GCU Community

🎄 Wanted Cards – 1st / First Christmas As…

Few things light up the holiday season like a new baby in the family. Suddenly, everyday people get an upgrade in status: Mom, Dad, Auntie, Grandpa, Grandma… and they wear those new titles with pride. The first holiday after a baby arrives becomes a milestone — one that begs to be celebrated, documented, and, of course, shared in a greeting card.

GCU is looking for designs that highlight this special “first Christmas with my new title” moment. These cards aren’t for the baby — they’re for the adults excited to step into their new roles!

Think cozy scenes, soft textures, family-oriented imagery, and symbolic touches: baby socks on a mantel, a tiny ornament with a name tag, a grown-up proudly wearing their new title, or a whimsical scene where family roles are depicted through festive icons. Traditional Christmas palettes always work, but modern neutrals and Scandinavian simplicity are equally welcome.

These cards should go in the following categories:

• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As a Dad / Father – cid#39516
• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As a Mom / Mother – cid#39514
• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As Grandparents >> Grandparents – cid#39520
• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As Grandparents >> As a Grandma / Grandmother – cid#39522
• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As Grandparents >> As a Grandpa / Grandfather – cid#39524
• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As an Aunt – cid#39528
• Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> As an Uncle – cid#39530
• Other relationships → Holidays >> Christmas >> 1st / First Christmas >> Other – cid#786

🔔 Design Tips

• Emphasize the honor of the new title — make it the star of the design.
• A tiny hint of the baby is often enough (booties, a rattle, initials, a wrapped present).
• Classic Christmas elements (holly, wreaths, snowflakes, stockings) pair beautifully with sentimental themes.
• Think beyond parents: 1st Christmas as a Godparent, Stepdad, Stepmom, Big Brother, Big Sister, Guardian, etc.
• Keep compositions clean and readable; these cards are often keepsakes.

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✨ Card Text Ideas for GCU Artists

1st Christmas as a Mom / Mother

Front: First Christmas as a Mom
Inside: Your heart grew by one… and your Christmas magically doubled. Congratulations on your beautiful new role.

Front: Merry 1st Christmas, Mommy!
Inside: The sweetest gift of all is finally in your arms.

Front: Warm Wishes for Your First Christmas as a Mother
Inside: May your season be filled with tiny giggles, sleepy cuddles, and unforgettable firsts.

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1st Christmas as a Dad / Father

Front: First Christmas as a Dad
Inside: A brand-new chapter, a brand-new joy. Wishing you a magical holiday with your little one.

Front: Merry Christmas, New Dad
Inside: The best present under the tree is the one who made you a father.

Front: Celebrating Your First Christmas as a Father
Inside: May your holiday be full of wonder — and maybe a nap or two.

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1st Christmas as Grandparents (General)

Front: Our First Christmas as Grandparents
Inside: The traditions grow deeper, the love grows bigger, and the joy becomes impossible to measure.

Front: Merry Christmas to New Grandparents
Inside: What a beautiful upgrade to your title — enjoy every magical moment.

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1st Christmas as a Grandma / Grandmother

Front: First Christmas as a Grandma
Inside: Your arms, your heart, your holiday — all a little fuller this year.

Front: Merry Christmas, New Grandma
Inside: Grand-love is the best love. Wishing you the sweetest season yet.

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1st Christmas as a Grandpa / Grandfather

Front: First Christmas as a Grandpa
Inside: A new little one… and a whole new world of joy. Merry Christmas!

Front: Merry Christmas, New Grandpa
Inside: May this holiday bring story-time cuddles, warm memories, and lots of reasons to smile.

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1st Christmas as an Aunt

Front: First Christmas as an Aunt
Inside: A tiny person just made your heart ten sizes bigger. Enjoy every moment!

Front: Merry Christmas, New Auntie
Inside: You’ve unlocked the best role ever — spoil, snuggle, repeat.

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1st Christmas as an Uncle

Front: First Christmas as an Uncle
Inside: Welcome to the coolest job in the family. Wishing you a joyful holiday!

