Hallmark Sketch Santa Cards

Can you imagine getting a Christmas card from Gary Barlow with a lovely message and a photograph?  That would brighten up my Christmas morning for sure!  Well, how about the next best thing, a Christmas card designed by Gary!  Or if you prefer, Tulisa, or the Saturdays or Matthew Wolfenden.  Because this year, these celebrities along with ITV's Lorraine and Aled have their very own card designs on the market.

Hallmark have teamed up with ITV's Daybreak to produce their official Text Santa charity Christmas cards. The pack of six cards includes five celebrity card designs, featuring a special message and a photo of the famous designer, plus a card designed by six year old prize winner Demi Holmes who designed the winning card in the Daybreak Sketch Santa competition.

The cards cost £1.99 with at least 50p going to Text Santa, the appeal that supports six charities offering life saving services to vulnerable people in the UK. They are available at Hallmark stores, online at hallmark.co.uk and in Asda.

I was sent a pack of these fabulous cards.  They are a good size, colourful and each card has added sparkle and a different greeting inside.  The back of the card has a message from the designer, a photo and information about the Text Santa appeal.  It is a nice way to contribute to and spread the word about this very worthy cause.

Full further information on the charities supported by these cards, visit www.itv.com/textsanta

 

UNICEF Christmas Cards

This year, if you are looking to buy personalised Christmas cards for personal or corporate use, then  UNICEF is offering  a service where at least 37% of the final price (less VAT) goes to the charity.  You can create your own card design by uploading a favourite photograph or a child's drawing to become the picture on the front of the card.  A personalised greetings message can also be added, alongside your name, address, phone number, email or website details.

I was lucky enough to make my own set of personalised cards so I could try out the service.  The website was easy to negotiate with each stage being clearly set out.  You get to preview your card along the way so you can be sure that the design and personalisation is as you want it.  You can choose the font you want for the inside of the card, editing the greeting message and adding any personal details that you want.  Again you can preview it before ordering.  Photo cards start at 89p each for a pack of 50 cards.

Within five days, your pack of beautifully made cards arrive at your door.  The card is thick and glossy and the printing is sharp using high quality print.  The UNICEF logo and information is printed on the back of the card so your recipients know that your card purchase is supporting this great charity and helping to save children's lives.

I am really impressed by my personalised photo cards and look forward to sending them to my loved ones this year and spreading the word about UNICEF.  Getting Freddy into his shepherd's costume and smiling was quite a feat which I hope everyone who receives one appreciates!!  That was the most difficult part of making the cards!

Here is the link to the website if you would like to take a closer look and order your own personalised charity cards in time for Christmas:  www.unicefcards.co.uk