Colours available in the Winter Warmer Xmas card design

The fluffy penguin Christmas card from CCA featuring a cute penguin with his own personalised knitted jumper was always going to be a favourite design for 2009. The quality of personalisation is exceptional and the ultra high gloss (you have to feel it to know what I mean) is top knotch.
It came as no real surprise then to see our favourite penguin to get his own range of designer sweaters to launch the Christmas season. I was asked last week by two customers whether the Winter Warmer Christmas card could be changed to have a different colour jumper and was advised by CCA that this was unfortunately a no go. Well, less than one week later Mr fluffy penguin has himself a whole new wardrobe. I guess Christmas has come early; either that our penguin power rules !!

The Winter Warmer design is now available in Red (9X876X), Blue (9X876XB), Green(9X876XG) and Yellow (9X876XY). Watch out …..if granny sees these you may be in for a bumper squidgy present this Christmas when she finds those knitting needles.

9X825XART Decorated Tree – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X825XART

9X571XART Graphic Tree – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X571XART

8X012ART Cascading Tree – Blue / Green / Red – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X012ARTB
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X012ARTG
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X012ARTR

9X876XART Winter Warmer – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X876XART

9X198YART Cracker – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X198YART

9X183YART Snowy Pine – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X183YART

8X001ART Reflection – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X001ART

8X004ART Message in the Snow – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X004ART

9X178YART Seasonal Trimmings Blue – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X178YART

9X751XART Seasonal Trimmings Red – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X751XART

8X013ART Ribboned Bauble – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X013ART

8X035ART Worldwide Greetings – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X035ART

9X546XART Off Piste – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X546XART

8X005ART In the Night Sky – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X005ART

8X008ART Lighting up the Night – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X008ART

8X011ART Christmas Construction – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X011ART

8X009ART Gift Wrapped – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X009ART

8X026 Christmas Folk – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X026

9X457Q Penguin Fun – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X457Q

9X177Y Merry Christmas Snowmen – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X177Y

8X030 Streamer Tree – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X030

8X028 Icy Snowflakes – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X028

8X034 Starbright – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X034

8X024 Newton’s Sprouts – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X024

8X022 Santa Line Up – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X022

8X029 Delivering Greetings – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X029

8X026 Capital Christmas – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X026

8X029 Delivering Greetings – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X029

The Following Cards allow your Colour Company Logo on the front

9X170YART Delivering Greetings – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X170YART

9X168YART The Final Push – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X168YART

9X171YART Snowy Journey – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X171YART

9X167YART Santa Despatch – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X167YART

9X169YART Which Way Now – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X169YART

8A050ART Building for the Future – Price Band E
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8A050ART

8A054ART On the Road – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8A054ART

8A052ART Express Service – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8A052ART

9X175YART Express Service – Price Band D
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=9X175YART

8X029 Delivering Greetings – Price Band E (Silver Foil Logo Only)
http://www.corporate-christmas-cards.co.uk/version.asp?v=8X029

Beneath all the Collisons Christmas cards on this site we have added details about how to get the design at 20% discount of the Collisons retail price.  We have partnered with Collisons directly to bring you this promotion and after an extensive search ourselves believe it to be the cheapest way to purchase Collisons cards online.  Better still, with our promotion you are buying directly from Collisons themselves and not through an agent or distributor.  There is also no promotion code to enter at checkout.  No middle man = better discount.

Collisons Rep Dropdown Page

To get the discount all you need to do is choose your Christmas card on the Collisons website and click the “Select this Card” button.  You will be directed to a page that asks you to login as an agent or select a rep (see the screenshot above).  There is no need for any “log in”, since all you need to do is choose “Chapter One” from the dropdown rep list.  That’s it,  you can now continue to personalise your Christmas cards online, view your proof, and purchase your cards.  On the checkout screen you will automatically see the the discount applied to your basket total. 

For a limited time, we also offering a further 5% discount.  All you need to do is forward your Collisons email confirmation to us at collisons@company-christmas-cards.co.uk after you have ordered (as proof of referral) and we will send you a further 5% refund after your order has shipped from Collisons.

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO SEND A CHRISTMAS CARD IN 2009 ?

