Best Christmas Card Ideas, The Dog's DooDahs, a Review

Greeting cards are evolving and changing, and there will be losers and winners. Businesses that can better adapt to this change will reap the rewards. Finding the ideal Christmas message for friends and family members can be tedious and time-consuming. However, I love giving and receiving Christmas cards and still place them around the house as part of my Christmas decoration every year. This tradition has been an integral part of my Christmas celebration for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, the practice is in danger of becoming a thing of the past.

Finding the right card isn't always possible, I love giving traditional Christmas cards, but I don't necessarily want to be overly sentimental with every card I send. Occasionally, I like cards that are funny, cards containing a message or image that will elicit a smile and get folks laughing. The right card can help to lighten our moods; it can even break the ice where relationships had become a bit chilly.

I was about to give up on my search for that particular card when.....surprise, surprise! Before I could throw my hands in the air in despair, I found the Dog's DooDahs.

Sales of Christmas cards are on the decline, according to some leading charities. Many others believe that within a decade the traditional Christmas or greeting cards will all but disappear.

Increasing costs of sending cards via the post in these times of austerity are deterring many from buying and sending traditional cards, but the reason for the decline in sales is more than just economical; technology and social changes also play a part in the tumbling of sales heralding the decline in the greeting card Industry.

Our society is changing, youngsters in this computer-driven age have been brought up on emails and ecards. We now sent greetings to friends and families alike via social media sites such as Facebook. Recently, a company known for helping youngsters to gain vital work experience found that some teenagers barely knew how to address an envelope. But why would they? Almost all of their communication needs are met online through social platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Well, I don't know about you, but a digital Christmas card doesn't do it for me. What's next? A digital sympathy, anniversary or Mother's Day cards?

I guess some of us will continue the tradition, even if we must deliver the cards in person. While I'm aware that change is inevitable, I still believe that we need to preserve some traditions. I guess the answer is often a compromise between old and new. We need something that is innovative but can still retain a few of the old values.

The tradition of sending commercially printed Christmas cards is a relatively new phenomenon; it began in London in 1843. Before this time, handwritten holiday greetings were exchanged first by hand from person to person, then later through the post. By 1822, the U.S. postal system was buckling under the massive weight of Christmas cards. That year, the Superintendent of Mails in Washington D.C., complained that he needed to take on an extra sixteen mailmen to cope with the high volume of Christmas mail.

The superintendent's problem worsened with the marketing of beautiful commercial cards. The first Christmas card specifically designed for sale was by the London artist John Calcott Horsley. Horsley was commissioned to create the greeting card by the wealthy British businessman, Sir Henry Cole, who wanted something special that he could send to his friends and business acquaintances to wish them a 'Merry Christmas.' Sir Henry Cole was the chief organiser of the Great Exhibition, pioneer of the penny post and founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum. One of Sir Henry's first Christmas card, which he sent to his grandmother recently sold at auction for £22,500.

As sales of traditional Christmas cards continue to fall, those of us who still relish giving and receiving greetings card are looking for something special this year, and I think I've found just the right site. The Dog's DooDahs is refreshingly different, and a lot of fun.

Wading through a mountain of tedious, mind-numbing sentimental drivel, year after year can be exhausting. A beautiful traditional Christmas card can evoke some lovely memories. However, those that are a touch risqué, a bit cute, or cards that make us laugh out loud, can add the fun factor to Christmas.

I had an idea to design my own greeting cards instead of wasting valuable time at the local card shop yet again. I decided to write my own poems and create my very own cards for friends and family, how cool is that?

However, before I could put pen to paper, I found an online card shop that promises to make my life much easier. The site is “The dog's doodahs,” yeah real cute, just seeing the name made me smile...I thought to myself, this I've got to see. And so I proceeded to the cheeky website to take a look.

I wondered if the cute name might be a little tail wagging by those friendly folks at the Dog's DooDahs or whether there would be some real substance to the claim of “Easy-Peasy, Frightfully Funny Cards.”

The site provides both personalised and non-personalised cards with a large variety of options. If you are of a nervous disposition and are easily offended, this site will still have something for you; I love the naughtiness. If like me, you have a wicked sense of humour, you will enjoy the dog's doodahs' personalised gifts and their vast choice of cards.

I was pleasantly surprised and giggled all the way through the large assortment of Christmas cards. I was able to design unique cards with poems. I found the whole process to be painless and relatively fast.

The Dog's Doodahs allow you to create your ideal cards on which you may write almost whatever you wish. Within reason of course. The cards are unique, and can be further personalised by adding ideas and images.

Why not cheer up the postie on a miserable December morning by taking up the option of adding a message to the outside of the envelope? How about, 'Happy birthday you miserable old git.' Or, 'Keep your pecker up old fart.' Maybe something a tad more creative, but you get the idea.

However, before sending someone a naughty card here's a word of warning. Be sure that the person to whom you send the gift or card, also shares your sense of fun, and remember; nothing too offensive on the envelope either. But don't fret, those awfully nice people at the dog's doodahs also do some lovely family friendly cards and gifts. You can include cute pets and family photos for those special occasions; what's more, you can also personalise your cards and gifts by adding your message or poems. You can choose to make it sweet and affectionate, romantic and sexy, funny or close to the bone and naughty or nice; the possibility is endless.

I was surprised to find a Christmas card from Buckingham Palace in my post box a few days before Christmas. I just had to smile as the penny dropped. Yep.. it was a sample card from those nice people at the dog's doodahs. Nice one guys.

If your family loves to play pranks on each other, this is the site for you. How about a Christmas card from the Palace, Buckingham Palace, no less. Or maybe something from the White House. How about getting your own back on the family prankster? Send an invite to a spoof Christmas event from the Trumps.

About the Dog's DooDahs

I found the dog's doodahs to be user-friendly. The cards are imaginative and hilariously funny. There are cards for all occasions. You will find unique cards and gifts for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries and weddings. You can easily personalise your cards and Gifts with a name and a photo at TheDogsDooDahs.com.

According to those nice people at the Dog's Doo Dahs, you can make a special occasion more 'spiffing,' with personalised gifts and High Street gift vouchers.

To all those lovely people at the 'Mutt's butt,' I love your style, thanks for providing a great product.