11121 Italian Christmas cards

I've got about 30 left over M&S (very tasteful charity) christmas cards!

Trouble is, Poste Italiane won't let me post them. They are too small. Mr Jobsworth, also told me that this would be the case throughout Europe!!!!!!!! But then he thought that Switzerland was in Europe.

Make your own, but make sure they fit a standard envelope (whatever that is!).

I was trying to find something similar to what you describe during my last trip..... no results. Only the hideous ones with fat Santa, the reindeers, etc.
I could remember that my father had some lovely old cards bought in Florence many years ago with reproductions of renaissance paintings of nativity scenes, angels, all that framed with embossed florentine designs.... absolutely beautiful. I searched for them throughout Florence, particularly in those small shops specialising in stationery that are in the area of S S Annunziata, but without result. I wish somebody will be smart enough to start reprinting those again. I talked to a few shopkeepers regarding this and they agreed with me..... Let's hope....

Some not bad cards in the newspaper shop in the old square in Servigliano, for those unlucky enough not to live in Marche (!) I think making your own is a good idea.
When I presented a card that was too small to post, our post mistress provided me with a larger envelope to send it in.But then again we have been buttering her up since day one, Robert even got a chocolate from her last week, progress indeed.
A

Our local cartoleria does have a small selection of tasteful Christmas cards but at a price!
Other places to try are the post office, some branches sell packs of UNICEF cards (you can also get these in any UNICEF shop, there is one in Macerata but not sure where else), LIDL often sell them as do IKEA!
Yes, you do have to be wary of the envelope size, has to be standard ie size of envelopes you can buy anywhere or they refuse to post it or you pay more. Apparently it is due to the automatic sorting machines, if the envelope is not of standard dimensions it has to be sorted by hand.

This excellent website offers both traditional Italian cards that you can order online and that you can even print or e-mail - [url=http://italophiles.com/traditional_christmas_cards.htm]Candida Martinelli's Italophile Site (Xmas Cards)[/url]

Ebay.it search generated over 800 results. - [url=http://shop.ebay.it:80/items/cartoline-natale_W0QQ_fromZR40]cartoline natale, tutti gli oggetti più rilevanti in vendita.[/url]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I think Christmas Cards and to some effect Birthday Cards are a newish phenomenon in Italy; as it seems only popular with English/American communities. I know from trying to find my wife a suitable Birthday Card (fine if she was under 10) that shops only sell a limited stock. I found the same with Christmas Cards as only a few larger ones had a poor selection and at 3.50 euro a pop I think I’ll send some free E-Cards. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Maybe an opening for an enterprising Expat…? [/SIZE][/FONT]
:laughs:

Or someone in the UK already .....

[quote=Sally Donaldson;104928]Ebay.it search generated over 800 results. - [URL="http://shop.ebay.it:80/items/cartoline-natale_W0QQ_fromZR40"]cartoline natale, tutti gli oggetti più rilevanti in vendita.[/URL][/quote]
Yes but Sally have you had a look at most of them. Cheap and Tacky. The one thing the UK was good at was Christmas Cards.
:nah:

Yes I realised that but hoped it might get better by page 750!!! The link was for those who like cheap and tacky. The first link is a little bit better though.

Gala, in Florence (and elsewhere), all branches of Il Papiro have Christmas cards though not cheap. Also in Florence, a card shop on - I think - Via Porta Rossa, on the left walking away from Piazza Signoria, has some lovely cards, German made. Also Edisons just off Piazza della Repubblica and two places on Via dei Servi. One is the card shops, Tessutti (spelling?), the other is the pen shop immediately before it, on the left a few shops up coming from Il Duomo. I usually have bags in the house from this shop but can't lay my hands on one right now. Name is, I think, Scrivania. Worth a visit for pens, stationery and all sorts of lovely things plus very pretty cards. Oh and our local branch of Oviesse also had some very nice cards and gift tags plus loads of decorations when I was in there yesterday. All the cards and tags in English though!

