10 Years of GCA’s Thinking of You Week

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Thinking of You Week!

This annual event, which takes place the 3^rd week in September, was born at a UK Greeting Card Association (GCA) Council Meeting and launched in September 2014!

The GCA is the not for profit trade body representing everyone who works in the greeting card industry. As key remit of the GCA is sharing of the joy of sending and receiving cards.

Thinking of you week was inspired by the “heartfelt replies” received by one of the GCA members, Leonard Smith, who sent 40 cards to friends and family during Lent. He reported to the GCA Council member the fantastic response he’s had from people on receiving his cards out of the blue, just to say ‘hello’, share a joke or memory.

The GCA Council discussed how they could encourage others to reach out to people they care about, spreading joy by sending cards without an occasion. Then GCA Council member Amanda Fergusson, who at the time was sales director at Caroline Gardner, later becoming GCA CEO, remembers the meeting well:

There was a real enthusiasm in the room for an idea that resonated with all ages and communities.

We needed an idea that everyone could get involved in and Thinking of You Week was born
Amanda Fergusson, GCA CEO

Benefits of Card Sending!

Sending and receiving handwritten cards creates a physical connection and emotional response, generating positive feelings and wellbeing. The fact that someone has spent the time to make or choose a card write it and send it makes the person feel receiving it feel far more special and cared for than receiving instant texts emails or other social media messages

Cards are displayed in the home, and many are kept for years providing a reminder of the person that has sent them and a special relationship. Greeting cards are also great social history as design and messages change with each generation.

Why Thinking of You Week

Thinking of You Week is a special week that harnesses the emotional power of greeting cards to create a wave of love caring and happiness.

Developed by the UK Greeting Card Association, Thinking of You Week was created as a vehicle to harness and promote the joy of sending and receiving greeting cards. During Thinking of You Week everyone is encouraged to reach out and connect with friends, work colleagues, loved ones and others just to keep in touch, share a joke, share a memory, say ‘hello’ or ‘thinking of you’.

Thinking of You Week is inclusive and free; everyone can join in, cards can be made or bought.

Thinking of You Week builds communities with Greeting Card Association members, publishers, retailers, suppliers to the industry and others developing a range of initiatives under the umbrella that Thinking of You Week provides. The occasion is used to link up and engage local schools, care homes, brownies, scouts, charities and customers to share the joy of cards, through promotions, competitions and connecting different groups of people.

Thinking of You Week happens annually in the 3^rd week in September. Thinking of You Week spreads joy and builds connections by encourages the sending of cards ‘just because’.

Thinking of You Week is inclusive and free; everyone can join in.