Zazzle UK Blog

Although the amount of mail generated by the UK has slowed in recent years, sales of greeting cards, and specifically Christmas cards, show few signs of decline. The British public spent more than £1.7 billion on Christmas cards in 2017, according to the Greeting Card Association, and while ecards have become a popular way of spreading festive cheer, the long-standing tradition of the humble Christmas card has yet to wane. Indeed, it’s a custom that can be traced back to the nineteenth century, when civil servant Henry Cole printed the first batch of commercial Christmas cards in 1843. The idea of sending Christmas cards gained popularity throughout the Victorian era, eventually extending to companies and businesses, who sent Christmas cards to generate goodwill and promote their brand. 

Fast-forward to 2019, however, and while business Christmas cards are still sent, they are quite often discarded. How can you ensure that your own company’s cards will be remembered, and maybe even kept, just like Disney’s? If you’re responsible for the company Christmas cards this year, don’t be anxious: this is our festive guide to producing something truly special for the most important people in your company and industry. So fold that card, seal that envelope and lick that stamp: the best corporate cards will be yours this Christmas! 

‘Tis the Reason

Let’s face it: ecards are much more economical, but it’s hard to beat the tangible satisfaction of receiving hand-delivered, personalised cards. Overall, the benefits of sending them outweigh the costs and cons, as corporate cards can be a creative way of promoting your brand and boosting staff morale. But before you post a single card, you need to outline YOUR reasons for making business Christmas cards; what exactly are you trying to achieve? Establishing a goal will help to shape the design of your card and influence the direction your Christmas card campaign will take. 

The reasons for sending company Christmas cards are abundant, and your cards may satisfy more than one of the following goals. For example, corporate cards are not always recognised for what they are: a marketing endeavour which seeks to improve one’s perception of the brand or company. While it may come across as overly desperate or tacky to include a specific reference to your business’s success or a recent achievement, you can at least include your logo or colour scheme to remind the recipient of who’s responsible for the exquisite card! Holiday cards can also help to strengthen relationships between employers and employees, companies and clients: while a simple card might not work ‘magic’ per se, it’s an opportunity to thank some of your trusted partners and colleagues for their work and custom. 

At its most basic, a Christmas card is a time-honoured tradition, and many businesses make a point of sending them every year. If you do the same, it will help to mark your company as an established, reliable enterprise, with experience in the industry and respect for old customs.

Who Who Who!

Now that you’ve committed to sending corporate Christmas cards, it’s time to set yourself some parameters. While it’s tempting to order more cards than you need, it’s more effective to plan exactly who will be getting a card this year. Draw up a list of the most vital people in your contact list, beginning with your on-site employees and colleagues, and calculate how many cards you will require. Then consult any lists you have of your off-site associates, and make sure that their addresses are up to date. If you’re unsure, contact them and ask them to confirm their details; this might even allow you to signal, ahead of time, that you plan to send a card, allowing them to return the favour. This will open up a chain of communication that could have dwindled in the past but which may prove useful in the future, and to do so in a fun, informal way.

With this in mind, you may want to extend your contact list to all and sundry, in the hope that this will rekindle custom or ignite interest in your wares. However, it’ll probably come across as disingenuous to send cards to clients about whom you know little. Instead, send the cards to more viable prospects, and ideally, directly to the employee with whom you have had the most interaction. This will ensure that your card is handled with more respect and care – rather than sending it to the company director, who may hardly know you! Beware, too, of the cut-off point for Christmas post. Don’t procrastinate: leave enough time to design, write and proof the card, rather than having it come down to the wire. Some companies and offices might close early for Christmas, in fact, and it would be polite to allow them time to respond, should they wish to send you a card in return! 

Looks Like Christmas

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of the card is what it will actually look like: the presentation will attract the most attention and comments from your recipients. If you’d rather not labour too much over the design, you could commission a professional artist to create something for you. There are numerous designers on social media that you can enlist to create a corporate card for you, taking much of the pressure off you and your team. Another option, and a particularly fun one, could be to have a competition within your company to design the best card, or maybe even a calendar! Using their drawing, photography or Photoshop skills, you can assign your employees the task of trying to produce the best card; you could even split the staff into teams so that the task is more manageable and enjoyable. The prize could be something like a Christmas hamper, or an increased bonus: something that will help to rally the troops around one festive goal. 

