Hi, my Saltines. It’s Courtney.
Can I tell you what still makes people light up? A card in the mailbox. Not a bill, not an ad, a real card with their name on it. And if it’s one you made, with a photo of the two of you and a few words from your heart? That one’s staying on the fridge until next Christmas.
So we built a free greeting card maker right here on the website. It’s simple, it doesn’t cost a thing, and you don’t have to sign up for anything. Let me walk you through it.
First, pick your occasion
There’s a card for just about everything: birthday, holidays, thank you, get well, thinking of you, love, anniversary, congratulations and sympathy. Tap the one you want and the card changes to match.
Add a photo, if you’d like
Tap Choose a photo and pick one from your phone, tablet or computer. The grandbaby’s first birthday cake. The two of you on the front porch. The dog in his Christmas sweater, looking thrilled about it.
Picked the wrong one? Tap Remove photo and try again. And don’t worry, your pictures stay on your own device. The card is put together right there in your browser.
Now write it
You’ll fill in three little boxes:
- Big greeting. This is the headline: “Happy Birthday, Grandma!” or “Merry Christmas from Ohio!”
- Your message. A few lines from you.
- Signed. “Love, Grandpa,” “Hugs, Aunt Linda,” or “With love, the Johnsons.”
Not sure what to say? Here’s my little trick. Share one memory of them, one thing you love about them, and one thing you’re looking forward to. Three sentences, and it’s perfect. Nobody needs a poem.
Make it yours
Pick a writing style: handwritten if you want it to feel personal, bold if you want it to pop, or easy to read if it’s going to someone whose eyes aren’t what they used to be. Choose an ink color. Then have some fun with the stickers: hearts, flowers, stars, snowflakes, a cup of coffee, a little rainbow. Went overboard? Tap Clear stickers and start over. I won’t tell.
Send it off
When it looks good, you’ve got four ways to get it out the door:
- Print it on regular paper or card stock, trim it up, and pop it in an envelope.
- Download a PDF to print later, attach to an email, or take to the drugstore or print shop for a nice glossy copy.
- Save it as a picture on your phone or computer.
- Share it straight from your phone or tablet by text, email or social media. A couple of taps and it’s there.
A few ideas to get you started
Make this year’s holiday card with a family photo, then print a stack for the folks who aren’t on the internet. (Here’s my full guide to making your own Christmas cards.) Send a thank-you to your neighbor who shovels your walk, or the nurse who was so kind to you. Send a thinking-of-you card to a friend who’s been under the weather or just lost someone. Sometimes a card says what we can’t quite say on the phone.
And here’s a good one: make a card with the grandkids. Let them pick the stickers while you write the message. Or have them color a picture in our online coloring book first, then send that along too. Grandparents love getting mail just as much as the kids do.
If you’d rather buy one ready-made
That’s fine too. We’ve got e-cards, e-wishes and printable planners at the SALT Online Store.
If something’s not working
- Words too small? On a computer, hold Ctrl and press + (on a Mac it’s Command and +). On a phone or tablet, spread two fingers apart on the screen.
- Don’t see a Share button? Some computers don’t have one. Just use Download PDF and attach it to an email.
- Printer giving you a hard time? Download the PDF and take it to the library or a print shop. They’ll print it for you.
Now go make somebody’s day, Saltines. And if you make one you’re really proud of, send it my way. I’d love to see it.