Send Creative Christmas Cards Online

So…here we are again.

Despite last year’s vows to make a holiday to-do list, check it twice, and have your presents wrapped and the cards mailed seconds after Thanksgiving, it’s December and the Christmas cards haven’t been mailed or written or even bought. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen you at the bookstore looking at the discounted card selection, debating between the glittery beavers in a woodland setting and Mrs. Claus knitting a ski cap for Rudolph. Pick either of those and your card will be relegated to the back of the buffet cabinet underneath the fruit cake everyone is afraid to touch.

Not to worry; snail mail is called that for a reason and chances are high the recipients won’t receive your missive sometime before the next Ides of March anyway. Either you want to send friends good wishes on a day celebrating the assassination of a Roman emperor, or you want to convey holiday wishes of good cheer. My money’s on the latter, so you’re in luck. It’s not too late to send heartfelt and creative Christmas cards online for everyone on your list.

I have three current favourites that allow you to flex creative muscles and have some fun; nobody said Christmas cards had to be staid or conservative. Effort is still required to make these cards represent you and your family, but you’ll be able to email or upload your creations to social media channels and reach everyone before the big man takes to the sky.

Where to Make Creative Christmas Cards Online

CANVA

Oh, Canva, how do I love thee? In so many ways, really. Canva is an online tool that lets you become a design whiz. You can create posters, graphics, flyers, photo collages, cards, and so much more without being forced to use 1980s clip art. It’s simple to use: choose the design style, click and drag the elements you want into your masterpiece, change colours, fonts, and images at will, and voilà… A Christmas card you’ll be proud of. Bonus: IT’S FREE! Some design features and images aren’t included on the free site, but there’s so much you can do with what’s available.

PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a fantastic online resource for editing photos and using them to create your own designs. Begin by uploading a photo — this can even be a blank page saved as a JPEG so that you can add design elements without a colourful background — choose a theme (or not) to include specific graphics, add text, and be as creative as you want. PicMonkey is also free, however if you want access to all the features there is a monthly or yearly subscription available. If you’re creating a lot of graphics for work — or play — or need a simple to use photo-editing software, the subscription is worth it. I use it regularly.

JibJab

If your tastes run to a Griswold-style holiday — And whose doesn’t just a tiny bit? — JibJab is where to go. Forget simple cards adorned with sprigs of holly, now you’ll put together a musical number starring the entire family and even the dog. We’ve done it and our family overseas loved us for it; it gave them something (or someone) to laugh about. JibJab is a paid service, but think of it as a fair exchange for the stamps you don’t have to lick.

Put aside any thoughts that making cards online is Christmas Cards for Slackers: 101. Think of your online creations as being fun, ecological, and creative.