The Enduring Charm of Personalized Holiday Cards

Discover the inspiration behind my meaningful paper goods tradition and why sending cards this season matters

I’ve always had a deep affection for paper goods. Call it old-fashioned, but there’s something truly special about a handwritten note or the detail of a custom invitation that feels irreplaceable. My love for paper goods dates back to the 5th grade when my childhood best friend moved to Santa Barbara. I would send her notes on my favorite floral stationery—a small piece of my world to hers, carried by the "pony express" to share my little happenings in Huntington Beach. At the same time, I anxiously awaited hers from Santa Barbara in my mailbox a month or two later.

Over the years, that affection deepened, manifesting into the creation of our personalized wedding invitations, complete with a custom crest, an epic paper suite, and cocktail napkins that reflected our love for Broadway.

[Becca Goldberg's talents at Suite Papiere are one in a million]

I’ve always viewed paper goods as a vessel for connection, nostalgia, and sentiment—a timeless reminder in a world that often moves too fast and forgets to cherish the simple things.

The Heart of the Holidays: A Paper Goods Tradition

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it’s time for me to dive into one of my favorite paper goods traditions. I’ve been sending out holiday cards for almost 10 years, but who’s counting? I love the simple gesture of spreading a little joy, humor, and warmth to those I hold near and dear during December. Each year, I set the bar higher, aiming to top the prior season with something a little more personal and a tad more memorable.

A Classic New Year with a Modern Twist

I focused on the New Year for the first couple of years — simple, fresh, and poking fun at the year that was. They were playful, but deep down, I knew I had more creative juice in my tank.

Inspiration Source: I turned to Paperless Post, searching through their collection of holiday cards “without photos” to see if anything sparked my interest. I wasn’t looking for something completely new, but rather, a way to make it my own. By simply changing the fonts and adding small personal touches, I transformed a ready-made design into something that felt uniquely mine.

{These years felt “so fetch’]

A Little Humor, A Lot of Latkes

A few years later, I cranked it up a notch with more humor, a dash of cheekiness, and a nod to my Jewish roots. Blending in my traditions made it feel a bit more personal, and way more me.

Inspiration Source: The year I bought my Jonathan Adler Dachshund Menorah, I turned to Google and clip art, where a Lady Liberty drawing sparked an idea for a design that showcased my love for my favorite city. A few years later, clip art inspired another design celebrating my favorite Christmas Day tradition: Chinese food followed by a movie. The internet is full of unique designs—it just takes a little tinkering to create a little magic for the eyes.

[I love them both equally, don’t make me choose]

A Blend of Festive Spirits Creates the Best Holiday Cheer

And my favorite years have been the ones I’ve shared with Drew, merging our holidays and blending both my traditions and his into something uniquely ours—celebrating the season in a way that feels truly special.

Inspiration Source: A couple of years ago, while scrolling through Etsy, I stumbled upon a sweatshirt that had me laughing out loud. I instantly knew it had to be turned into a card. Instead of checking one of the boxes on the original design, I added a personal twist, letting the recipient decide which one to check off.

Last year, we turned to Etsy again and created our most personalized card to date —one that I hold so close to my heart, especially after losing Bogart this year. It featured a cherished cartoon of the three of us with NYC as our backdrop, beautifully illustrated by a talented Lithuanian artist from Myminifam.

[A mini cartoon Bogart, will always have my heart]

When it’s time to bring these ideas to life, Zazzle is my go-to platform. I always opt for the postcard format—it transforms my designs into mini works of art that recipients can proudly display on their fridges. Zazzle’s affordability and efficiency make it easy to turn inspiration into reality without stretching the budget — or the holiday timeline. Plus, their 100% satisfaction guarantee removes any worry if something doesn’t turn out perfectly (though I’ve rarely needed it).

--

I’m eagerly anticipating this year’s postcard in the mail, ready to stamp and send out. If you’re still on the fence about sending out cards this year, the answer is always a resounding ‘yes.’ I hope this post sparks your creativity. If nothing else, it's a great reminder to slow down, connect, and celebrate the moments — and the people — that make your life meaningful and worthwhile.