/Get Inspired/Editors' Picks

Spread Holiday Cheer with Festive Greeting Cards by Local Designers

Toronto artists put new spins on seasonal greetings

By Eric Mutrie

Sorry, e-greeting sites, but putting pen to thick card stock remains the best way to wish friends and family a happy holiday season. And while embarrassingly sappy cards abound at dollar stores across the city, local gift and print shops offer a great selection of charming and cheeky greetings for those seeking something more sophisticated. Below, we round up five designs sure to earn pride of place on any recipient’s fridge or mantle. But hurry – anyone hoping to get holiday cards in Toronto mailboxes by the 24th needs to send them by this Friday!

Happy holidays from everyone at Designlines!

Above: Print-making equipment at artist-run centre Open Studio, currently holding its annual Artist Proof Sale until December 20.

DrakeGS

1 Poppin’ Bottles
Hot off the heels of launching its own housewares line, the Drake General Store debuts an in-house collection of greeting cards. This one captures the spirit of a boozy celebration, with gold foil accents surrounding seasonal party staples like champagne bottles and noisemakers. A lyric from “White Christmas” completes the design. $6 at the Drake General Store

AlannaCav - Greeting Cards by Local Designers

2 Home for the Holidays
Artist Alanna Cavanagh combines a storybook illustrator’s sense of whimsy with a fashion designer’s sense of style. Inspired by a cozy Victorian in Cabbagetown, this card depicts a classic holiday home: snow on the ground, wreath on the door and dressed-up tree in the window. You can practically smell the turkey dinner cooking inside. $4 at Swipe

brockton - Greeting Cards by Local Designers

3 Hit the Slopes
Sure to be a hit with skiers and snowboarders who put a fresh coat of powder at the top of their wish list, this card by Toronto duo Made in Brockton Village wishes receipients a happy, high-altitude holidays. Red gondolas are shown suspended above a lush forest of snow-covered trees. $5 at Scout

smittenkitten

4 Bad Santa
Amy Kwong‘s Creepy Santa line of holiday cards playfully acknowledge that some of Saint Nick’s mythology can make the bearded figure seem more frightening than friendly. On this card, a photo of a menacing Father Christmas leering from behind a floral lace curtain is captioned with ominous lyrics from “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” $5 at I Have a Crush on You

kidicarus - Greeting Cards by Local Designers

5 Skater Kids
Popular winter date destination Nathan Phillips Square gets some love on this card by Kensington Market screen print studio Kid Icarus. A crowd of skaters enjoy some ice time underneath the three concrete arches that cover the downtown rink. Nearby buildings like Old City Hall feature in the background amidst a starry sky. At Kid Icarus


Categories: Editors' Picks

Tags:

You may also like