GCU Community

Observation days are a wonderful way to honor professionals across all kinds of industries—and clergy are no exception. In October, many congregations across the U.S. and beyond celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month, with a special focus on Clergy Appreciation Day (typically the second Sunday of October). Some groups choose to highlight it for a single day, others dedicate a whole week, and some extend it throughout the month. However it’s observed, the purpose remains the same: to thank clergy members for their guidance, leadership, and spiritual care.

Why Clergy Appreciation Cards?

Just like Teacher Appreciation Week or Nurse’s Day, this observance is about showing gratitude to those who dedicate themselves to others. Clergy members—whether pastors, priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, or other faith leaders—often work long hours behind the scenes, providing counseling, comfort, and support. A thoughtful greeting card is a simple but heartfelt way to say, “We see you. We appreciate you. Thank you.”

This is a popular category in the greeting card industry, as many faith communities actively seek ways to express encouragement and thanks to their leaders. GCU artists can fill this need by creating a variety of designs—from reverent and elegant to lighthearted and warm.

Where Your Cards Should Go:

• Holidays >> Occupational Appreciation Observances >> Clergy Appreciation Week / Day (cid#39360)

Card Text Ideas

For Clergy Appreciation Cards
Front:

• “Guiding hearts, lighting paths—thank you.”
• “To a Shepherd with a Servant’s Heart”
• “Happy Clergy Appreciation Day!”
• “Your dedication is a blessing to us all.”
• “Faith. Hope. Leadership. Gratitude.”

Inside:

• “Your ministry makes a difference in so many lives. Thank you for leading with love.”
• “We’re grateful for your wisdom, compassion, and spiritual guidance.”
• “May you feel God’s richest blessings as you continue to bless others.”
• “Your tireless work doesn’t go unnoticed. Wishing you joy this Clergy Appreciation Month.”
• “With deep gratitude for all you do to shepherd, inspire, and encourage.”

For Congregation-Wide Use
Front:

• “From All of Us with Thanks and Blessings”
• “Our Church Family Celebrates You!”

Inside:

• “Your leadership is a gift to our entire congregation. We are so thankful for you.”
• “We celebrate you today with gratitude and love from all of us.”

Design Ideas for Artists

• Symbols of faith: crosses, doves, open Bibles, stained-glass windows, candles.
• Warm, uplifting scenes: sunrise, light shining through trees, hands raised in gratitude.
• Congregational imagery: a church community, group of people showing thanks.
• Simple florals or elegant typographic layouts for a reverent, timeless look.
• Playful or contemporary options: bright colors, hand-lettering, modern minimalism.

Tip for Artists: Since clergy serve across many denominations and faiths, consider offering both general, non-denominational designs and Christian-specific imagery. Cards with a neutral tone can reach a wider audience, while faith-specific designs will resonate deeply with certain buyers.

Happy Designing,

Corrie

Wanted Cards – CDI Week / Clinical Documentation Improvement

If you’ve never heard of CDI Week before, you’re not alone. CDI stands for Clinical Documentation Improvement (or Integrity), and it’s a specialized field within healthcare that focuses on ensuring patient medical records are complete, accurate, and tell the whole story. The professionals in this field—Clinical Documentation Specialists (CDS)—are the unsung heroes behind the charts, bridging the gap between clinicians, coders, and the healthcare system.

Each September, CDI Week shines a light on these dedicated professionals. In 2025, it will be observed September 15–19. This annual celebration recognizes the importance of clear documentation for quality patient care, accurate coding, and proper reimbursement. Think of it as a “thank you” week for the people who keep the paperwork precise and the records reliable.

Why Greeting Cards?

Like nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare pros, Clinical Documentation Specialists deserve recognition too. A thoughtful card can celebrate their hard work during CDI Week, or congratulate them on achieving their CCDS (Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist) certification. These moments are big career milestones and rarely get spotlighted in the greeting card world—meaning a great opportunity for GCU artists to step in and fill the gap.

Where Your Cards Should Go:

• Holidays >> Occupational Appreciation Observances >> Clinical Documentation Improvement / CDI Week / September (cid#39355)
• Occasions >> Congratulations >> Becoming a Licensed / Certified >> Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist / CCDS (cid#39356)

Card Text Ideas

For CDI Week Appreciation Cards
Front:

• “Clear notes. Clean charts. Countless thanks!”
• “Happy CDI Week to the pros who keep it all documented!”
• “Behind every accurate record is a brilliant CDS.”
• “CDI Week: Celebrating those who make every word count.”

