How to Organise a Group Card That Doesn’t Make People Cringe

Group cards are a wonderfully meaningful way to bring together a group of voices and let someone know how special and valued they are. They’re easy and efficient, without compromising on effectiveness, which is why they’re such a popular choice for workplaces, birthdays, anniversaries and more.

But have you ever opened a blank group card and thought, 'What on earth do I write?' It can be challenging to find the right words and strike the right tone. In this article, you’ll find practical and creative ideas for organising and writing a group card that leaves a lasting impression.

Why Group Cards Matter

Group cards balance the power of a collective gesture with the personalisation of individual messages, which is what makes them so special. A well-organised card can help to foster relationships, create positive memories, and celebrate milestones. For the person on the receiving end, it can be incredibly moving to see all those words of praise and affection from your friends, colleagues or family in one place.

The heart of a meaningful group card is in its personalised messages. A generic ‘happy birthday’, ‘congratulations’, or other celebratory message can be lovely. Still, cards shine when a group of people each make the effort to craft a thoughtful, personalised message. A sincere, tailored message is what takes a group card from a nice gesture to a meaningful one that will be cherished for years to come.

Group Card Etiquette: What to Know Before You Start

Whether you’ve been tasked with organising a group card or one has landed on your desk to sign, here’s what you should know about making it special, memorable and thoughtful (read: not cringeworthy).

Who Should Sign the Card

First things first, decide how many people you’ll have to sign the card. There’s no right or wrong number here – you should base this on the recipient. If they’re an employee who everyone in the company knows and loves, you might cast out for a wide group of signatures. However, it’s also okay to keep it to a small group. If you’re hosting an intimate birthday dinner for a friend, you might limit the signees to the handful who’ll be attending the event. The great thing about a digital card is that you don’t need to worry about filling up blank space, so your card will have a full feel to it, no matter how many people you have sign.

Choosing the right tone

When choosing your group card message, think carefully about the recipient and the setting in which the card will be presented. It’s great to mix some humour with sincerity, especially for a fun-loving person. However, in a work setting, be sure to keep it appropriate. Similarly, even if you’re writing a message to your best friend who you know for a fact lives with their mind in the gutter, think about whether she will be opening the card in front of older or younger relatives. If you choose to make a joke, it’s best to err on the side of respect and steer clear of anything that might embarrass or offend.

Being inclusive

Like we mentioned above, your group card message should be tailored to the recipient. This includes taking into account their personality, their sense of humour, and any cultural sensitivities. This is especially important in the workplace – even if you think you know your colleagues well, they might have privately held beliefs that don’t come up at work, and so it’s important to err on the side of caution. Keep this in mind around major holiday seasons – there’s nothing worse than being wished a Happy Christmas when you don’t celebrate it!

Avoid cliché phrases

Okay, so the odd cliché isn’t a crime, and sometimes it’s better to write platitudes than nothing at all, but it’s preferable to avoid using overused expressions in your card if you can. There are only so many ways to say ‘congratulations on your new job’, but you can personalise your message by including a little anecdote or mentioning what it is about the person that you’ll miss. Everyone is unique, so it’s much harder to sound cliché when you’re thinking about your individual relationship with the person you’re writing to.

How to Organise a Group Card Efficiently

So, you’ve been tasked with organising the group card for a friend, family member or colleague. Don’t panic! You can keep the project on track with these tips below.

Setting a deadline

Make sure to set a clear deadline for collecting signatures and communicate this to everyone who plans to write on the card – or risk it languishing at the bottom of their to-do lists for weeks. Setting a deadline one or two weeks into the future is generally a good rule of thumb. A ‘last call’ reminder a few days before the deadline will help gather those last-minute signatures. If that sounds like a lot of admin, set up your card with Thankbox, and we’ll automate the process for you. You’re welcome!

Choosing the right medium

These days, a range of group card formats are available to choose from. A classic physical card is always a solid choice, but digital cards are growing in popularity for their customisability, ease and variety of options on how to express yourself - including video, audio, gif, photo, and the ability to write messages than when you’d write a paper card - no need to hold back on what you want to say! Plus, nothing beats the convenience of a digital card. Collecting signatures can be done easily (and stealthily); there’s no need to run around to pick up materials, and the card can be as personalised as you want, with GIFs, photos, videos, and gift cards.

Coordinating contributors

If you’re in charge of coordinating card messages and signatures, start by making a list of contributors. If you’ve opted for a physical card, print out the list and ask people to cross off their names after they’ve signed, so you know who you’ve missed. If you’re using a digital service like Thankbox, we’ll take care of prompting message writers for you.

Budgeting for a custom card

Group cards are a popular choice because they’re meaningful and thoughtful, without breaking the bank. If budget allows, you might choose to splurge for a custom design. Keep in mind that many services, Thankbox included, will allow a huge amount of customisation at no extra cost. Then you might choose to use your savings for an add-on gift or gift voucher!

Writing Group Card Messages That Don’t Make People Cringe

The great thing about group cards is that they’re essentially a blank slate, ready for you to make your own. But that also means it’s up to you to make them special and memorable!

How to start

So, you’ve been handed a blank card, and now it’s up to you to break the ice and come up with the first message! You’ve got this: keep it short, sweet and sincere, and you can’t go wrong. If you’re signing a physical card, avoid writing in the centre of the page, but don’t squeeze your message into the corner either. Just be sure to leave enough room for others to sign on after you.

Personalising your message

Thinking about what to write in a card can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by tailoring your message to the occasion, whether that’s wishing the recipient a happy birthday, congratulating them on their new job, or wishing them a happy anniversary. Then, write a line or two that’s personalised to them. If it’s a colleague moving on from your workplace, mention how great it’s been to work with them. If it’s a milestone birthday, comment on what you hope the year ahead will bring for the recipient. And you’re done!

