Publication date: April 25, 2024
Reading time: 4 minutes
As the days grow longer and nature bursts forth with new life, springtime offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate special occasions and send heartfelt greetings to loved ones. During the spring months, Mother’s and Father’s Days are celebrated in several countries. In addition, spring generally sees an increase in weddings, which also translates to anniversaries. Graduations—from Kindergartens to Universities—are also a part of spring celebrations.
All these holidays and celebrations include the age-old gift of greeting cards, which is great news for handmade greeting card sellers on Etsy and other artisan websites. Whether you are a seasoned card maker or simply looking for some inspiration, this year’s trends are sure to add a touch of seasonal charm to your heartfelt messages.
Animal Kingdom
While cute cuddly animals are always on trend for greeting cards, this year includes an emergence of animals that represent strength, wisdom, and beauty such as elephants, owls, and swans. The use of animals spans multiple cultures, thus eliminating the need to represent each different culture with a unique person on your cards.
Gen Z Speak
For those part of Generation Z—individuals born in 1997 and later—on your greeting card list, it is suggested to look for cards written in “Zoomer Speak” or “Zoomer Slang.” If you are not up-to-date on this language, a quick Google search provides you with several reference tools to brush up before adding these types of greeting cards to your shop.
Dad Jokes
Corny puns and dad jokes remain popular this year, and the goofier, the better! Who doesn’t love a bad (aka great) dad joke?! Puns and dad jokes offer a never ending array of content and illustration options from food to sports to animals and more.
Sustainable Materials
With a growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-conscious living, many greeting card makers are opting for environmentally friendly materials and production methods. Be sure to add to your product listings if your cards are made from recycled paper, biodegradable inks, and sustainable packaging. By using eco-friendly materials, you not only reduce your environmental impact but also appeal to conscientious consumers who prioritize sustainability.
Handcrafted Touches
In an age of digital communication, handcrafted greeting cards offer a personal touch that cannot be replicated by email or text message, which is great news for Etsy greeting card artisans. This spring, embrace the art of handmade cards with unique embellishments such as hand-stitched details, embossed designs, and vintage-inspired elements. Whether you creating cards for Mother’s Day, graduation, or a spring birthday, handcrafted touches add warmth and character to your greetings.
Naked Cards
In the past few years, the trend of naked cakes has been on the rise. Now it is time for the naked greeting card. What is a naked greeting card? It is a card with no envelope and is considered one of the most intriguing trends of 2024.
With concern for the environment continuing to grow, eco-friendly aware consumers are opting for envelope-free cards. The card designs fold into their own self-contained mail-ready shapes and offer an element of surprise when opened by the receiver. Another benefit to the naked greeting card is that it allows the entire card to be filled with the creator’s creativity.
As you work to stock your handmade greeting card shop this spring, consider incorporating these emerging trends into your designs. By adding these new trends to your inventory, you may get the jump on competitors, providing you with a potential boost in sales. These trends offer endless inspiration for creating heartfelt greetings that capture the essence of the season. Embrace the beauty of springtime and spread joy and cheer with your one-of-a-kind greeting cards.