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Tom: This is lies. We are liars. Think about it. Why do people buy cards? It’s not because they want to say how they feel. People buy cards because they can’t say they feel or are afraid to. And we provide the service that let’s them off the hook. You know what? I say to hell with it. Let’s level with America. Or at least let them speak for themselves. Right?-500 Days of Summer
For some people Valentine’s Day is quite annoying. Even if they are in a couple, the forced commercialization of love can be too much. But imagine if you were on the side that has to write those words of love not just for Valentine’s Day, but all year? According to the National Retail Foundation Survey, 13.3% of you will spend a grand total of $1.1 billion on gift cards, up from 12.6% last year. What if you had just broken up with someone (like Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character in 500 Days of Summer) and then had to write about what love means and how much joy it brings? If that’s not a challenging job, I don’t know what is. We talked with some women in this industry who told us the real deal:
One woman who used to work for a greeting card company and chose to remain anonymous talked to The Grindstone. She said some days it was extremely tough to think happy thoughts and think along those lines as she had a two hour commute every morning. “The condolence cards were often easier than the happy ones sometimes,” she said. “It was sometimes like having to be one of those characters at Disney World.”
Michele Mikeska is the owner of Bold Face Type Cards, a company that actually produces very funny and quite honest cards for all different events and holidays. In their “Love Stuff” section they had an engagement card that said “That whole richer or poorer thing…That’s hypothetical… right?” and my personal favorite: “You know when you ask me if I’m mad and I say “No.” And then an hour later you ask me if I want a soda and I say, “Why the hell would I want a soda?”" And then inside the card: “That’s fun.” Mikeska told The Grindstone:
“First off, well, we’re not happy all the time. Partly because that’s not realistic and also because love is the best, and worst, thing ever. Since love is more than smiling hearts and fluffy puppies to us, we write that way. From the start, we wanted Bold Face Type to say things as honestly and sincerely as possible. That’s why we have cards that say “Love is like being on one big inside joke” and “You are my Person”, but we also have cards that say “Lingerie Itches” and “I can’t believe I used to screen your calls.” We find all of these true. And we’re thankful that love inspires us with its reality. But to be fully honest… usually when we’re writing about love, we’re typically thinking of chocolate.”
Judy Orcutt is an artist who designs greeting cards using calligraphy and pressed flowers for QuilliGraphy told The Grindstone:
“Yes, many of mine have to do with love, friendship, encouragement, healing and all the good things. It’s not hard to do that, because even when things are really difficult, one still has to draw on inner strength and commitment. I am committed to making my life as good as it can be. The thing that can change in life-is one’s attitude. Not always easy but definitely worth it.”