And remember, a personalised message doesn’t need to be deeply personal. Please note that your message will be visible to everyone contributing to the group card, not just the intended recipient. So, keep it tasteful and PG.

Incorporating humour

A witty remark never goes astray in a group card. If you can draw on a running joke or something that’s shared between you and the card recipient, even better. That said, if your humour tends to err on the edgier side, it might be best saved for a more private setting. And if your group card is for a colleague, remember to keep your humour professional and workplace appropriate.

Group Card Ideas for Special Occasions

Endlessly customisable, a group card is the perfect way to mark any special occasion. But if you’re not sure what to write, here are some ideas to get you started. Remember to tailor your message to the recipient, and sign off with From, Love or Regards, and your name.

For birthdays

A birthday is the perfect excuse to shower a special someone with love and attention. Depending on your relationship with the recipient, consider including a heartfelt or humorous message. It’s nice to look back at the year that’s been or the one to come.

Below are some ideas to get you started:

• Happy Birthday to the best mum/dad/brother/sister. Here’s to another year of happiness and health.

• I can’t wait to celebrate with you tonight! Happy Birthday.

• Happy Birthday! I’m so proud of everything you've achieved this year. Here’s to another year full of adventures and laughs.

• You know what they say – ageing is better than the alternative!

• Hope you take some time to celebrate yourself today – you deserve it. Happy Birthday!

Age-related jokes are a popular choice in birthday cards, but remember to keep them kind and think about your audience. Not everyone loves a joke at their expense! Something subtle, like 'Happy 21st Birthday!' to someone who’s turning 50, can be a simple way to add some cheek.

For more inspiration, see our tips for nailing your birthday card message.

For farewells and retirements

Leaving a job can be an emotional event for everyone involved. We spend so much time with our colleagues, but we don’t often let them know what they mean to us. So, this is your chance! You’ll make the recipient’s day by mentioning a few of your favourite attributes in their card.

Here are some ideas you could build on:

• You’ll be sorely missed, but I’m glad you’re following your heart. All the best in the new role.

• Thanks for everything you’ve taught me over the years! Hope we can stay in touch.

• Our loss is their gain!

• I may be losing a colleague, but I’m gaining a friend!

• Who will I turn to for Excel tips now?

• Thanks for being such a great coffee run buddy! All the best in your new job.

• You traitor!

For more workplace leaving card inspiration, check out this article full of humorous messages.

For weddings and anniversaries

A group card for a wedding or anniversary is your perfect chance to share your love of love. Let the special couple know how happy you are for them, and what their relationship means to you. Remember to add your own personal touch!

Below are some ideas to get you started:

• Congratulations on your marriage – all the best for the next chapter of your lives together.

• I’m so happy that you have found one another.

• Seeing two of my favourite people together brings me so much joy.

• Your love for one another is an inspiration.

• Here’s to many happy years ahead.

• Congratulations on 5/10/20/50 years together. It’s been so beautiful to see you both grow together as a couple.

For more words that celebrate love, check out these engagement card message ideas.

And if you’re still feeling stuck, try our AI-powered message generator!

Creative Ideas for Group Card Design

Keep it simple or go all out – the sky's the limit when it comes to personalising your group card design, and with digital platforms like Thankbox, it doesn’t necessarily mean added cost either.

DIY vs professional designs

Tailoring your design to the recipient with professional help can add a touch of class to your group card. This might be the way to go if you’ve a generous budget for a larger event, such as a wedding or a major milestone, like a retirement. Outsourcing the project to a professional designer can also be a timesaver! That said, with so many pre-made templates available, there’s nothing wrong with opting for a DIY design. If you’re even a little bit tech-savvy, you can easily navigate group card platforms, such as Thankbox, to create a tailored card for the lucky recipient.

Incorporating photos or memes

It’s a cliché, but a picture indeed tells a thousand words, and it’s easy to add photos or memes to your digital group card. If you’re not a wordsmith, adding a meaningful photo or a cute meme is a great way to make the card memorable. Memes are a great way to bring in humour too, but just be sure to keep it PG for the office, or multi-generational family events!

Interactive cards

For tech-savvy groups, consider incorporating a QR code (or a link, if you’re using a digital card) to create a multimedia experience. You can link to a funny video, a recorded message, a shared photo album, or even an online gift card for the recipient – there’s no end to how creative and personalised you can make your digital card!

Avoiding Group Card Mistakes

You almost can’t go wrong with a group card, but there are some faux pas to avoid. Nail your group card etiquette by being aware of the points below.

What not to write

Remember that group cards are like a public forum – you’re writing not just to the recipient, but to everyone else who will also be writing in the card. So, be careful to avoid anything offensive or inappropriate, including inside jokes that might not resonate with others.

At the same time, you don’t want to be overly formal or stuffy. Remember, the magic of a card is in the personalised message, so you shouldn’t sound like you’re writing a business report. Just use your regular writing voice and stick to the tone you’d usually use with the recipient, and you can’t go wrong.

A well-organised, personalised group card is a simple and effective way to make any occasion special and memorable. With a bit of planning and thoughtfulness, a group card can become a heartfelt gesture that the recipient will cherish for years to come. A Thankbox group card makes it quick, easy and cost-effective to celebrate the people that matter in your life. Explore our personalised card options and start making the magic happen today.

Images: Cover | Woman Surprised by her Colleagues | Group of People Standing Around a Desk | Celebrating a Birthday in the Office | Woman Sitting on a Bed | Women with Flowers | A Man and a Woman Smiling While Looking at a Laptop