So I noticed that most of the autumn leaves have left the trees and invaded all that constitutes ground. Which can only mean one thing.

Christmas!! Only 60 days until Christmas!! omg omg wtf panic excitement panic omg

(Ignore that last part, it was utterly unprofessional.)

So you're halfway through finishing this year's projects, you've kept a list of good gift ideas, you've started collecting holiday recipes, and you procured the decorations before they were all gone, now it's time to start thinking about Christmas cards.

I go crazy every year about Christmas cards - I buy all kinds of new card-making utilities and supplies every year even if I've still got leftovers from five years ago! Somehow they get better by the year. I don't know how, but they do. It's quite insane.

Now, when I say thinking about Christmas cards, I'm not suggesting you make them yet, even though you can if you want to. I'm above all suggesting you start thinking about it - going on a Google Image search frenzy about card style ideas and maybe getting some more red cardboard if you're out. (I mean, let's face it. You're probably more concerned about Halloween right now. That's hands down a priority over Christmas cards these days.) (More of Halloween next week.)

This is particularly important for me since I make all the Christmas cards myself, for everyone, every year. I'm that person in my extended family - the one who always sends the self-made card. All the others send store-bought cards, maybe because they don't time to make cards themselves, or because they don't want to, or because they feel they lack the talent. But I make the time, and have the talent, and I like to do things with my hands, so making the cards myself comes naturally.

So if you have the time and don't find the thought of making Christmas cards yourself too nauseating, do it. It makes all the difference. It shows you made an effort - and thus creates a warmer Christmas spirit to the recipient.

(Or so I'd like to believe. I rarely get self-made cards myself. But if I ever did, I would definitely appreciate it more than a store-bought.)

So get inspired! Search the internet for ideas, go to the stationery store to get what you need, and start designing! There's plenty of time to do the heavy lifting in November. All you need to do right now is to get inspired and excited.

And if you're sending store-bought cards, or if you're not sending cards at all, you can just relax and look forward to the next article on WIP's Christmas Countdown series!

RK