CCA Occasions have taken a lead in this with their message to customers this year :

The 2009 message

‘What will NOT sending a personalised Christmas card to YOUR customer this year say’? – Unfortunately it may say ‘we are no longer here’ – particularly if cutting costs have meant that you have cut back on communicating with your valued customer base throughout 2009;

REMEMBER – it costs 7 times more to reach out to a new customer – looking after existing customers is the smart way to focus your efforts during 2009!

Sending a Christmas card this year sends the right message to customers (and don’t forget a Personalised Christmas cards can also say a big ‘thank you’ to hard working staff who have no doubt pushed that extra mile to ensure the company keeps afloat) – it celebrates the fact you’ve both made it through 2009, research shows (Royal Mail 2008 Survey results) customers DO appreciate the gesture of a Christmas card and that it helps strengthen the relationship and ‘emotional’ bond between your company and theirs – securing YOUR future sales (and sending a personalised Christmas card is one of the most cost effect ways to do so!)

I think the above statement does ring true for most businesses but it is even more important if you have regulary sent Christmas Cards to your customers in previous years.  A Christmas Card is different to most other promotional material you may send out through the rest of the year.  It is a moment to get personal with your customers and let them know that you have a relationship that stretches through the ups and downs of the economy.

Royal Mail Survey

I had a further dig into the Royal Mail Christmas Card survey and was interested to read how many customers go on to make a purchase from the companies who send them Christmas Cards.  The survey reveals that 61%, almost 2/3rds, of people are prompted to make a purchase and 80% spend up to £100.  We all have a different size customer base but if these figures ring true in your sector then it really does reinforce the mantra of the opening paragraph.   Sending a Christmas Card never seems to me to be a promotional activity but the pyschology behind giving and receiving with no hard sale is backed up by the Royal Mail’s survey figures.  This to me makes sending the corporate christmas card the shrewdest marketing activity of the Calendar year.

Well, this year you may be pleased to hear that CCA Occasions have ditched this order code renaming convention and if a design has been rolled over from 2008 it will be available to order under the same 2008 code. Hurrah !

So, without further a do here is a round up of designs from 2008 that are available to order again in 2009. Straight after, we will list the new 2009 designs. All of which will be featured in more detail on this site over the next couple of weeks.

2009 Repeats from Last Year

A Cracking Team 8X018
A Warm Welcome 8H182
Adoration of the Shepherds 8H194
Around the World 8X032
Building for the Future 8A050ART
By Moonlight 8H188
Capital Christmas 8X026
Carols By Lamplight 8H190
Cascading Tree Blue 8X012ARTB
Cascading Tree Green 8X012ARTG
Cascading Tree Red 8X012ARTR
Christmas Bloomin’ Christmas 8A070
Christmas Can-Can 8A060
Christmas Carols 8D132
Christmas Centrepiece 8M114
Christmas Communications 8M107
Christmas Construction 8X011ART
Christmas Eve 8D157
Christmas Fireside 8H195
Christmas Folk 8X023
Christmas Holly 8H185
Christmas is Here 8A080
Christmas Magic 8D142
Christmas Ornament 8H196
Christmas Post 8H183
Christmas Reflection 8X040
Christmas Rush Hour 8A081
Christmas Sprouts 8A077
Christmas Star 8M097
Christmas Tee Time 8A059
Christmas Time 8H201
Christmas Tree 8A074
Christmas Welcome 8M113
Christmas Wishes 8D156
Cold Christmas 8M095
Contemporary Tree 8H174
Cool Dude 8A066
Dashing Through The Snow 8D134
Decorating the Tree 8X015
Deep and Crisp and Even 8M105
Delivering Greetings 8X029
Delivering The Presents 8D135
Express Service 8A052ART
Festive Setting 8H187
Fluffy Christmas 8M090
Following Yonder Star 8H192
Fresh Snow 8H202
Frosted Berries 8M100
Gently Falling Snow 8H173
Gift Wrapped 8X009ART
Glass Bauble 8M096
Glowing Tree 8M103
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh 8D159
Golden Glow 8D139
Golden Star 8H197
Greetings Star 8D152
Greetings Tree 8H172
Happy Christmas! 8A076
Ho Ho Ho 8X016
Holly Berries 8M101
Horseguards 8M116
Icy Snowflakes 8X028
In The Night Sky 8X005ART
In The Park 8D137
Let It Snow 8H179
Lighting Up The Night 8X008ART
Little Robin 8D148
London Skyline 8D145
Merry Christmas 8D150
Message in the Snow 8X004ART
Mince Pies 8M110
Minimal Christmas 8D154
Moonlit Village 8D143
Multi-coloured Baubles 8M098
Newton’s Sprouts 8X024
Noel 8A075
On The Road 8A054ART
Ornate Baubles 8D153
Peace Tree 8D158
Polar Hats 8A064
Puddings Galore 8D138
Ready For Christmas 8D130
Red Red Robin 8M091
Reflection 8X001ART
Reindeer on Ice 8X017
Ribboned Bauble 8X013ART
Ribboned Tree 8D151
Santa Delivery 8H177
Santa Line Up 8X022
Santa Nav 8A061
Santa’s Journey 8H171
Seasonal Glow 8M112
Season’s Greetings 8D149
Silent Night 8H193
Silver and Black Christmas 8A073
Silver Baubles 8H186
Snowdrops in Snow 8M099
Snowing 8M104
Snowy Wreath 8M111
Starbright 8X034
Star Spangled 8X036
Streamer Tree 8X030
Swirly Tree 8D155
Teamwork 8A058
The Choir 8A062
The First Fall of Winter 8H200
The Journey 8H178
The Night Before Christmas 8H189
The Old Bakery 8H184
Three Kings 8H191
Traditional Tree 8H175
Trees Galore 8H170
Turkey Escape 8A063
Twilight 8H180
Village Christmas 8H176
We Three Kings 8A065
While Shepherds Watched 8D161
Winter Berries 8H198
Winter Monarch 8M092
Winter Mooring 8D131
Winter Morning 8M106
Winter Red 8D133
Winter Resting Place 8H204
Winter Sunrise 8H203
Winter Training 8A082
Winter Wonderland 8D146
Winter’s Day 8D140
Woolly Christmas 8A069
Working Together 8A072
Worldwide Greetings 8X035ART