Printing photos on your card is a particularly popular idea. Set one day aside for your employees to come in wearing costumes, or Christmas jumpers, and take a group photo of everyone in full regalia! One of the other things a photo Christmas card can do is to convey an impression of what it’s like to work at your company, and if the staff look like they’re having fun or the work environment looks pleasant, it may well help your brand. Think about the industry in which you work, too. If you’re a magazine, store or website, you’ll want something fun and uplifting; on the other hand, if you’re a law firm or medical organisation, you should opt for an understated and professional look. 

Festive Reading

The final component of the perfect company Christmas card is the message. Your greeting will emphasise the strong connections you have forged with your colleagues and clients throughout the year, and because of this, you should avoid printing a generic message on each card. The act of handwriting is, in our digital age, almost a lost art, which is why it will add a personal, old-school touch when you sign your own name or include a unique note. It needn’t be long – you’ll probably have hundreds of these to write – but even the shortest salutation will display warmth and attentiveness.

Of course, if you’re going to write individual messages, be sure there’s someone around to monitor them in some way! Be careful of using humour, for example, because something that’s funny to you might not be to others. A message that looks forward to the New Year, or which thanks the recipient for their time that year, is perfect: it’s positive and encouraging, while still making some allusion to your business connection. Obviously, check the spelling and grammar of your card to make sure that it sounds articulate and professional, and you’re almost done!

With these questions answered, you’re now prepared to print and produce your card. The most important thing is, once again, to start early: it’ll take time to design, print and write high-quality Christmas cards, aside from the time they’ll spend in transit. The process is time-consuming, but that’s exactly why it’s worthwhile: you’ll show your customers and staff that, even when it comes to the humble holiday card, your business goes the extra mile.

Hordes of falling, multicoloured leaves; fresh, crisp mornings; the return of rush-hour bedlam. Uni is beckoning. 

Whether you’re a first-year newbie shaking with excitement and trepidation, or a postgraduate veteran delaying the impending reality of the working world, you’ll be spending loads of time in your student accommodation this coming year. 

Revamping your university room decor can be fun and undoubtedly rewarding but finding time between meeting up with friends, organising your study supplies, and acquainting yourself with your local pubs environs, can be difficult.

Having inserted the key and unlocked the door, explore this roomful of affordable yet stylish ideas – they’re sure to save you time revolutionising the interior design of your new residence.  

Home Is Where the Art Is

Although treating your university bedroom like a blank canvas may be a tad extreme, having an open mind is essential. Posters are a relatively inexpensive way of expressing your personality – some university campuses host poster sales regularly, while you can create your own online as well. Additionally, feel free to let your artistic inclinations roam free by mixing and matching your favourite prints or photos to transform a bare white area into a soothing, thought-provoking gallery wall. 

For those looking to infuse their room with travel vibes, maps can strike the perfect balance between being decoratively aesthetic and sating those wanderlust instincts. Vintage or modern, colourful or monochrome, your map can easily be incorporated into your design specifications, acting as the ultimate conversation starter with any guests.    

Remember, however, that you’re not only confined by your room’s four walls, but by the fine print on your lease agreement. Make a lasting impression on your landlord, and not their walls, by using command strips to hang up any posters and photos. These removable wall mounts are available in various sizes, so you can put up anything from an eye-catching tapestry to your dressing gown without leaving a trace behind on the wall when you leave.

Cushion the Blow

If you’re moving out for the first time, you’ll make several mind-blowing discoveries: for instance, your dinners never actually cooked themselves and your clothes never magically washed themselves either. However, while those tangible benefits will be missed, your immediate challenge will be to import some of that intangible cosiness and character into your student room decor. 

Throw blankets are a great starting point: what better way to conjure up a warm, snug atmosphere than introducing something that makes you warm and snug?! Combining functionality with an injection of colour and texture, throws can transform a boring desk chair or a non-descript bed into treasured, inviting spaces. Add further personality with a photo cushion or two, and suddenly, those empty voids which had you longing for home are filled by welcoming reminders of the way life used to be. 

For those with looser purse strings, consider adding a statement rug to provide comfort against those barefoot walks on a cold, hard floor. But take note: while it may seem contradictory, a bigger rug, one which partly runs underneath the bed, will draw the eye wider and make a small space seem larger – ideal for when your nocturnal cramming routine has you suffering from bleary-eyed claustrophobia.   

