Traditions of the Handkerchief, Greeting Card, and Hanky Gift Card Umbrella Creations, Inc.
Handkerchiefs have been woven with threads of sentiment, intrigue, and romance since the first century BC when used by the highest social and ruling class as a fashion luxury. In Pathos, Cypress, birthplace of Aphrodite, there is a sacred tree at the entrance to Agia Solomoni Church where people still hang handkerchiefs in hopes of wishes coming true such as finding healing or true love. Marie Antoinette was so enamoured by the beauty of the square handkerchief, that Louise XVI decreed that all hankies be made square. In many communities, elaborately decorated handkerchiefs were exchanged as symbols of betrothal. Personalized with names, dates or locations, hankies were also sent as remembrances between those separated by distance and war.
Greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese and early Egyptians. “During World War II, the industry rallied for the war effort, helping the government sell war bonds and providing cards for the soldiers overseas” (Greeting Card Association). This practice continues today with “Operation Heartfelt Thanks”. Exhibitors and attendees at the National Stationery Show (NSS) are given the opportunity to write messages of thanks and encouragement to service men and women. Following the Show, the cards are sent to the California-based charitable organization A Million Thanks, which then distributes the greetings to active service members in the United States and abroad, as well as to wounded soldiers and veterans. This initiative is timed to coincide with National Military Appreciation Month. Umbrella Creations is honoured to be part of this NSS program.
Hanky Greeting Cards became more popular during the 1940's and 1950's when a handkerchief and a greeting card were combined to reflect the sentiment of an occasion. In the 1980's the casual greeting card gained in popularity, being sent for no particular occasion other than to let a person know you were thinking of them. The tradition of combining a hanky and card has been revived by Umbrella Creations in our lines of Hanky Gift Cards for all occasions and sentiments. The original lines created by Louise are the Hanky Whisper, Hanky Flirtation and Swanky Hanky Bonnet. Umbrella Creations innovative product line continues to grow and Louise has recently introduced the Embracing Hope Hanky Gift Card which has been created to continue the tradition of the sentiment greeting card. Embracing Hope is a token of love and support, for anyone, for any reason.
