Blank greeting cards in the car glove box mean you're prepared

Nizam PLANS to be forgetful. I like the way he thinks:

Have you ever found yourself running late to a birthday, graduation, wedding, and still needing to buy a card along the way? We keep blank greeting cards in our car's glove compartment, along with a pen, so that we can just pull one out and write up an appropriate message inside the card while we're on the way to the event.

We usually find blank cards in packages of 8, 10, or 12, with matching envelopes included, and with an attractive but generic design on the front, suitable for pretty much any occasion. Abstract nature-type designs in pastel blues, yellows, or greens tend to work for everything.

We had this happen a few months ago and were relieved to discover that a Goodwill store near the party had greeting cards for sale! With little ones in the house, we're always running late, so keeping a few cards (and a pen!) in the car will improve our odds of being on time.

Related: Color 'n kids cards turn writing thank you notes into a fun activity

By the way, the card pictured here is made out of elephant dung. I thought you'd appreciate that.

Comments

[xmarks]

It is an interesting idea but I would find myself using greeting cards for all kinds of uses. My friends and family would probably receive Happy Birthdays with grocery lists and the phone/insurance numbers of that guy who rear-ended me on the back.

[Kristi]

xmarks -- I can totally relate! I try to keep a Moleskine Volant notebook in the car or my purse for jotting notes on. http://snurl.com/volant

[adrienne]

This reminds me of a sweet little notecard holder on Soule Mama:
http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2008/07/gratitude.html

It's presently on the top of my to-sew list.

Plus, you could stick in a pad of note paper or a stack of index cards to keep the greeting cards from becoming scrap paper.

[Alan]

Not quite the same as we don't keep them in the car, but we get these card variety packs that come in a nice organizer box from Costco (I'm sure you can get them other places too). They have really nice cards for most occasions and the kit is quite reasonably priced, much cheaper than buying cards individually. It's really come in handy many times. The recipients have complimented the cards on more than one occasion too.

[CJ]

We use blank greeting cards for birthday cards from my (newly writing) daughter. She can draw whatever she wants and sign her name. If she wants, I can write something that she dictates. They make nice personalized cards for the non-and newly-reading set (and grandma and grandpa!).

[Annette]

This hack is perfect for me! I'm always having to tell people that my gift is "the one without a card." They're probably thinking, "Uh-huh, sure it is."

[Rick Bucich]

We keep some at home but never thought about keeping some in the car. I can think of several recent occasions where they would have come in handy.

Thanks for the tip.

[Lisa K]

Great tip, now hubby is going to freak about yet another thing I HAVE to keep in the van!!!