New CCA Designs for 2009

A Christmas Table 9D301E
Adoration of the Magi 9D261B
Angel 9M147Y
Away in a Manger 9D165Y
Bauble Montage 9M148Y
Blue London 9X175YART
Christmas Bauble 9A159Y
Christmas Birds 9A154Y
Christmas Morning 9D744R
Cracker 9X198YART
Credit Crunch 9A152Y
Decorated Tree 9X825XART
Golden Snowflake 9A158Y
Golden Starry Tree 9D160Y
Graphic Tree 9X571XART
Images of Winter 9A156Y
Jolly Santa 9D162Y
Journey of the Kings 9D164Y
Letters to Santa 9A157Y
Merry Christmas Snowmen 9X177Y
Off Piste 9X546XART
Over the Rooftops 9D163Y
Peace on Earth 9X173Y
Penguin Fun 9X457Q
Poinsettia 9M151Y
Round the Tree 9D193R
Santa Despatch 9X167YART
Seasonal Flora 9M150Y
Seasonal Trimmings Blue 9X178YART
Seasonal Trimmings Red 9X751XART
Seasonal Wreath 9D611G
Sleigh 9D161Y
Snowmen Names 9X172YART
Snowy Journey 9X171YART
Snowy Pine 9X183YART
Snowy St. Pauls 9X176Y
Starry Baubles 9X170YART
The Final Push! 9X168YART
The Shepherds 9A153Y
Twelve Days 9D166Y
Which Way Now! 9X169YART
Winter Foliage 9M149Y
Winter Warmer 9X876XART
World of Good Wishes 9X174Y

Free Christmas Card Brochures

I have blogged about the Catalink service before on a wedding blog that I write for.  Its a great way of quickly gathering brochures on a particular theme.  Simply sign up to a free account and then select the brochures and catalogues that you wish to be sent.  The catalogues are sent direct from the companies themselves but the great thing is that you only have to enter your delivery address once.  You can also set your privacy restrictions against your account to stop all the annoying follow up junk mail.  Catalink have a section on Christmas Card catalogues which currently feature brochures from 4 charities – Barnados, Help the Aged, Save the Children and UNICEF.

Xmas Card Advertising

Are people really buying Christmas Cards in March or have the marketing people for the card publishers forgotten to pull the plug on their advertising campaigns following the Christmas office party.
I am surprised to see so many printers still spending on advertising in the middle of March.

