Why Organize Cards?
How many times have you purchased the perfect birthday card for a friend only to have not a clue as to where you might have stashed it? Can you relate to this? Then it’s time for you to organize greeting cards to keep them in one easy to find location.
As you may know, I hate to run out just to purchase one item. It’s a huge time waster. So, when I’m out and about and happen to be in the card buying mood, I’ll pick up several. I find that my friends and family still do like to get birthday cards in the mail as do I. You can’t decorate the home with a Facebook, text, or an email birthday wish. While many might think mailing (or hand-delivering) a card is a thing of the past, greeting card manufacturers are still appealing to the younger generation. Stores now offer an abundance of greeting cards that are aimed at covering more holidays, accomplishments, and emotions.
In addition to birthday cards, I also like to have all occasion cards on-hand. I’ve been known to even pick up a beautiful wedding card or adorable baby shower card with no recipient in mind. Then, when the occasion arises, I’ve got a nice card. My favorite places to purchase cards are at the car wash (unique, witty) drug stores (Hallmark classics) and the Dollar Tree (great value).
Sometimes it’s a toss-up whether to store items now to save time later or to keep a clutter-free home by purchasing items as you need them. As you might know, I subscribe to the ‘get it when you find it and store it for later’ school of thought. Since I do have a home office and the space for a greeting card organizer it’s a logical choice.
To find cards when you need them, they should be properly stored and organized. You have defeated the purpose of pre-buying and being prepared if you can’t find a card when you need it. That’s why I like to keep all cards: birthday, anniversary, get well and so on and one organized card box.
How To Organize Greeting Cards
Depending on how many cards you think you’ll be storing will determine the size of the box that you need. Since cards come in all sizes you will most likely need a box without a lid. Most greeting cards are less than 6” by 8” so a clear plastic shoebox that is 6 ½” wide should do it. Though the number of cards you have will determine how large the box should be. Yep, I’ve got the shoebox filled. (I’m working on reducing this!) A smaller sized recyclable container will work great if your stash of cards is only a dozen or so. Actually for just a handful of cards, a gallon zip lock baggie will do. The trick here is to keep them all together so they can be quickly located later.
Gather up the cards you currently have, to determine how to best organize by type.
Next you’ll need to make some dividers to keep your cards organized and easy to find. Here are the categories that I use, but your needs may differ from mine.
Birthday – Break out for Family, Friends & General if necessary
Congratulations – Wedding, Anniversary, Baby, Graduation
Get well – Sympathy
Just Because – Thinking of you, Romantic, Blank cards
Holiday
Thank you
Any type of card stock paper will work for the dividers. The divider height should be at least 6“ x 9“ so that it stands taller than most of your cards. For my card organizer, I used a couple of manila folders. You could even use something as simple as a recycled envelope or even a larger card that you have received. Cut it apart and use the blank side to write your category at the top.
As you write up a tab, go ahead and place the corresponding cards behind it. When sorting through your cards, toss (recycle) the ones that are out-dated or not needed, but keep the envelope at the back of the box. You never know when an extra larger sized envelope will come in handy.
Don’t Over Complicate It
This doesn’t need to be a complicated DIY, use items you already have on hand. No special supplies are needed. You should be able to put this organizer together in around 15 minutes. Save time in the long run by spending a few minutes today organizing your cards. Now when you find your simple stash of wrapping paper, you’ll have a gift and card ready to go.
The purpose of this tip is all about organizing to get a task done. You can spend time and resources to make a decorated box, or cutesy tabs with a Cricut machine, but really, don’t you have better things to do? I know I do 🙂
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