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I stood shoulder-to-shoulder on an aisle filled with other shoppers, shopping carts and Christmas cards. My attention was drawn to a conversation between two women, obviously strangers.

"These cards don't say anything," one complained.

The other glanced at her with interest. "They say 'Merry Christmas'. What do you want them to say?"

The first speaker shrugged and thought for a minute. "I guess it's not WHAT they say, but HOW they say it."

True, I thought. Christmas cards have become so plain-vanilla that they hardly seem worth the effort. So what to do if you want to send your wishes for a joyful Christmas, but do it in a unique way? Make your own, of course.

Designing and creating your own line of 'designer cards' is an enjoyable way to give a little more of yourself than the manufactured snowman or stocking. It's also an opportunity to get creative, involve the kids, and have some fun.

If you have children, especially small children, utilize their love of color and creating to cover your Christmas cards and write your text. Pull out the markers, glitter, paint, crayons and tablets, and get to it! Instruct the children to sign and date the drawing. You can spend an evening talking about your family traditions, your beliefs about the holiday, your Christmas wish list ... whatever you wish to make it a special family night. My children and I used to sip cocoa as they drew pictures of Santa, the Nativity and Christmas trees. On a second sheet, have each write a Christmas greeting. You may have to help younger children, but allow them to do as much independently as possible. Take the paintings to the copy shop and tell the clerk they are intended to be cards. She will adjust size, position pictures and text and make it all look well-put together without being impersonal. Make several extra copies. Not only will you want a keepsake, but you may realize that you need a few more cards than you expected, and this saves a second trip to the store.

Another fun project for the kids is to make birth announcements for Baby Jesus. Using gold paint (or whatever color seems appropriate to your youngster) and card-stock, have your crew make tiny footprints on the front of the card by balling their hand into a fist. Apply paint to the otter side of their hand (opposite the thumb) and press firmly onto the card stock. This is the baby's foot. Use fingerprints to create each tiny toe, with the thumb as a big toe. Children can write the announcement for the inside of the card,

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