Let There Be Light

Even the best-designed dwellings can be subdued by poorly-lit spaces. Furthermore, lighting can also profoundly influence mood levels – too bright, and it can disrupt circadian clock rhythms that negatively impact upon sleep quality; too dim, and how are you expected to read those endless streams of revision notes? 

Consequently, your lighting choices should be able to cater to your uni room’s dual functions: sleep and study. You can rejuvenate your place’s character by mixing up an array of floor and table lamps to create different lighting levels, while lampshades are a great way to enliven bare bulbs or instil a little colour into a space. 

Introduce some glow to your living quarters by hanging up a set of fairy lights. Superbly versatile, they can be draped around a mirror or perched on a wall to illuminate your night-time sanctuary. What’s more, you can explore your creative side by pegging polaroid prints to your assortment of lights, and stringing them across your room for that classic dreamy feel. Once complete, be sure to showcase your innovation on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook… Whatever your preferred social media platform, your followers are sure to be impressed!

Become a Plant Parent

While those mammoth study sessions may prevent you from getting outdoors, bring some nature indoors by becoming a plant parent. Houseplants help to purify the air and regulate humidity, and the sight of greenery has been shown to make us feel happier. Even the act of regularly tending to plants is said to help relieve acute stress. 

In reality, it’s never been easier to develop your green fingers – low-maintenance, long-living varieties, such as snake plants and aloe vera, need only be watered occasionally without requiring massive amounts of sunlight. Furthermore, most herbs can be grown inside, and it can be quite rewarding to watch seedlings of basil, thyme, or parsley sprout up, engulfing your room in beautiful scents. Don’t forget the added bonus of some extra flavour to your meals as well! 

Room for Manoeuvre

Ultimately, the person who best knows how to decorate your student room is…well, you. So why not bring some of that individuality to your living space? Unleash your creative impulses by adorning the walls with a washi tape design, or by re-using those empty mason jars and glass bottles as vases or ornamental candle holders. 

However, if you’re the more organised type, dividers are a simple, inexpensive way to bring order to a socks and underwear drawer. And while some of these picture-perfect desk decor ideas are virtually impossible to achieve on a daily basis, developing a ‘keep, reuse, dispose’ decluttering policy can ensure that your creative ingenuity will not be overwhelmed by excessive hoarding.   

With exams complete and the Christmas festivities imminent, you’re standing on the threshold again, looking back at the place you’ve got to know so well. You see? There’s no reason why that warm, fuzzy feeling of homeliness can’t be fostered even within the constraints of a lease. So go for it, challenge yourself to break free, and add those personal touches to your university room decor. Because ultimately, a home isn’t where the deeds are; it’s where the heart is! 

Did you know that board games and tabletop games have their origins in ancient Egypt? Almost 3,000 years ago, in the Middle Kingdom and Early Dynastic periods of Egyptian history, people played board games like Mehen, which used lion and lioness-shaped counters and marbles. The most popular board game was Senet, a draughts-like game which involved moving pieces from one end of the board to the other. Meanwhile, dice games were played in ancient Greece and Rome, and our Western version of chess has its origins in the East, in games like xiangqi and shogi, which are still played today. From mahjong to Monopoly, board, card, and tabletop games have a long and storied history.

In the 21st century, gaming has become synonymous with computer and video games. But, as the above examples show, the best board games predate, quite significantly, online, PC and console gaming. For board games to have endured this long demonstrates their health and educational benefits, as well as the fun, convivial atmosphere associated with playing some of your favourite games. In the article below, we’re going to elaborate on some of the virtues of board games and explain why they’ve enjoyed a resurgence as of late. With autumn drawing in and the nights getting colder, it’s time to pick up 2 cards, collect £200 when you pass GO, and discover if it really was Colonel Mustard, in the library, with the candlestick…

They’re Good For You 

Every board, card, and tabletop game has a set of rules, directions and win conditions, yet these rules are not typically visible at all times throughout the game. Players are expected to absorb, memorise and manipulate these rules and victory conditions in order to participate and succeed at the game, and this requires critical thinking and good memory skills. Board games are particularly good for children’s cognitive development, as they help to foster motor, maths and communication skills. Drawing pictures, rolling dice, and building towers helps to refine kids’ hand-eye coordination, and calculating scores, penalties or Monopoly money helps them to practise some basic arithmetic.