At the time of writing the following companies were listed at the top of the Google Advertising positions for the search term “Corporate Christmas Cards” :

The Gallery Collection
Christmas Charity Cards

Let us know if you are looking for Christmas Cards at this time of year (and your reasons why). It would be kind of nice to know also if anyone is reading this blog at this time of year.

Many printers step up their production during the final weeks because there are many customers who leave their orders to the last minute. In fact, it is only when Christmas cards start landing on the doorsteps from fellow clients and customers that they realise they ought to really return the compliment. Corporate Christmas Cards have set up a special fast delivery range on their website which highlight designs that can be personalised and delivered within just a couple of days. Ideal for customers who have left their Christmas cards to the last minute.

Christmas Connections are the direct sales website for the UK’s leading supplier of personalised Christmas Cards, CCA Occasions.

After you have finished tapping at your calculator to work out the total discounts that Christmas Connections are already offering at the moment then you will be pleased to hear that they do not stop there. We have arranged an exclusive promotional code with Christmas Connections.

Simply visit www.christmas-connections.co.uk to personalise your cards online and then enter the promotion code CA20069KZ when prompted at the checkout screen to automatically receive a further 15% off your final bill. You need to enter the prmotional code when you see the box below on the checkout page and remember this discount is on top of those already published on the Christmas Connections site. Happy Christmas !

As the dark nights draw in it is worthwhile to publish the last dates to post your Christmas Cards in the UK by Royal Mail because it is surprising how many customers really leave their christmas card ordering to the very last minute.

Last Second Class Posting date : Thursday 18th December 2008

Last First Class Posting date : Saturday 20th December 2008

Of course, these dates are Royal Mail published dates but of course you would be well advised to post much earlier than this for peace of mind.

And if you really leave it until the last minute then dont forget Royal Mail’s Special Delivery service for that customer you really should’nt have missed off. This service is available up Tuesday 23rd December.

Christmas Connections are offering a 10% discount on their whole range of Cards until the 30th November with even bigger discounts on some of their more popular designs.

For starters, there is an 8% discount on The Journey and Moonlit Village cards shown above. Remember, this is on top of the 10% discount already on offer until the end of November.

Then we move up the bargain ladder to a selection of 5 favourite high gloss cards which are discounted by a further 12%. The cards from left to right are Piggy Christmas, Adoration, The Choir, By Moonlight, Around the World.

Finally, the biggest discounts of all are reserved for two of the finest contemporary Christmas cards from the Christmas Connections collection. Streamer Tree on the left has UV varnish, deep emboss, and foiled company name on the cover. Glass Bauble featured a hanging frosted bauble with a high gloss finish. If my maths are correct I think when you take a further 18% off a 10% discount you actually save around 26%. Not bad when if you roll the calendar back to this time last year you would have not have even got a penny discount in November.

Last year we had Fireworks over Big Ben. This year, we have Fireworks over Edinburgh. This dramatic card looks likes the mouth dropping images from the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics last weekend and I think will prove very popular from Scottish based companies. Those looking for something more tranquil will love the iconic image of Eilean Donan Castle.

Unfortunately, that is it from CCA but 2 designs are better than none at all and you will find both of these designs on the corporate christmas cards website. I was taking a look around some other sites and I was hoping to find a large selection from Scottish Christmas Cards but unfortunately their name is more an indication of their location in Glasgow rather than their range of Scotland Christmas Cards. I did find a few and the pick of the bunch is this card titled Glasgow by Night.

I came across an article on Growing Business suggesting that over 500,000 business leaders miss christmas with their families to spend it in the office. We are not talking about essential services (there are no medical staff, police officers or firemen in these figures) but workacholic businesspeople who find themeselves tied to the office desk rather than the christmas dinner table on christmas day.

Surely, there has to be something wrong with their business model here. If there is any time of the year when families should be together then its christmas day. It is common knowledge that us Brits already work longer hours than our European counterparts and I feel there is an attitude among UK managers that it is noble to work weekends and all other hours under the sun. Worse still it is expected of them by their superiors. Missing the christmas turkey may be seen as an act of martydom by some workers and the deed will score them a few promotion points for the year. In my eyes it is a sign of weakness and if working silly hours is the way to succeed at a company then a change of career path is needed.

