We have suggestions of ways you can save money on gift wrapping supplies. Wrapping paper and gift bags are getting expensive these days, especially considering that many people just rip off the paper, wad it up and throw it away (often it can be placed in your recycling bin, but that can still feel wasteful). Wrapping paper doesn't have to be costly though, and we can show you how to save money rather than overspending on gift wrap. Being a professional gift wrapper, I have discovered ways to repurpose wrapping supplies while also giving beautifully wrapped gifts.

Here are some quick tips for repurposing, upcycling, and finding discounts on wrapping paper, gift bags, gift bows, and other gift-wrapping supplies. 

• Shop at discount stores, not the places with rolls of wrapping paper that cost more than your gift. You won't always find the best quality paper at these inexpensive places, but if you decorate the gift creatively, it doesn't have to look cheap. (Add ribbons, decorative tags, etc.)
• Watch for sales at the more expensive stores, especially the items with clearance tags! There are certain stores that have high-end luxury papers which I love to use. But I wait for those clearance tags, checking that section in the store every time I'm there. When it goes on clearance, it's my time to stock up! 
• Save gift bags! Whenever you receive a gift in a gift bag, save it to reuse for the next time you have a gift to give. Most gift bags are reusable for several occasions. 
• Save wrapping paper from the gifts you receive. Then reuse it! My family has the long-time tradition of setting a huge basket out at Christmastime, and everyone throws their wrapping paper and gift bows in there from their opened gifts. After the celebration, the host sorts through the wrapping paper remnants and smooths them out to be reused. My grandmother actually would press the wrinkles out of the paper with a cool iron. Our wrapping paper gets used multiple times. And all of the bows get reused!
• Recycle other items you already have in your home to be used as gift-wrap. For my high school graduation, my aunt wrapped all of my gifts from her in the pages of comic strips from a newspaper. That clever idea has stuck with me. You could also use paper grocery bags as a substitute for gift wrap and decorate it with stickers or doodles. Another idea is to use clean and emptied cardboard boxes from food to put gifts in. It may look like a box of cereal, but it's actually a more exciting gift inside. 
• Give your gifts inside of another gift. Use a backpack, purse, reusable shopping bag, pillowcase, or basket to place the gifts in. The container then becomes part of their gift. It really minimizes waste because you don't need to wrap these gifts in paper, but the use of the bag or container still helps give it the element of surprise about what's inside. 
• Repurpose other items in your home to use in place of a gift bow. Decorate a gift with buttons, scraps of paper, twine, string, or yarn. If you know how to make a paper airplane or cool origami things, tape something like that on the top of your gift. Attach a real flower or a silk flower for a beautiful gift presentation. My grandmother would cut out images of flowers from magazines that she taped to our gifts as a decoration. It was always special. 
• Upcycle! Use an old t-shirt to make a reusable gift bag. Learn how to make a bag out of a t-shirt here: No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag DIY - Priceless Handmade Gifts
• Wrap gifts in fabric remnants or silk scarves! Instead of using tape though, try using safety pins, clothes pins, satin ribbon, or rubber bands. These gifts can turn out to look beautiful and can be decorated with flowers from your garden or a fancy ribbon tied into a bow.
• Rather than purchasing gift boxes, reuse packaging from product deliveries that have been shipped to you. Cardboard boxes can typically be reused several times for various uses.
• Either reuse tissue paper from previous gifts, or use alternative packing materials like bubble wrap, fabric, or crumpled paper that you'd normally recycle.
• Get good deals on wrapping paper at garage sales and thrift stores. Sometimes you can find some quality gift wrap and gift bags that other people are getting rid of. I usually look for metallic paper or the ones with a linen texture, and I get them when they are offered at a good price.
• Purchase durable wrapping supplies that are designed for years of use and reuse. You can find some great reusable gifting supplies here: Wrapping - Priceless Handmade Gifts

Have you ever struggled with knowing when it's better to send a greeting card, compared to when a text message is suitable? Today we are sharing some of our thoughts with you on this subject. There is no definitive answer, but we will share some guided questions that can help you choose when to send a card or send a text.

