sould have some of your pay!

Great to see you Mark, excellent work you do down here!
I'd like your input, I want to ask you, Father's Day cards. Why the contrast in design, sentiment and expenditure as compared to Mother's Day cards?

M: I don't think men really want these mushy slushy sentimental cards. I think its a macho thing. We don't like to openly display our emotions. And also we like to be able to take a joke at our expense. It helps depict the fun picture us fathers are. You never see any humorous Mother's Day cards, women, they can't take a joke. The last thing you want to hear is a soppy sentiment, kids either like us or they don't and we know that with or without a card. They have their own way of expressing their feelings toward you. Mothers are used to receiving open displays of sentiment throughout the year. And therefore receiving a sentimental card is the norm so to speak, they expect that type of card. The father maybe almost embarassed by it. New paragraph!

M: What I would like to say about Father's Day cards, is why do so many depict Steam Engines and Lawnmowers, Yachting and Golfing? What else is there? Why did I forget Football? And I forgot Beer didn't I? There has to be more to us than that, or is there? What we need is P**N! Only joking! You'll edit that out won't you boss? Seriously, if I knew the answer to that one I could make myself a bit of money. Unlike working for you!

Thank you Mark. Your Fired.

Father's Day Cards. Clichés, Stereotypes

2008-05-23T07:05:00.006Z

Clichéd Father's Day greeting cards persist despite social changes. Are any greeting card companies even remotely attempting to buck the trend and pave the way..?

"Dad is a lout on many Father's Day cards, but that may be changing

Fathers sleep a lot, and they snore loudly. When they're awake, they like to fish or golf, but they're comically bad at both. They drink so much beer they're practically alcoholics, and they're complete couch potatoes, always watching television and hogging the remote.

At least, that's the less-than-favourable image of Dad on Father's Day greeting cards. It's a striking contrast to the poetic praise often expressed at Mother's Day. Many men say they are tired of the "put-down" cards and would like some affirmation for a change - and at least one greeting-card company is listening.

One father in Washington, D.C., who used to stay home with his kids and blog about his life as an at-home father, says the golf and fishing cards don't bother him, but he doesn't like the ones that make dads look incompetent.

"This idea that men are somehow biologically incapable of caring for their children is the sort of thing that I don't find particularly funny," said Brian Reid, father of two.

Not only greeting cards, but television and movies often convey the idea that Dad is unreliable with every parental duty from changing a diaper to picking the kids up at school, he says.

Greeting cards can be a good litmus test for the way society perceives various relationships and people. Companies want to sell cards, so they aim to hit a spark of truth. But generalizing in order to reach people can lead to stereotypes that then get perpetuated and take on a life of their own.

In an age where about 159,000 dads stay home with their children, according to 2006 U.S. Census numbers, it's hardly accurate to say that dads don't know what they're doing."

Continued... Source

Father's Day for many countries falls on the Third Sunday of June (The 15th in 2008)

Wiki: Father's Day

Fair Trade greeting cards from the Green Mountains

2008-03-28T08:32:00.003Z

Fair Trade Greeting Cards - USA

"(NECN: Burlington, Vermont) - The secret of success, for one greeting card company, lies in the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Himalayan mountains of India. The company is called 'Hope For Women,' and its aim is to pair disadvantaged artisan women with marketing opportunities.

NECN's Anya Huneke has the story.

15-years-ago, Evan Goldsmith took a trip that would change not only his life, but the lives of women halfway across the world. He lived and worked in the Himalayas of India, and ended up meeting a group of artisans crafting hand-made greeting cards.

Evan: "I kept sending the cards home, and people loved them."

The problem was, the women had no access to a market for their products. As a result, they were making very little money for their hard work. Evan returned to the U.S. with a plan. He started an organization in Burlington, Vermont, called "Hope for Women," to provide the women with a marketing resource.

A year and a half ago, with the help of his father, a New York businessman, he brought the fair trade, environmentally-friendly cards to the retail market. The rest, as they say, is history.

As of now, all the cards being sold come from India, but soon, they'll come from El Salvador, too. Hope for Women has just signed on with an artisan group there, so come July, the cards will be sold in stores as well.

Evan: "Right now, we're in over 500 stores across 47 states..."

Including natural foods giant 'Wholefoods.' Scribbles, a stationary store in Burlington, is another retailer. It took little time to convince manager Jane Jarecki that this was a viable product.

JareckI: "The fact that they're local, fair trade, and beautiful for the amount they cost, keeps them flying off the shelf."

