And now, time for a little rant!

I visit my local Hallmark store once a month and stock up on all my greeting card needs for that month.  It's a little trick I do to keep me organized and ready to go when I need to mail birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc. with enough time to get them where they need to go.

Within the past month, my Hallmark store has undergone a transformation.  The store is no longer full of cards.  It is now filled with almost everything else.  This Hallmark store now carries Pillow Pets (really?, yes, really).  It now carries flip flops.  It has an assortment of clothing.  You've got to be kidding me!

The card section occupies a measly 1/4 of the space.  They've condensed all their cards and made room for everything else.  It is crazy!  I am all for change and keeping up with the times, but this seems like a bit much.  People go to Hallmark to buy greeting cards, not a purse. 

I made a comment at check-out that their card selection now rivals what you can find at a grocery store.  The woman just looked at me and made a face.  Really, my Safeway across the street or Wegman's down the road offers just as many cards as this Hallmark does now. 

Maybe I am off the mark here, but I really wish Hallmark would stick with their brand and excel in what they know.  I was all for moving ahead with the times and making sound-enabled cards.  Heck, I even paid the $5.00 a card more than a few times and sent them to people.  I am all for them making recordable, personalized cards.  And by all means,  please sell stationary, frames, and photo albums.  That all seems to be in line with the greeting card industry.  But coffee mugs?  Or bags?  Or dishes?  Really?

And that folks, is my rant for the day.