by Denise Curtis

Created on: June 06, 2009

There is nothing easier than making Christmas cards, or any kind of card for that matter. Birthday cards have balloons, cartoon animals, ribbons, the age in question, and the celebration, happy birthday. With Christmas cards these are replaced by traditional Christmas greetings and pictures. Common images include snowmen, children playing in the snow, a chimney with a stocking full of presents, Christmas trees or Father Christmas.

I believe however that a Christmas card is not just a vehicle by which to convey your personal message to loved ones and family. It should carry the true message of Christmas, and thus should convey a religious theme. Images could include a dove, depicting the Holy Spirit, and peace on earth. The Nativity scene is also a common scene, depicted in many ways. My personal favourite is a written out scriptural verse from the Christmas passage; Will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel' (Mt 1:23), they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage' (Mt 2:11), 'the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was' (Mt 2:9), 'she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manager because there was no room' (Lk 2:7).

Cards are easy to make, simply fold a piece of card in half and decide whether you want it to be vertical or horizonital. This is your blank canvas, ready for your inspirational design. Will you simply design Merry Christmas in stencil, or flowing handwriting, make a pencil drawing of the Madonna and child, or write out your favourite scriptural quote? The choice is yours, depending on individual imagination, artistic talent, and intended audience. I believe that the card should be tailored to the intended receiver. There are many tools to use on your blank canvas; stencils, pens, pencils, stickers, and paint. Creating cards on the computer is another option, however printing dozens of designs can be expensive. Making cards is a great project to do with your children, they tend to be naturally creative and armed with crayons or a paintbrush they will do their best to help you in your mission. Another personal touch when making Christmas cards is to print out a current holiday photo of the family and send these to family members. There are many books or on-line tutorials available providing hundreds of card designs which can give unique and interesting ideas.

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