Send your loved ones one of these very special cards from a small business to show that you appreciate them this year. I always send Christmas cards to clients and customers and my family but this year I will also be sending them to friends we won't be able to see this year.
Normally, I bulk buy from one business but this year I'm thinking about spreading the Christmas buying between several small businesses. It seems to be the year to start a new tradition and this feels like a good start.
In this gift guide, you will find cards for any taste, colourful, intricate, special finishes, traditional and cheeky. Tag me over on Instagram, @small_business_collaborative, if you decide to pick up anything from any of these wonderful small businesses.
Afro Touch Design
AfroTouch Design, founded by Georgina Fihosy, creates diverse greeting cards and stationery using popular West African print fabric patterns. AfroTouch Design is the perfect solution for individuals searching for culturally reflective products that celebrate black culture in a unique and memorable way and create positive change one card at a time.
All their cards are hand-finished with African wax print fabrics and include culturally reflective designs.
What I love: I'm so impressed with everything that Georgina does, she works full time and runs her business around her family and children as well as advocating for real change in the greetings card industry. If you would like to find out more, have a listen to Georgina and I chatting on Let's Talk Shop.
Fun fact: Afro Touch recently became the first Black female greeting card publisher to be stocked by Waterstones bookshops.
Price range: £4-30
Shop: https://afrotouch.design
Follow: @afrotouchdesign
Stoat and Weasels
Playful, colourful designs for cards, prints, tea towels and gift items – for big and small kids. Designed by Lisa in Brighton.
What I love: Fun and colourful designs that make you smile.
Fun fact: I can make the sound of a car alarm.
Price range: £2.50-25
Follow: @stoatsandweasels
Ricicle Cards
David launched Ricicle Cards in January 2020 following a life-long love of greeting cards and stationery. Based in Somerset, he designs bright, colourful and contemporary cards to encourage us all to keep in touch via a little happy post. Using a variety of printing techniques to create unique and exciting finishes, each card has been carefully thought out with great care for the environment.
Every card is printed in England using FSC certified paper that's milled in the Lake District for the cards and envelopes. All consumer orders are dispatched plastic-free by David from his Somerset studio.
What I love: David only launched this year but is already stocked at Selfridges, Papersmiths and by some lovely indies. I'm always partial to a bit of foil on cards and I love that David has a really varied range.
Fun fact: I've always loved cards and stationery ever since I can remember. I love to create beautiful designs that I would love to buy myself. Getting the added bonus of other people enjoying them is amazing!
Price range: £2.50-8.95
Follow: @riciclecards
Rubyblue Paper Co
Rubyblue Paper Co is a luxury card and stationery brand based in Nottinghamshire. Delivering beautiful hand finished collections of letterpress and foil paper products inspired by the simple life.
Clare uses sustainable papers including one made from recycled coffee cups previously destined for landfill and she offers a personal message and gift wrap service.
What I love: Clare printed some of my cards that I send clients on her trusted letterpress. I love letter pressed cards so you will see quite a few of them in this guide. They feel so special and thoughtful.
Fun fact: The name Rubyblue comes from the road where I purchased my first house 'ruby's walk' and blue describes my personality, as I've always been a very calm and reliable person!
Price range: £4.50-32
Follow: @rubybluepaperco
Emma Bradstreet Paper & Press
Emma Bradstreet Paper & Press is a Letterpress & Design business specialising in Greetings Cards, Wedding, Personal and Business Stationery. Drawing inspiration from nature & timeless, minimal design, everything is lovingly hand-printed on my 1920s printing press.
Hand made in the UK using an endangered craft that has fewer than 200 professional printers left in the UK.
What I love: Emma's cards are beautiful, I really like her cards that are first blind pressed, not sure that's what it's called, but it's embossed and then foil-pressed afterwards. It creates a really beautiful finish that looks simple and impactful.
Fun fact: Every piece is hand-printed on my antique printing press that is over 100 years old and weighs over 300kilos! Each piece passes through the press at-least two or three times for the final piece to be complete so is a real labour of love.
Price range: From £3.50
Follow: @emmabradstreetpaperandpress
Made by Shannon
Shannon creates beautifully designed & considered products. Mindfully made in England with care and attention to where each element is sourced from. Shannon loves to use recycled and handmade paper, that are printed in-house on antique presses and she buys her vintage fabric from small businesses across the UK and France.
Made by Shannon use recycled and repurposed materials wherever possible. Everything is made in the UK. Cards are printed on a 1980's hot foil press and a tabletop letterpress. Card stock includes - paper made from hops, post-consumer waste such as kiwi fruit and grapes and plantable seeded paper.
What I love: Shannon's cards are beautiful and simple in their design but delights with humour and cheeky-ness which is unexpected and fun. She also has some beautiful cards with foiled envelopes and she offers a bespoke service to her stockists at low minimums.
Fun fact: Made by Shannon is run from an old forge which was built in 1875. We currently have a pop-up shop where you can come and shop our entire collection and we have a click and collect service. The Forge, Abinger Hammer, Surrey, RH5 6SH
Price range: £3-20
Follow: @madebyshannon
Emma Bryan
Elegant contemporary greeting cards, stationery and gifts to celebrate meaningful moments. Her designs are full of joyful pastels hues, hand-painted florals and inspiration from the natural world.
A truly British brand, designed, printed and packed from Emma's garden studio in London.
What I love: Christmas doesn't have to be all red and green, Emma's cards are modern but with a traditional twist in lovely muted colours.
Price range: From £2.50
Follow: @emmabryandesign/
Nettlefold Home
Stationery, cards and gifts featuring happy words and wonderful nature and wildlife--inspired illustrations.
Featuring exclusive words and lines created by my Grandfather. All made in the UK
What I love: Zoe's designs are beautiful, thoughtful and I think the words make them so special, they are sure to make you and the recipient smile. Isn't that what's it's all about?
Fun fact: The words are excerpts from poems my Grandad wrote for me when I was little which I rediscovered when clearing out my late Mum's loft. Nettlefold is all about the magic and innocence of childhood and the beauty of the handwritten word.
Price range: £12-50
Follow: @nettlefoldhome
Lykkefund Paper
Lykkefund Paper Greeting Cards are here to inspire and uplift you, especially during these challenging times. Each one of the high-quality cards has a story to tell, ready to share with your loved ones.
Lykkefund Paper Greeting Cards are for all lovers of little things who are passionate about beautiful paper goods and want to connect in more meaningful ways. The Designs are all based on Daniela's unique original paintings, made in Switzerland and completely eco-friendly.
What I love: When you look at Daniela's cards you can imagine the story it depicts and I like how each feels like a page from a picturebook.
Fun fact: Lykkefund Paper products are professionally printed by a family-run, eco-friendly printing company. They are made in Switzerland, packed plastic-free, and shipped worldwide in sustainable packaging.
Price range: £4-20
Follow: @lykkefundpaper
I would love to hear if you enjoyed having a look through this guide and what small businesses you will support this Christmas. Tag me over on Instagram, @small_business_collaborative, if you decide to pick up anything from any of these wonderful small businesses.