By Anna Hart
Most people enjoy receiving happy birthday cards. When those cards are funny, it can put a big smile in the recipient's day. When they are free, it can put a big smile in the sender's day!
Free, funny, happy birthday cards are plentiful on the Internet. Some sites provide free cards as an incentive to convince you to become a paying member. Others simply provide complimentary cards at no cost. If you are thinking of sending a free, funny, happy birthday card, consider these tips.
Tip #1 – Consider the Recipient's Sense of Humor
Free, funny, happy birthday cards are not always viewed as "funny" by the recipient. Not everyone has the same idea of what is funny and what is not. While you may think a given birthday card is extremely funny, you should stop and think about the recipient before sending it. It may not be funny to him or her. It may even be offensive. If the card is for your grandmother, think about the things that make her laugh. Would she laugh at the birthday card you are about to send? Is the humor her style, or is it brash and edgy even for your generation? The birthday card should be funny to the recipient.
Tip #2 – Consider the Recipient's Interests
Free, funny, happy birthday cards, while being humorous to the recipient, may not appeal to their interests. The goal in sending a birthday card is to make the recipient happy. If the birthday card is a funny joke about ballet dancers, a wrestler may wish you had chosen something more in line with his interests. Take time to think about the person to whom you are sending the birthday card, and about the things that interest that person most.
Tip #3 – Consider the Recipient's Age Sensitivity
In other words, if those free, funny, happy birthday cards mock the old age of a person who is unhappy about getting older, it will be neither funny nor happy. A woman who uses anti-wrinkle cream day and night will not enjoy a birthday card that reminds her of increasing wrinkles. A man who gets Botox injections every 5 months will not appreciate a birthday card that shows a furrowed brow. Some people grow old gracefully. Some do not. Know how the recipient feels about aging and choose a funny birthday card that will not offend those feelings.
Tip #4 – Consider Your Reputation
Some people send funny birthday cards anonymously because they would be ashamed to have people know they were sending smut. Stop and consider your reputation. If you are ashamed to sign your name, you should not send that birthday card. If you would be ashamed to have the recipient learn that it was from you, choose another card. You obviously believe it is not appropriate. Have the courage to do what you know is right.
Tip #5 – Consider Your Friendship's Value
There is nothing wrong with sending birthday cards that are free. You may be unable to afford anything more. If you can afford more, though, think about why you are choosing a free birthday card. Do you care enough to spend a little money? Do you appreciate that person – and value their friendship or their place in the family enough to invest in helping them enjoy the day? Membership at a greeting card website is not expensive, and you gain access to the best of the cards when you invest. Consider your friend or loved one. Is that person worthy of a birthday card that cost you something?
Tip #6 – Consider Being Serious
Finally, think about whether the recipient would rather have a serious, thoughtful birthday card. Many people are afraid to send birthday cards that are serious. They are afraid to express their true feelings toward others. They become uncomfortable with anything that is not funny. Ill-at-ease and lacking in self-confidence, they rely on funny birthday cards. The recipient, however, might treasure a birthday card that expresses your feelings sincerely.
Whatever birthday card you choose to send, make it such that the person celebrating a birthday will sense that you took time to think about him or her.
© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about birthday cards at http://www.distinctivegiftsandcards.com. Anna has posted additional information on that site about other cards and gifts. If you would like to find unique gifts in a rush for a birthday, visit Anna now.
Source:www.isnare.com |
