The last six months have been difficult and stressful for most of us. From loss and loneliness to missing our favorite people and not being able to enjoy our favorite activities, those little moments of joy can go a long way now more than ever. 

If you know someone who is having a particularly hard time or just want to brighten up a friend or family member’s day, you can’t go wrong with a “thinking of you” card. They are a great way to make someone feel good and are almost guaranteed to bring a smile to the recipient. 

Greeting card brand Cardthartic found that customers have purchased nearly triple the number of cards at Cardthartic.com that were purchased during the same time period last year. Demand for “thinking of you” cards was so high that they created a lighthearted new card with artwork by lettering artist Natalie Avalos to sum up the way many of us feel right now:

Cardthartic founder Jodee Stevens shares, “Cards are the first piece of mail people open and the last they ever throw away. And when the sign of the times reads, ‘Stay Home,’ finding a card in the mailbox has become a bright spot in people’s day.” 

In addition to the social distancing-themed greeting cards, the brand has also launched “Spread the Love Not the Virus” envelope stickers to go with each card ordered. 

Cardthartic publishes cards, boxed notes, magnets, art prints, and mini-cards, which are made in the USA on recycled paper and printed with soy ink. The brand was founded by Stevens, a former public relations agency owner, who decided to start the brand after receiving horrible condolence cards when her father died.

“The condolence cards my family received were awful,” Stevens says, “but the messages people penned inside were amazing.” Stevens thought, “Why doesn’t anyone publish authentic messages like these?” followed by, “Why don’t I?” 

In 1992 Cardthartic was born, and now has a following of "Cardies" who increasingly help inspire their card messages. 

For more information and to purchase, visit cardthartic.com and follow on Instagram: @cardthartic

[Images courtesy of Cardthartic]

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy