Father’s Day – Free Ecards and Printable Cards
On Father’s Day, what do you get a dad who seems to have everything?
My Dad is a strong, open-minded and friendly guy with a great sense of humor. He never takes himself too seriously and laughs heartily when we crack jokes at his expense! He is a helpful handyman, a dependable motivator and a trustworthy confidante.
Yet, it’s almost impossible to know what to get him when his birthday or Father’s Day comes around.
It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate gifts, but, he just seems so content and happy that you never know if he needs anything. It’s hard to buy gifts for Dad. Of course, he ends up loving whatever I get him so I always feel like I got him the perfect gift. He’s just a positive person who enjoys and appreciates everything his kids do for him. He especially likes it when we send him thoughtful wishes.
Which is why, regardless of what I get him, I always send him free Father’s Day ecards as well. Dad loves reading my personalized note and message. I know he preserves greeting cards and notes from his family for years. And you thought women were the sentimental ones!
If you’re not sure what to get Dad for Father’s Day, or, simply want to add a personal touch to your Father’s Day wishes, why not consider sending free Father’s Day ecards?
Gotfreecards has dozens of them to choose from. Here are a few of my picks.
The Handyman Husband: – The perfect ecard for your husband, who besides being a great Dad to your kids, is a great help around the house. Why not make his Father’s Day special by taking over his handyman duties for a day….at least virtually?!
King of the World…Just for Today: Even kids know who the boss is at home. But, on Father’s Day, Dad gets to rule.
Dad Your Beacon:
If you think of your Dad’s guidance at every step, if you hear his voice at every crucial crossroad and if Dad is your inspiration, no symbol could say it better than this one.
Daddy’s Girl:
Dads and daughters have this mysterious, magical bond that nobody really understands. Whether he’s giving her bike a gentle push or nudging her to go for her dreams…a daughter just knows that with Dad’s support she can do anything.
Thoughtful Gift:
Like me, if you can’t think of anything to get your Dad that he doesn’t already have or doesn’t really need….you can always rely on free Father’s Day ecards to warm his heart. Ultimately, it is the thought that counts and free ecards help you convey them.
Printable Cards:
Free ecards aren’t the only way you can get your Father’s Day message across to Dad. Browse our section of Printable Cards and find one that fits your Dad’s personality. Choose from traditional designs to humorous themes, color-in pages to Rock Star and sports themes.
Just select your design, type in your message, print it out and send it!
So free Father’s Day ecards or Printable Cards? Which will you send Dad this year?
(Can’t decide? Send both! They’re still free!!)
How to Choose a Father’s Day Gift
Fathers Day
Father’s Day is a few weeks away. If you find it difficult to select the right gift for Dad, start by taking a couple of minutes to think about it. Instead of heading to the store or to a shopping site and browsing thousands of gift items, start by making a list. A list of your dad’s interests, what he needs, things he may find useful or interesting or something that might motivate him to pursue a hobby or a healthier lifestyle.
Dads can sometimes be difficult to buy for. If you find yourself in such a situation, Father’s Day is a great time to put some thought into what your father may really appreciate.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a Father’s Day gift:
Dad’s needs: Observe Dad closely and listen to him. Maybe he needs to upgrade his cell phone or perhaps he could use a new car stereo? Maybe he’d like some help renovating the garage. As you engage in casual conversation, pay attention to the little details your Dad reveals inadvertently. If you ask him what he wants, he’s probably going to say, “Nothin’!” but if you listen carefully, you’re sure to find something that Dad really needs at the moment.
Dad’s interests: Parents spend most of their lives sacrificing their needs and forgoing activities they enjoy so they can save up to educate their kids or to give their family a better life. Now is the time to encourage Dad to take up his favorite hobby again or to pursue a new one. Whether it’s golf or photography, give your Dad a head-start by buying him the essential items he will need( a camera, golf clubs) or by signing him up for a class or enrolling him in a club. Motivate Dad to get actively involved with a favorite sport or activity by getting him a gift he can’t wait to use.
Dad’s Health and Lifestyle: If your dad isn’t too careful with his diet and lifestyle, give him a gift that makes it easier. A health club membership, an exercise bike and cook books with nutritious, low fat recipes are options. If your dad already leads a healthy lifestyle, reward him with a gift that supports it. He may like a new pair of running shoes or a watch with a compass.
Gifts for Dad’s Work/Travel: The frequent traveler Dad will appreciate gifts that make his trips more comfortable in some way. Consider an organizer for his toiletries or travel documents, or an electronic photo holder to hold his grandchildren’s pictures. Personalized coffee mug and mobile music players make great gifts too.
Anytime Gifts for Dad’s: Some gifts are great for all kinds of Dads and come in handy if you’ve run out of ideas. A tool kit, for example, lasts a long time and lets handy-man Dad finish his in-house projects. If he hates yard work, consider hiring someone to help him out for a few weeks. Get him a subscription to an online movie rental service or buy him tickets to a game or show in his town.
When buying Father’s Day gifts, spend more time thinking about your Dad and his tastes and less time shopping – the secret lies in reading his thoughts and buying him the gift he really wants. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on gifts. All that counts is the expression on Dad’s face when he opens them! So, before you select a gift, visualize your Dad opening it – and if you see him smiling…it’s probably the perfect choice!
Tell us about the best Father’s Day gifts you ever bought.
Mothers Day Ecards
Mothers Day is next Sunday May 10th, 2010. Here are some fun facts to surprise your Mothers:
In 1914, the US Congress passed legislation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
82.8 million Estimated number of mothers in the United States in 2004.
55% Percentage of 15- to 44-year-olds who are mothers.
81% Percentage of women 40 to 44 years old who are mothers. In 1980, 90 percent of women in that age group were mothers.
Related links
To will find mothers day ecards and free mothers day printable cards at Gotfreecards.com
My Most Memorable Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day took a sweet turn for me a few years ago. Here’s how-
I grew up in a country where Mother’s Day was never a big deal. So, I began celebrating the holiday only a few years ago. Celebrating may not even be the right word. All I did was to call my mom and wish her, and on a few occasions, I sent her flowers and a greeting card.
My mom, of course, would shrug it away as if it was the silliest thing to celebrate a day in her honor.
As for me, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea and always felt uncomfortable with the way in which we were commercializing our feelings for our loved ones, but, I played along and saw no harm in wishing Mom a Happy Mother’s Day once a year.
But everything changed in the summer of 2006.
I became a Mom.
Mother’s Day since then has never been the same. Every year on Mother’s Day, my little girl wishes me in her own sweet way and I can’t express how much I value and cherish her little ‘gifts’ and cards. We’ve celebrated three Mother’s Days since my daughter was born. Although I remember all of them well and have fond memories of my baby wishing me, Mother’s Day 2009 was probably the most memorable.
We celebrated it on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Perfect weather, a beautiful ocean, the most gorgeous sunrise and miles of soft sand and sparkling sea shells made last year’s Mother’s Day weekend wonderful in every way. It was my daughter’s first trip to the beach. We spent the day building sand castles, collecting sea shells, telling sea monster stories, strolling along the beach and just having a marvelous time.
Technically speaking, there was no ‘Mother’s Day gift’. But I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
Watching my daughter enjoy herself without a care in the world, exploring sand and sea in her cute bathing suit gave me more joy than any designer gift could have. I had a great time myself, with no thoughts of work or chores or bills ruining my experience.
It was a beautiful, memorable Mother’s Day, and it didn’t cost us a fortune or weeks of elaborate planning.
That Mother’s Day made me realize that holidays and special occasions are opportunities for us to create memories together. You don’t have to spend your savings or plan meticulously to have a good time and show your loved ones how much you care. A gift is great, but it doesn’t have to break your budget or be the focus of your celebration.
Spending less money on ‘things’ and more time with each other may be the secret to having memorable moments throughout our lives. Speaking from personal experience, I strongly recommend you try it. Instead of splurging on gifts, plan an outing or a day with your Mom. It could be as simple as a picnic in her backyard or a trip to her favorite spot in the city. What makes it special and memorable is the fact that you spend time with her doing what she enjoys and just have a good time together.
So, Moms, here’s wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day – may you be surrounded by love and joy and may the fond memories of your special day last forever.
P.S: Don’t tell anyone…but this year, I’ll be flying home with my daughter to celebrate Mother’s Day with my Mom and Grandma. Four generations, three Moms, three Daughters. That should be some Mother’s Day celebration!
Why Mother’s Day is So Popular in America…
by Rupa
and My Dilemma Surrounding Mother’s Day!
Although it seems like a universal holiday now, did you know that Mother’s Day has always been a predominantly western tradition? This holiday celebrated with gusto in countries like America, Canada and Australia was little known to people in Asian countries like India, where I come from. Here, the concept of Mother’s Day started gaining popularity only over the last decade or two. Growing up, I don’t remember celebrating Mother’s Day, or for that matter Father’s Day or any of these modern holidays my cousins, nieces and nephews in India celebrate today.
You probably know the history behind Mother’s Day and how Anna Jarvis is credited with starting the tradition in honor of her mother, Mrs. Reese Jarvis. Many in America adopted the holiday in 1908, but it was in 1914, that the Presidential proclamation declared the 2nd Sunday in May as Mother’s Day to honor all mothers.
When I think about why the holiday is considered so important in America, and why it took decades for its appeal to reach other countries, a couple of probable reasons pop up in my head.
Children move out of their parents’ house in America. Not the case in many Asian or Middle-eastern countries. Children continued living with their parents even after becoming adults, unless there was a pressing need to move out, such as educational or career opportunities in a different city. Sons continued to live with their parents post-marriage, while daughters moved into their husbands’/ in-laws’ place. Parental ties remained strong regardless. Daughters returned to their parent’s place during pregnancy and/or child birth and stayed for a few months afterwards. Sons dutifully cared for their parents until the very end. Joint families were common and so, one probably never saw the need to set aside a day to spend time with his mother or to bring her flowers. Parents and children were an integral part of each other’s lives. Each pitched in towards bringing in income or carrying out household chores. My guess: They probably depended on each other and saw each other a lot more than in the West. So, the idea of celebrating a special holiday for a certain member of the family may simply never have occurred. Whereas in the west, where it’s very common for kids to move out of their parents home during their teenage years to lead independent lives – the need to allocate a day to celebrate and honor one’s parents is understandable.
In countries like India, traditionally, parents were honored, revered, implicitly obeyed and routinely consulted. Not just on a special holiday or during a particular season, but all the time. Respecting one’s parents was considered a sacred duty and serving them, a privilege. So, though there may have been no ‘Mother’s Day’, children never set out on an important mission without seeking their parents’ blessings – be it a test at school, a performance or one’s wedding. Bringing flowers and greeting cards may not have been in vogue, but children cared for aging, disabled or sick parents without a second thought. It was just assumed that children would look after their parents just as their parents had cared for them. So, you see, in a way, everyday was Mother’s or Father’s day.
Expressing feelings with material gifts is a relatively modern, western concept. You don’t have to think long and hard to figure out that marketers and retailers benefit the most from these holidays. Sure, your flowers, gifts and dinner treats may thrill mom, but she probably would be just as happy if you simply paid her a visit or spent a few hours with her without splurging on gifts. In many cultures and countries, exchange of gifts within a family was unheard of until very recently. The idea that material gifts express one’s feelings didn’t exist. Consumers in America and other western, capitalist countries on the other hand, aren’t new to this. Spending money on ‘things’ and exchanging gifts on special occasions has been part of the culture here for several decades.
My Mother’s Day Dilemma
So, you see, I have mixed feelings about celebrating Mother’s Day. My mother is my best friend, teacher, guide and confidante. We talk every day. We read each other’s minds on many occasions. We have no secrets. She is my strength, inspiration and reality check. On one hand, I see the rationale behind celebrating a holiday in her honor. On the other hand, I don’t see how I could just pick one random day of the year to treat her in a special way, to give her my attention and a gift and to make her feel appreciated. This is the dilemma I face every year as Mother’s Day approaches. I send her flowers and a mothers day cards or ecards in keeping with holiday tradition. But, the second Sunday of May is not necessarily the only day when I feel like honoring her. In fact, I’m pretty sure that it’s the everyday moments – the jokes and secrets we share, the problems she helps me with, the advice we give each other, the little tiffs – those are the things that cement our mother-daughter bond. Not the bouquet of roses I send her once a year.
What do Mother’s Day traditions mean to you?
Free Mothers Day Ecards
Moms are the easiest people to shop for. Moms are the toughest people to shop for.
With Mother’s Day approaching, you’re probably scouring malls and stores for the perfect gift. From diamonds to flowers, apparel to bags, your options abound. Which is probably why buying gifts for Mom is both easy and difficult at the same time. Easy because there’s so much to choose from. And challenging because you have to choose. I find that making the decision to pick one gift over others is the toughest part. So, I usually narrow down my options to three or four items and have someone else do the final picking. How do you decide what makes the most perfect gift for Mom?
But, here’s the good news. There are certain places where you don’t have to choose one option over another. You can actually pick and send as many as you want! Without additional charge – in fact, at no charge! Which is why we love free Mother’s Day Ecards, don’t we?
Here are a few I liked. Check out our site for several more options. But unlike Mother’s Day gifts, if you can’t decide which ecard you like best – No Problem! Go ahead and send ‘em all…or spread them out over Mother’s Day week…or, send one to your mother-in-law or the aunt who’s like a Mom to you.
Because, with Mother’s Day ecards, you can afford to send as many as you want.
Interactive Flower Garden - Nurture your bond and make Mom’s day with this lovely, interactive ecard.
Million Reasons I Love You –Can you count the reasons you love mom? Probably not. But, you can tell her a few that make her smile. Warning! Keep tissues handy. Likely to cause tears of joy.
Mom Tattoo – What’s the one way to get Mom to say ‘Yes’ to your tattoo? But, of course!
Mom’s Life Decathlon – Moms come with super powers that keep expanding with their responsibilities. Honor Mom’s contributions and strengths and make her laugh with this symbolic ecard.
To-do List
- What’s the one thing you can never cross off your to-do list? (No, besides laundry, I mean!)
So, which Mother’s Day Ecards did you pick? And now that the easy part’s done, maybe you should get back to deciding the Mother’s Day gift!
Editor’s Note: Here is the link to - free mothers day printable cards.
Mother’s Day Across the Globe – Many Ways to Honor Mom
Many Ways to Honor Mom
Mother’s Day is an occasion to honor and appreciate the person who perhaps played the most important role in shaping our lives.
However, the modern tradition of celebrating Mother’s Day with gifts and greeting cards is not how it all began. Ancient civilizations and cultures such as those in Egypt, Greece and India have been known to worship the Mother Goddess in various forms for centuries. Ancient Egyptians honored Goddess Isis, considered the Mother of the Pharaohs. The Greeks and Romans celebrated the festival of Magna Mater (Great Mother) in honor of the ancient Goddesses Rhea and Cybele. The celebrations included games and processions where the Goddess’s statue was carried on one’s head around streets, followed by displays of arts and crafts. In India, various symbols are used to represent the feminine aspect of the Supreme. Hindus worship several deities – male and female- but believe that the underlying cosmic force or Almighty is, in fact formless.
Cultures around the world celebrate Mother’s Day at different times and in different ways.
China: Although carnations and cards have grown in popularity in China, Mother’s Day is not the only time the Chinese remember their Mom. Celebrating and honoring one’s Mother is part of the Chinese tradition. Most Chinese names honor the maternal heritage. The first character of Chinese names generally symbolizes Mother.
India: Hindus have been worshipping the spiritual significance of Mother in various forms, incarnations and symbols for ages. Known as Devi (Goddess) or Shakti (Cosmic Power), the feminine aspect of the Divine is revered and worshipped across the country. Several festivals honor the Mother Goddess in India, the most popular of them being Navarathri or Dussehra. In modern times, most of urban India has adopted the American tradition of buying gifts and flowers for Mom on Mother’s Day. However, traditionally, Indians follow the custom of seeking blessings from their Mother (and Father) before embarking on any important task. ‘Mata’ or one’s Mother enjoys a position even higher than that of God in Hindu culture.
Thailand: The people of Thailand revere their Queen, Her Majesty Sirikit Kitiyakara. It is in her honor that Mother’s Day is celebrated on her birthday, August 12 which is a public holiday. Her portraits are displayed and Thailand’s flags are raised in homes and organizations across the country. People either travel to Bangkok or join in celebrations in their own cities.
UK: Mothering Sunday has been popular in UK for centuries and began as a way for families to spend time together and for Mothers to enjoy some time off from their daily chores. The holiday falls during the period of Lent. Children who had been sent away to work in other villages or cities traveled home to spend the day with their Mother. Gifts, flowers and greeting cards have become a part of tradition today.
Source: http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/ and http://www.dayformothers.com/around-the-world/index.html
Spring into Action with Exciting Easter Celebrations
Has Spring worked its magic on you yet? It sure has lifted my spirits. This is the time of the year I feel most optimistic and confident. How about you?
Anyway, with Easter less than 2 weeks away, how is your family getting geared for this Spring holiday? Of course, you’ll probably be sending your friends and family free Easter Ecards. Besides that,
- Are you going green with eco-friendly Easter baskets?
- Is this the year you will start new traditions?
- Maybe, you’ll spend a little more this year on Easter baskets than you did last year.
However you celebrate, we at gotfreecards send you our warmest wishes on the occasion of Easter. May this Spring holiday bring you renewed hope and enthusiasm and may it be a season of wonderful new beginnings.
Speaking of beginnings, did you know how the customs and traditions surrounding Easter started? The story of the Easter Bunny is an interesting one and it actually had less to do with the holiday and more to do with the time of the year – Spring is mating and procreation season for most animals and the rabbit(hare) represents fertility. Easter got its name from the festival celebrated in honor of the Pagan Goddess of Fertility, Eastre!
Many colorful stories and traditions are associated with this Christian holiday, which also coincides with Spring break for many in America.
So wherever you are and no matter how you celebrate, here’s wishing you a Happy Easter and a wonderful, beautiful, joyful spring.
Now, it’s your turn to send your loved ones the same wish with free Easter Ecards or free Spring ecards.
Spread smiles, love… and Spring cheer!
How to Have an Exciting Easter Every Year
OK. I’m done with winter. I am READY for it to make an exit. It’s been a pretty long and harsh few months and I can’t wait for warmer weather. Which, hopefully shouldn’t be too far away, considering Easter is around the corner. (April 4) So, have you thought about how to celebrate?
No. I don’t mean how much you’ll spend on each Easter basket, or new clothes and hats, or on travel or whether you’ll tell your kids the story of the Easter bunny. But – how will you actually celebrate this wonderful time of the year? After all, the onset of spring is one of nature’s most spectacular displays. It’s not only pleasant on the eyes and a great time to venture outdoors after months of bitter weather, but it’s also symbolic. To many, spring also represent new beginnings of a different kind.
Now, my family doesn’t really celebrate Easter. But, in my online travels I stumbled upon some really cool Easter activities, crafts and games that I just couldn’t help paying attention to.
I know that the usual Easter egg hunt is fascinating in itself, at least for little ones. But sometimes, for us adults, doing the same things over and over again every year tends to get monotonous. Planning the same menu, cooking the same meals, the same shopping trips, the same gifts, the same holidays – sometimes you need to break away a little from tradition to value tradition. What do you think?
If you feel the same way and are game for some exciting new stuff to try this Easter, why not try to make up some your own traditions? After all – most of the customs and traditions associated with Easter and other holidays, including Christmas, revolve around the idea of making it appealing and fun for kids. Santa Claus, stockings, Easter bunny, basketful of treats…it’s all about getting the kids excited and to encourage their participation in the holiday.
So, what if you were to create new traditions based on your child’s individual personality or taste?
