Next time you want to show appreciation for a teacher or celebrate a friend’s birthday, don’t fret over purchasing the perfect present. Today is World Card Making Day, a gentle reminder that the best gift you can give is priceless: your compassion.
“Cards can be very powerful because they’re so different from how people communicate now, whether through speech or through text,” junior Albert Zhu said. “Actually putting in the effort and taking the time to write something out is so much more considerate.”
For many of us, it can be hard to slow down and practice gratitude. Amid the busy churn of students’ day to day lives, it can be easy to forget about the people who bring us joy, believe in us and treat us with the kindness we all deserve.
Unlike purchased gifts, the power of a card is determined by the words you write, and that requires far more reflection and emotional investment. Plus, writing cards may seem uncomfortable at first because of the gendered stigma surrounding expressions of care: men and boys are often falsely considered “less empathetic” than women and girls. However, whether your cards consist of a handful of compliments, a plethora of inside jokes or a combination of both, a heartfelt message can go a long way in building trust and creating safe spaces for your relationships to thrive.
“Sometimes I feel like what people write can be more important than verbal words because not everyone feels comfortable speaking out loud about how they feel,” sophomore Gigi Cai said. “Having text in a card can help them express their feelings better.”
Hopefully, the last time you received a card left you feeling like you mattered. Receiving a sincere card makes you feel special because you chose to show up authentically in your interactions with the card writer.
“The most meaningful card I’ve ever received was from a friend who wrote about how she appreciated me being a part of her program,” Cai said. “When I was reading this card, I felt so happy that my presence really made her day.”
While receiving a thoughtful card is gratifying, writing cards can be equally fulfilling. To keep it lighthearted, try to recall a fun fact or funny moment you remember about the person you’re writing to. If you want to make it personal, remember that others’ strengths become most visible when they show up for us in our most vulnerable moments. Recognizing others for the roles that they play in supporting us is crucial to remembering that we are and deserve to be loved, regardless of our circumstances.
When you write your next card, think about nurturing the bonds you’ve created with the people who have been there to help you celebrate your wins and navigate the challenges you’ve faced. Reminiscing over joyful memories and uplifting others with your words will be rewarding for both you and those you care about.
