You might be surprised to learn that greetings cards hark back to ancient China where they were often given as messages of goodwill for the New Year. Mass-produced greetings cards, however, only appeared in the late 19th century but since then have become an integral part of gift giving, especially in the Western world.
Nowadays, we take the giving and receiving of birthday cards as a natural part of our cultural life and it’s become a multi-billion pound business across the globe.
But if you’re giving someone a birthday card and you want to include a gift in the envelope, what are the options? Cards are great for adding token gifts that are delivered straight from the heart and mean something to the recipient. Here’s our take:
1. Money
If you’ve ever had a gran who sent you a card with money in it, you’re probably of a certain age. While it’s less common today, money is often seen as a good one-size-fits-all option (who doesn’t love receiving cash?). It’s usually best if you’re giving the card direct to the person rather than sending it in the post, for obvious reasons.
2. Gift Card
A more common option nowadays, and something that fits perfectly into a birthday missive, is the gift card. The wide variety available nowadays means that you have plenty of choices.
High street stores often have their branded cards, as do online outlets like Amazon and iTunes. Gift cards are a very good option if you are sending a birthday card to an older child or someone whose interests you’re not sure of.
3. Fridge Magnet
If you’re looking for something that is fairly low cost but can be very meaningful, then you might like to consider a fridge magnet with a personal message or design.
Stick with us on this one. It’s flat enough to fit comfortably in a card and you can nowadays find many online companies that help you make bespoke designs and add your personal message. The great thing about fridge magnets is that they can be stuck on any metal surface and help raise a smile for many years to come.
4. Recipe Card
Recipe cards are quite popular among friends and are a great way to add something cheap and cheerful to your greeting card. Whether it’s a sumptuous Sunday roast or a delicate but tasty dessert, these types of inserts just add a little extra warmth and gratitude that the recipient will appreciate.
5. Tickets
Another great thing to put in your birthday car would be a couple of theatre or concert tickets. These can be quite expensive nowadays and getting your friend or family member tickets for a big event is an amazing gift.
As with money, however, there’s a little risk if you decide to send by post so it’s worth adding on recorded delivery to make sure your gift gets to the right person.
6. A Poem
If you want something simple and personal, adding a poem, either written by yourself or by a well-known poet, is also a good idea. There are some easy-to-use and amazing online tools such as Canva which help you produce something that looks elegant and professional. A great option if you don’t send gifts but want to show your love.
7. Packet of Seeds
It might sound quirky but if you have a friend or family member who’s into their gardening, what better gift to give than a simple packet of seeds? It could be wildflowers to help attract the bees or even vegetable seeds.
Buy a Quirky Birthday Card from Highgrove Cards
Whatever gift you want to add, picking the right card is always important. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, quirky and fun, then check out our birthday and other greetings cards at Highgrove Cards.