St Patrick's Day is coming soon .................so who was this dude and what is all the fuss about...???? . even if you are not Irish you should still celebrate.   At least send somebody a card or party pack 

Patrick was almost certainly born before the end of the Roman rule in Britain (400AD), probably in the southwest of England (though the north, Wales and Scotland have all made claims!). Various biographers suggest his given name was Sochet but all that is known for sure is that he refers to himself as Patricius, a Roman name of which Patrick is the anglicized version. Calpornious, Patrick’s father, was a deacon who was involved in tax raising so Patrick’s childhood, growing up in a large Roman Villa, would have been very comfortable. In his confession, Patrick wrote ‘according to the World’s reckoning, I was a gentleman’. Disaster struck at the age of 15. With the roman influence fading, raiders from Ireland were able to develop a thriving slave trade. Such a raiding group took Patrick back to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd. It is believed he lived and worked on he slopes of the imposing Slemish Mountain in County Antrim.

After six years, Patrick dreamed of a message from an angel called Victoricus, who urged him to escape his master. Patrick traveled nearly 200 miles – probably to Waterford – where he completed his escape back to England. Back home, he trained as a priest and within a decade had become a Bishop. Then he had another vision of Victoricus - this time carrying letters. One of these, titled ‘the voice of the Irish’ begged him to come to Ireland (although whether he went of his own accord or was sent by the church is unclear).

Patrick probably landed in Ireland in 432AD. It was at the spot where the Slaney River flows into Strangford Lough in County Down. Patrick was politically astute and charismatic and knew the importance of having influential friends. His first conversion was Dichu, the local chieftain and brother of the High King of Ulster. In a barn donated by Dichu, Patrick preached his first sermon in Ireland. Today, on this site at Saul (Sabhal, pronounced Saul, is the Irish for barn) stands a much visited stone replica (built in 1936) of an early church with a round tower.

How far Patrick traveled in Ireland and how many souls he converted can only be guessed at. In his confession, he claims to have baptized many thousands. But Ulster was the real base of his work. Especially the area around Downpatrick and Armagh.

It is difficult to be precise about the exact year of his death although March 17 is given as the date. It was most probably between 460AD and 490AD. The legend of Saint Patrick grew quickly after his death. In 688AD the Book of Armagh placed that city at the center of the growing cult of Patrick and he was elevated to the status of national apostle, interceding in heaven on behalf of the Irish. The Book of Armagh directed all monasteries and churches in Ireland to honor his memory on March 17. 1607 marked the day marked on the Irish legal calendar. Now it is officially Saint Patrick’s Day.

Patrick was almost certainly born before the end of the Roman rule in Britain (400AD), probably in the southwest of England (though the north, Wales and Scotland have all made claims!). Various biographers suggest his given name was Sochet but all that is known for sure is that he refers to himself as Patricius, a Roman name of which Patrick is the anglicized version.

Calpornious, Patrick’s father, was a deacon who was involved in tax raising so Patrick’s childhood, growing up in a large Roman Villa, would have been very comfortable. In his confession, Patrick wrote ‘according to the World’s reckoning, I was a gentleman’.

Disaster struck at the age of 15. With the roman influence fading, raiders from Ireland were able to develop a thriving slave trade. Such a raiding group took Patrick back to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd. It is believed he lived and worked on he slopes of the imposing Slemish Mountain in County Antrim.

After six years, Patrick dreamed of a message from an angel called Victoricus, who urged him to escape his master. Patrick traveled nearly 200 miles – probably to Waterford – where he completed his escape back to England. Back home, he trained as a priest and within a decade had become a Bishop.
Then he had another vision of Victoricus - this time carrying letters. One of these, titled ‘the voice of the Irish’ begged him to come to Ireland (although whether he went of his own accord or was sent by the church is unclear).

Patrick probably landed in Ireland in 432AD. It was at the spot where the Slaney River flows into Strangford Lough in County Down. Patrick was politically astute and charismatic and knew the importance of having influential friends. His first conversion was Dichu, the local chieftain and brother of the High King of Ulster. In a barn donated by Dichu, Patrick preached his first sermon in Ireland. Today, on this site at Saul (Sabhal, pronounced Saul, is the Irish for barn) stands a much visited stone replica (built in 1936) of an early church with a round tower.

It is difficult to be precise about the exact year of his death although March 17 is given as the date. It was most probably between 460AD and 490AD. The legend of Saint Patrick grew quickly after his death. In 688AD the Book of Armagh placed that city at the center of the growing cult of Patrick and he was elevated to the status of national apostle, interceding in heaven on behalf of the Irish. The Book of Armagh directed all monasteries and churches in Ireland to honor his memory on March 17. 1607 marked the day marked on the Irish legal calendar. Now it is officially Saint Patrick’s Day.