[quote=pgerrard;104941]Yes but Sally have you had a look at most of them. Cheap and Tacky. The one thing the UK was good at was Christmas Cards.
:nah:[/quote]

I agree, particularly if you are looking at what is available in Bagni di Lucca. Expensive and just plain tacky.

[quote=Gala Placidia;104946]I agree, particularly if you are looking at what is available in Bagni di Lucca. Expensive and just plain tacky.[/quote]
Tell me about it. Looks like a 6 year old cut Santa pics out of a magazine....:laughs:

Now we are talking - [url=http://www.ilpapirofirenze.it/ENG/]IL PAPIRO SRL[/url]

These are the ones I wanted to order as they killed two birds with one stone so to speak. But, as I needed two packs, I thought they would end up being confiscated by customs for being over the import limit. :eeeek:

[url=http://cards.cafepress.com/item/buon-natale-italian-christmas-cards-pk-of-20/192343980]Buon Natale Italian Christmas Cards (Pk of 20) - CafePress[/url]

Thank you, Violetta. Perhaps I was a little early looking for these cards (early November). Or maybe, I still remember that collection of cards that my late father had. They were absolutely divine!!! I don't know what happened to them. We have moved very many times and some of our things were lost or mislead and I don't have them with me anymore. But I am always looking for something similar.
I don't think they would be cheap. On the other hand, I don't mind spending a few extra euros if I find something that my friends will treasure. It would be like a Christmas gift for them....

[quote=IRITALIA;104960]These are the ones I wanted to order as they killed two birds with one stone so to speak. But, as I needed two packs, I thought they would end up being confiscated by customs for being over the import limit. :eeeek:

[url=http://cards.cafepress.com/item/buon-natale-italian-christmas-cards-pk-of-20/192343980]Buon Natale Italian Christmas Cards (Pk of 20) - CafePress[/url][/quote]

Gosh! I think that the ones about the "Salmonella Party" are just what I needed :laughs:

There are of course charity cards that can be bought online but whether they are shipped to Italy, at this point I don't know. [url=http://www.christmas-cards.org.uk/]CHRISTMAS CARDS - Combined Charities Christmas Shops[/url] and [url=http://www.cardsforcharity.co.uk/]Charity Christmas Cards - Cards for Good Causes[/url]

Save The Children Italian website -

[url=http://www.nataleaziende.it/index.php?id_ad_media=2605&gclid=CMWc_dOnr5cCFcse3godel2jiw]Save the Children - Home[/url]

then to find their cards

[url=http://www.fineimpressions.it/savethechildren/]Save the Children[/url]

PS I would imagine that museums in Italy like in the UK, stock Christmas cards. If not then postcards perhaps would do.

Yes this is a problem in Italy, the times I've sent attractive postcards in lieu of a birthday/new baby/whatever card. I have often found tasteful and cheap cards in Ikea - whenever I go I get a stock of notelets too- OK they say Ikea on the back, but it's better than a 4 euro glittery Santa and reindeers card!

Oh no not from IKEA!!! lol Actually they have very nice ones there at the moment. [url=http://www.ikea.com/it/it/catalog/categories/seasonal/winter/gift_wrapping/]IKEA | Collezione invernale | Confezioni regalo e biglietti di Natale[/url]

I give up. Reading some posts on this thread I now know for certain that I'm a mean, tight fisted old misery guts!

I am pleased, and always have been, that the 'Christmas Card Habit' was never popular in Italy. I do suspect though that it might have been starting to gain popularity recently - but the recession may have saved the day for a bit longer.

When I left the UK for the last time, in 2004, My last Christmas there was an absolute farce... At least a 'zillion' (well nearly) cards to be purchased, written (starting in late October), and then a bill for stamps that almost equalled the GDP of a third world country. Then post them off early so [U][I]no-one[/I][/U] could say "She only sent us one [I]after[/I] she got ours!" I could never have faced the shame.... :reallyembarrassed: Yeah, right!:rollingeyes:

And all this to offer 'all the best' for the season either to people that I hadn't seen for years, and probably wouldn't see again anyway. Or to people who have/had moved and hadn't thought to mention it... and even some who sent me a card the previous year, and after 340 days of wracking my brains I [I]still[/I] couldn''t remember who they were!

