Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Estimated time to make this decoration:
3 hours

Materials:
drawing paper & crayons
color copier (at local printer)
colored card stock (printer)
1 box of envelopes (5-1/2 baronial size is 4-3/8"x5-3/4")
holiday postage stamps

Instructions:
The younger the kids the better!
Have your child draw with crayons on an 8-1/2"x11" paper.
Suggestions: Snowmen (one for each family member), candy canes, or our favorite; Set up the manger and let them draw the stable, people and animals.
Take it to a fast-service copier such as Kinkos. Make 4 color copies at 50% each. Cut them and lay the 4 on one sheet of 8-1/2"x11" white paper. Copy as many as you need. (For 100 cards, this means 25 copies, or about $25. 4-up saves money.)
Hand-write an inside greeting of the same size, having each family member sign their name once, and use colored xerox paper to copy it, 4-up as needed (this saves signing time).
If you choose blue 8-1/2"x11" card stock, buy 50 sheets and ask the printer to cut it in half, giving you 100 sheets that are 8-1/2"x5-1/2". Fold it in half to make cards that are
4-1/4"x5-1/2".
Use 2 pieces of double-face tape
to adhere the colored drawing to the cardstock (front of card) and 2 pieces to adhere the message (inside of the card).
Both original drawing and hand-written message are very personal during the commercial holiday season, and greatly appreciated.
Best part: Save blank cards and extra envelopes for use during other holidays, thank you notes, or next year's homemade card.

Other comments or suggestions to consider:
Because most of our family live in other states, the $25 copying fee is a small price for a hand-made present to people who we care about, and cannot often visit. Or plan for a photo for the following year's card.
Next year, watch for thank you notes written on their cards to you.