Help me pick the best xmas card every
September 27, 2011 11:33 AM Subscribe
I need the awesomest secular Christmas card ever to send out for my small business. Please show me your funny or cool suggestions.
I own a small business and I need to send out about 350 holiday cards this year. I am in a niche business and I try to make every mailing I do stand out. Last year I found these amazing pop-up cards by Robert Sabuda. Everyone I talked to mentioned the cards and how neat they are. I'd like to top them or at least match them. Please help me! The Sabuda cards were a great bargain as well, because they are alphabet cards so even after tossing all the religious ones they were a great deal.
Here are my requirements and wishes:
a) Can't be religious. At all. I'm Jewish. So no stars on trees, no ornaments, no presents, def. no Jesus, no Merry Christmas, and MAYBE Santa is OK if he's funny.
b) Costs less than $3 per card
c) Is awesomely funny or cool or nerdy or whatever
Turn ons: Interactive. Has something to do with Seattle. Has something to do with maple trees, maple leaves, maple seed pods. Has something to do with world peace. Has something to do with nature or do-goody-ness.
Turn offs: angels, Thomas Kinkade, sappy, Canada
I own a small business and I need to send out about 350 holiday cards this year. I am in a niche business and I try to make every mailing I do stand out. Last year I found these amazing pop-up cards by Robert Sabuda. Everyone I talked to mentioned the cards and how neat they are. I'd like to top them or at least match them. Please help me! The Sabuda cards were a great bargain as well, because they are alphabet cards so even after tossing all the religious ones they were a great deal.
Here are my requirements and wishes:
a) Can't be religious. At all. I'm Jewish. So no stars on trees, no ornaments, no presents, def. no Jesus, no Merry Christmas, and MAYBE Santa is OK if he's funny.
b) Costs less than $3 per card
c) Is awesomely funny or cool or nerdy or whatever
Turn ons: Interactive. Has something to do with Seattle. Has something to do with maple trees, maple leaves, maple seed pods. Has something to do with world peace. Has something to do with nature or do-goody-ness.
Turn offs: angels, Thomas Kinkade, sappy, Canada
The MOMA prices are for 8 cards plus envelopes.
posted by insectosaurus at 11:51 AM on September 27, 2011
posted by insectosaurus at 11:51 AM on September 27, 2011
When I lived in Seattle, I always went to the Paper Source to get humorous holiday cards without an emphasis on religion.
posted by hanoixan at 11:54 AM on September 27, 2011
posted by hanoixan at 11:54 AM on September 27, 2011
Do you need a variety of cards for this year or will just one do? The best Christmas card we got last year was from a business partner who took a picture of his shop dog running with a toy Santa on his back. Inside it said, "Next we tried reindeer." It was cute and funny and directly tied into his business' image without being cheesy.
posted by workerant at 12:30 PM on September 27, 2011
posted by workerant at 12:30 PM on September 27, 2011
I'm a fan of this company - our holiday card requirements are close to yours (save for Seattle and maple). I really like the quotes and that they're green.
I like this Whitman quote about Peace. And this Emerson quote about friendship, and this one from Moliere. The ones we sent last year were from this company and I was pleased at the price point, and most of our friends commented on how nice it was to receive cards that weren't green/red/glitter/Kincade fiascoes with a little bit of literacy behind them.
posted by librarianamy at 12:40 PM on September 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
I like this Whitman quote about Peace. And this Emerson quote about friendship, and this one from Moliere. The ones we sent last year were from this company and I was pleased at the price point, and most of our friends commented on how nice it was to receive cards that weren't green/red/glitter/Kincade fiascoes with a little bit of literacy behind them.
posted by librarianamy at 12:40 PM on September 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
My friend does these cards. They are pop ups and not religion specific.
posted by Vaike at 12:45 PM on September 27, 2011
posted by Vaike at 12:45 PM on September 27, 2011
The Syracuse Cultural Workers have nice holiday cards, including some that emphasize peace, nature, and do-goodyness without being sectarian.
posted by bbq_ribs at 1:17 PM on September 27, 2011
posted by bbq_ribs at 1:17 PM on September 27, 2011
Best answer: Have you considered having custom art made? Last year, we hired an artist who offered custom work on etsy. We turned her watercolor image into our christmas card. People really really liked it.
