Bored with Christmas Cards? Try Something Else This Year....

We've all been there.. come December 15th, the office party planner drops a holiday card on your desk.  Your heart melts (because someone was thinking of you) and your stomach drops (because you procrastinated too long to reciprocate).  But it's all for naught because as soon as you look up from your desk, you see the flying figure move on to drop off a similarly- sized envelope at the next desk.  Which has been empty.  For 3 months.

Nothing is worst than realizing that you're not special, after all---except the feeling you get when you open the card and all you see inside is a doodle of a signature which you know is not how your co-worker signs her name.

Cynicism and rantings aside, my point is this:  I love holiday cards.  I love what they stand for, what they mean to someone when they receive them, and the fact that, at least once a year, we are all expected to like each other enough to put pen to paper how we feel about each other.  With that in mind this is what I decided for myself:

If you are set on keeping alive the tradition of Sending Holiday Cards, Do it Right!

Here are a few tips I've used throghout the years that I am sure will work for you.    

These are some of my own designs.

Worried about using too much paper? Try Jumbo Gift Tags

• This reduces the amount of paper you use, but still gives you some space for a nice short message. 
• You can find some really intricate handmade designs on online retailers like etsy.com, artfire.com, and storenvy.com.  Go ahead and click, these go to search results for "gift tags" on each site.
• You can try gift tags that also serve as ornaments. 
• Example: Dcycledthings on Etsy made some cute bear hang tags that are each different and would look great on a country-themed Christmas tree. These are awesome for kids who don't quite like reading anyway.  

Buy Handmade Cards for a Selected Few and send E-greetings to the Rest

• Most sites allow you choose when the card gets emailed out, which allows you to pick the card way before you get too busy with other holiday priorities. 
• Most sites also allow you to pick from your existing list of contacts from your Yahoo! Mail or Gmail. 
• Try a less popular site so that you're more likely to find something unique. I like bluemountain.com.  Been with them for years.  

Made by RocketInk on Etsy.

For the Frugal Folk, Substitute Cards for Gifts or Turn Gifts into Cards

Make sure that the card is special, unique, and does double duty. A few examples:Buy an artistic card that is so beautiful that it can be framed and placed on the mantle year-round. 

• To make the gift complete, add frame to go with the card.  
• A good size is a 5x7 card that fits into an 8x10 frame with matting.  
• It will take a while to find a card that is versatile enough to say "holiday" and "year-round," but remember, this is basically your entire holiday shopping for that person, so take the time to find something special for that person. 
• Example:  Check out this card by RocketInk on Etsy. It's a beautiful design of a town-scape, with a holiday message, but the design overpowers the message and would look great on anyone's wall, year-round. 
• Example: Pardon the plug, but this is usually what I keep in mind when designing my own holiday cards.  This card would look great in a room with a Paris theme, for example.
• Buy a journal, and decorate a page with a few holiday stickers and your own sentiment.  
• You could also add a bookplate to the journal, instead of using a page.  
• A set of 3 journals is optimal, but only add a message to the first.  
• Buy a calendar, and find a meaningful date onto which to write a message.  
• It could be a message of thanks for something that occured the year prior on that same date.
• Or, it could be the date when you first met, and your sentiments about your friendship.  
• It could also be a key date in your future, like when you'll go on a trip together.
• Don't be afraid to use post-its, just color match them to your gift wrapping.  You could also use holiday-themed post-its.  

Made by 625Paper on Storenvy.

Why not send a Postcard?

• Example:  625paper on Storenvy has this beautiful set of postcards that I am sure will inspire you.

Finally, Forego Cards and Send a Letter Instead

• Again, do this for a selected few. 
• It's OK to type out the letter.  
• Think about nice things someone has done for your this year. Go chronologically. This is also the best way to put together a list. If someone does not show up in this trip down memory lane, send them an e-greeting instead. 
• Always use at least one of the following: nice paper, a nice envelope, pre-printed holiday stationery, or a holiday sticker to seal the envelope. 
• Sign the letter by hand!

Whatever you choose to do

Remember that you should do at least one of the following to make your loved ones feel special:

1. Write a long, heartfelt message.
2. Give a unique card / art print / gift tag / postcard.
3. Don't do exactly the same thing for someone else in their circle of friends.  Vary something!

Happy Writing!