Typical Page

ECO is indeed the first truly ‘Green’ business calendar that I have come across. There are a number of calendar companies that are producing a selection of calendars on recycled papers but they often let themselves down by adding some other non-environmentally process such as UV varnishing on top of the paper. Well ECO does not disappoint with its green credentials.

First up it is printed on recycled paper throughout. Not that you would notice mind you because recent developments in paper manufacturing now mean the latest recycled papers have a much better appearance than previously. Secondly, they are supplied with recycled white board mailers. Its no use having a recycled calendar if you are going to post it in a conventional envelope. And finally, the UV finish has been left off and replaced with blind embossing on the cover which adds a touch of luxury without the environmental impact.

The thing that makes this calendar really stand out is its subject matter. All the images look at innovative ways as individuals or companies, we can help to solve the world’s ecological challenges. I have not seen any other calendar manufacturer with imagery like this because their calendars are not always truly green. There is more about Reeve’s environmental policies on a detailed page at The Calendar Company where you can also get a sample of the ECO calendar. You can also find information about the Reeves range at Reeve Calendars

Tesco Value Christmas Card

These tongue in cheek Tesco Value christmas cards made me chuckle. They certainly are value for money because you can download them again and again from Code-D and not pay a penny. If you write your greeting in pencil the recipient can rub it out and resend it their friends. Truly recyclable

A Tesco value card is not just for christmas and you will find all other popular occasion cards ready for download at Code-D.

Violent Veg Calendar

I have been a fan of the Violent Veg creation for as long as it has been around and they are always my first choice for birthday cards for friends and family. Apart from being hilarously funny my parents have worked in the fruit and veg trade since I was a kid so that have an added appeal for me. Or should that have been a-peal (OK, I wont be getting a job on the Violent Veg creative team any time soon !!!)

Now you can buy Violent Veg personalised calendars from Moments Bemrose with your promotional company name or logo on every month. Bravo !

Here are a few images from the 2009 Violent Veg Calendar that tickled my funny bone and if you want to find out more about the brains behind this idea then take a look at the official Violent Veg website

Kevin had spent the entire day downloading corn on the internet

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a Parsnip in a pear tree

Eddie went to the dentist and unfortunately had to have 3 fillings

One of the Team

Guess who ordered the above christmas card last year? I’ll give you a clue …. you can p..p..p.. pick any penguin you like. I think it is great when a company finds an off the shelf card that fits their product or business theme perfectly. This parade of penguins looks just like the chocolate variety that I had in my lunch box every day at school. I dont think United Biscuits would have come up with much better if they had commissioned a graphic designer company to design a bespoke christmas card for them.

Whilst writing I thought it would be good idea to include some more product to business relationships that might work straight off the shelf.

Xmas Txt - Christmas Card for a Mobile Phone Company

Delivery Greetings - Christmas Card for a Delivery Company

Christmas Cards for a building firm

Christmas Cards for a Garage or Mechanic

Christmas Card for Bernard Matthews Turkeys

OK, the last one was a bit of red herring (or red turkey) but I had to drop it in for all the vegetarians reading (myself included). All these cards are available from Corporate Christmas Cards.

Now, I dont usually go for the cute christmas card look but I have to say that some of the designs in the recently released Cool Yule collection from Corporate Christmas Cards gets full marks for cuteness. If it had not been for the film ‘Babe’ I would never have thought a piglet could look so cuddly. The Fluffy penguin reminds of the film ‘Happy Feet’ and the British Bulldog reminds me of good self on a Monday morning (OK, maybe this one cant be described as cute).
All designs have a wonderful high gloss finish and feature your personalised details printed inside.

CCA Occasions 2008 Christmas Card Brochure

Here is the first sneak preview of the CCA Christmas Card brochure for 2008.  We are only showing you the cover at the moment but we will be featuring all the new designs over the coming weeks.  I have had a good flick through and the designs for this year are outstanding.  Pricing has also received a big shake up and the whole ordering process has been simplified beyond recognition making their whole range even better value for money.  The brochure includes an Environmental Impact Statement for the first time to confirm that all card and paper stock as a minimum is sourced from sustainable forestry sources.  Many of the designs go a step further and are produced on demand from 50% recycled stock and 50% FSC pulp.