Spreading Positive Feelings With Hallmark's "Tell Them" Campaign

When I was at Blissdom a month ago, one of my favorite suites to visit was the Hallmark suite. In that suite, conference attendees could browse the cards, find ones they wanted to send to friends or family, and write a little message. Envelopes were then addresses and mailed by Hallmark, or if the recipient was there at the conference, a tweet was sent to them to come pick up their card in the mail area of the suite.

It was a great idea, and very popular with the bloggers at Blissdom. Who knew one little room could be filled to the brim with happiness? There were cards on every topic, from "Miss you" for family back home, to "Thanks for being a great friend" and "Sorry things are so sucky" topics.

Having just found out I was being laid off prior to the conference, it made me laugh to get a card from a friend that started out with a gloomy grey rain cloud and the word "Crap" on the front of the card. I needed that laugh, and it made me feel so loved that someone (two people, actually!) took the time to write a message and send me a card.

Let's face it, we often keep in touch with email, texting and Facebook, and those are often quick and easy ways to connect. But can anything really replace getting a handwritten card in the mail? I know my entire day is made better when I open my mailbox and find a card for me mixed in with the usual flood of junk mail and bills.

Hallmark's recent "Tell Them" campaign is trying to encourage everyone to reach out and tell a friend or loved one something they need to hear. Our own inner voice is nearly always negative, so wouldn't it be nice to give someone a positive message for once? Do you have a friend who really needs to know how thankful you are that she's there for you? Have you told your teen lately that you're so proud of him for making the honor roll? Maybe your little sister just needs nudge out of a bad mood by reminding her that she's important and you know good things will be coming along for her soon?

You can visit Hallmark's Tell Them Facebook page and make a vow to tell that loved one the sentiment you need them to know. In person, through a handwritten note, in a card...no matter how you do it, spread a little love and make sure nothing important is ever left unsaid. We all want to feel loved and important, and it can start with each of us doing the same for those around us.

Giveaway!
Hallmark wants to help you get started in sending out your messages. They're giving a gift pack of Hallmark cards and envelopes to one lucky reader!

To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me who is the one person you'd most like to send a card to? Be sure to leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you're the winner. One entry per person, US mailing addresses only.

Entries will be accepted until March 28 at 11:59pm EDT. After that date, one winner will be selected at random to receive the gift pack of Hallmark cards. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the notice or another winner will be selected.

Good luck!!

Full disclosure: I received free Hallmark cards as well as sent free cards at the Hallmark suite at Blissdom. No further compensation was received. All opinions are my own, including the opinion that I have some awesome bloggy friends who really helped me feel better on a bad day with the cards they sent me.

My Fab Five (Bloggers, That Is)

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!

I've been blogging for over five years now, and I'm pretty sure blogging years are like dog years but worse, placing me somewhere after the Ancient Greeks of blogging but before the Dark Ages and the Black Plague. Having been around this long, I can say I've met a lot of bloggers. Most I've liked, many have become aquaintences, and a few have become good friends.

It still feels weird to explain that I have friends I met on the internet. Oh sure, my grandmother totally doesn't understand, while any 20-something doesn't even question it, but I still get odd looks from my peers occasionally. Yeah, my friend so-and-so got this for me. Who's so-and-so? Oh, you've never met her. Actually, I've never met her, either, but we chat all the time on Twitter. Hey, why are you looking at me like that?

You can find hundreds of lists out there of the "top bloggers" for whatever definition of "top" the person is going for. Most lists have a lot to do with popularity. And while I know and love some popular bloggers, I also know some pretty awesome bloggers who don't get as much notice as I think they should. I think they're awesome not only because of their blogs, but because of the personal connections I've made with them.

What's that? You sense a list coming on? Why, you're absolutely correct! I'd like to introduce you to five fabulous bloggers and why I love them.

Amelia Sprout - When she first found my blog, I didn't make the connection that we had an actual connection at first. Even though we live in different states, turns out her ex-boyfriend from middle school happens to be my husband! No worries, though - she's happily married, has one daughter and another child on the way. Not only can we swap stories of my husband, but anytime I need to find some peace I can read her blog posts about gardening and marvel at her green thumb. Visit her for the latest on Baby Watch 2011.

 Amelia & I at BlogHer '10

Heather at Domestic Extraordinaire - Heather is a fantastic storyteller, but that's not even the beginning of her talents. She's also an amazing photographer who somehow always manages to make me look good in photographs. We've roomed together at blogging conferences and survived a loooooooong train ride together, and yet she still speaks to me. We don't live too far from each other, and I always enjoy getting the chance to hang out in person - it's so much easier than trying to type out our conversations!

Heather & I - see, I told you she always makes me look great! (and she's beautiful, too!)

Kari from The Karianna Spectrum - When Cordy was three we were just beginning the path towards a diagnosis of autism. And when I was falling down that rabbit hole into the new world of autism, Kari was there with an umbrella to break my fall and a guidebook to help get me started on my journey. Since then, she's taken up running and continues to amaze me with all she accomplishes. Someday I hope to run the Disney half-marathon with her.


Carmen at Mom to the Screaming Masses - I don't know how she does it. Seriously. To look that good, and stay in shape, and manage a household with six kids? She has to have some ability to manipulate time and space that I haven't learned yet. On top of that, she's wonderful to talk with in person and online. Reading how she got into shape is an inspiration - she helped me realize that no matter how busy my life, I need to take some time for me, too. Someday I hope she'll share her secret to looking perpetually 25 years old even after having kids.

Carmen & I at Blissdom '11 (photo credit, Heather Durdil)

Cecily from Uppercase Woman - The first word that comes to mind when I think of Cecily is strength. She is the definition of that word to me, and I can think of few who would be more fitting to represent strength. I've read her blog for quite a while, but didn't get the chance to really know her well until last year. She's been down some long, hard roads, yet no matter what the obstacle is, she overcomes it with her head held high. I admire her strength and secretly wish I could be as fearless as her.

I'm incredibly thankful that I know these five amazing women, and I'm glad I decided to take up blogging over five years ago so that I could get that chance to know them!

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous.

I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.