Brainstorm first: Gather the kids together to decide what the card will look like. You want to come up with a theme that you can use on your template. Do you want to go with traditional Christmas colors, like red and green, or do you want to try something different? Decide and then make quick sketch of what your card will look like. Be sure to include the text on the front and inside the card.

Shop for supplies: Make a list of what you need and go to your local craft or discount store to get everything you need. Be sure to include glitter, glue sticks, colored paper, card stock, and anything else you think you need your cards. Don’t forget envelopes and stamps!

Create a template: You can use your computer to print the message you intend to use for the card good paper and use this as your “base card “. Choose the font and color for the text and make sure the message is in the right location. Will the card look okay when you fold the paper? If not, revise your template and try again. Once you are sure that the final card will look okay, print a fresh copy of the template for reference and begin printing the template on your card stock paper. Make some extra cards in case a few of the finished cards need to be replaced.

Print and decorate: Show the kids how to fold the cards so they will fit in the envelopes you bought. If you’re are adding letters or bits of colored paper to the cards, it’s time to cut them out so the will be  ready to glue to the card. Have the kids make enough bits and pieces to use on all your cards. Once you have enough shapes or letters in the paper style and color you need, get out the glue and start pasting them on to the cards. Different members of the family will add a bit of originality when they finish the design.  Make sure everything is secure and dry before starting the next step.

Personal each card: Now the fun begins. Remember anything goes! Don’t worry about perfection. If you require perfection, you should have stuck to store bought cards.

Now each family member will add their own design elements to a few cards. Some will go for glitter, others for adding drawings or photos.  But this way, each card will be unique and will bring a smile to the recipients.

By using a bit of creativity your family will have the most unique Christmas cards ever. Let making handmade Christmas  cards become a family tradition, and each year try to come up with new ideas to make cards special.

If you are new to mailing out business Christmas cards to your customers, here are a few pointers. If you are an old pro at this, take a look anyway, you might find some tips that you’ve forgotten, or you just might learn something new.

Think about how your customer is going to perceive the business Christmas card. If it looks like you have skimped on the cards and gone with something cheap, they just might perceive that times are hard for you and your company. This could steer them right to your competition. You don’t have to spend a fortune on business Christmas cards, but you should try to select a card that looks tactful and came from a reputable print shop and not from your publishing software.

Be sure to have everyone in your company sign each business Christmas card personally. This could take some time, so it would be a good idea to get started on this project early. It would be best to have the business Christmas cards printed, signed and ready to go by December 1, but this is not a perfect world and you might have to rush to get the business Christmas cards out on time. Just make sure that they are signed with handwritten well tidings. Any printed gestures or signatures will fall flat and make it appear as if you don’t have time to wish a happy holiday to your customers. Remember this when signing your business Christmas cards.

Currently, you have to be sensitive to the political correctness of the holidays, and this goes for business Christmas cards as well. If you are going to wish a happy holiday, great but if you are going to be more specific, it is advised that you are positive of what holiday your client is celebrating.

Keep these thoughts in mind while crafting your business Christmas cards, and you should have plenty of quality cards to send out on time to your clients.

From Amazon: Christmas Alphabet Cards