50 women in India are behind the 20,000 cards created each month. The cards are crafted using paper made from recycled cotton rags, vegetable-based ink, and pressed flowers, and are packaged in compostable plastic.

Evan: "We're trying to be as complete a package as possible, so there are very few reasons for someone to say, 'no - you're not meeting certain criteria.'

David: "This is a real marketing niche. Being as green and as fair trade as you can be - is becoming something that's going to have a lot of legs."

Amber: "The greatest thing of all - you're doing something where you're making the world a better place."

Better, for sure, for these women, Evan says; many of whom were barely making minimum wage...

Evan: "The ability to make 5-7 times that per day - translates to the ability to put a child in school or get medical security."

Continued... Source (with video)

The UK has long since supported and enjoyed the mutual benefits of Fair Trade Greeting Cards. Shared Earth have supported the work of Salay Handmade Paper Industries who have produced beautiful handmade cards since 1987.

Salay Handmade Paper Industries

available from: Shared Earth

Why don't Cool Cards sell these beautiful cards?
Well... We did at one time! The Cool Cards website was once part of our Fair Trade gift shop. Sadly, our shop closed but Cool Cards lived on and did sell Salay cards. One drawback of the Internet is that it is very difficult to convey the fine detail, beauty and quality of these handmade cards on-line. Our card ranges change over time depending on customer choices. We are continually on the hunt for Fair Trade, environmentally friendly cards and wide open to suggestions!

Learn more about Fair Trade:
Fairtrade Foundation
Wiki: Fair trade
Oxfam: Make Trade Fair
British Association for Fair Trade Shops

Positive Ageing Greeting Cards

2008-03-12T22:25:00.005Z

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional...

By 2050 around 50% of the UK population will be over the age of 50.

Might it be that a more positive view of ageing is not only effective in reducing negative stereotypes of ageing but can bring about positive health and social benefits?

We have come to recognise discrimination in respect of race, gender, sexuality, religion and disability - older age has yet to receive the same acknowledgement.

The greeting card industry has a role to play and is, sadly, all too often seen to reinforce negative stereotypical views of older age.

“Seniors are often invisible in our society, which is very sad. I don’t think it’s going to stay that way once the baby boomers get older. They are going to become very prevalent in society. They are going to be out there advocating for their rights and the rights of seniors, and as they become more noticeable and out there in society, you’re going to start seeing some changes.”
Source: Applied Social Psychology student Shannon Ellis.

"Age is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"
(Mark Twain)

Our collection shows that it doesn't always have to be that way...
Cool Cards : Positive Ageing Greeting Cards
Cool Cards Blog: Greeting Cards betray attitudes toward elderly

Google : Positive Ageing

Greeting Cards to Exceed US$27 Billion by 2010

2008-03-10T15:55:00.003Z

Global Market for Greeting Cards to Exceed US$27 Billion by 2010, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

"Greeting cards industry, worldwide, is expected to witness significant growth in the future. Major factors fueling the growth include increasing aging population, which represents a heavier card-giving segment and innovative trends such as the customization of cards by mass retailers to suit specific markets. Global market for greeting cards is projected to exceed US$27.6 billion in value and 25.8 billion units in volume by 2010.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) March 5, 2008 -- High levels of innovation, and product development characterize the greeting cards market. Low entry barriers associated with the cards industry has additionally unleashed a torrent of new product innovations, keeping card publishers on the run. Another distinct trend worthwhile to note, is the move towards reorganization in the market, as players reorient strategies and realign their businesses to better reflect the changing competitive dynamics, and remain viable and competitive in the maturing market.

The fleeting landscape of greeting cards is fraught with the capriciously changing consumer values, ideas, shifting demographics, and changing technology. The toughest challenge confronting market participants is the need to maintain sharp focus amid perpetual change.

The US and Europe, which jointly hold onto more than three-quarters of the global greeting cards market are vying for the top spot. Volume Sales in the United States, the largest market for greeting cards are estimated at 9 billion units in 2007. Asia-Pacific represents the third-largest greeting cards market globally, with estimated value and volume shares of 12.51% and 11.45% respectively in 2007. The region is also expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market during the period, 2000-2010, registering a compounded annual growth rate of 6.21% in terms of value and 6.16% in terms of volume. Worldwide sales of Christmas/New Year Cards are projected to exceed 7.68 billion units by 2009".