From making your own Easter basket or Easter bunny from an old sock (http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-bunny-crafts-recipes-printables/sock-hop-841022/), to paper crafts, to coming up with Easter games that the entire family could play- did you know that there are countless ways to personalize Easter? Or for that matter any holiday.
Age-old traditions are important and have their place.
However, sometimes, making up little traditions helps to keep the enthusiasm alive.
For example,
* Instead of sticking to the same menu, this year, why not experiment with a new dish to replace one of the usual items. Find a new recipe that you and your child could try out together.
* Or, instead of going for conventional Easter baskets and bunnies, why not spend a couple of afternoons making them from things readily available around your home. (http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-baskets/bunny-basket-665124/). You could use the opportunity to talk about recycling and the environment, or simply have a good time ‘making’ something with your kids. It doesn’t matter how well the crafts turn out, as long as you both had a good time and keep the spirit of tradition alive.
* You could come up with an Easter game(http://www.garvick.com/annual/easter/easter-games.htm) and make it a tradition to play the game every year after Easter lunch. Or even come up with a new game every year.
* Or take a walk around your neighborhood and identify the different kinds of plants and trees, paying attention to the ones that already show signs of life.
* You could read up on the different ways in which spring is welcomed and celebrated around the world(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/25/spring-holidays-around-th_n_178955.html)and maybe add a few global customs to your Easter celebrations.
With just a little thought and effort, you can turn Easter and every holiday in the year into an exciting learning opportunity for everyone and a family bonding experience. Who knows, your kids may even grow up boasting to their friends that their mom’s holiday traditions were the coolest!
Oh! And don’t forget to add sending free Easter ecards and giving each other free Printable Easter cards to your list of new holiday traditions. That’s something you can do regardless of how you celebrate Easter!!
How to create Birthday Party Invitations
Online birthday party invitations –
a free and fabulous way to invite guests to your party
“Mom, can we invite Sarah and Sally to the party?” “Can I get a new bike this year?” “Can we go to Disneyland?”
All signs that a birthday is coming up!
If you’re a busy mom (or dad) planning Junior’s birthday party, you probably wish there were things you could cross off your to-do list (and your budget) right now! Kids’ birthday parties are supposed to be fun for everyone – after all they celebrate our most precious gifts. But, between guest lists and goody bags, it’s easy for parents to get overwhelmed by all the planning that goes into a child’s birthday party.
It doesn’t have to be so.
The trick is to keep party planning simple.
All kids really want is to have a good time with their friends and maybe a favorite character or two. How you execute it all is up to you. The details that go into the cake, the hand-picked favors for each child, the elaborate balloon arrangement – are all great add-ons. They look good in the birthday pictures you’ll send grandma. But truthfully, you only have to focus on the things that are important to you and your child. You can simply leave out the rest if you don’t have the luxury of endless free time or a large budget.
Planning a party
Birthday parties can be easy to plan if you start a couple of weeks ahead.
* Make a guest list.
* Pick a venue – a park or your backyard is great for outdoor summer parties. Indoor venues include kids’ party places like Chuck E Cheese, children’s museums or your living room
* Choose a cake, snacks and refreshments. Set a reminder to pick up the cake and other items on the day of the party. If the party place has food – terrific!
* Get your child’s opinion on what character or theme he likes. Use the Yellow Pages, the internet or your friend’s recommendations to arrange for a clown or character.
*Make a shopping list and go out and get all the plates, decorations and other things you need to match the theme.
All of this can be accomplished within a few hours if you plan well.
Send out free, personalized online party invitations
When it comes to sending out invitations, you don’t need to sweat it one bit. Simply use gotfreecards’ free birthday party invitations to invite as many guests as you like at no cost!
Our birthday party invitations – both photo cards and printable invitations – are specially designed for little guys and gals. Available in various kid-friendly colors and themes ranging from flowers to balloons to animal characters, these cards are easy to customize.
* Just upload your little prince or princess’s picture.
* Add the party details in the text box.
* Print them out and mail them to your guests OR just click send to email them.
And that’s all there is to it. Now go enjoy that party!!