The well-loved custom of sending Christmas cards developed in the mid-nineteenth century in Europe and North America. The very first Christmas card was printed in 1843 in England and depicted a family celebrating Christmas by lifting their glasses in a toast, apparently a shocking image for the temperance workers of the time who quickly denounced it. But since then Christmas cards have grown greatly in popularity and managed to avoid controversy — at least until recent times when environmental concerns arose.Those of us who love Christmas cards are now faced with the dilemma of how to reconcile sending Christmas greetings the old-fashioned way while being responsible consumers. Charity Christmas cards can be the solution.
Holiday Cards Ever Popular Despite Environmental Concerns
The Christmas card nay-sayers include those who have taken the issue up as a political cause citing environmental and economic reasons not to celebrate Christmas — and that means no cards at all. But because many charity cards are made from recycled paper, and used cards can be recycled in most areas now, environmental concerns have lost some of their impact.
Others advocate for direct contributions to charity with greetings sent by telephone or email instead, citing drawbacks to charity cards such as the costly manufacturing process borne by charities, skim-offs by retailers, and the low resulting net profit to the charity.
But Christmas card sales are booming: in the UK Christmas cards account for 45% of the greeting card industry which brings in more revenue than tea and coffee combined (with much spin-off employment in manufacturing, design, publishing, printing, and warehousing). In the United States, more than two billion Christmas cards were sold in 2009.
Charity Cards Help Us Connect
Obviously, Christmas greeting cards, with frosted snowmen and soft winter scenes have won a place in our folk memories. For many of us, foregoing the sending of traditional paper Christmas cards would be painful. Using the Christmas cards offered for sale by various charities can help reconcile the contradiction between seasonal consumerism and our need to send meaningful greetings. One good reason for using charity cards is that they provide a connection to real people and real problems, in the real world — with the buyer getting some satisfaction in helping a good cause.
Charities Offer Unique Christmas Card Designs
Another good reason for buying charity Christmas cards is that they often have a very different design focus from those of commercial cards. The usual design fare of snowmen and sleighs is usually also offered, but prepare to be impressed by the range of unique images that are a hallmark of charity cards, and which are not usually found on commercial Christmas cards, such as:
- The work of regional artists
- Personalized creations made by clients of the charity
- Rare views of wildlife
- Native American art
- Ethnic scenes
Buying Charity Christmas Cards Online is Simple and Fast
In the UK charity cards have long been widely sold in local “charity” shops (very popular second-hand shops operated by various British charities) or even in mainstream major retailers. In North America, except for being sold by a few shops operated by large charities in major cities, charity cards must be ordered directly from the organization. This was often done through merchandise catalogs, or by support-group sales efforts. The Internet has changed this: now easily accessible charity websites offer Christmas cards, as well as other stationery and gift items, making the process of buying much simpler and faster — another good reason for buying charity Christmas cards.
Here are a few charities to choose from:
- UNICEF – Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides the basics of health, nutrition, and education to children, trying to reduce the toll of 22,000 children dying every day from preventable causes.This well-known international children’s aid organization has been a long-time provider of charity cards. As of 2011, UNICEF Canada has a new way of selling its cards, in partnership with Hallmark: they are available at various retailers such as Walmart, IKEA, Loblaws, Ten Thousand Villages, and Pier 1. UNICEF United States Fund offers a large and varied selection of cards including some for the insertion of your own photos.
- Canadian Cancer Society (Newfoundland-Labrador Branch) – The work of Newfoundland and Labrador artists is featured on the cards offered. Designs include two of the ever-popular snowman, a snowy village at night, and a scene of two Victorian girls reading. International shipping is offered.
- Cancer Research UK – This British charity offers very reasonably priced cards in a large variety of designs: contemporary, funny, religious, or traditional. One popular design is the traditional and well-loved English robin which appears on several cards. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without this cheery fellow — although the snow monkey is looking pretty cute, too.
- ASPCA, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – This charity has long worked for the better treatment of animals. Its website states,“The ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Our mission, as stated by our founder, Henry Bergh, in 1866, is ‘to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.’” The card designs are of whimsical dogs and cats with “hilariously cute” verses.
- WWF, The World Wildlife Fund, UK – This charity's mission is “to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature ...” Indulge your love of wildlife and help the cause of conservation with these cards which include photographs, stylized drawings, or cartoons of lynx, foxes, monkeys, penguins, and more.
- Project HANDS – “We are a Canadian-based, non-profit organization and are currently working among the indigenous Maya in the rural regions of Guatemala,” states the website. This charity provides health care and education support. The cards are environmentally friendly and are designed with the hand prints of Guatemalan children.
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International – This charity, founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, is the largest charitable funder of diabetes research worldwide. Some of the cards contain designs created by young people with juvenile diabetes, or by their family members — a particularly poignant touch.
There is a wide range of charities selling Christmas cards online in order to support their work. The above few are just a sampling of what's available.
Christmas Cards for Charity Benefit the Seller, the Buyer, and the Recipient
As well as helping us connect, giving us unique designs, and being fast and simple to order, charity cards bring a practical benefit to the charity involved — money to fund its projects. You, as buyer, get the satisfaction of helping a good cause (and what could be more appropriate for the Holidays?), and the recipient enjoys seasonal greetings while learning a little about your chosen charity.
Will these benefits offset the carbon footprint created by the paper production, printers’ ink, and transportation that this custom entails? Yes. The traditional celebration of love and peace has great value for us as humans, Christian or not. Let’s limit our worries to excesses such as the consumption of exotic foods transported long distances, jet-setting holidays, and lavish conferences at luxury resorts. Sending sparkly snowman greetings in a charity Christmas card to a loved one far away is a simple and sustainable Western custom whose benefits outweigh its costs.
Christmas gifts bought from online charity shops are also a good idea. See Thinking of Buying Charity Christmas Gifts? Here's Why You Should.
Jen L. Jones - Based in Canada, Jones writes on human rights, history,and the natural world. She focuses also on Turkish and Scottish travel and ...
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