Category: Daily Living
So this isn't something you do every day obviously, but since I am asking for tips and techniques, I'm posting it under this topic.
In the past I haven't given a crap about sending out holiday cards in the traditional sense because pretty much all my friends were blind. I've written notes to them, and those suffice. But this year, now that I'm working, I have sighted friends and co-workers who I'd actually like to send a holiday card too, and am not sure how. Sighted people tend to really like the visual of the pretty card, so a note just written on plain paper doesn't seem to work for them.
So here's my question. Have any of you guys sent out your own holiday cards to sighted friends or family before, and how did you do it? It's easy enough to go buy the cards, but if you were sending out quite a few of them, how did you write a note inside each card? How did you go about addressing the envelopes? Most card envelopes are not the standard size that would fit in a printer.
I suppose I could have a family member write in each card for me, but I'd rather not. I'd rather my messages to people be private, and also there are enough cards I want to send that this would be a lot to ask of a family member.
Any ideas would be very helpful!
What i have done in the past is to put the inside in braille with some short message then send a braille alphabet card. I wrote it in grade 1 for them. If I had something more to say, I then would add a printed letter written up on my computer and stuck it in. I did have people address it for me though. I took a few to church to have help each week then some to other people, I spred it out like this and only had someone write up about three or five at a time. I have a free matter stamp since I have braille on it to save postage for those going threw the mail. Hope this helps. This year is extra special for me because I am getting custum made cards with photos of my guide dog and such on it. Exciting!
Oh yeah. sighted people think that the braille is really neat so they liked it and some actually figured out what it said or tried too anyways. This made it more UNeak and personalized.
I just wrote normal grade 2 for those who could read it.
I have a subscription to Americangreetings.com
On there you can email, or create and print, and that isn't helpful, or order cards done for you after you create your messages.
Check it out. I normally just use the email feature. Smile.
Music, words, you name it. Kind of fun.
Hmm, I'll check it out. I've never seen a card site that's accessible, but maybe this is? Thanks for the tip.
OOO, yeah, I'll check that out too because then I might actually send out something more than my usually facebook Merry Christmas post. lol
When I buy cards but want to add a personal note, I type it on my computer, print it out, stuff it in the card, and sign the card.
Another side to this issue, my parents in law have gotten me birthday cards that have a Braille message in them, I think it's mainly a Hallmark card because of the type of message, not your modern dude birthday cards. But I'd never gotten anything Brailled like that before in a card. This has been going on for at least 15 years now.
Me, I'm a pretty average dude about stuff like that, wouldn't even know what to put in a card most times, so leave that stuff to her, but this comes way before anything to do with not having sight. lol.
But I can really appreciate how some of you all want the privacy of doing it yourself, especially onm how some chicks write. Lol on one or more occasion when she's read me what "we're sending" someone and it's time for the ol' J.H. on the dotted line, I've been tempted to say, "I thought we were sending a card, not a book." lol
Leo, I remember those Hallmark Braille cards. I also remember the year they came out. Seemed every single one of my friends and family went nuts over it, because that year for my birthday I got exclusively those cards, or I should say, that card. Hallmark had only had one Braille card, so of course it was the same thing every time. Everyone expected me to be all excited about getting a Braille card, but after the second one it was like, "Oh, this again?"
As far as writing the messages, it's not so much privacy, mostly just the desire to be able to do it myself, and also not inconvenience other friends or family.
(private) The braille book store or whatever their name is has them you can buy and then wright a bit yourself on it threw the website. They will emboss and print it then you can send it to who ever. I am not sure if they have gone up on their prises but they were $5 each. Pricey if your going ot get a lot of them. They even have some with music now.
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Greeting-Cards
I'm still holding out for someone to send me a farting card for my birthday lol they do have those now.
Ah I think I need ot get one of them for my partner. :) hahaha boys and their noises! Lol
Sister Dawn:
I'd go with the printing out a message on paper and putting it inside the card. I also really like Nicky's idea of Brailling a personal note and including an alphabet card but I'd keep it short.
I sometimes write out a short note on the front inside cover but depending on when you lost your sight, that might not be possible. For me, it can be a real challenge especially if I get interrupted since I can't see where my writing stopped. Aaargh!
Depending on the software you are using, you can adjust the printer settings to adapt to the size of the envelope. It can be a bit tedious. Also, you can buy sheets of address labels and print them out with all of the addresses you will need. That can be tricky, too, if you are adding personal notes because then you have to match the labeled envelope with the correct card.
Do you have any of those writing guides? There is one for envelopes and of course, one for a standard 8x11 size paper. You can kind of make the envelope guide work for any size envelope if you work on it, but I think it would be next to impossible to use the writing guides on the small cards as the guidelines are so long and wide.
BTW, have you thought about making your own tactile cards? You could buy stuff from a craft store and glue it to card stock or even construction paper. I used to make my own, but haven't for a long time.
Another idea-a couple of years ago, one of my friends sent handmade dough ornaments instead of cards. It was a lovely idea although I hate to think of what she spent on shipping! But the ornaments themselves were far cheaper than cards-I think the recipe is just flour, salt and water and of course, a little gas or electricity to heat the oven. Oh, and some ribbon or string to hang the ornament by and probably a little card to attach with a note. Braille "Merry Christmas from Sister Dawn Christmas 2013" or Something like that. Oh, and some food coloring to make the dough different colors to make the ornament more visually attractive!
Sigh. I wish I could make myself do that! I'll add flour to my grocery list!
Rachel, it isn't just boys who love farting. I'd sure love someone to send me a card like that. lol.
Farting is awesome but burping is every so much funnier. lol
Chelsea, if truth be known, I do laugh at them myself as well at times.
You can get an app on the iPhone called "fart for free" at least you use to be able too.
well, I ain't in to cards anyway. so I sent most of my contact individual different merry Christmas texts last year, fairly informal, but mostly well very well received except that lady who swore at me. there was some problem with her anyway. oh and someone who changed there number. and I accidentally sent it to someone random. or I'd do something more creative to put that special touch on it write a poem, a couplet, a haiku or something nice on their personal facebook page, e-mail or whatever. so, I like alternatives better.
Late to the topic, sorry.
What I did this year was just typed something out and printed, but every one that I typed was unique and personalized, then I folded it up in a card and Signed the card and the note with my own handwriting. To me it made the most sense to do.
I don't do traditional things usually not with stuff that requires site, but people are happy and thankful, anyway. you don't need to buy a card to please someone, I turned up with a few boxes of eas for people, a lot of them thought it was a bit much, I had to tell a few people, that it's fine, take both boxes, but they were happy and grateful I thought of them anyway.
Like Wayne, I use a site that will send the card for me. They will also mail you the blank card if you want to send it yourself. Apparently the site hand writes the card which I didn't realise until someone I'd send a card to told me. It's a good site as all the cards are described, though I think it only operates in the UK.