It seems like most of the kids are born in October.  Maybe it's the result of New Year's resolutions by the fertilely-gifted, or maybe it's an effort to have their kids be the oldest in their class (don't get me started on that).  Anyway, my daughter has been going to a lot of birthday parties lately.

I think it was during last fall's birthday rush that she started making birthday cards for her friends.  I must have forgotten to buy one for one of the parties, so I got out some nice cardstock and stickers, and she got to work. 

Now it's really standard practice for her to make birthday cards for everyone.  She likes to match up the corners of an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock and fold it herself.  Then we talk about what this person likes, and she makes decisions about what to draw. I think it really gets her thinking about her friends in a nice way, She likes to test her own ability to spell "Happy Birthday" and then writes her friend's name at least once.  I bought a box of greeting card envelopes at the office supply store, and she decorates those too.  I sure hope the recipients like these homemade cards as much as she does. One of her friends recently sent out birthday party invitations requesting cards or drawings instead of gifts so she can make a "birthday wall" in her bedroom, which is an idea that I love.

We usually keep it simple with stickers, crayons and markers, maybe rubber stamps.  But collage would be another great way to make homemade cards.  Try using clipped images from past birthday cards or pieces of wrapping paper, or even cheerful pictures from magazines--another good recycling lesson.  Let your child pick out pictures, cut them and glue them onto the card with a glue stick.  You could help her trim the edges so they are smooth, and you'll have a perfectly personal card. 

Just a thought for keeping it crafty.