By Marianne Jackson
Christmas cards come every year. You put them on the mantle and the TV or the refrigerator. At times, this is the only source of communication you have with some family members or friends. Yet the busier we get, the more the Christmas card seems to end up being a chore on a to-do list. It would be nice to make a unique card which will convey your warm wishes and impart news to your loved one. Using a little more time and some creativity this can be accomplished.
Adding a family portrait to a Christmas card is an old idea, but a great one. It allows the recipient to see how you have changed, especially if you have children. To build on this, why not skip the family portrait and go for things that focus on your real life instead. Pictures of your family vacation, the trip to the zoo, your children on bicycles or riding horses, show your family in their natural setting. Select group pictures and individual shots to give a patchwork look to the finished card. You can get copies made if need be.
If you have more time, go further with this idea and make a collage of images. There are probably a lot of Christmas cards from past years stashed away somewhere in your home that can be used. Make sure they are not things you want to keep. Cut them up and arrange them in a design you are satisfied with. Use a stiff backing to glue your pattern onto. You can incorporate photographs, objects such as trinkets, what ever you want. You don't have to make it the shape or size of a traditional card, let your creative juices flow. The card would not go unnoticed on top of someone's TV.
Don't forget the inscription when you are making your special card. Instead of the usual "Merry Christmas" or "Happy New Year" think of writing something that you really feel or think. Use your own brand of humor and let your personality come through. Take suggestions from your family, the more personal the words, the better the card. You never know, you card may open avenues for more frequent communication with the recipient.
It is a daunting task to look over the Christmas selection at a greeting card or department store. There are so many and after awhile they look all the same. Instead of using a regular greeting card to convey something personal, try making it yourself. You can start with these suggestions and carry on from there. Your loved one will have never received a card like it before and you could incite a chuckle or a smile and even better a letter.
About the Author: Marianne Jackson is a staff writer at Christmas Gazette and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Family Review.
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