How to Send a Hip E-Card

Everybody agrees that E-cards are genius--and the perfect impromptu way to send something sparkly to a friend, family member or crush--but it's hard to find free versions that are hipper than what your mom would send. Here's how to send the cooler versions.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Recipient's email address
• Photo to personalize with (extra credit)
• A good sense of humor

Instructions

1. 

   Think about what you want to say or celebrate. It doesn't have to be in honor of an "official" holiday or for a traditional reason. Celebrate occasions, real or imagined--birthdays, holidays, new jobs, broken hearts, tattoo removals, student loan payoffs, new apartment, changing hair color, kicking the smoking habit, record company signings--you name it.

2. Google keywords "hip E-cards" and cruise through the sites to find cool, sassy treasures. My favorite site is Hipster Cards (see Resources below). They have "birthday freak out" cards," "off you go" versions for officemates leaving the cubicle and "save the green candy for me" St. Patrick's Day cards!

3. Use the E-card as an excuse to get together in real life with the recipient. It doesn't have to be complicated, just a quick social excursion. For example, if you send a "congratulations on your new job" card, invite the new exec out for coffee cup shopping and a summit to help them imagine new passwords for their office computer--and I mean really good ones!

4. 

   Make it a tradition to send your social circle the most clever E-cards you can find. It will give you an excuse to reach out and plan simple, silly, fun get-togethers.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your E-cards are unique and clever; you don't want your friends to put you in the "chain letter, not another joke thread" category.

Resources

• Hipster Cards