First, we have to say that communication in any form is important. While the decision of how you communicate is up to you, and depends on several factors, we have some tips and ideas to help you decide which route to take.

Some of the reasons or occasions for which you may need to decide on sending a greeting card or a text include, but are not limited to:

• Thanking someone for a gift or helping you out. (Yes, you always should!)
• Wishing someone a happy birthday.
• Congratulating an accomplishment. (graduation, baby, anniversary, wedding, retirement)
• Recognizing someone's importance to you. (friendship, thinking of you, miss you)
• Encouragement for tough times. (sympathy, illness, losses, hardships, etc.)
• Holidays (Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas)

If you are able to see the person and say the message in-person to them, consider that they may still additionally appreciate a card or text. But say it in-person as well. (Happy birthday... Sorry you are going through that... Thanks for the gift... Happy to hear that you're engaged!... So excited about your baby... Merry Christmas... etc.)

If you are concerned about something getting lost in the mail, or don't want to purchase a postage stamp, then maybe you are better off just sending a text and/or delivering a card yourself! Remember that a greeting card doesn't have to go through the mail. Actually, the recipient may appreciate your effort of hand-delivering it. They will get to see you, and isn't that the best?

Here are our guided questions to help you choose CARD or TEXT...

Think about the person who would receive your written message. If you can answer YES or PROBABLY to any of the following questions, consider sending a greeting card for the occasion you have in mind:

1. Does the person keep the greeting cards they receive? (It means a lot to them!)
2. Is the person sentimental? (They would likely prefer a physical card.)
3. Does that person send cards to you for special occasions?
4. Is your greeting for something that's a big deal or involves an extremely important event?
5. Has the person previously thanked you for any cards received?
6. Will you be seeing them soon and could easily hand-deliver a card?
7. Does the person get excited about getting personal mail?
8. Does the person need to feel seen and loved and appreciated in a tangible way?
9. Are you giving them a gift? (Include a card.)

Now think about the recipient of your intended message while reading the following questions. If you can answer YES or PROBABLY to any of them, you could consider sending a text (or even making a phone call to deliver your greetings):

1. Does the person usually call/text you for special occasions, rather than sending a card?
2. Is the person not really into stuff (or keeping things)?
3. Is the person not very close to you? (acquaintance)
4. Is the occasion not really that big of a deal?
5. Does it seem like it's usually the thought that counts for that person?
6. Does the person not seem to have specific expectations in their relationship with you?
7. Do you typically communicate with this person by text/phone anyway?
8. Do you have their number or a social media connection as a preferred communication?
9. Can you say it in a text and feel good about doing that?

We hope this blog post helped you to feel confident in the decision you made. Whether you send a card or a text, we hope the recipient finds your efforts meaningful and thoughtful.

If you need to purchase greeting cards for any occasion, check out the quality cards we have for sale on our website. Our cards are half-price every day! SHOP CARDS

What should I write in a Mother's Day card? Well, we're glad you asked! We will give you some suggestions for writing a meaningful message in a Mother's Day card for your mom.

Before we offer our card writing tips, we want to make sure that you are aware of our half-price greeting cards. They are available on our website year-round, so you may stock up on cards for any occasion at any time of the year. We've included a couple of photos that are examples of the many quality cards we sell.

Mother's Day Card Writing Tips

Make sure you add something personal to your message, something that's specific to your relationship with the mom you are giving the card to.

• If it's your own mom, add in words of appreciation for how well she raised you and the sacrifices you noticed that she made to give you a great childhood.
• If the Mother's Day card is for your wife, use words that recognize how much you appreciate everything she does for your family. Mention how essential she is to your family's everyday life, and include some big gratitude words that show how deserving she is of being honored for her role as a mother. Don't forget to say how much she is loved, just for being HER.
• If it is a friend or another relative you are wishing a happy Mother's Day to, include words that express how she is seen as a great mom to her children. It will mean a lot to her that you notice her efforts to be a good example to her children and to other moms who can learn from watching her be a mom.

Here are some general message suggestions for writing in a Mother's Day card, which you could alter to make it specifically directed to the person. Make sure to include her name or title (Mom) and add in a memory or attribute she has that you admire.

