Every once in awhile I get handwritten recipe cards featuring a recipe I have requested from a good friend or even a new acquaintance. I invariably file this card into my recipe card box for future reference.

Lately I have been including these recipe cards in my personal cookbook under the section heading “From Friends.” I do this especially if I have not tried the recipe, but want a quick way to find ideas when I need them. If I try the recipe and like it, I move it to the appropriate cookbook section, giving credit to whomever I received it from (see my copyright blog posted previously).

Some of these recipe cards are not just plain old white index cards (like we always used in the old days). Now most of them are custom recipe cards that feature special designs or colors, and sometimes include comments from the recipe card maker.

Here are four ideas for using custom recipe cards:

Home networking parties
If you host any of the popular home marketing parties such as Pampered Chef, Tupperware, PartyLite candles, or Lia Sophia jewelry, you can use custom recipe cards as party favors for your guests. (Never mind that they are fair game for the party consultant to twist their guilt enough to buy a “little something” so you have a good party total and collect free merchandise). Just put a few recipe cards together with a little bow and voila, instant parting gift as they happily walk out the door.

Business giveaways
Another great way to use recipe cards is for marketing a business. You can print a recipe on one side of the recipe card and any other marketing message on the other. These can be handed out on counter displays, or as direct mailers to local households. Door-to-door salespeople can also use these for their “door knocking” sales promotions as leave behind mementos.

Christmas card inserts
What a wonderful way to keep in touch and share warm wishes during the holidays. Insert a recipe card with your favorite cinnamon bun recipe inside your holiday card this coming Christmas, and expect to hear praises from all recipients (at least they may reciprocate by sending a card back to you).  Including a custom recipe card is nice, and sometimes more appreciated than the odious “Christmas letter.”

Hostess ‘thank yous’
A few recipe cards tied into a bundle are a lovely way to say thanks to a hostess for a dinner party or short stay-over (not more than 3 days!). These small remembrances are especially welcome when accompanied by some or all of the main ingredients needed to make the recipe, such as chocolate chips or pecans for a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.

 
Interested in learning more about making recipe cards?  In my cookbook software, we offer design templates for recipe cards in both 3″ x 5″ or 4″ x 6″ formats. These are great to print and keep, or to give away.  See how Matilda’s Fantastic Cookbook Software can help you make a cookbook or make recipe cards for friends and family.

If you enjoyed this article, you might check out:
• Blank Recipe Cards vs The Cranky Granny
• Matildas Fantastic Coobkook Software 4.0 Released!
• Don’t Plan a Cookbook For Your Wedding. Plan a Wedding Cookbook.

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