Season's Greetings

	Crane's Starcut Cards

As the holiday season is quickly approaching, people are scrambling to get last-minute gifts. Unfortunately, it's easy to forget the most important part: the card.

In the era of email, handwritten letters have almost become extinct. Sending a greeting card gives that personal touch and shows how you value the recipient.

Whether it accompanies a gift or takes the place of one, a holiday card makes an impression -- so it's essential to choose one with care.

A prestigious stationer since 1879, Crane & Co. sells several luxury brands including William Author, Kate Spade, Stacy Claire Boyd and Prentiss Douthit. "[These brands] have a sophisticated, modern look to them," says Karen Gilliland, chief marketing officer.

Crane sells both personalized holiday cards and boxed greeting cards, with and without photos.

The boxed cards ($30) have several seasonal designs to pick from, including engravings of Christmas trees, wreaths, flamingos and pears, and contain 10 cards each.

Personalized cards can make much more of an impact, however, and are significantly more expensive. ...