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Americans often send "greeting cards" (printed, folded cards with an image on the front and a kind or humorous message printed on the inside) to each other on "special occasions" (holidays and other dates that deserve recognition or celebration), but in recent years "e-cards" or "electronic cards" have become popular. E-cards have many of the same "elements" (parts) of greeting cards, but they can be sent via email and opened on a computer screen. The "recipient" (the person who receives something) can view the image and read text online.

"Nowadays" (in modern times), e-cards are more "sophisticated" (fancy; complex), often with moving images or video and music, as well as opportunities for the recipient to interact with the e-card, perhaps with a simple video game, or even just clicking to open a "present" (gift) and view a message that appears to come from a box or envelope. Sometimes recipients can modify the images on the e-card, for example by inserting their own photograph into the design. And some e-cards are "integrated" (combined) with "gift cards" (a card representing money that can be spent at a particular store).

Most e-cards can be created and sent for free, although some require the sender to be a paying member of a particular website. Some nonprofit organizations have created e-cards that spread important messages, such as the need to "spay and neuter" (sterilize; make it so that an animal cannot reproduce) pets, or the importance of "donating organs" (agreeing to give parts of one's bodies to sick people who need them after one's death).