Board games also reinforce more sophisticated skills. Your reasoning and problem-solving abilities are tested by games that ask you to deduce answers or eliminate possibilities with logic (as in Guess Who, or Cluedo). Most significantly, many tabletop games, like Dungeons & Dragons, inspire you to create your own narrative and are therefore a way of unlocking your creative and storytelling potential. In these long-form games, players must invent characters, choosing their weapons and abilities, and ultimately adopting the persona of that character in subsequent sessions of the game. In particular, the ‘Dungeon Master’, the organiser and narrator of the game, must design a scenario that the other players will enjoy, making it a social, imaginative experience. A smaller, more localised example is that of Rory’s Story Cubes, a game designed by Belfast-based Rory O’Connor. In this game, players must roll a set of dice with pictures on them – they could be animals, characters or activities – and then invent a story incorporating those elements. This is a fun way of relieving both boredom and writer’s block, and there’s even a Batman version!  

They’re an Alternative to Technology 

As we’ve said, many people associate gaming nowadays with video games and esports, and the popularity of these hobbies can’t be understated. However, if you’d like some respite from online gaming and 100-hour role-playing games, then it might be worth digging out a deck of cards or quiz questions for an old-school gaming experience. Video games CAN improve hand-eye coordination and reaction speed, like board games; but they’re also quite sedentary experiences and often require countless hours to complete. Playing a board game is a finite, contained act, with a definitive end in sight, and thus it’s easier to sneak in a full game when time is of the essence. 

Furthermore, with British adults spending, on average, 24 hours a week online, board games are a way of switching off, both figuratively and literally. Board games aren’t reliant on data, broadband speed, bandwidth, or an online subscription, meaning that a game can be played practically anywhere. Indeed, the tangible, tactile act of rolling dice or arranging counters seems rather unique in our digital age, where other forms of entertainment, like CDs and DVDs, are being replaced by their virtual equivalents. 

From a design perspective, it’s also easier to create your own board game, as they require less money and IT expertise to create! According to Quintin Smith, because prototypes are easy to make – you can create a mockup in your own kitchen – “when you buy a board game, what you take home and play is the original concept precisely as it was in the designer’s head.” Many board games have also received significant funding on Kickstarter, so the prospect of having people play your very own board game, someday, is not beyond the bounds of possibility. 

There’s Something For Everybody 

Games like Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and Risk are still popular, but now, more than ever, card, board, and tabletop games are diverse, catering to multiple different tastes and audiences. Alongside the old favourites like Jenga and Yahtzee, some newer board games rival them in popularity. For example, Catan, a game in which you work to settle an island, is now so popular that it’s used in some US business meetings as an ice-breaking or team-building exercise. For those who like interactive, thrill-a-minute games, Hasbro continues to publish perennial Milton Bradley favourites like Buckaroo! and Mouse Trap, and the degree of luck involved in these older games only adds to the fun and spontaneity. 

Some of the biggest card games include Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic: The Gathering, each of which incorporates a collectible element. Players can trade cards with each other in order to expand their collection and create a personalised deck with which they can compete against other gamers. This makes the game an ongoing social experience, and people discuss tips and strategies even when not actively playing the game. There exist other card-related games that are more condensed and accessible, of course. In Boss Monster, players must build mazes and dungeons in order to trap and ensnare adventurers, and in Love Letter, players must compete to be the first to deliver a love letter to a princess. This latter game comes in multiple different variants, including a version based on The Hobbit! 

They’re a Social Experience 

Board games are, generally, a social experience. We tend to associate board games with childhood and with family; with a time when siblings, relatives and friends hadn’t moved away for work or uni. With Christmas coming up, it’s an ideal time to relive those days, and that post-dinner slump could be the perfect incentive to source your favourite games from childhood, whether it’s Operation, Pictionary or The Game of Life. Not only are they a relaxing way to spend your time – they’re not as stimulating as video games, so they’re quite therapeutic – but they require face-to-face communication. Players must work together, or against each other, and the competitive or collaborative experience can strengthen relationships, offering new insights into people’s personalities. 

