We Love These Cards

When we go through the rigorous process of judging all the card submissions, we are looking at the cards from every which way. In the end, the winning cards are those that had that extra something special, the extra *zing*, if you will, and that special something is different for each card.

Visit the winners' gallery and check out our team's comments on each winning Birthday His Way card. Leave your own comments for the winners, too. They'd love to know what you think of their card creations.

Lawyers Love a Good Fart Joke

Judging time is one of our favorite weeks, but we couldn't keep all the fun to ourselves. We invited our lawyers to the party. And it looks like they showed up in matching outfits. Think they planned that? Don't let their business attire fool you. These two were laughing like teenage boys at all your guy-friendly jokes involving bodily functions. Thanks to all of you responsible for such potty humor. You know who you are.




This is where the magic happens, our tiny judging chamber. We had juuust enough room to fit our judges and your submissions. You're getting a rare glimpse at the room with the door open. Usually it's closed to muffle any chatting, laughing or arguing over the contending cards.




Hmmm...will it be this one or that one? Sometimes it comes down to one vote. Too bad we missed a great arm wrestling shot.




When all the arguments have been settled and the lawyers have been thoroughly amused, we finally arrive at our 30 online winners! Here they are, all blurry-like. You'll get to see all 30 unblurred when we announce the online winners November 2.

Reviewing Birthday His Way Submissions...

As you can see from the facial expressions above, reviewing your submissions is serious business. We lock ourselves in our tiny meeting room with nothing but your card entries and our snacks to aid the process. Then, we have a careful look at each entry on our giant screen. We look, we read, we laugh, we say "awww." It's one emotional experience. And the longer it goes on, the goofier we get.

Look forward to more updates on our reviewing and judging process throughout the next few weeks. They're sure to include more photos, random quotes from the team, fun hints about standout entries, etc. If you haven't submitted your card yet, what are you waiting for? We wanna see it!

Don't miss the up-to-the-minute action on Facebook and Twitter, either.

Insider Advice From Our Man, Scott...

Since the newest contest is Birthday His Way, we couldn't miss out on an opportunity to give you card-making advice straight from the one and only guy on our team, Scott.  He's chock-full of insights about what kinds of cards men like.  At least the kinds of cards he likes.  Take 'em or leave 'em, folks.

What kinds of cards do you like to get?

The kind of card I like depends on who's giving it to me.  If it's from my kids, I want it to make them laugh, 'cuz hey, that makes me laugh.  If it's from my wife, I like a sweet card.  If it's from my friends, I usually like a funny card.  

What kind of cards do you get your dad?

It's different every time.  Sometimes funny.  Usually I like to pick a card that tells him what a great dad he is. You know, deep, but not too deep.

Have you gotten any memorable cards lately? 

Yeah, cards from my wife that speak from the heart.  

Care to tell us more about those mushy cards, you old softy?

Uhhh, no.

How do you feel about kittens, rainbows and unicorns?  

I like kittens.  I don't like rainbows.  Unicorns are pretty sexy.  If I got a card with a unicorn on it, I'd laugh.

Any other advice for the Birthday His Way card creators out there?  

*Don't feel locked into guy stereotypes.  Not every man loooooves beer.

*Walking the fine line between funny and crude can be harder than it seems.  Tread carefully.

*Inside jokes aren't usually as funny as they seem to you and your closest buddies.  Try 'em out on a few strangers before you submit them.

Well, you heard it here first, folks.  Send Scott a unicorn card and you'll get a laugh out of him.  We'll all get a laugh, in fact.  

Announcing Our Newest Contest...Birthday His Way!

Now you're all in on the secret. And we're glad. We didn't think we could hold it in much longer.

Birthday His Way is your chance to whip up a birthday card that's just for the guys. You need not be a guy to enter, although you can be. We're not exclusive. And since all guys are different, feel free to enter a card that's funny, sweet, celebratory or irreverent. Take your pick.

Whatever you do, get your card in before it's too late. We'll accept submissions from 12:00 a.m., CT Monday, September 7 through 11:59 p.m., CT Sunday, September 20. No squeakin' in after the deadline, either.

Just in case you're the curious sort and want to see a little further into the future, have a look-see at the rest of the Birthday His Way contest dates:

Online Winners Announced: 11/2/09

Buy Online: 11/2/09

In-Store Winners Announced: 4/19/09

Buy In Stores: 6/21/10

Please, oh please don't think twice about asking any questions you've got about the contest in the comments section of this here blog entry. I'm here to help (and do other stuff).