1. Dear Mom, I know I don't always express how much you mean to me. I had the best experience any child could ask for when it comes to who raised them. Thank you for everything you gave up in order for me to thrive and grow into a responsible adult and great human being. I owe a lot of who I am to you, because I wouldn't be who I am today without your love and support through all of these years. I love you so much. Love, [your name]
2. Dear Mommy, You are the best and I love you. If I could pick any mom in the world, I would want it to be you. Love, [child's name]
3. Dearest [name of wife], I am counting my blessings today, thinking about how blessed I am to have you as the mother of my children. I never imagined parenthood could be this amazing, and I know that you play a huge part in making our family what it is. You are my dream come true, and I will never stop loving this life that we live, with this family that we have been blessed with. Thank you for all of your selfless acts that keep everything running smoothly in our house, and maintaining our busy schedule. I love you with all of my heart. Yours Truly, [your name]
4. Dear [name of friend or relative], I wanted you to know that you are seen. You are appreciated. You are loved. Being a mom can be a challenging role, but you are amazing at being a great mom. I look up to you because you seem to do everything with excellence, and are a great role model to your children and to other moms who notice...like me. You deserve a day being celebrated, so I'm wishing you a happy Mother's Day. Hugs, [your name]

Here are some additional simple phrases you could include in a Mother's Day card:

• Thanks for being a great mom.
• I appreciate you.
• You make life great for our family.
• Keep up the good work.
• Thanks for giving me a great life / childhood.
• Thank you for giving birth to me.
• Sorry for any time I caused trouble. You didn't deserve that.
• You deserve a day that's all about you!
• You are the best!
• If there is an award for the world's best mom, it should go to you!
• Thanks for everything you do.
• I will never be able to repay you, so please don't ask. (ha-ha)
• I will forever be grateful.

Shop for Mother's Day Cards:

How can I write a meaningful message in an Easter greeting card?

What should I write in an Easter card for my family?

What religious message can I include in an Easter card?

If you've ever asked any of those questions, we have some great ideas to help you write a message that will be meaningful and thoughtful.

First, we will give you some general card writing tips, followed by suggestions of things you can write in your Easter greeting cards.

• Always personalize a card with the names of the people who will receive it.
• Try not to repeat the pre-written message already printed in the card.
• Include a "point of connection" you have with the person receiving it.
• Sign the card with a closing statement of blessings.
• Add a Bible verse as a faith-based message (optional).
• Proof-read your card and the addressed envelope.
• Make the card more special with stickers or by using colorful ink.
• What would you say in a phone call with that person? Say that in a card!

Here are some message ideas for you to write in your Easter greeting cards.

Choose the message you find most applicable to your relationship with the recipients. Alter or combine any of these message ideas as necessary.

(FOR ANYONE)

Dear Emily and John,

May your Easter be joyous and full of special moments.

We appreciate our wonderful friendship with you both.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Sincerely,

Monica and Travis

(FOR A CHILD)

Dear Andy,

I hope Easter is filled with lots of fun this year!

I loved seeing you in your school play and look forward to your soccer game.

Hugs,

Aunt Bonnie

(FOR A RELATIVE)

Dear Mandy,

Have a wonderful time celebrating Easter with your family.

I know your kids will be so excited about the Easter egg hunt!

I wish I could be there with you, but I will see you next month.

You are an amazing sister, and I am so happy that we share that bond.

Give my love to the whole family.

Love,

Angie

(FOR A FRIEND)

Dear June,

Wishing you a blessed Easter with your loved ones.

I will always cherish our lifelong friendship.

I think of you often and love our phone conversations.

Thank you for being an important part of my life.

Take care of yourself. I will talk to you again soon.

With Love,

Mary

(A RELIGIOUS EASTER CARD MESSAGE FOR CHRISTIANS)

Dearest Sarah and Tom,

Rejoice in God's goodness as you celebrate the resurrection with your family.

"As Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4"

May you be blessed with the hope and peace of our risen Savior in every area of your lives. Looking forward to seeing you this summer.

God bless you,

Tara and Aaron