This year marks deviantART's fifth annual Holiday Card Project!  With the goal of bringing a little cheer to patients in the hospital during the holiday season, the Holiday Card Project connects deviants from all around the world and applies their tremendous artistic abilities in designing and creating get well holiday cards.

Last year the Project received well over 1300 holiday cards sent in by more than 750 deviants from 50 different countries/political regions. The cards were then divvied up and distributed in-person by dA members at the UCI Medical Center in Orange, California.  Extra cards were given to various hospitals in the U.S. and abroad for their staff to hand out to patients.  

The idea behind the Holiday Card Project is to simply try and do something nice for others.  However, if that isn't enough incentive, every deviant who submits a card will be given a free one-month subscription to deviantART, as well as being entered into a drawing for additional prizes.

Please read the following text for more information on the Holiday Card Project.

What is the deviantART Holiday Card Project?
The purpose of the Holiday Card Project is to have deviants create holiday cards for people who are hospitalized during the holiday season. The idea behind the project is to simply try and bring a little cheer to those who are undergoing hospital stay.

Exactly who receives the cards?
The cards will be distributed to both U.S. and international hospitals.  However, we're limited by the fact that some hospitals don't want cards and others have rules against their distribution.  The cards will be delivered in-person by select deviants in the areas of the respective hospitals.  The patients who receive the cards age in range from children to seniors and have illness or injuries that vary from mild to terminal.

What should I write in a card?
Be as creative as you'd like. Just remember, the degree of illness for patients will vary from mild to terminal, so it is important to be cheerful. Some suggested greetings include, "Hope you're feeling better," "Thinking of you," or "Have a nice day." Try and stay away from "Get well soon" as it might not be appropriate for all patients. Remember to include a message of "Happy holidays" as the cards will be distributed for the holidays.

Can I make a card myself?
Definitely. An 8.5" x 11" (21.59 cm x 27.94 cm) sheet of paper folded 2 ways to a total size of 4.25" x 5" (11.43 cm x 12.7 cm) works nicely. Though, there is no specific "set" size for cards. Use your best judgment. You can personally design and decorate cards by drawing, coloring, or painting. However, feel free to be creative as you want. Use glitter, construction paper, cardboard, markers, crayons, colored pencils, ribbon, etc., to make your card as special as possible.

Can I use holiday cards purchased from a store?
Absolutely. Many drug stores or stationary stores have holiday cards for as little as ninety-nine cents. (If you're feeling ambitious, boxed card sets can often be purchased for only a few dollars.) These kinds of cards are great for the Holiday Card Project, but add a little flair and pizzazz by drawing on the inside of the card or including a few doodles. Use color to brighten up the presentation; be creative.

How much is postage for sending a card?
If you live in the United States and are sending an averaged sized card, it will probably cost one first-class stamp ($0.42). If you live in Canada, an envelope weighing 30g or less is $0.96 and 30-50g is $1.15 (both prices are in CAD). If you think your card might be bigger than normal, is a little heavy, or if you live in a country other than the United States or Canada, the best thing to do is to check with your local postal agency for rates.

Can I send more than one card?
Please do. You can even put more than one card into the same envelope or package to save on postage. If sending multiple cards, you only need one envelope (the one that is used to mail the cards to us).  However, remember that quality is better than quantity. Sending one quality card that you put time and effort into is better than sending two cards that were thrown together.

Will the patients know who sent the cards?
The only way a patient will know who the card is from is if you sign your name, which you are welcome to do.  You may also include your e-mail address in hopes of getting a reply; though, that can't be guaranteed.  If you would like to send a card anonymously, you may.

Can non-deviants participate in the Project?
Absolutely.  The Holiday Card Project accepts cards from all participants who are willing to contribute to a good cause.  The Project is a great way for school clubs, church groups, or family and friends to get together and work on a fun activity.  No deviantART affiliation is necessary.

What will I get out of this?
The idea behind the Holiday Card Project is to try and bring cheer to those undergoing hospital stay. The patients and their families are deeply touched by the kindness and caring from those who take time to create and send cards. Hopefully, this is motivation enough to become involved in the Project.

In addition, once the Holiday Card Project has completed, you'll be given a free one-month subscription to deviantART just for sending in a card.  You'll also be entered into a drawing for prizes.  In order to be entered into the prize drawing, please include your username on a piece of paper separate from the holiday card.

When is the deadline for the Holiday Card Project?
All cards should be received by December 15th, 2008.

Where do I send a card?
Please use the following address:

deviantART, Inc.
Holiday Card Project
7095 Hollywood Blvd., #788
Hollywood, CA 90028
U.S.A.

Please remember to include your deviantART username on a separate piece of paper when sending a holiday card. By doing so, you'll automatically be entered into a drawing for prizes and will be given a free one-month site subscription.  To ensure that you successfully receive your free subscription, it is vitally important that your username be written in such a manner that is easy to read!    

Prizes
The prizes available for participating in the Project are as follows:
Ten Fella plushies
Five one-year subscriptions to deviantART
Fifteen three-month subscriptions to deviantART

Remember, anyone who does not win one of the above prizes will be given a one-month subscription to deviantART, just as thanks for participating.

Rules and Terms
The winners of the above prizes will be selected by means of a random raffle. Every deviant who submits a presentable card to the Project will be entered into the raffle.  One entry per deviant.  Any deviant may not win more than one prize.  Limit one one-month subscription per participant. DeviantART reserves the right to deem any card contributed to the project as unacceptable and therefore ineligible for either the above listed prizes or the one-month subscription.

Share the Wealth
If you'd like to help promote the Holiday Card Project, please use the image below and link back to this news article.



Past Projects

            

Who do I direct questions and concerns about the Project to?
Please note that many common concerns deviants have about the Holiday Card Project have already been addressed in the above questions and answers.  Take care when reading the Project's description because there's a great chance it already contains an answer to your question.  If any questions remain, please contact $Heidi.