by Timiarah A. Camburn

Created on: December 20, 2010   Last Updated: January 02, 2011

Christmas time is an excellent time to be creative and show love and appreciation for friends and family members. The gifts can be very effective in making people smile, but the cards are the heart of the whole holiday.

Hallmarks come with some of  the most eloquent heart felt words, drafted up by professionals. However,  there is still something impersonal about a pre-made card. It is a manufactured product, so there are hundreds in the world just like it. None of them quite say exactly what an individual would like to say. A few might be in the ball park, but none really hit home the way that one's own hand could. A company made card can not touch a card that has been tailored by the heart of the giver.

One does not have to be a world renowned poet or a novelist to make a Christmas card special. The only things needed are a pen and genuine feelings. Each individual card should contain a personal element that suits the relationship between the giver and receiver. From a daughter to a mother a long rhyming poem of appreciation may be in order. For a father, a brief note letting him know that he rocks and why would be sufficient. Most men get bored after the first three lines of a poem and may not appreciate it from a poetic aspect. It is best to stick with the main point at hand, keep it simple, and get it across quickly.

Humorous poems or short "remember when" stories are great for the brothers and sisters. These are the people who shared a bedrooms, tears, advice, and chuckles with the giver growing up. Most likely the giver will be very close with this person and ecstatic about the opportunity to write something special for him or her. Make it a comical breath of fresh air between the two siblings. A little funny secret like old times.

The one true love's card should be saturated with tears when he/she is done reading it because it is so filled with sweetness. The chance to be sappy only comes a few times a year. Take full advantage of it! A poem is best suitable for this situation. Love in rhyme always seems to amaze folks.

Friends can go either way. For the more sensitive and closer friends, a "you're my friend because" poem would be nice. For the slapstick friend a personalized riddle or joke would be appreciated. For the sentimental friends a "when we met" story would show them that were thought of and that their friend cared enough to remember how they met.

Acquaintances and associates need a loving touch too, so show them they are special by writing them a "great to know you" poem. Personalize it to fit the situation and end it with "your friend". It will make them feel warm and invited to share the good spirit of the holidays with you.

Hallmarks are wonderful cards, but at Christmas time a card should have your mark.

Learn more about this author, Timiarah A. Camburn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.