It doesn't have to be yours...it could be for anyone. Also, please remember that not all little ones (& even some semi-big ones) have someone to help them out with this holiday. Think of children who don't live with their mom, those who are being raised by a single mom & there aren't family or friends to help - it happens a lot; & let's remember the children in military families. (Visit Joining Forces on Whitehouse.gov to find out how to help.)
Martha Stewart has some wonderful DIY card projects (like the one above, a pop-up card. There's also a video on the site in the lower-right hand corner). Here's a cute kid's project guide (a pdf) from the current print magazine. You can help the children in your life by downloading it & printing it for them. (What are we thinking? They knew how to do it before you did:) If vintage illustrations are more your style, visit Vintage Holiday Crafts & Clip Art. There are lovely images you can put together to make a pretty card.
ciao-meow/GG(photograph via Martha Stewart)
If you have a paint strip collection (apparently way too many of you do), here's an easy & cute idea while cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. (You are, aren't you?)
ciao-lurve-meow/GGCM(photo via say YES! to Hoboken)
Vintage Holiday Crafts is a huge source of clip art for nearly every holiday & occasion. You can even make your own vintage-style gift certificate--for anything. We won't waste anyone's time listing, just visit. The rules are clear & the site is generous. It's hard to believe sometimes that anyone would do something like compile an enormous collection just because...but that appears to be the case.This is a repeat but a popular search on Giulia Geranium. If you get started now, you can take your time & do some fruitful searches on the Vintage site. (We'll do a separate post for Hanukkah which is arriving really soon!) Remember Martha Stewart's site as a good source of ideas, Christmas & Hanukkah templates, clip art, & blogger-friendly posting ideas.ciao-meow/GG's freebie coordinator
PS: West Elm has free downloads for holiday gift giving & entertaining. Here's the link if you missed it.
GG's editor did the math--not our strong suit, admittedly--but we are aces on a calculator. With free shipping world-wide (this is rare, people), each card costs $2.75 (USD). Go to any store & see if you can find lovely handmade cards for $2.75. We'll save you the trouble because we searched: you cannot. These cards make a thoughtful gift, too. GG Central has ordered from Made4Aid from nearly the beginning & can therefore highly recommend from several trouble-free experiences.
ciao-meow/GG's editor
(photograph & text below via Made4Aid's new etsy shop)
From Made4Aid:
A set of 8 original flower photography greeting cards. Made and donated to made4aid by Sally. The photographs are from a series of flower photos, printed in high resolution on glossy photographic paper and mounted on good quality card. The cards are blank inside for your own greeting and come with matching envelopes. The size of these cards is 5 inches/12.5cm square. The price of this item includes shipping worldwide. Made4aid items are sold to support the work of Médicins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and the World Food Programme. For more info. about made4aid go to www.made4aid.org
Jacquie Lawson is a British artist who lives in the village of Lurgashall in Southern England. Together with a small team of family and friends, she has developed a unique collection of e-cards, and about 20 cards are added to the collection every year.In order to cover the substantial costs of running a site that sometimes has to cope with thousands of downloads a day, we charge a very small annual membership fee. This enables our members to send as many e-cards as they like -- there is no effective limit -- for the duration of their membership. [from Jacquielawson.com] Last December, a British friend gave us a subscription & we have thoroughly enjoyed it. Jacquie Lawson e-cards have delighted friends & family--when is the last time that happened with most things "e-postal"? {We waited too long to send a request regarding still-image use, so above is a quickly cobbled together from the amazing Vintage Holiday Crafts & Clip Art site.}
GG's card recipients haven't received a single item of spam or advertising due to Jacquie's site. Preview one of the new Christmas cards with the adorable Bertie & Fluff characters (a golden retriever & tuxedo kitten, respectively), featuring an English children's choir & the related story. After that, we think you will want to subscribe or gift someone (or both). There are cards for every occasion, the site is easily navigable, & an organizational wonder.
Cheers!
GG's editor
