Most Internet folks love to send and receive free online greeting cards. You can find sites for sending virtual birthday cakes or multimedia cards complete with animation and sound.

One of my favorite sites is Virtual Presents. Instead of sending a card, you can send something a little different, like a virtual elephant. Send the man who has everything a virtual monkey wrench (how exciting). Or, send a friend who's dieting a virtual apple pie, with no calories!

At Internet Card Central, you'll find a comprehensive listing of card sites all over the Internet. Browse the site by occasion, such as anniversary, birthday, love, or Jewish holidays. Or, browse by subject, such as kids' sites, sports, or travel cards. You can even browse by card features, like animation or music.

What about a site that offers international postcards? At Electronic Postcards from Around the World, you can view postcard ideas by country, or even send an Olympic card.

Now here's a great site! Cyber-Heaven offers adorable cards in a variety of subjects, such as Chinese New Year, Belated Birthday, or even "Will you marry me?" Send a business greeting card, or a bouquet of virtual flowers.

Do you have a friend who's a Beanie Babies fan? If so, stop by Ty's Teenie Beanie Babies and send your friend a virtual gift.

A site that offers an endless listing of free e-mail greeting cards is the Free E-Card Links site. Out to the side of each link are a few descriptive words about that site, which is very helpful.

Awesome Cyber Cards is one of the best greeting card sites on the Web. The site even features awards you can send your friends, like "Friend of the Year," or "Outstanding Techie." Since Valentine's Day is coming up, be sure to stop by their Awesome Valentine section.

If you can make it past all of the adorable Teddy Bears, you'll find the greeting card section of Bear Island adorable. Send a friend a CyBEAR Gram, maybe a little brown bear hugging a vase of red roses. Pick an occasion, like "Thinking of You," select your own music, like "Betty Davis Eyes," and you're on your way to a very unique greeting card!

At the Fat Cat Cafe, scroll down past the Chatter Box chat room and the For Kids Only spot. Try to make it past the Cyber Arcade, for a little while anyway, and you'll see the free Cyber Postcard section. Send a Disney card, or maybe a Looney Tunes card, or any of the other delightful categories, and have fun!

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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