Saturday 30 November 2013

Shopping: Cards for Yule and the Midwinter Solstice

Time to start the annual search for cards to send to friends and family that don't say the word "Christmas". Although I have no problem with Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus on 25 December, as a pagan I prefer to celebrate the Midwinter Solstice or Yule. So, I like to find cards that say "Merry Yule", "Season's Greetings" or are just blank for my own message.

Here are a few I've found this year, mainly with a bit of an animal theme:

This Yule card with a picture entitled Midwinter Rune Hare by Briaris sold by Moondragon Cards and can be ordered via Amazon. I think it would be lovely to send to pagan friends - and I am a fan of hares.

According to the description, the card has been produced on recycled paper using vegetable oil based ink. The front bears the message "Yuletide Blessings", while the interior is decorated with a similar design and the words "Yuletide wishes" in several languages. The envelope is printed both sides with a similar illustration.

If you don't mind being a bit creative, there are several Yule cards sold as craft projects rather than finished cards. I'm not sure exactly how much work you have to put in to finish them, but the descriptions say they are so easy that even children can do it.

Continuing the hare and rabbit theme, this Snow Shadow Asking The Moon For Yule Blessings Shaker Card by Elaine Sheldrakeis by Craftsuprint. The kit costs around 99p and comes with full instructions.

Another kit from Craftsuprint is this tall Yule DL card with robin backing by Heather Howes.It isn't so overtly pagan, so would be great to give to those friends and relatives who aren't pagan themselves. It isn't so animally, either, but does have nice seasonal poinsettias - which always remind me of my mum, because she loved them.

For those who prefer to buy from charities, the RSPCA is selling this beautiful card showing an owl in a snowy tree. It is called Silent Wonder and the message inside says "Season's Greetings". A pack of 10 costs £4.40 and you can order from the RSPCA website.

A charity that seems to have really embraced the idea of personalised messages is The World Land Trust. The charity, which is in aid of saving threatened habitats worldwide, says on its website: "Our wildlife cards come with the option of a Season's Greetings message, or blank for your own message and are therefore suitable for all occasions. You can also have them overprinted."

And The World Land Trust does have a good selection of seasonal cards to choose from - again mainly animal related, including the one pictured to the right of the fox in the snow.

The price is a reasonable £2.75 for a pack of five, plus postage and packing, and you can order online, by post or telephone 01986 874422.

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/12/choosing-pagan-yule-cards.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/11/shopping-yule-cards-and-winter-solstice.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/05/review-animal-wisdom-tarot-boxed-set.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/shop-goddess-loves-hugs-and-hares.html

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