Source: PRWeb

Mother's Day - Mothering Sunday

2008-02-19T14:34:00.004Z

Mothering Sunday, often called "Mothers' Day" in the United Kingdom and Ireland falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent (exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday). It is believed to have originated from the 16th century Christian practice of visiting one's mother church annually, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. Most historians believe that young apprentices and young women in servitude were released by their masters that weekend in order to visit their families. As a result of secularization, it is now principally used to celebrate and give thanks for mothers, although it is still recognized in the historical sense by some churches, with attention paid to Mary the mother of Jesus as well as the traditional concept 'Mother Church'.

Source: Wiki

Cool Cards: Mother's Day Cards

And on a lighter note... Tesco Value Mother's Day Cards

Source: Tesco Value Cards

Anti Hallmark - Smart Alex

2008-02-07T21:17:00.000Z

Interview with Jay Blumenfeld of Smart Alex cards.

"In the multibillion-dollar greeting card business, Smart Alex has carved a niche by boldly going where no big company has gone before. Founder Jay Blumenfeld opens up about his irreverent, unorthodox rise to success.

Jay Blumenfeld started the bold and bawdy greeting cards company Smart Alex in 1980, building it without venture capital, business training -- or a sense of hearing. Today, the deaf, gay, and out-about-it-all CEO personally designs bestselling card lines for specialty retailers, including sex shops, across North America. Blumenfield recently linked up with Inc.com via instant messenger to share the story of Smart Alex, advice on succeeding with a niche brand, and why uniqueness counts in the business world.

How did you start Smart Alex?

It was by accident. I didn't intend to do it at all. What I wanted to do was to promote my photography, and get a photography book published after I got out of college. This was 1980. Many book-publishing art directors told me that I should put my creative energy into making greeting cards. I thought it would be something I did for a year or two to promote myself as a photographer. But I fell in love with the alternative greeting cards industry, and decided to continue with the business.

What does Smart Alex do today? How is it distinct within the greeting cards industry?

We are a greeting card company that makes edgy cards. We aren't afraid to use butt-kickin' humor. And we sell through unusual channels. Most card companies are all alike and don't focus on a particular target audience as much as we do. We have a very specific market.

One of our most successful lines is the bachelorette series. I know I'm giving away our biggest secret, right? Oh no! But not many companies can do something like that.

We have great relationships with stores that aren't catered to by companies with bigger lines. Quotable is bigger. Hallmark and American Greetings are far bigger. They do humor. But it's just not as fearless as what we do at Smart Alex.

Can you make a comparison to another company?

If Hallmark and American greetings are like NBC and CBS, and Quotable is like CNN, I guess we're like an MTV or VH1".

Read more: Click to continue
Visit: Smart Alex Cards

1950's Valentines Day Cards

2008-02-07T13:19:00.000Z

James D. Kimberlin: "This is a flickr set of 1950's Valentines Day Cards that I scanned. I'm an avid garage saler who came across 4 large scrap books of cards. I have been wanting to use them for a project and have finally gotten around to scanning them.

They include Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas and Birthday cards, all dating from the 1950s. The scrapbooks are from a set of twin boys Vin (Elvin) and Don. There are some great classic cards in the set. I cleaned them all up and silo'd them.

Please feel free to download any and all and share them. I also have higher res versions of most of them, so if anyone needs those please feel free to contact me.

Also, I have a large assortment of other cards, Easter, Birthday etc. if anyone is interested".

View: Flickr images

Tommy Cooper Cards

2008-01-29T08:46:00.000Z

New to Cool Cards, a fantastic range of Tommy Cooper Cards.

Tommy Cooper, a performer equally as loved and respected by his peers as by his fans, his child-like vulnerability and deceptively simple brand of humour made him the most loved and impersonated of comedians.

More Tommy Cooper videos on YouTube

Inspirational tips - Creative writing

2008-01-06T14:21:00.000Z

Tips for all you aspiring greeting card writers...

Any advance on 109?

2008-01-03T20:15:00.000Z

Happy Birthday Hilda Newson!

"She has spanned three centuries, been a subject of six monarchs and has seen the birth of every major invention and trend in the last 100 years.

And as one of Britain's oldest people celebrated her 109th birthday last Friday at Park House residential home in Great Yarmouth, she put her astonishing longevity down to playing the tambourine, supporting the Salvation Army and drinking fruit juice."

She said: “I do not take any pills or drugs and still play the tambourine. My favourite meals are roast dinners and chicken and I enjoy a fruit juice with my meals. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day but gave it up 24 years ago when I was 85.”

Britain's oldest woman is 111-year-old Florence Baldwin of Leeds.

First world war veteran Henry Allingham is the country's oldest man, also aged 111.

Source: Yarmouth Mercury