By Kate Maunder, consultant at TPP Not for Profit Every year, close to 2 billion Christmas cards are sent in the UK. Approximately 30% of these include a charitable donation. This month, we look at which charities have the best Christmas cards.
All the cards we’ve chosen are not only fun and attractive, but they all have some connection to their charity, whether featuring an image related to the organisation or cause or having been designed by some of its beneficiaries. This can be especially difficult for charities associated with healthcare issues or other negative topics, but all of these have managed amazingly.
All of these cards are also sold directly by the charities, so all or most of the profits go directly to the cause, unlike many charity cards sold by high street retailers.
Of course, this list only represents our opinions. If you have a favourite charity Christmas card that we’ve overlooked, please post a link in the comments below.
10. Macmillan Cancer Support
These cards cleverly link to the organisation they are supporting by featuring a London bus with a 'We are Macmillan Cancer Support' registration plate. The backs of the cards also feature information about Macmillan Cancer Support and the work that they do.
9. ABF The Soldier’s Charity
This card, entitled ‘Christmas Morning in Afghanistan’, is both beautiful and thoughtful; reminding us of our forces who are serving overseas at Christmas time.
8. Mencap
Each year, Mencap runs a Christmas Card Competition for people with a Learning Disability. This winning image was by Luke Milligan of the Oakdale School from the 2007 competition.
7. Amnesty International
These cards from Amnesty feature colourful doves of peace and are printed using wood from the UK, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. All cards carry the message 'Season's Greetings' in nine languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Irish, Scots Gaelic, Welsh and English) – reflecting Amnesty’s worldwide focus.
6. Acorns Children’s Hospice
This traditional Christmas scene pictures a children’s toy shop featuring the charity’s logo and strapline.
5. Guide Dogs for the Blind
This card features a happy looking yellow Labrador puppy, a typical guide dog breed, sporting a red Santa hat.
4. Royal British Legion
This sparkly Christmas card features the Royal British Legion’s iconic Remembrance Day poppy, covered in glitter.
3. Great Ormond Street
This delightful snowman card was designed by Jessy, aged 8, a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Hospital.
2. Royal National Lifeboat Institution
This bright and cheery Christmas tree is made up of the yellow wellies worn by RNLI volunteers.
1. Sreepur Village Outreach Project
Sreepur cards are individually hand-crafted by the women of the Sreepur Village Outreach Project in rural Bangladesh. The producer group have Fair Trade recognition and are able to work from home without neglect of childcare. All proceeds from the sale of cards are returned to the Sreepur Village, home to more than 500 abandoned children and more than 100 destitute women.
These beautiful cards are extremely popular and have completely sold out for this year.
Do you have a favourite Charity Christmas card? Post a link in the comments below.
