It’s that time of year again, when graduates walk down their own red carpet and accept a degree or other honor that they have worked so hard to attain. Whether you have a graduate who is finishing a Master’s Degree in Business or finishing high school – it is always a special event for them and their families. One way to celebrate such a great accomplishment is to present the graduate with a creative handmade graduation card. A graduation from a school or other institution occurs only once in a lifetime, so what better way to express how proud you are than with a special homemade card.

Graduation themed greeting cards don’t have to be strictly about caps and gowns or diplomas and tassels. You can certainly get a little creative and make a card that will stand out from the rest. One way to create a one-of-a-kind graduation card is to brainstorm ideas about your graduate and come up with a unique spin on their achievement. Here are some ideas to think about when brainstorming for ways to make your handmade graduation card extra special.

* Consider where they are graduating – does the school have a cool mascot or theme?
Could you find an image of the mascot online and use it for the front of the handmade graduation card? Or does the institution have an inspiring slogan that you can borrow?

* Consider the Graduate’s plans for after graduation.
Are they traveling or moving to a new state? If they are traveling, consider incorporating a map or other special item from their destination onto the card. Let the graduate know that you are excited for their accomplishment and that you know they have many other great things in store for their future.

* Consider their school colors, can you incorporate that into a card?
Embellishments in burgundy or ribbons in gold could show the graduate that you really took the extra effort to make them a personalized homemade graduation card. It may also become a part of a scrapbook or other memory keeper to help the graduate remember their special day.

* Consider where your graduate is graduating – is it cosmetology school, medical school, or another specialized school?
Can you incorporate cute embellishments with your graduation card that will celebrate that particular specialty? Images of hair brushes or mirrors for a newly licensed cosmetologist. For a medical student, maybe a cool picture of an x-ray or stethoscope image.

* Did your graduate attain an undergraduate degree in an interesting field or major?
Are there ways you could incorporate some themes related to the major into the card? For art majors, could you have an image of their favorite artist or use canvas instead of cardstock for the card? For business majors, consider an image of the stock market going up or stock exchange print outs as a background for the front of the handmade graduation card.

Creative handmade Mother’s Day card ideas can be a fun exercise where you can brainstorm different homemade greeting card ideas for your mom and your grandmothers – and all the special Moms in your life!

Mother’s Day is a special holiday to celebrate the Mothers in your life. Mothers have one of the hardest jobs on Earth and what better way to acknowledge their contribution than offering them a creative handmade Mother’s Day card?

Flowers and candy are a nice treat, but how about making a really unique Mother’s day greeting card that celebrates your relationship with your mom?

Here are some creative homemade Mother’s Day card ideas to help you get started:

* Special Moment or Memory
Do you have a special memory of your mother that you hold dear? Was it the time she baked you an apple pie after a bad break-up? Or did you guys always make a weekly movie date when you were growing up? Consider making a card to remember those lovely memories, so that your mom can enjoy the flashback too. A simple pie on the cover or two movie tickets on a handmade card with a special note inside will be perfect for dusting off those wonderful memories.

* Momma’s Cooking
There’s nothing better than your mom or grandmother’s cooking! Do you have a favorite dish she always cooked when you came home from college? How about yummy desserts that your grandmother always seemed to have baking when you stopped by? Consider decorating the front of your card with pictures of your favorite treat and a note saying how much you’ve always loved her cooking. Or you could add a recipe card of the dish on the cover of the card with some added ingredients – a dash of joy, a handful of love, a spoonful of happiness, etc… Moms love it when their kids realize the little things that they always did, so this would make a really special creative homemade Mother’s Day card.

* What are you proud of?
As children, we are always looking for approval and ways to make our parents proud. And little do we realize parents sometimes seek that same approval. Consider a huge accomplishment or major feat that your mom or grandmother have just completed. Celebrate their being by telling them how proud you are of their recent endeavors and how lucky you are to have such a strong/determined/go-getter/successful/creative/smart Mom.

Mother’s Day is more than just saying “I love you, Mom,” it is a holiday to express what is unique and special about your relationship. It is a time to celebrate your mom and grandmother as a person. Think of a creative way to recognize times and memories you share with your mom that make you especially warm and fuzzy because more often than not your mom will feel the same way.

A specially created handmade Mother’s Day card can be more than just a once a year greeting card, it can be a chance to really express your love and share your past memories while looking forward to many more!