In 2019, a growing number of people are embracing the nostalgia of the tabletop game. The UK now boasts a significant number of board game cafés, where, for a nominal fee, you have access to prodigious collections of obscure games – as well as food, drink and company. The upsurge in the amount of people rediscovering the joy of board games has meant that conventions are being held regularly, too: events devoted to board, card, and tabletop gaming are taking place all over the UK and Ireland. If you’re interested in learning more about the best board games, would like help tracking down a particular item, or even just want someone to play with, these gaming shows are a great place to start!

Well, it looks like the game is over, the results are in, and the winner is… board games! With the above benefits in mind, it’s your turn to continue this millennia-old tradition. Get some friends together, buy some drinks and snacks, and hunt down, once and for all, those missing Connect 4 counters. You’ve got nothing to lose!

Business cards are a tried and tested means of getting your information across and have had outstanding success for decades. While it’s easy to throw together a basic business card, you risk losing the uniqueness and quality that will actually grab your audience’s attention. So if you want to really wow your recipients the next time you whip out your details, follow our tips to make your very best business cards.

What to Put on Your Business Cards

As a general rule, less is more. This may sound counter-intuitive but hear me out: most people these days will ask if you’re active on social media and pages like Facebook and LinkedIn are fast becoming the first point of contact between business and client. Let’s face it, time marches on and it’s better to march with than against it. By leaving out your fax, landline number, address and homepage, you’ll free up space for the most important details. Include your work number and email address, and make your Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn icons clearly visible. For those operating within an artistic field, sites such as Pinterest may also be useful to add here. To get the full benefit, make sure you regularly update your social media pages with content to keep your audience interested.

Get Visual

If you work in a traditional field like finance or legal, it’s a safe bet to choose a simple but stylish template that exudes trust and professionalism. Whereas more creative industries may want to be more daring. Also keep in mind the psychological impact colours can have on a person. For example, blue, pink, green, grey and tan can be calming. Whereas bolder colours like red, black, orange and yellow can energise an audience. If you’re looking for on-trend templates, our creators have created business cards with popular patterns such as marble, floral, watercolour and more. Finally, don’t forget to include your company logo to help create a recognisable brand image.

Lights, Camera – Call to Action!

To turn a curious recipient into a convinced customer, we recommend adding a call to action to your business card. This can be anything from a promotional code to simple phrases such as ‘Call now’, ‘Find out more’ or ‘Don’t miss out’. To make this interaction more swift and convenient, replace your website address with a unique QR code – then people can simply scan with their mobile device and be directed immediately to your page.

Shape & Size

Simply selecting a different size or shape template is an easy way to create unusual business cards. Our UK/Euro (8.5 cm x 5.5 cm) card sizes are perfect all-rounders that provide you with a classic scale and appearance ideal for solicitors, bankers, medical professionals or tradespeople. Looking to make a larger than life impression? Try our Mighty (8.9 cm x 6.4 cm) cards. These are great for fitting in those additional details without compromising the spatial integrity of your card. For those who prefer the compact look, our Mini (7.6 cm x 2.5 cm) cards will grab attention with their longer horizontal shape. While all of our sizes are winners, my personal favourite has to be the Square (6.4 cm x 6.4 cm). This unique size and shape will truly wow and is perfect for interior decorators, architects or those with a flair for design.

Don’t Cut the Corner

You can’t argue with the traditional square cut corners of an old-school business card. They let your card line up nicely with any other cards in a wallet or purse, and to stack after a big function or event. But adding round corners to your business cards will create a slightly unusual and softer appearance.

Pick Your Paper

Choosing a paper type requires some consideration. Our two base models, Standard Semi-Gloss and Standard Matte, offer a bright white, semi-gloss finish and a light, eggshell white, uncoated finish respectively. Premium Black paper comes with a dark, smooth finish, ideal for contrasting designs or minimalist works with light-on-dark visuals. Premium Thick offers a 32 pt. thickness (240 lb weight) and has an eggshell white finish and a soft cotton texture. Premium Pearl, which provides a soft, shimmer white, coated finish is ideal for wedding planners, event organisers or beauticians to name just a few.

Customise Your Cards

If you’ve found a design you love for your business card but want to make it that bit more special, then our easy-to-use customisation tool will see you right. Choose the font that best suits your style, upload images of your staff, premises or latest work and create amazing patterns.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your original business cards, so don’t be afraid to try out different styles, paper types, colours, themes, patterns or sizes. Whatever way you decide to market yourself, we wish you the very best in all your future business endeavours!