The artwork was inexpensive but we spent about $150 printing up the postcards (small run but a rush job - if you plan ahead the printing cost shouldn't be so bad.)
posted by vespabelle at 1:42 PM on September 27, 2011
The artwork was inexpensive but we spent about $150 printing up the postcards (small run but a rush job - if you plan ahead the printing cost shouldn't be so bad.)
posted by vespabelle at 1:42 PM on September 27, 2011
Some companies send an email saying "Due to environmental concerns, we're not mailing cards this year. Please check out our online card at www.niftyonlinecardsorwhatever.com/MyCompany." In addition, we've made a donation to Beloved Local Charity in honor of our fantastic clients.
posted by theora55 at 2:37 PM on September 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 2:37 PM on September 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is not terribly helpful, but several years ago my family somehow got our hands on a batch of cards that were some kind of promotional material. The one I remember said "Happy Christmahanukwanzukka, Let's all drink egg nog until we puke." My mother the Episcopal priest thought they were the funniest thing she'd ever seen. If you go custom, I'd recommend something like that.
posted by Polyhymnia at 3:23 PM on September 27, 2011
posted by Polyhymnia at 3:23 PM on September 27, 2011
This may violate some of your requirements but you can be the judge - this year I bought holiday cards from Bob Ross' website. Theyre cheap, say "seasons greetings" and feature Bob Ross paintings. I unironically love bob Ross, but these cards can def. go either way.
posted by tristeza at 5:09 PM on September 27, 2011
posted by tristeza at 5:09 PM on September 27, 2011
Can you afford to get your staff outfitted in bad Christmas sweaters? Is there a Wal-Mart (or similar quality) photo studio in your vicinity? Take a pic in front of the 'winter wonderland' backdrop, then go econo and roll your own cards. They'll be tacky as all get-out, but they certainly will be funny/nerdy.
posted by Gilbert at 10:04 PM on September 27, 2011
posted by Gilbert at 10:04 PM on September 27, 2011
Not to rain on your parade, but it is Christmas - a religeous festival/holiday.
I can see where you are coming from, but it seems like you just want to have two bob each way. Why not do something principled, like not send any cards at all. Put something on your website, bottom of your emails, invoices etc saying whatever you want to say about Christmas not meaning anything to you, so no cards this year, but nevertheless expressing good wishes to all those for who Christmas has some meaning.
posted by GeeEmm at 1:39 AM on September 28, 2011
I can see where you are coming from, but it seems like you just want to have two bob each way. Why not do something principled, like not send any cards at all. Put something on your website, bottom of your emails, invoices etc saying whatever you want to say about Christmas not meaning anything to you, so no cards this year, but nevertheless expressing good wishes to all those for who Christmas has some meaning.
posted by GeeEmm at 1:39 AM on September 28, 2011
Best answer: Electric Boogaloo sells funny and slightly offensive ones from her etsy shop every year. They aren't available yet, but she usually uses the first three designs she has on this page from an old blog post, plus there's sometimes some others, like the second one here.
posted by lollusc at 8:01 AM on September 28, 2011
posted by lollusc at 8:01 AM on September 28, 2011
Best answer: This might be perfect -- a Seattle snowglobe card with "Holiday Greetings."!
I sent these out one year and everyone loved them. Probably not such a good match for the office, but I believe he's done others in a similar style, but without the 'rear' being featured.
Letterpress maple cards. Maybe you can have some text written on there if you buy a bulk order.
Another maple leaf letterpress card.