Inside:

• “Your dedication ensures patients’ stories are told correctly. Thank you for all you do!”
• “Because of you, the details matter, and patients receive the care they deserve.”
• “Happy CDI Week to a true documentation hero!”
• “You may work behind the charts, but your impact is front and center.”

For CCDS Certification Congratulations
Front:

• “Certified and Documented—Congratulations!”
• “Congrats on becoming a CCDS! You’ve written your success story.”
• “Your expertise is official—CCDS and proud!”
• “Celebrate the codes, the charts, and this career milestone!”

Inside:

• “Congratulations on your CCDS certification—your hard work paid off!”
• “You’ve achieved a credential that proves your dedication. Well done!”
• “Becoming a CCDS is no small feat. Proud of you and your success!”
• “Your career path just got even clearer—congratulations, Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist!”

Design Ideas for Artists

• Medical chart, clipboard, or stethoscope paired with celebratory elements like balloons, confetti, or flowers.
• Fun “documentation humor” (sticky notes, pens, highlighters, checkmarks, tick-boxes).
• Professional and uplifting designs that blend healthcare imagery with warm congratulations.
• Playful word art using acronyms (CDI, CDS, CCDS) integrated into the design.

Tip: Think of CDI Week as similar to Teacher Appreciation Week, but in the healthcare world—cards that are uplifting, fun, or heartfelt will resonate.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Wanted Cards – Congratulations on Your New Plant

Some people collect cats, others collect pillows… and then there are plant lovers. Not to be confused with gardeners (who are out in the dirt, pruning, planting, and weeding), plant lovers are the folks who gush over the newest monstera or can’t resist “just one more” pothos for their living room jungle.

Where gardeners may pride themselves on a flourishing vegetable patch or a bed of roses, plant lovers thrive indoors surrounded by leafy companions, succulents, and trailing vines. They’re the ones who give names to their plants, rotate them for the best light, and proudly show off each new addition as though it’s a new family member.

This love for plants has exploded into a cultural phenomenon—think “plant parent,” “crazy plant lady,” or “indoor jungle curator.” With plants becoming popular gifts (housewarmings, birthdays, self-care splurges), it only makes sense that Greeting Card Universe artists jump on this growing trend. After all, if someone adopts a new puppy or cat, we have a card for that—so why not for a new fern, cactus, or fiddle leaf fig?

That’s why GCU is calling for new cards in this fresh category:

Occasions >> Congratulations >> New Plant (cid#39350)

Whether it’s someone’s very first houseplant or their fiftieth, receiving a card to celebrate their leafy new arrival would be a fun and thoughtful touch.

Card Text Ideas

Front: “Welcome to the jungle… (your living room, that is!)”
Inside: “Congrats on your new plant baby!”

Front: “Leaf it to you to find the cutest new housemate.”
Inside: “Congratulations on your newest green addition!”

Front: “Every home needs a little more chlorophyll.”
Inside: “Congrats on bringing fresh life into your space!”

Front: “Another plant? Of course you needed it!”
Inside: “You can never have too many leaves to love. Congrats!”

Front: “This calls for a plant parent announcement!”
Inside: “Congratulations on your new leafy little one.”

Front: “Rooting for you!”
Inside: “Your new plant couldn’t have found a better home. Congrats!”

Front: “From seedling to superstar.”
Inside: “Here’s to your new green family member—congratulations!”

Front: “Crazy plant person? Nah… you’re just passionate.”
Inside: “Congrats on your latest leafy love!”

Design Tips for Artists

• Illustrations of popular houseplants: monstera, fiddle leaf fig, snake plant, pothos, succulents, cacti.
• Playful typography: use leaf-shaped lettering, hanging vine accents, or pot-shaped text blocks.
• Humorous takes: exaggerate the “crazy plant lover” lifestyle, like an apartment overflowing with greenery or a person juggling dozens of potted plants.
• Cute metaphors: baby announcements, adoption themes, or pet-style humor reimagined for plants.

Here are 10 solid keyword ideas you can use for the new “Congratulations on Your New Plant” category:
plant adoption
plant parent
crazy plant lady
new plant baby
indoor jungle
houseplant lover
green thumb
plant collection
leafy love
potted plant gift

This is a lighthearted, trendy category with tons of pun potential—perfect for fresh designs that will make any plant lover smile.

Happy Designing!

Corrie