Greeting Card Junkie

Christmas card shopping in 1910 by Gwen Knechtel

I am a greeting card junkie. Whenever I see one, I have a Hallmark moment.  Or two. Or three. Can’t seem to help myself – they call to me!

     I’ve organized my addiction in four boxes labeled accordingly: Birthdays, Thinking of You, (with sub categories for Sympathy and Get Well) Anniversaries and Other Celebrations (specific sub categories include Graduations and Retirements) and the last one is for immediate family members’ special occasions. As for Christmas – that’s in a special Santa bag and usually filled with 4-5 boxed selections with additional Hanukkah and New Year’s cards. Other holidays (Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day etc.) find different roosts.

     Perhaps it’s my singular focus, (which may be a nicer way of saying I may have an addiction) but I have issues around greetings cards. Well, I also have them around potato chips; however, that’s another story…

     According to a friend, I don’t really have an addiction. That implies it’s “all about me”. As long as I address, stamp and send them, I’m being thoughtful. And I do - so buying cards is now justified because it makes me a thoughtful person. Hmm.

     How many hours do you spend perusing through stores with miles of card racks?  I try to keep it reasonable; retail therapy of any kind IS a dangerous thing… But at least it’s calorie free entertainment. A good thing too otherwise the bathroom scale would be screaming.

     With technology being what it is, you’d think hard copy cards would go out of style. Not as long as they have junkies like me! And even with big time cyberspace around, I’ve discovered another way to feed my addiction: e-cards! If you haven’t been introduced to Jacquie Lawson’s website, you are missing a sure bet.

     Well, time to bid adieu; gotta sign and mail some cards.


Christmas Shopping 1910 (Photo Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Gwen Knechtel is a teacher and resides in western Washington with her husband and family. Now in “late middle age” she celebrates daily, love of family, friends and creativity. With one published story in Lembas for the Soul and a contributing author to e-book New Halem Tales: Secrets, she is currently working on DORM 1973. Find Gwen at www.5nwauthors.com