Best of Etsy: Christmas cards

Despite the fact that we’re firmly rooted in the age of Facebook messages, tweets and emails and that paper mail is almost a thing of the past, many of us still send Christmas cards. Get inspired to spread some festive cheer to friends and family with these lovely handmade holiday cards from Etsy.

We love the bright colours on this festive holiday card, courtesy of Lindy Turner at Crafted by Lindy. It’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face this season.

SheKnows Canada: What do you think makes Christmas cards such an enduring tradition in this age of technology?

Lindy Turner: They’re more personal. Texting is about quick conversation; email is used more for purposeful reasons now rather than catching up; and posts can be missed easily on Facebook. With Christmas cards, someone has taken the time to pick out cards and personalize each one with a message or Christmas letter. A family photo is often included, and the card comes straight to your mailbox. When you open it, you know someone is thinking of you and has taken the time to let you know. It’s a huge part of the spirit of Christmas and what the holidays are all about.

SK: What are your favourite holiday traditions?

LT: Going out to look at Christmas lights, stockings and Christmas cards.

Stephanie from A Paper Buffet has created an elegant card in some non-traditional but gorgeous shades of teal and white.

SheKnows Canada: What do you think makes Christmas cards such an enduring tradition in this age of technology?

Stephanie: I think Christmas itself is why Christmas cards have endured. It’s a time to reflect, to enjoy friends and family. Christmas cards are tangible and meaningful; it’s not something we do on a daily basis like we do with emails and text messages. Christmas cards symbolize the desire to be with family and friends, even when separated by distance.

SK: What are your favourite holiday traditions?

S: Being of Italian and Polish descent, my favourite holiday traditions involve a lot of food! There are foods that we make specifically for Christmas — made from scratch and enjoyed together at Christmas dinner. There’s also a number of movies that we watch every year to get in the Christmas spirit.

Sometimes the best holiday cards are the simplest ones. Case in point: this lovely card created by Laura McDonald at Little Shop of Elle See.

SheKnows Canada: What do you think makes Christmas cards such an enduring tradition in this age of technology?

Laura McDonald: I think the reason why people still enjoy sending out Christmas cards is because of how personal a letter from your loved ones can be. There is something so incredibly special and so intimate about receiving a Christmas card in the mail instead of a quick note on Facebook or through an email. I love writing out my Christmas letters and selecting photos of my little family to send out to my friends and relatives.

SK: What are your favourite holiday traditions?

LM: My favourite holiday traditions are drinking hot chocolate while watching a Christmas movie, like The Holiday or Elf, and going to church with my family on Christmas Eve.

Anyone on your holiday list would be thrilled to get this unique, multi-dimensional card created by Lisa Carr at The Paper Tale.

SheKnows Canada: What do you think makes Christmas cards such an enduring tradition in this age of technology?

Lisa Carr: Whether you are sending a Christmas card to a loved one, a co-worker or a close friend, it is a personal gesture that can simply say, “I am thinking about you, and you are special to me.” Everyone wants that! Similar to digital photos, many greetings are emailed in this day and age, so the uniqueness of a card, hand-delivered or mailed, is a special touch and expression of gratitude. When I receive a Christmas card from someone close to me, whether it includes a long letter, a family photo or just a funny caricature of Santa, it always brings a smile to my face.

SK: What are your favourite holiday traditions?

LC: A favourite holiday tradition of my family’s is an authentic Welsh dessert, made with love by my grandmother. Every year she makes a steamed carrot pudding fruit cake one month before Christmas, and then after our turkey dinner, the cake is served heated, with a sweet “hard” sauce she boils on the stove. Several years ago my sister and I watched over her as she prepared the dessert without a recipe, to try and write down measurements and ingredients she used. She laughed with us as we tried to figure out her secrets, but I know some things just can’t be duplicated. My grandmother is 99 years old.

The warm sentiment stamped on this pretty card created by Armina Messad and the Paper Wonders Shop is perfect for anyone you want to spread holiday cheer to.

SheKnows Canada: What do you think makes Christmas cards such an enduring tradition in this age of technology?

Armina Messad: I think it just makes someone’s day simply by them receiving a handmade card, and it is one of the most rewarding things for me to see the smile on their face when I hand them a handmade gift.

SK: What are your favourite holiday traditions?

AM: I do not celebrate Christmas myself, but what I like about holiday celebrations is the family gatherings. When I was younger, we used to gather at my grandmother’s house. It was a pretext to cook feasts that will last for at least three days. The house was full of laughter and happiness. Now that I live far from my family, I try to recreate the same atmosphere with my own kids and my friends’ families.

Is there anything cuter than singing bears? We didn’t think so either, which is why we fell in love with this adorable card from Aparna Varma at Green Bean Things.

SheKnows Canada: What do you think makes Christmas cards such an enduring tradition in this age of technology?

Aparna Varma: I believe when you write something down yourself in a card — or even a letter, for that matter — the feelings that transcend through when read are so strong and so pure. Right from the beginning, when you look at the handwriting and guess who the cards are from, ripping them open and reading the messages is a wonderful and exciting experience.

SK: What are your favourite holiday traditions?

AV: We have this tradition of putting up twinkle lights all around our home and on all the trees outside. It’s wonderful to be able to bond with family while setting up and to watch our home light up with all the holiday glitter once it’s done. It’s such a joyous experience, and it floods back memories of all the happy holidays spent together.

More on Christmas

Grab a copy: Best Christmas albums of 2013
Homemade Christmas tree ornaments
Modern Christmas decor wrap-up