Birthday Greeting Card Etiquette

A thoughtful and easy way to recognize anyone's special day is to send a birthday greeting. A quality card with an appropriate sentiment will let someone know you value him or her as a friend, a co-worker, an employee or a client. It's a pleasant and considerate way to acknowledge their importance and help them celebrate their own, unique day.

From a business standpoint, employees feel appreciated when their birthdays are acknowledged. Delivering a birthday greeting card is a simple way to boost morale and promote goodwill. Doctors, sales reps and business owners can easily and inexpensively let their patients and customers know that they're thought of and respected.

By keeping a few tips and greeting card etiquette in mind when sending birthday cards, you will surely convey a positive message that will maintain ties and solidify both your personal and professional relationships.

• Be mindful of the recipient when choosing the design. Send a high quality card with an appropriate greeting and cover design. If ordering personalized cards, a company's name and logo can be printed, or an individual's name and/or title might be more fitting.
• Handsigning is always thoughtful and adding a written note makes it more cordial. It is well worth the few minutes it takes to personalize the card.
• Use discretion when sending humorous cards. They may be appropriate for friends and family but might not be suitable for a boss or business associate.
• If you've missed someone's birthday, a belated card is often better than completely foregoing one. Better late than never!
• Keep an assortment of masculine and feminine birthday cards on hand to help avoid frequent trips to the store. Many business greeting card companies have assortment boxes suitable for both personal and business use.
• Keep your records up to date. An accurate database can help you organize and mail your cards on time.
• Use proper titles when addressing the envelope: Mr., Mrs., Dr., Rev., etc.
• When sending a birthday greeting card to a co-worker or business associate, his or her work address is perfectly acceptable.
• A return address on the envelope will let you know if your card failed to reach its destination, allowing you to adjust your records and redirect the card.