Free Christmas eCards

Looking for a way to send greetings for free this Christmas? Did you wait too long to send out your Christmas cards and now you don't have time to send them by snail mail? Well, no worries, you can send free digital ecards to everyone with an email address.

A quick Google search will turn up a ton of results but here are a few to save you the time and trouble. I have no affiliation with any of them.

Trail Canada - As the name implies, this is a Canadian site. Here, you can access free Canadian winter and snow scene e-cards. There is no mention, nor is there a category for Christmas in Canada but folks in foreign lands might enjoy a glimpse of the True North Strong and Free. You can also express specific holiday wishes in your text message that goes along with the card.

Hallmark Christmas and Holiday E-Cards - There are only a few freebies here but everyone knows the quality that Hallmark offers. I'm sure all of your recipients would enjoy these.

My Fun Cards - Lots of free digital greetings here. The downside is that when you click on the big green button, it wants to install on your hard drive. Please note that I have NOT used this site and cannot vouch for any part of it. You probably want to do a little checking around before downloading this, do some due diligence to determine whether or not it is safe.

HP Creative Studio - This one is a little different but I trust the HP brand and site, so figured it was worth mentioning. There's lots of selection, all free, however they are for printing via your printer. The site gives you the option of just using their Christmas designs, or importing your own personal photos. Add a message and print. Simple as that. I suppose you could do that then scan and email the results to the people on your Christmas card list.

eGreetings - There appears to be a pretty good variety on this site. You're sure to find something for everyone, and at no charge.

123 Greetings - Another site offering good variety. The cards that I peeked at were animated with music, quite nice for freebies, I have to say.

Well, there's half a dozen sites to get you started. Have fun finding the perfect one. Heck, if you're strapped for time, you can even send your cards on Christmas Eve. That's the beautiful thing about digital cards. The fact that they're free Christmas ecards is a wonderful bonus, too.

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Here We Go Again - Christmas is Coming

It's Christmas 2012!

Yup, it's that time again, kids. Christmas.Santa's got the elves working overtime, Mrs. Claus is pressing the red suit and shining up the sleigh. They aren't ready for it for it yet and neither am I.

I'm late to start posting here this year. A more organized person, like my youngest sister for example, would've had the gifts bought and wrapped, the menu written up and a year's worth of posts done by February. I'm not her, hence I've accomplished none of those things yet. But I've started thinking about them. Baby steps.

It may be my imagination but I'd swear that Christmas 2012 came around in half the time that Christmas 2011 did. Could be I've just been too busy to notice the passage of time. Yeah, that's it - I'm not disorganized, I'm busy. That's sounds far more productive. Besides, Christmas is always coming, so if I miss one, I'll catch the next.

I can tell you that I do have an idea about the topics this year, which will mention something about tree lights, fiber optic trees, economical gift giving, charity and perhaps some homemade ideas. I've been toying with the idea of dreaming a little and doing a post on expensive gifts, too. Just to see how the other half lives, here in Canada.

As always, you requests and suggestions are welcome, just shoot me an email at iamannea @ yahoo.ca if there's something special you'd like to see on Christmas Canada, or if you're sitting there rolling your eyes and thinking, "Oh, geez! I can write wayyyyy better than that!" I'll give you a shot at guest posting. Yes, yes, you can put one link in your copy. Happy now?

Okay, I'm going to run along and let you get back to your cocoa. Lots to do before Jolly Old Saint Nick comes down the chimney.

Until next time, keep your toque on and remember - never put your tongue on flagpoles in the winter.

Pink Christmas Trees - Not Just for Barbie Anymore

Pink Christmas Trees - so Barbie-esque!

Okay, let's have a show of hands - who doesn't love pink Christmas trees? Uh-huh, that's what I thought. My hand was up, too.

Although that much pink makes me think of Barbie and taffeta, there are people who just love the colour on their tree, apparently. I've heard rumblings and rumours that pink Christmas trees are making a come back, I just haven't been able to fathom why yet. I'm not saying they're not pretty, just mentioning that they don't put me in the traditional Christmas spirit. Rather, I get the feeling that little ballerinas in tutus are about to jump out and start performing Swan Lake or something. They truly do make me think of Barbie every time I see one. That's just me, I guess.

Believe it or not, pink Christmas tree sales are on the rise. I've tried imagining a family sitting around fluffy pink boughs, digging out gifts from Santa. I'm usually pretty good at visualization but I just can't pull this one off. If you happen to have a picture of something like that, please send it to me and I'll post it on here.

Actually, I can see a very good and practical use for these symbols of femininity. They would be perfect for brand recognition in the corporate offices of Mary Kay Cosmetics or at a Breast Cancer Awareness function, for example. I can picture the Barbie-esque trees in those situations, just not my (or anyone else's) home.

Just in case, you love pink Christmas trees, here's a few for you to look at:

   

A Buy Nothing Christmas

Some people might think I'm nuts for doing this but I'm going to plug another site here. I came across it while searching for a different Christmas topic and was intrigued enough to go and read this 'A Buy Nothing Christmas' Alternatives page. Just click on the name, it's linked and will take you to where I'm talking about.

There are quite a few suggestions for making low or no cost gifts, adopting an animal species on the brink of extinction, recycling and bunches more, all for Christmas gift giving. The point obviously, is to avoid buying the traditionally expensive presents that have become synonymous with the season.

So many of us suffer overwhelming consumerism at this time of year. We buy stuff nobody needs and that we can't afford. That's not always the case, certainly, but sometimes it seems that things have spiraled out of control. I just think that it would be nice to step back a little and give more from the heart than the credit card. Gee, that sounds a little cynical, doesn't it. Guess, I'd better dig out my Santa hat and start getting into the spirit more myself.

Meantime, check out the site. You might find some ideas that are perfect for the people on your list this year without having to spend a fortune. It's fun to make personal gifts or to give something totally unique and extra thoughtful. The recipients will love it, too!

3 Months to Go Until Christmas...Again, Already!

Wow. Yesterday, I was wearing shorts and tank top in the hot sunshine, here in my little part of Ontario. This morning, I wake up and realize that it's only 3 months to the day until Christmas. Again. Already. Maybe it's me but it seems that it comes around a little faster each year.

Regardless of my perceptions or feelings about the fleeting passage of days, it's time to start gearing up for Santa's annual visit. In the days and weeks to come, I'll be scouring for Christmas ideas, gifts, decorations, crafts and anything else I can find that will hopefully help you get excited about another Christmas in our beautiful Canada.

Here we go!