How to Host a Card-Making Party

A card-making party brings together friends or family to craft handmade greeting cards for fellow members of their community (assisted living residents, community center patrons, hospital patients, first responders, etc.)

Why this recipe matters

Over 90% of Americans claim to have a very positive or positive reaction upon receiving personal letters and cards.

Ingredients

• Paper, pens, markers, glue, stickers, and tape, or store-bought cards
• Envelopes (or handmade envelopes)
• Canva greeting card templates
• Invitation template
• Photo release

Recipe

1. Decide on your recipients. 

• Contact local groups, hospitals, or assisted living facilities to see if they accept donated cards.
• Ask about whether there are any themes to avoid, such as religious messages.

2. Gather your ingredients. 

• Collect colorful paper, pens, and other decorating supplies.
• Feel free to use pre-made greeting cards or online card templates, as well.

3. Invite your community to help. 

• Advertise the card-making party in your neighborhood or through your local community center.
• If you want to host a smaller party, invite some friends to join you.

4. Decorate. 

• In your invite, ask guests to contribute to the card-making supplies if they can. 
• At the party, share details about who is receiving the cards, as well as guidelines on what should or should not be included.
• Anticipate your party to last no more than one or two hours.
• If your guests are comfortable with it (and complete the photo release included in the ingredients) be sure to snap some photos of the party and shout it out on social using #Idealist.

5. Deliver your handmade cards. 

• The organization you’ve chosen to donate cards to may allow your volunteers to deliver them in person.
• Another option is to leave your cards with a staff person who can distribute them for you.

Nutritional Information

How this recipe has nurtured a community

“When I was little, all of my classmates would craft and exchange Valentine’s Day cards. It’s such a special childhood memory! But I couldn’t tell you the last time I got a Valentine’s Day card, until of course, we received a delivery from Sandra and her friends! All of our faces lit up opening our cards! Such a lovey surprise.”

— Maya S., resident of Cobble Hill Lifecare

Finishing Touch

Do your card recipients have a first language other than English? Including a small message in their native language is a great way to personalize your card and guaranteed to spark a smile on the receiving end. 

Here’s how to write “How are you?” in 10 languages:

Arabic - كيف حالك؟ 

Bengali- আপনি কেমন আছেন?

Cantonese- 你點呀？

Dutch - Hoe gaat het?

French - Comment allez- vouz

Haitian Creole - Kouman oy ye?

Hindi - आप कैसे हैं?

Korean - 어떻게 지내세요?

Portuguese (Brazil) - Como vai?

Spanish - ¿Como esta usted?