Considerations When Choosing Sympathy Cards

Choosing a sympathy card shouldn't be done in a hurry, especially if you're giving it to a dear friend or loved one. You'd want a card that goes with the situation and is able to express what you simply can't say glibly in a time when someone grieves. Hence, before you grab or order a card from the “sympathy cards” section, here are some things that you have to think about first:

Recipient's Religious Beliefs

Be considerate and choose a card that matches the belief system of the receiver. Go for cards with sayings or designs that reflect the religious beliefs of the bereaved. This would make your condolences more meaningful and kind. If you don't know the receiver's religion, settle for plain and simple sympathy cards.

Message

Before paying for a card, take time to read the message written inside it. Make sure that it's suitable to the situation and the words used are appropriate and comforting. Of course, other than the message in the card, you likewise have to make your personal note, which needs to be compassionate and not tacky or belittling.

Card Cover

Since there is a possibility that the recipient might display or mount the cards he receives, pick a cover that won't look out of place. Popular choices are cards with images of candles, open skies, and white flowers.

Thanksgiving Cards—the Better and Trendier Holiday Greeting Cards

Thanksgiving cards are starting to become an integral tradition of the Thanksgiving holiday. You may buy these items from a local bookstore or card shop, or you can buy them online. They are perfect for personal use and business use. Thanksgiving cards for business are a great means to connect with clients and promote a lively workplace atmosphere for employees.

A Brief Look at Hanukkah Customs and Rituals

Hanukkah may be a strictly Jewish holiday, but that doesn't stop non-Jews from taking part in it to some extent, as even the White House hosts Hanukkah parties every year. This is mostly attributed to the fact that Hanukkah takes place just weeks before Christmas. Thus, the giving of gifts to children and greeting cards is also quite common during this time.

Though it is one of the most well-known Jewish holidays in the world, Hanukkah is in fact considered a minor holiday (religiously speaking), and therefore businesses are usually open during the eight-day celebration (except on Sunday). The word itself means “dedication”, in homage to the Jews who purified the Holy Temple and lighted the candelabra with a drop of olive oil that miraculously lasted for eight days. This is celebrated by lighting candles on the Hanukkah Menorah at nightfall, a candelabrum with eight branches reserved for meditation, and a raised branch called the shamash that's used for everyday lighting purposes. Traditional hymns are sung each night, right after the candles are lit.

Aside from the candle-lighting ceremony, Hanukkah celebrations include playing with the dreidel, or a spinning top with Hebrew characters printed on it. Fried foods such as sufganiyot (fried donuts filled with jelly) and latkes (fried potato and onion pancakes topped with applesauce) are also served. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, these foods are cooked in olive oil.