As spring approaches it seems that there’s a child’s birthday nearly every day, so I like to make sure I’ve stocked up on cards. Lately though, I’ve found the selection on the high street a little lacking, so I’ve turned to the web for inspiration. I haven’t been disappointed.
Etsy is, as always, a mine of goodies – one of my favourite designers is Alaska-based Sarah Asker-Smith, whose Smack of Jellyfish store offers these fab collective noun cards for about £3 each, including postage to the UK. I love the more unusual options – who knew that a group of iguanas was known as a mess?
More nostalgic fayre is on offer from Sunlight on Closed Lids (best company name ever?) – buy online for £2.75 each from Minormail, a fab stationery store with a small but perfectly formed selection of cards for all occasions. Postage and packing is a bargainous 50p for orders under £10 and free over.
Belle and Boo”s whimsical illustrations are also ideal for vintage lovers. Most are aimed at girls, but this rather wonderful Pirate Party design has been successfully tried and tested on little boys and costs £2.50 (shipping for orders up to £10 is £2).
Lisa Jones has long been at the forefront of card design and her ‘Creatures’ range continues to delight children. Choose from a host of personalities from a charismatic crocodile to a wriggly worm and, my personal favourite, a bespectacled mole at £2.50 each, plus 50p p&p.
Oribami’s pop-out cards also feature cute-as-anything animals, including this psychedelic lion for about £3.25, including postage.
For a bespoke experience, Made with Love by Mrs Booth’s name cards are on the pricey side (at £8 for up to four letters), but can be easily framed and made into a fab personalised artwork after the event. Browse the designs and buy online at Not on the High Street.
Cards that offer an activity can also be useful once birthday excitement has worn off. Stardust Kids has a great collection of Fuzzy Felt cards at £2.95 each – I think these dinosaurs are brilliant – and they’ll add a personal, handwritten message for you.
Over at Bambino Goodies favourite, nineteenseventythree, the £2.50 colouring-in cards are hugely popular, while Lucy Jane Batchelor’s activity cards, such as this paper dolls’ house (£3.50) keep little hands busy. Happy posting!
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