At least here in Italy, when you offer 'Seasons Greetings' you do it face to face with sincerity, and accompany it with an embrace and a 'kiss on the cheek'. Or you telephone them to do the same - but cards are NOT the order of the day!

OK - so I'm tight-fisted and penny-pinching, But that doesn't mean that I can't/don't enjoy Chritsmas - just that perhaps [I]I enjoy it for what it should be[/I]. In all honesty I'd sooner spend £40 at Christmas on food for my local abandoned dogs home than on 40 Christmas cards that are just to show how I [U]ONLY[/U] buy expensive cards!

Christmas isn't about showing off about how much you've spent on a bit of paper, but perhaps it [I]should[/I] be on how much you've given to those who don't have anything.

[IMG]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd57/mywildcrazyspace/Graphics%202/maxine-gift-cards.jpg[/IMG]

If I've offended anyone by saying all this - that's a shame... but it's how I feel and I stand by every word!

Brava CaroleB . About time someone stood up and slipped the snob showoffs one up the jacksy while they aren't looking.

Bet ya didnay look at my IKEA link Carole eh??? lol Cards there are 12p each!!! lol Yes though postage on top and so I tend to send e-cards and if people feel offended at the other end so be it. They are not my friends after all.

I think that this year I am going to give the Christmas Cards a miss. I will ring my friends, instead. Perhaps an expensive option.
Anyway, I do not like the Christmas Cards I bought....

I have just found these very nice Italian ones you can print then colour. Also you can too colour them before printing by using Photoshop.

[url=http://www.lannaronca.it/biglietti%20di%20Natale.htm]Biglietti di Natale[/url]

:eerr:
As a point of interest what size card is too small?

If you decide to make your own be careful about what you out on them- I made some using stuff from Lakeland- nice & easy, all with sticky pads on them. Took them to the post office and was told they weighed over 20g each so cost me €1.45 each to post (why is there no European surface mail - or am I showing my age). Mr W syad everyone is getting email cards next year!!

Since living in Italy the only person that gets a traditional English Christmas card is our Postina. Her deserved tip is inside and each year we have to explain why we get so much post at Christmas, despite asking friends to put the cost of stamp and card into a charity box. We now send cards electronically using [url=http://www.jacquielawson.com]E-Cards, Animated Greeting Cards and Online Greetings by Jacquie Lawson[/url] but in and around Perugia there are lots of places that sell acceptable cards. It is the Italians who seem to love English birthday cards, our English friends and family get a postcard sent in the standard Italian orange envelope.

I'd like to suggest [url=http://www.moonpig.com]Moonpig.com Personalised Greeting Cards[/url]; this allows you to select 'standard' cards, cards with custom images that you can upload to personalise them & all are posted from the UK, so whilst you won't be able to sign them, they are a really good price, especially with the benefit of being able to customise them....

Best ones ->
[img]http://www.moonpig.com/ProductImages/OI121.aspx?ImageSize=3&PageNo=1[/img]
and...
[img]http://www.moonpig.com/ProductImages/OI117.aspx?ImageSize=3&PageNo=1[/img]
(but add your own photos, rather than these cheesy ones.....

Better the cheesy ones I think David if you must that is. lol

[quote=Sally Donaldson;105142]Better the cheesy ones I think David if you must that is. lol[/quote]
I recognise all the words you've posted........Do I have to make them into a coherent sentace myself? Is this a Christmas quiz?

Yes, Moonpig are good and I use them for birthday cards but we had over 50 to send so it would have been a bit too expensive.

I solved my problem by buying a load of envelopes and designing and printing my own on the computer. I knew those snow scenes I photographed last year would come in handy sometime!:laughs:

[quote=Nielo;105176]Yes, Moonpig are good and I use them for birthday cards but we had over 50 to send so it would have been a bit too expensive.

I solved my problem by buying a load of envelopes and designing and printing my own on the computer. I knew those snow scenes I photographed last year would come in handy sometime!:laughs:[/quote]

I do the same, but all are 'on line'. I really miss not having Microsoft Publisher any more, but it didn't come with MS Vista like it did with XP Professional.... It was great for making cards and such.

