Halloween Greetings: Sending a “Spooktacular” Card

Here are a few ideas to get you started on your Halloween greetings:

Make your own card. Buy some basic card stock, a fun and spooky stamp, bright colored ink and colorful envelopes. Now get busy creating your own Halloween card! And, hand deliver it to your neighbors with a little treat (I love the hand painted pumpkins, courtesy of Alisa Burke)

Your message doesn’t have to be scary. Who says what you write inside of the card has to be filled with eery sentiments? Let the person know you are thinking of them, wish them a day filled with joy and laughter and tell them you look forward to keeping in touch. Use this as an opportunity to reconnect with a long lost friend or someone with whom you’d like to start building a relationship.

Purchase a card. There are plenty of wonderful cards at the store that reflect the personality of the person you are sending the greeting to. You may want to select a whimsical jack o’ lantern for your sister, a friendly pirate for your brother, a pretty witch for your best friend or a dog in a haunted house with trick or treaters on the lawn for your neighbor. There are no rules, just select a greeting card that will make your friend or family member smile.

Send an e-card. If you want to let someone know you are thinking of them and are short on time or money, consider a card they can enjoy on their computer or smartphone.

Take a picture. If you plan early, you can take a picture of the family dressed in funny costumes or silly hats (even though you may have taken it over the summer), and send it with a card, or use the photo as a card itself. Seeing how the kids have grown up will be a special treat.

Drop a “Boo” on your friend’s front porch. Every year at my office we “Boo” each other by leaving a cute “Boo” card and a small treat. In turn, the next person “Boo’s” another coworker with a tiny treat on their desk. At the end of the game everyone guesses their “Boo” buddy. This is what our “Boo” looked like this year:

Don’t forget to use a decorative postage stamp. I love ordering my stamps from Zazzle.com. They have a great selection of different holiday postage, among other fun ideas. Here is one of my favorite this year:

Above all else, be creative and have fun by making someone else’s day brighter!

Here are a few past Halloween etiquette articles for you to enjoy:

• Halloween Manners: Trick or Treat Etiquette
• Halloween Manners: What’s in Your Candy Jar?
• Halloween Office Party Etiquette

Happy Halloween!