How to Personlize Store Bought Christmas Cards

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Purchasing store-bought Christmas cards is generally easier than making your own from scratch, however they provide a far less than personalized feel. Different strategies can help you personalize these cards with your own special touch.
Include a photograph
When loved ones open a Christmas card, what they may want to see most of all is the smiling faces of their family members. This may be especially true if you have young children. Adding a photograph can be a great way to personalize store-bought Christmas cards quickly and easily. There are many Christmas cards that specifically provide space for a photograph. These can be purchased from stores such as Costco and Wal-Mart as well as online. In addition, you can use glue or double-sided tape to attach a photograph to the card or just place one inside.
Provide your own sentiment
Many store-bought Christmas cards do not have a lengthy sentiment but instead have room for you to write your own special words. You can specifically look for one that is blank inside. You can write the same simple saying for every recipient or write something special, lengthy and unique for each individual person.
There are many different types of sentiments that can be included. You can write out a special saying like one would see in a professional card. You can also craft a poem for the person. It can be about the holidays or something special between you and the recipient of the card.
You can also make heartfelt sentiments with your words. You can discuss special times that you have had with your loved one or special memories that have touched your heart. It can be a short paragraph or you can add pages and pages of prose. You can give them something special, which they can keep forever.
If you are a storyteller, then you can write a story. You can also just include a special quote or story that has special meaning to you.
You can also add to the sentiment already in the card. Write in additional sentences or words in between their writing. You can highlight parts of it that are truly meaningful to you with a highlighter or by underlining it.
You can have every member of the family add these special words. Divide the Christmas card into different sections so that everyone can write what they wish.
Add your own artwork
In addition to writing something special, you can provide artwork in your Christmas cards. Your masterpieces can be created by you or your children. If there is blank space in the card, then you can draw or paint an image. You can create something personalized to the recipient. For instance, a child may paint a picture of the time she cooked with her grandmother.
Add embellishments
There are many beautiful embellishments that can make a Christmas card stand out. You can add glitter. You can glue rhinestones or Swarovski crystals. You may add in feathers, beads, cut pieces of paper or other items.
Write about special happenings during the year
For some, Christmas cards are the only correspondence they have with certain loved ones for the entire year. This may be your opportunity to share the special moments that have made your year special. If you have children you can discuss the progress that they have made and the milestones that they have reached.
Provide your own voice
If you want to provide something truly special with your Christmas cards, you can purchase small voice recorders. You can say something special. If you have children, you can record them singing a song. You can then attach this to your Christmas card. Make sure to consider any extra postage such an item would incur.
Store-bought Christmas cards do not have to equate to cookie cutter Christmas cards. With the unique techniques above, you can give your loved ones something truly special.