Or how about some maple tree tags/ornaments? You could have words printed on them and if your business name isn't involved, they'd probably get re-used or displayed!
Pine cone?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82451541/40-save-the-date-plantable-paper-wedding?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=maple+cards&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
- just get more appropriate text.
These Japanese maple tree cards are gorgeous and could be very nice!
Be merry and bright!
The conjoined gingerbread-men cookie cutter is pretty funny, but not really right for an office situation.
Yellow snow?
Happy huladays
I've loved the YeeHaw letterpress cards. They're usually oversized with an amazing heavy cardstock. Happy New Year. Happy holidays. Seasons Greetings. Peace.
Cute bike.
Holiday gas station.
Holiday space needle.
Customizable wood postcards - get a maple leaf and whatever you want it to say!
Seattle cut-out silhouette - just put a good image up there instead of the cheeseball couple! Hello Lucky has a bunch of other nice cards.
Tons of cute ones at Eggpress.
posted by barnone at 12:01 PM on September 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I sent these out one year and everyone loved them. Probably not such a good match for the office, but I believe he's done others in a similar style, but without the 'rear' being featured.
Letterpress maple cards. Maybe you can have some text written on there if you buy a bulk order.
Another maple leaf letterpress card.
Or how about some maple tree tags/ornaments? You could have words printed on them and if your business name isn't involved, they'd probably get re-used or displayed!
Pine cone?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82451541/40-save-the-date-plantable-paper-wedding?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=maple+cards&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
- just get more appropriate text.
These Japanese maple tree cards are gorgeous and could be very nice!
Be merry and bright!
The conjoined gingerbread-men cookie cutter is pretty funny, but not really right for an office situation.
Yellow snow?
Happy huladays
I've loved the YeeHaw letterpress cards. They're usually oversized with an amazing heavy cardstock. Happy New Year. Happy holidays. Seasons Greetings. Peace.
Cute bike.
Holiday gas station.
Holiday space needle.
Customizable wood postcards - get a maple leaf and whatever you want it to say!
Seattle cut-out silhouette - just put a good image up there instead of the cheeseball couple! Hello Lucky has a bunch of other nice cards.
Tons of cute ones at Eggpress.
posted by barnone at 12:01 PM on September 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also - consider buying a printable calendar on ebay, and having a local printer actually produce them. I bet you'd come out within your budget, and hey - a reminder of you each time they look at the calendar!
And these are gorgeous maple leaves on a letterpress card. They're $20 for 6, and you might be able to negotiate a discount with such a large order.
posted by barnone at 12:15 PM on September 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
And these are gorgeous maple leaves on a letterpress card. They're $20 for 6, and you might be able to negotiate a discount with such a large order.
posted by barnone at 12:15 PM on September 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I once settled for theses cards with a sheep on them that said "Fleece Navidad" so that's like a funny santa.
posted by jander03 at 2:33 PM on September 28, 2011
posted by jander03 at 2:33 PM on September 28, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks everyone - I am going with these:
http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Pop-Up%20Swirling%20Snowflakes_10451_10001_68796_-1_11476_11613_68797
posted by bq at 11:58 AM on November 14, 2011
http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Pop-Up%20Swirling%20Snowflakes_10451_10001_68796_-1_11476_11613_68797
posted by bq at 11:58 AM on November 14, 2011
Response by poster: OK, I changed my mind: http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10451&categoryId=11470&productId=79672&langId=-1&storeId=10001&krypto=N3b9Bzmdf1yUkOSdC2B1RsXfVbG0K%2F1XgkOLGD3fTNejkDfuawuD6li3rTmTrAKaD7kHUG4fuP%2Bx%0D%0AhzbtnCf14A%3D%3D
posted by bq at 12:19 PM on November 14, 2011
posted by bq at 12:19 PM on November 14, 2011
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posted by rmd1023 at 11:41 AM on September 27, 2011 [1 favorite]