Mothers Day

Mother's Day is Sunday 10th March, 2013

History of Mother's day in Ireland

The history of celebrating Mother's Day in Ireland can be traced to medieval times where children from poor families were sent to work as domestic servants and apprentices in rich homes.
Once a year, in the middle of the Lent, the children were given one day off to visit their 'Mother Church' and worship the Virgin Mary at special masses which would be held in honour of Mary, the Mother of Christ.
After visiting the Mother Church or Cathedral of their home town these children visited their mothers and presented them with flowers they picked along the way.
The practice died out in Ireland around the late 18th century but was revived - with help from the Americans - after World War II.

Mother's day is a day when we spoil our Mums.  When we remind them of how much we care about them.  Its their special day, mother's day a day to celebrate all our fantastic mums. 

log on to www.cardscomplete.ie and look at our mother's day cards and mother's day gifts.  We have some really nice mother's day gift ideas.

Mothers sayings quotes

 1. “Sure who’ll be looking at ya anyway?”
2. “Don’t leave the house without clean underwear, in case you get run over by a bus”
3. “Be grateful for your own lot”
4. “Your health is your wealth”
5. “It’s not considered a cup of tea unless there is milk in it”
6. “I would give you the bit out of my mouth"
7. “Those potatoes are balls of flower”
8. “Never go to a house with one arm as long as the other”.
9. “I will wash your mouth out with soap”
10. “Eat everything on that plate”

Valentine's Day

What’s in a kiss?                     What is love? What is Valentine’s Day all about? 

There is no doubt there is a commercial side to Valentine’s day, flowers, chocolates, a card, a small gift and the question what will I get him? What will I get her?  Well I am a pure romantic and I am married to the most un romantic guy in Ireland, I would say, or am I? because I asked myself the question is he romantic? and I automatically say no because, he does not buy me flowers,  he forgets our anniversary, etc. I once got a card on valentine’s day that said happy birthday, he pretended he saw that and said he liked the verse but I know what happened, it had a heart on it, it said love and wife and that’s all that mattered. 

Romance is not just about buying gifts, it is thinking about the other person, it is the time when he knows you are just so tired,  he makes the dinner and brings it in by the fire to you, it is when he buys your favourite biscuit for your cup of tea, it’s when you are at your lowest and he puts his arms around you and says ‘I’m still here and I will be forever’ so why do we need Valentine’s day?  My opinion about Valentine’s day,  is, so  we can Stop for just one moment and think about the person we love and give them a little bit of attention, we are running and racing through our lives, we are scrimping and saving there is pressure from every side you turn and this is the time to say   we are Still Here, we are together and we still love each other and I am sorry if I forgot to say it but I am saying it today. 

So I thought about putting together gift boxes that would contain a variety  of things so that you can enjoy not only on valentine’s day but for months afterwards, so if you are going to buy a gift, it is a bit of luxury but also something that you would like and can use.  Why did I pick the products in the box? Easy, they are good quality and they are Irish and they are growing Irish companies and because  however small I am now I am still supporting local people and the quality is superb. 

So no matter how big or small your gift will be to your loved one on valentine’s day, just remember what it is all about, it is about giving a little attention to the one you love, it is about showing just how much you care, it does not have to be a big present, it just has to be heartfelt and if you are going to buy a gift then look at www.cardscomplete.ie and if you like what we have buy it.   

Cards Complete is based in Blarney Co. Cork, it is an online business that started in May 2012.  If you don’t want to order your gift box through the internet then phone us and we will put it through for you our number is 087-6630192.  Cards Complete have valentine cards, flowers, gift boxes, handcrafted irish jewellery available on www.cardscomplete.ie We are adding to our range all the time.  We will have ideas for mother’s day and Patrick’s day available soon.  A full list of each box, their contents and pricing are available at our gifts section

Why do people send Christmas cards?

There are a number of reasons, it might be the only time of the year that you sit down and write a message to someone
It might be a way for you as a business person to say 'Thank you and best wishes at this time'

You might be a person that does not agree with them and think they are a waste of money.

What do we at Cards Complete Think?
Of course we are going to say we think it is a good idea to send Christmas Cards, it is our business but we would not be doing this if we did not think it was a nice idea. Someone said to me once, owning your own business is hard so you must have a passion for it to get you through the tough times. Well they were right, I love what I do and I love that what I do makes people feel better, that I send your sentiments, your wishes to your friends, loved ones and family.

