xmas in july :: new home christmas card

Every year, my husband and I design our own Christmas cards. On Christmas Eve of last year (crazy, I know!), we moved into our new house. Since the timing coincided (and it reduced my workload!), we wanted to combine our holiday card with our moving announcement. I didn't know what I was going to do until I saw this design from my friend, and the always creative, Kim from The TomKat Studio. 

Along with the 3-D ornaments, I added "We are decking NEW halls this holiday season". I thought it captured both purposes of the correspondence beautifully.  

(As much as I love visitors, I want you to call before you come, hence fuzzing out the address. Ha!)

xmas in july :: holiday cards

It's never too early to start thinking about your Christmas cards - they always sneak up on me anyway. I was recently contacted by The American Cancer Society about their new holiday greeting cards launching this month. So timely with my Christmas in July series. I am really excited to share these with you. Not only can you accomplish an annual chore, but you will be donating to a great cause as well! A win-win.

It seems that just about everyone knows someone who has had cancer or who has been affected by cancer. The American Cancer Society has a greeting card website in which 100% of all proceeds go toward the fight against cancer: www.ACSgreetings.org. Most cards are customizable with personalized messages, photos, fonts, colors, styles and more. There are a number of holiday cards to choose from as well as invitations and thank you notes. A message stating that 100% of the proceeds of the card go to the ACS will appear on every card.

Here are a couple of my faves...

xmas in july :: christmas card

Before motherhood and event planning, I was a landscape architect.  The firm I worked for collaborated with an architecture firm out of New York City, Butler Rogers Baskett, on a few projects.  Not only are they are great firm, but they also win the best company Christmas card I have ever seen!  I loved it so much that I have saved it for years.  It's a replica of a sheet of stamps - remember those? 

They created it by having all the employees pose with Christmas props like candy canes and snowmen in front of colorful backdrops.  It was sent in a cellophane package with a cardboard backing, just like the old stamp sheets.  I just think it is so creative and oh-so-fun!  Notice the funny filler spots, too like Ebenser Scrooge.  The year (03) replaces the usual amount and the holiday words mimic a stamp design.  I hope I have the opportunity to use this great idea someday!