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I hope this is the right place to put this! Please tell me if it's not appropriate. My sister is a Nurse Manager at a facility that does both rehab and end of life care. I mentioned that I was in the mood to create Valentine cards, but didn't have a lot of people to send them to and wondered if she had residents without much family that might like to receive one. She was very excited by idea and is making a list. So, I was hoping maybe our members would have suggestions on cards and/or sentiments that would be appropriate for mostly older strangers. Pictures would be great, if course, but ideas much appreciated. I'm going to work my way through the gallery as well. I have a Cameo, so should be able to cut or use the pens for things I don't have or can't find stamps for. And there's always digi stamps. TIA!
ETA: I have tons of Enchanted Gallery Stamps, so thought done of that kind of old style, romantic images might work well, at least for some of the ladies.
Last edited by ExtraHannah; 12-30-2015 at 09:05 AM..
The following 2 users liked this post by ExtraHannah:
First of all, I want to say thank you for being such a kind and generous person. Your cards will certainly brighten the day for some of those people.
I think a "Happy Valentine's Day" or "Thinking of You" appropriate. You might want to avoid the blatant "I Love You." I think an attributed quotation is always nice and shows that the words are not your own.
This one cracks me up:
"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown"
I have made lots of cards for strangers in veteran's homes and hospitals, so I know how difficult it is to come up with just the right (you hope) cards. I had NO information about them, not even whether there were any women included, nor their ages. Here are some suggestions based on my own experiences:
*Try to determine the age range of the majority of recipients. It will be helpful in choosing images or sentiments. Knowing their gender would also be helpful.
*Avoid anything religious, unless this is a church-based facility.
*If you can use your computer to generate sentiments (on a banner, label, insert, etc.), that will save you money and allow you a wider range of sentiments.
*I would stick with things like "Sending you a hug", "Wishing you a wonderful day", "Hugs are the perfect gift--they fit all sizes, are appropriate for all ages, are easy to return. I'm sending you one right now!" Also, avoid anything about "get well". Instead, keep it caring or upbeat or even slightly comical.
*You can sometimes go on-line and find free printable images of vintage cards or postcards that might appeal to your reipients, especially if some of them are 75+. I bet you could find some and incorporate the images into your own cards.
*Your sister works with these people. If you have any hesitation about a design or sentiment, just run it past her or someone else who works closely with them.
I'm sure they will love getting cards. I firmly believe that the love and care that all of us crafters put into our work comes shining through. Be sure to put some kind of "handmade by..." stamp or label or handwritten note on the back. It is not meant to call attention to you, but some people never realize that our cards are hand-crafted and if they did, would feel the love in it even more.
Send me a pm if you have any questions I might be able to answer. I know there are a lot of other stampers on SCS who probably have WAY more experience with this than I do (sprtchic is one who comes to mind--I may have misspelled her online name. It's Amber.) I hope they will also offer suggestions.
I congratulate you for doing this. It's a win-win situation! You get to continue to create your cards and do what you love, and they will be going to people who could really use something to brighten their day.
What a lovely thought! I have no experience so will defer to others, but I think it is a lovely idea, and doing them with a vintage/antique feel will cover young at heart recipients as well as the younger aged ones.
Thank you SO much everyone! What a wonderful, supportive group this is. Your answers have all made me smile. So many wonderful suggestions as well. I'll be going back through the suggestions and links numerous times and will certainly let you know how things go.
I'm also planning to be more active in the forum. ;)
I just did Christmas cards for the local nursing home. At their request, I signed all the cards "from your secret admirer". The activities director said the seniors always get a kick out of cards signed this way.
The following 2 users liked this post by Pat in Ohio:
I think greetings like "You're very special" "Hugs and kisses" or "You're tea-riffic" etc. are cute/gentle ways to show support. It may be many decades since someone has heard that! Of course, I went looking for a few example stamp sets and can't find any right now. I think Lawn Fawn and Mama Elephant have done some like that, that I have seen on Jennifer McGuire videos.
