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National Greeting Card Day

Spread love and joy on National Greeting Card Day with heartfelt messages and beautiful cards for all your loved ones.

Thursday

April 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEApril 1

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get your pens and creativity ready, because April 1 is National Greeting Card Day! This holiday has been celebrated since the early 1900s and was created to honor the art of sending handwritten notes and cards. It's a day to appreciate the power of words and thoughtful gestures, as well as the people who make our lives brighter with their heartfelt messages. So let's take some time on this special day to send a card to someone we care about, whether it's a friend, family member, or significant other. After all, there's no better feeling than making someone's day with a simple greeting card.

TIMELINE

National Greeting Card Day Timeline

First Christmas Card

In 1843, the first commercial Christmas card is produced in London, England by Sir Henry Cole, marking an important moment in the history of greeting cards.

American Valentine Cards

Esther Howland, a Massachusetts artist, began producing elaborate handmade Valentine's Day Cards in 1856, popularizing the greeting card tradition in the United States.

Hallmark Founded

The Hall Brothers, who later changed their company name to Hallmark, started their business of mass-produced greeting cards in 1910.

Introduction of Shoebox Cards

In 1953, Hallmark introduced the Shoebox Cards line, offering humor-based cards contrasting traditional sentiment-based greetings.

E-Cards Emergence

With the advent of the internet in the late 1980s, e-cards become a new medium for sending greetings, paving the way for a digital era of greeting cards.

National Greeting Card Day

National Greeting Card Day began being celebrated in the early 1900s as a day to appreciate the art of handwritten notes and cards.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Greeting Card Day

Create your own greeting cards

Get creative and make your own unique greeting cards for National Greeting Card Day! You can use various materials like paper, paint, markers, and stickers to create personalized cards for your loved ones.

SEND

Send a surprise greeting card

Spread some cheer by sending a surprise greeting card to a friend or family member on National Greeting Card Day. They will be touched by the gesture and it's a great way to show someone that you care.

VISIT

Visit a local card shop

Support small businesses and visit a local card shop on National Greeting Card Day. You can browse through their selection of unique and handmade cards and maybe even find the perfect one to send to someone special.

ORGANIZE

Organize a card-making party

Gather your friends and family for a card-making party on National Greeting Card Day. You can provide materials and everyone can make their own cards to give or send out.

SUPPORT

Support a charity through card purchases

Many charities sell greeting cards as a way to raise funds. Celebrate National Greeting Card Day by purchasing cards from a charity of your choice and supporting a good cause while sending out well wishes to others.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Greeting Card Day

They make great keepsakes

Greeting cards are not only meant to be read once and then thrown away - they can also serve as wonderful keepsakes. They can be saved in photo albums or scrapbooks, reminding us of precious memories shared with loved ones.

It's a special way to express ourselves

Greeting cards allow us to communicate our feelings and thoughts in a heartfelt and thoughtful way. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or just a simple note to say hello, sending a greeting card is a lovely way to show someone you care.

They come in all shapes and sizes

From humorous and clever to sentimental and heartfelt, there's a greeting card for every occasion. You can also choose from different sizes, colors, and designs to find the perfect card that fits your personality or the recipient's interests.