Homemade Christmas Cards

Christmas is just around the corner and soon it will be time to send out warm Christmas greeting to all our friends and loved ones. I have to be honest though, there are very few cards on the market that seem to be worth buying. Either they are too politically correct, too “cheap”, too gaudy, or too expensive – and rarely are they personal. In fact, up until a few years ago, I never sent out Christmas cards for those very reasons. But then I felt guilty because of all the people who thought of me and sent me a card, but didn’t receive one in return. So the girls (my daughters) and I got creative. We went on a Hobby Lobby spending spree, when they were having a 50% off sale of course, and bought some scrapbooking paper with Christmas designs on them. With our paper, fun cutty scissors (you know, the kind that make cute edges), markers, glitter, and glue at hand we made all our own cards. Every one was different and it was a lot of fun to decide which one we would send to each of our friends or family members. It felt very personal and meaningful. And it was a big hit! Everyone loved them. So much so in fact that we make all our own cards now, for birthdays, anniversaries, and every special occasion. Sometimes we get into a card making mood an we’ll sit at the table for an hour or so and put a few cards together and then just stick them in a drawer so that they are waiting for us when we need one. And often times I’ll get an idea for a card that would be exactly perfect for so-and-so’s next birthday, even though it isn’t for another five months, and I’ll go ahead and make it and set it aside. There are so many benefits to making our own cards: it is a fun activity I can do with my girls, it is more personal that picking up a card at the store, and it is also less expensive than buying cards. This year each card will run me $0.24 a card plus an envelope! So head on over to a shop that carries some colored card stock and get creative!