I've got Potoshop but find it to confusing for me these days (not the brightest light on the tree any more - *sigh*)... and SmartDraw 2008 is not really for cards, though I'm 'trying' to create an annual calendar for friends at Christmas with that.

Photoshop is a bit daunting Carole. They used to do a light version but I cannot find it. However I typed in" card software trial " and got this in Google.[url=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=card+software+trial&btnG=Search]card software trial - Google Search[/url] Maybe you can now do your cards.

Additionally I see you can download a free trial 60 day version of Publisher 2007. It will run on Windows XP or later I see - [url=http://trial.trymicrosoftoffice.com/trialukireland/product.aspx?re_ms=oo&family=publisher&culture=en-GB]Microsoft Office Online[/url]

Also have a look at - [url=http://www.versiontracker.com/php/qs.php?mode=basic&action=search&str=greeting+cards&srchArea=windows%7Cvista&submit=Go]Search - VersionTracker[/url]

agree with a lot of the sentiments posed by carol and in fact had little interest in posting on something that really is one of the minor points of interest to me here... it does seem absurd that people cannot find cards when the post office here carries very well designed unicef cards...as someone else pointed out at the start...printed on recycled paper and the money...or some of it going to a charity...about 10 euro for a pack of ten... doesnt seem too bad to me...

however its not just that charity...one that i have no particular liking for in any case...very wary of UN type charity... we are members of our local dog rescue charity...associated with the national league of defence of dogs...who always send us Christmas cards as part of the yearly subscription we make as members... am sure this goes on in all parts of Italy and i think if people support their local charities they will find that there are plenty of opportunities to buy cards which do some good for all... not just dogs

anyway this is the teramo site for dogs....

[url=http://cani-abbandonati-it.com/]Cani Abbandonati d' Italia[/url]

always in desperate need of help with funding ... better to buy a card from them ...or even as carol said pop a good amount of euro in the post.... or even better take on another dog... and give it a home ... and explain to friends that might miss the amas wishes that you spent the money in a better way....

on one of the cards is this poem... its also the point on many animal support forums here in Italy where they talk about pets that have died... actually there is a lot of support for people who go through that loss here... and sometimes when you read about all that's wrong with Italy... if you dig a bit deeper and join in just that bit more with Italian life... many of those sort of cliche type opinions should soon disappear.....

anyway here's the poem... in italian but not an italian poem...
[url=http://www.bairo.info/pontearcobaleno.html]Ponte dell'Arcobaleno[/url]

^ ^ Ponte dell'Arcobaleno

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together..

I am now very wary of giving to Cani Abbandonati here in Italy unless I know for sure who is running the place and that it actually EXISTS. Last week a woman called Aurora Brizzi of Tuoro near Lago Trasimeno was convicted of using over a quarter of a million euros, to set up an agriturismo rather than a shelter for homeless dogs. It seemed that somehow she had obtained this huge sum from Germany with the supposed intention of setting up a dog sanctuary here. I give to charity but in Italy do double check. Sad but necessary.

Yes that is sad Noble to hear.

[url=http://natale.ikeastampa.it/]Cartoline da IKEA[/url]

[url=http://servizi.enel.it/ecodieta/e-card/]ENEL[/url]

Just in case you have forgotten someone

This one is just a greeting - [url=http://www.eni.it/en_IT/home.html]Home Page Eni S.p.A.[/url]

.

Not Christmas cards but really nice cards for other occasions.

[url=http://abruzzophotography.com/]abruzzophotography.com[/url]

I have just ordered a selection and they are reasonably priced for such good quality.

I hope they do a range of Christmas cards nearer the time.

I have got my cards now (actually I got them very quickly but forgot to report back)

They are really nice, the photos are excellent and they are mounted in cream linen effect card. Very posh!

I bought a selection and they are all blank for any occasion so next time I suddenly remember, at the last minute, it is someone’s birthday I shall have something nice to send.