Overview

We’ve heard your requests! The Christmas Card Exchange Project is back! 🎉

The purpose of Christmas Card Exchange Project is to have students create holiday cards or letters for other participating students around the world. The project aims at helping students become global citizens by studying the culture and traditions of and interacting with students from partner countries.

What’s New in 2024?

This year, we’re emphasizing both physical and digital cards to accommodate diverse budgets and resources. We still encourage physical card-making as the core experience, but digital options are available for those with time and budget concerns for international postage. You will be matched with schools with the same preferences.

Important: Please read the FAQs thoroughly before signing up.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE PROJECT?

Students aged 8-16 from primary, middle, or high schools are welcome to join.

Important Dates

  • Registration Deadline: 20th October 2024
  • Partner Schools Announced: 1st November 2024
  • Cards Sent By: End of November

HOW SHOULD THE STUDENTS MAKE THE CARDS?

Students can be as creative as they’d like. There is no “set” size for cards so students can use their best judgment. They can personally design and decorate cards by drawing, coloring, or painting. Construction paper, cardboard, markers, crayons, colored pencils, ribbon, etc., are all great to help make the card as special as possible.

Please keep postage in mind when deciding about the card size to save money. Based on experience, 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 perfectly.

Christmas Card Exchange Project Sample 1
Christmas Card Exchange Project Sample 2
Christmas Card Exchange Project Sample 3
Christmas Card Exchange Project Sample 4
Holiday Card Sample 6
Holiday Card Sample 7

ALSO READ: CREATIVE HALLOWEEN CLASSROOM GAMES & ACTIVITIES

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS WRITE IN THE CARDS?

Students may explain their own culture and Christmas traditions and other topics such as traditional Christmas dishes, attractions and sights of the country. The goal is to bring a bit of holiday cheer to their peers, so it is important to be cheerful and respectful. Be sure to include holiday greetings!

SOME OF MY STUDENTS DON’T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, CAN THEY STILL JOIN?

They can still participate, of course! You may ask them to write letters or make a card based on his/her culture’s most important holiday!

CAN THE STUDENTS USE CHRISTMAS CARDS PURCHASED FROM A STORE?

Yes. Store-bought cards are great for Christmas Card Exchange Project. However, teacher-advisers should encourage students to add some artistic flair by drawing on the inside of the card or using color to brighten up the presentation.

HOW MANY CARDS SHOULD WE SEND?

Based on the final list of participants, we will facilitate to match partner school based on age levels of the students, number of participating students and/or your school location.

HOW MUCH IS POSTAGE FOR SENDING CARDS ABROAD?

The teacher should check local prices as costs vary from country to country. Some schools cover the cost, but students may do a fundraising activity to pay for the materials and postage.

Before you sign up for this project, please make sure that you will be able to cover the cost of sending the parcels to partner school. 

WHEN IS THE TARGET DATE FOR SENDING THE CARDS?

Ideal time would be by the end of November so that cards could make it to the other countries before Christmas break. Teacher should check local post office for types and speed of delivery.

WHAT OTHER POSSIBLE CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES CAN WE DO WITH THIS PROJECT?

The following activities are optional. Teachers should talk in their groups what extra activities they want to do, or other goals they want to achieve.

Suggested Date Suggested Activities
Nov 1 – 30 Students prepare Christmas cards and may organize fundraising activities.
Nov 1 – 15 Concurrently, students send information about their school, country, cultural activities, recipes and photos related to their celebrations in December through PowerPoint presentations.
Nov 14 – 30 Concurrently, students may post messages to each other in a forum or online groups such as Edmodo or Schoology; and ask questions about their new friends in the partner schools. Teachers may arrange video conference with partners via zoom.
Dec 1 – 30 Students receive cards from other countries and prepare display in home school or classroom.

SUMMARY

  • Registration (ends October 20, 2024). See Registration form below.
  • Receive contact details and info of partner schools by November 1, 2024 (I need at least a week to sort things out).
  • Collaborate. Talk to your assigned group. Send each other emails right away. Say hi! Plan extra activities. The success of the project is communication.
  • Inform students about the project and partner countries.
  • Make the cards.
  • Prepare and send PowerPoint presentation; communicate online with peers (if your group decide to do these).
  • Send the handmade cards to your partner schools by post.
  • Receive Christmas Cards from partner schools.
  • Show/discuss cards with students.
  • Make exhibition at your school

HOW TO JOIN THE CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE PROJECT?

Fill up the form and opt in to this meaningful card exchange project.

Sign up HERE

https://forms.gle/E42qmjoyHyVHGpGU6

Disclaimer:

  • We are just the facilitator of this project.
  • Once you received your group details, we will be out of the equation. We can offer support if required.
  • We will try our best to make sure that all participating teachers are reliable and team players. However, if they go M.I.A (meaning they don’t reply to your emails), it will be out of our control. We may try to find other matching school but there is no guarantee.

If you have further questions, you can reach me via Facebook or email to englishteaching101@yahoo.com

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