(1) as a business do you get cards printed with your signatures included?  how much difference do you think it would make if you actually thought about the person you were sending a card to and sent a personal hand written message.  You don't have the time you say, well why don't you try it, send a card with a personal message handwritten and see if anything comes back form it. If I am wrong and the receiver does not appreciate it then tell me. If I am right and the receiver was happy to receive something that some thought and effort went into then let me know that too

(2)what about sending your employees a hand written card and say something nice in it. How much do you think this would mean to that person.  Hi Mary, Thanks for your work and dedication during the year, lets all keep working hard together and hopefully we will be successful together.  What do you think this would do? 

(3)I love to see the handwritten card coming at Christmas. Sometimes there is a photo inside or just a bit of news from someone that maybe I have not spoken to all year but I still have fond memories off. Maybe someone I went to school with but now lives somewhere else and the only time we get a little sneak peak of how they are doing in life is with their Christmas card.

So although Cards Complete would love if you sent your Christmas Cards through us or bought our lovely Christmas Cards and wrote them yourself, the best thing for us is that You SEND THAT CHRISTMAS CARD, you put some thought into it and you let people know you mean something to them.
and after all that Why don't you tell us what you feel about Christmas cards.  We would really love to know

Christmas Cards

We have just put up our full range of Christmas cards which includes our own designed Christmas Cards.  These cards are of Irish scenery mainly Cork/Kerry region and of course with Blarney Castle featuring in them since Cards Complete is Based in Blarney Co. Cork.

Just another example of our Christmas Cards is Killarney Golf Course

You can have the card sent directly to you for you to write and post or you can type in your message and we will hand write and post your cards for you.

Don't forget also our Miss U Box to send for Christmas

Miss U Gift Box Press Release

Miss U Gift Box

We all want those we love, who live in the far flung regions of the world, to know that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that out of sight is definitely not out of mind. Well what better way to say ''I miss you, I'm thinking of you, I love you '' than with a MissYou Gift Box? 

With its singular ambition to put a happy smile on thousands of faces all over the world, the new Miss You Box, is the most recent brainchild of a young Cork company called ''Cards Complete''. This box essentially contains an assortment of scrumptious goodies, evoking the wonderful tastes and memories of home. Choose from an extensive content menu such as: Tayto Crisps, Dairymilk Chocolate, Barry's Tea,  Knorr Curry Sauce,  Ballymaloe Relish, and for something a little stronger, add in a bottle of Jamesons and Bailey's. All wonderful produce that of course we take for granted at home, but which means so much more to your loved ones living abroad. 

The Miss You Gift Box also reflects our celebratory seasons. With Christmas not too far off,  the Christmas Miss U Box will include an Irish Decoration for that Christmas Tree in a far off land, Roses chocolates, chocolate Santa and a chocolate wish ensuring the spirit of a real Irish Christmas prevails, no matter where the home is! 

So if you're missing someone and know they are missing home, bring everyone a little closer with a Miss You Box . They can of course enjoy the contents whenever suits, but maybe suggest waiting until the wind is howling and the rain is plummeting. They should then draw the curtains, light the fire, get cosy on the sofa and open the Taytos! 

Pricing is €28.99 per box with 2 different varieties, with or without the alcohol but with more sweets and the Christmas version at €45.99. Ships worldwide postage of €10.75 to UK and €17 to Rest of World. 

The Miss You Box is not the only product from ''Cards Complete''. An up and coming player in the Gifts and Greeting industry, Cards Complete offers a unique online service, allowing you to order greeting cards for any occasion. You simply choose your card, compose your message and Cards Complete will beautifully hand write and post the card for you. In this age of instant technology, receiving a handwritten card through the post is more appreciated than ever. As well as sending a card, Cards Complete can also send Flowers, a Gift Cheque or a Photograph. And best of all for those of us who forget about birthdays etc. there is a free on line reminder service, just login, become a member and put in dates that are important to you and 2 weeks before that special day Cards Complete will send you a reminder.  Go to www.cardscomplete.ie   for further details on all services offered by Cards Complete.

Christmas Miss U Box

The Miss U Gift box is going well and we are delighted to say we have now got a Christmas Miss U Box.

There are now 4 types of Miss U Box
(1)Miss U with alcohol
(2)Miss U without alcohol
(3)Christmas Miss U with alcohol
(4)Christmas Miss U without alcohol

You will find a full list of contents on our website but below is our No 3 Christmas Miss U Box with alcohol
You can order now but you can have it sent at anytime.  You should order at least 10 days before you want it delivered.

Price for Christmas Miss U Box is €45.99 plus postage.  It includes all from Miss U Box (1) with extra added
Newbridge decoration
Chocolate Santa
Chocolate Wishes
Roses