Greeting cards from NGOs still a hit,corporates chip in with bulk orders

“Corporates prefer to purchase season’s greeting cards by NGOs in bulk to distribute to their employees or customers,” says a salesman at Archies Gallery,Deccan Gymkhana. Corporates get special discounts at most of the local Archies outlets on bulk purchases of 300 cards and more. Deshpande says,”We have got bulk orders from 5-6 companies for 500 to 1,000 cards.”

The greeting cards by various NGOs seem to have established a prominent place for themselves in the market which is rapidly being replaced by its virtual counterpart. “Artworks donated by many renowned artists from across the world are printed on the greeting cards by CRY and this is also helps sell the greeting cards. People want to own a piece of priceless art as well as do their little bit of social work by just purchasing a card by an NGO,” says Priya Zutshi,senior manager,Communication,CRY.

“We even use the designs created by children during art workshops organised throughout the year. We provide Archies with the images and designs and they manufacture the greeting cards for us,” adds Zutshi.

A percentage of the proceeds received by the NGOs are reimbursed into the business and the rest is used for the cause they work for.

While most of the world thinks that email is the way to go when it comes to conveying best wishes,there are still those few who prefer purchasing greeting cards from their local gift shop and posting them to friends and family across the globe via postal and courier services. “The touch and feel factor brings with it some authentic sentiments,” says Paridhi Nagar,a student of BCA.

“I buy a packet of cards by an NGO as this is my way of doing some charity this season,” she adds.