How to Write Salutations on a Get Well Card

Taking a moment to write a get-well card for a friend or colleague is a thoughtful gesture.

You don't have to be a talented wordsmith to write a get-well card that will encourage and uplift someone who is recovering or suffering from an illness or medical condition. Get-well salutations need not be long or especially intimate; even the simplest of messages will help brighten someone's day and offer encouragement. Writing a meaningful greeting card salutation can be a simple act that will build your relationship and make both you and the recipient glad that you took the time to let him know you care.

Things You'll Need

• Greeting card, blank or with preprinted get-well greeting
• Matching envelope
• Quality pen with black or blue ink
• Postage stamp, if card will be mailed
• Hospital room number or address of recipient

Instructions

Tailor Your Card to the Recipient

1. Take into account the severity of the recipient's illness. You will want to tailor your message's tone to match the gravity of the person's situation. A bad cold may warrant a lighter tone ("Sorry you're sick, hope you're back soon!"), whereas a serious car accident or cancer might warrant a more vaguely worded message that simply expresses your care and concern ("My thoughts are with you during this time.")

2. Consider the personality of the recipient. How you word your message will be related to the person you're writing it for. Is she funny? Silly? Sweet? Sentimental? Morose? A joke should be carefully chosen for recipients who appreciate humor; a poem or poignant quote might be more appropriate for an especially sentimental or introspective friend.

3. Consider how well you know the recipient. You will write a different message for the love of your life than you would for your next-door neighbor whom you only run into at the mailbox. With the one you love, an illness provides an opportunity to reflect on that love and let that person know how important he is to you. For your neighbor, a simple "Hope you're on the mend soon!" may do the trick.

4. Express genuine feelings. Your effort will be appreciated. Even though there may not be much you can do to help, people usually greatly appreciate just knowing that others care about them. You don't have to be sappy or over-the-top to convey your thoughts, a simple "thinking of you" will always suffice .

Tips & Warnings

• Practice writing out your message on a separate sheet of paper first, especially if it's a card you've spent money on or is for someone you don't know very well or whom you'd be embarrassed to have see a "scratch-out."

• Consider including a thoughtful gift, but not one that costs a lot of money. Hallmark Cards suggests an offer of a home-cooked meal or a simple coloring book or magazine to help pass the time.

• Don't feel you need to spend a lot of money on a card. Blank or even hand-made cards with a personal note from you may be more meaningful to the recipient.

• Don't delay. If you think someone might appreciate the card, go ahead and send it. If you don't, you may regret that you didn't, especially if that person passes away.

References

• Hallmark Cards: "Simple Gifts to Cheer Them Up"
• Greetings Direct: Tips for Writing Get Well Cars"