It’s official, Christmas cards are still a thing. Despite and perhaps because of the 21st century digital age, actually writing and sending a traditional card has acquired something of a cachet in the same way that fountain pens have been awarded a whole new status in the age when people do nothing but type and personalised postcards are also now making a revival – look at Postable amongst many other apps. Writing? Imagine that! So how special therefore is a handwritten and uniquely personalised Christmas card?
In the days of mass production of almost everything, there is a real trend towards the artisan, the one-off, the handmade and the hand-painted and so many people are turning to buy from small, local designers and makers or even producing their own cards rather than opting for mass-produced commercial cards. Folding paper cards and the art of using paper has experienced a new lease of life and also, millennials have been driving the trend with bespoke photo cards which they just can’t get enough of, using modern technology to create and send but ultimately converting it into a solid paper and card item in the recipient’s hand. Sending special cards is a lost art that people have just rediscovered and Christmas cards are no exception to this.
Here are some ways that you can personalise and individualise your Christmas cards for 2020. So instead of reaching for that standard box set in the supermarket or your usual charity purchase (you can buy other items from their gift range or make a donation to support them) why not put this time on your hands to good use and get creative.
Everyone does it from the Prime Minister down, the well-chosen photo converted into a card never fails to win and it’s just so easy to do these days. Numerous online companies will take your photo and convert it for or you can just print it out yourself at home and spend a happy time creating a handmade card with your uniquely designed border and decoration. There are lots of simple online software tools that can help you make the perfect creation on your laptop ready to send to your printer and the great thing with this is that you can produce a range of cards for different family members, friends and work colleagues. Just make sure you don’t muddle them up!
If you want to get really fancy, then why not try a collage? This is a bit like a calendar on a card – just pick your favourite photos from throughout the year and either cut and stick them to combine or use an online tool to create a stunning tableau before you print it off.
Another lovely idea is the photo jigsaw, just a small one and there are lots of companies on the internet who make these. Use a festive photo or a favourite photo which you can have made into a puzzle and then either make the jigsaw and set it into a card or just send the pieces for the recipient to make. Use a software tool to add a festive greeting to your photo before you send it off to be made into a puzzle. What a lovely surprise for children to make and it isn’t just children who like this sort of thing either. These can make very special little gifts on the Christmas dining table for each place setting too.
Handmade cards
There is nothing as personal as making a gift for someone else and you don’t have to be particularly ‘crafty’ to make stunning Christmas cards with plenty of online tutorials and design templates to help and inspire.
Crafting is a hugely popular trend and the range of materials available to make Christmas cards is completely eye-watering. This is also a great activity for bored children and even bored adults and there are plenty of those around at the moment. Why not make all your 2020 Christmas cards with your kids and get ahead this year? Relatives, in particular grandparents, just love a card that has been handmade for them by a special person; it shows a love and care that a simple handwritten message in a commercial card just can’t compete with.
You can be as ambitious as you like. Some of the simplest designs look the best on the ‘less is more’ basis but if you want to get clever with paper folding then there are some great ideas out there. You don’t need a creative bone as someone else has done all the thinking for you – you just need some time, a little bit of patience and some application. Making cards is like making puzzles, contemplative and peaceful but also incredibly sociable so a great family activity to get everyone involved in during these current strange times. And it’s nice to look ahead to a time when things might be a little more normal like this Christmas, a chance for families and friends to potentially get together again and really celebrate.
Some of the nicest cards are a mixture of a pre-printed design and some decoupage – that’s just a posh word for cutting things out and sticking them on – but you can also employ this technique with a photograph and use a crafted handmade border to offset a lovely family image. So the mix and match ideas, a cherished family image with some craft additions can also look very special.
Block printing
This a great method for very little people who lack the coordination and application to craft a card and you can colour some of these in as well so it becomes a fun activity. Block prints are a nice way to decorate envelopes as well. You don’t have to spend a fortune, you make a simple potato stamp with just a bit of input on the image from mum and dad to make the initial design.
However you decide to personalise your Christmas cards, a mixture of online inspiration and software tools plus a thriving crafting industry means it has never been easier to create a card that is truly unique and personal.