I do a card ministry for our church and send cards to shut ins and various other people that I don't know. After doing this for a while, I have learned to stamp a sentiment on the inside of the card. That way I don't actually have to write anything. I used to say, "just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. From your friends at McCabe United Methodist." But, really, I'm sending cards out every month and can't say the same thing every time. So, I'm now looking for upbeat sentiments for the insides so I don't have to think of something to say to someone I don't know.
God Bless you for doing this!
P.S. If your sister's list ends up being overwhelming, give a shout out here. I'm sure SCS people would be happy to help you out.
__________________ Jennifer
Live each day with kindness, happiness, and a smile.
I know I'm late, but adding my 2 cents here. Many of the senior set love poetry as many had to recite it in school and most any of my upbeat poems on my thread "Need a Poem" might just fit the bill for those you don't know very well. For example, I just added a poem that might bring a smile called "Valentine Food for Thought."
and what an AMAZING thread Rush'd Lady has going-I subbed it. Thank you for all that work!
Valentines is just a touchy one to me. People can be missing deceased spouses or the idea that they have been single their whole lives...I asked DH and he said "Thinking of you on Valentine's Day". I'm thinking something/one paying "a visit" is good...cupid, a bird, whatever that a sentiment can be attributed to instead of an unknown person. I cant tell you why I feel like that about V day, I just do.
Hi, My daughters and their friends are sending 400 Valentine cards to Seniors at local nursing homes. I want to make sure that all the messages are appropriate. They will addressing the card as "Dear Senior" and Ending it with "From your Friends at SSV"
The cards will be handwritten with one of the following messages. Please let me know if any of these should be omitted. Thank you
May your day be filled with all kinds of cheerful, happy things. Happy Valentine’s Day
Sending cheerful thoughts to brighten your Valentine’s day
Sending lots of hugs your way. Happy Valentine’s Day
Sending extra smiles your way today. Happy Valentine’s Day
Have a lovely Valentine’s Day filled with extra love
Hope you have a valentine's day that makes your whole heart Extra Happy.
Wishing a day filled with happiness. Happy Valentines Day
Sending you heartfelt wishes for a very special Valentine’s Day
I sincerely wish you a fun and happy Valentine's Day.
Hugs are just another name for Love! Sending you hugs this Valentine’s Day!
A very Happy Valentine’s Day to you. Wishing you a day full of happiness, smiles and beautiful moments.
Roses are red, violets are blue, sending warm hugs and smiles to you.
Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s day
I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown"
Wonderful ideas from all these stampers! I really like "From your secret admirer".
Jennifer, since you are sending on behalf of a church I highly recommend adding a Bible verse about love. I make cards for our many nursery workers once a month with verses, (and sometimes Mother Teresa quotes), then sign them 'sent with love' and my name. I've even had positive comments on that!
I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown"
This cracked me up!
I have been thinking about my past comment....I think now it is very nice to send a card. Letting people know they are being thought about at ANY time is a good thing.
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
My mom just got home from TCU, she would have loved some cards. Bad daughter, never even thought of this!
I'm going to get in touch with them and see if I could do this for the residents and the staff.
Thanks
Just made some for my local assisted living facility.
I printed in the computer “happy Valentine’s Day” and “Sending you lots of love” in the front and inside a sentiment “A very Happy Valentine’s Day to you. Wishing you a day full of happiness, smiles and beautiful moments.” I also draw a heart and signed my first name.
I wrote with sharpie in big letters, it’s always helpful for our senior friends to read.
Other sentiments that are simple:
May the celebrations of Valentine’s Day be full of cheers and joys for you. Warm greetings on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.
The occasion of Valentine’s Day inspires us all to stay young and stay romantic in life. A very Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
Celebrations and beautiful moments of joy and happiness are what I wish for you on the occasion of Valentine’s Day. Warm wishes on this beautiful day to you.
Valentine's for Strangers