Front: Merry Christmas, New Uncle
Inside: A little one to laugh with, protect, and adore — what a gift.

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Other Relationships (For cid#786)

Godparent
Front: First Christmas as a Godparent
Inside: A blessed role, a beautiful bond, and a holiday full of meaning.

Stepmom / Stepdad
Front: First Christmas as Your Stepmom
Inside: So grateful to be part of your world this holiday season.

Guardian
Front: First Christmas as Your Guardian
Inside: Wishing us both a season full of warmth, trust, and new traditions.

Big Brother / Big Sister
Front: First Christmas as a Big Sister
Inside: You already have the most important job — being someone’s hero.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Wanted Cards Extra – Harvey Milk Day / May 22

Harvey Milk Day is observed every year on May 22 to honor the life, work, and legacy of Harvey Milk — one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, and a powerful voice for civil rights, visibility, and hope. In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and quickly became a symbol of courage and progress for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. His message was simple but profound: every single person deserves the freedom to live openly, authentically, and with pride.

While Harvey Milk Day is primarily recognized in California schools, it has grown into a national moment of remembrance and celebration. It’s a meaningful opportunity for people to honor LGBTQ+ history, recognize ongoing struggles for equality, and uplift messages of hope, resilience, and visibility.

For GCU artists, this day is a wonderful chance to create cards that inspire, celebrate, educate, and show solidarity. Think bold, think uplifting, think inclusive — designs can be modern, vintage-inspired, typographic, rainbow-bright, minimalist, portrait-driven, or symbolic.

These cards should be placed here:

Holidays >> Harvey Milk Day / May 22 cid#39486

Ideas for illustrations and styles you might explore:

• Portrait or silhouette of Harvey Milk (illustrated, stylized, abstract, or in a quote-based layout)
• Rainbow motifs, pride flags, and inclusive symbols used respectfully
• Graphic typographic posters turned into card fronts
• California or San Francisco landmarks tied to Milk’s legacy
• Hope-themed artwork: candles, light rays, rising suns, open doors
• Community-focused illustrations featuring diverse people
• Inspiring activism imagery: megaphones, protest signs, voting themes
• Vintage ’70s color palettes and retro shapes
• Quotes interpreted in a clean, modern card design

Card Text Ideas for GCU Artists

Inspirational / General Remembrance
Front: Honoring the Legacy of Harvey Milk
Inside: May his courage continue to inspire hope, pride, and equality for all.

Front: Hope Will Never Be Silent
Inside: Today we remember a voice that changed history.

Front: Celebrating Harvey Milk Day
Inside: Thank you to everyone who continues the work of equality and love.

Front: Visibility Matters
Inside: On Harvey Milk Day, and every day, your authenticity is powerful.

Front: Equality. Courage. Pride.
Inside: Honoring a legacy that still lights the way.

For LGBTQ+ Support & Encouragement
Front: You Deserve to Shine
Inside: Harvey Milk Day is a reminder: the world is better with you in it.

Front: Live Out Loud
Inside: Celebrating your courage and your beautiful truth.

Front: Proud to Stand With You
Inside: Today we honor Harvey Milk — and everyone living bravely and authentically.

Front: You Are Loved. You Are Seen.
Inside: On Harvey Milk Day, I’m celebrating you.

Front: Your Voice Matters
Inside: Keep speaking your truth. Keep being you.

Educational or Commemorative Tone
Front: Remembering Harvey Milk
Inside: A pioneer of equality whose legacy reminds us that hope is powerful.

Front: A Day to Honor Courage
Inside: Harvey Milk’s work lives on in every step toward equality.

Front: Harvey Milk Day
Inside: Commemorating a leader whose vision still inspires justice and pride.

Youth / School-Friendly Versions
Front: Harvey Milk Day
Inside: Learning about kindness, courage, and standing up for what’s right.

Front: Be Brave. Be Kind. Be You.
Inside: Harvey Milk showed us that being ourselves can change the world.

Front: Everyone Belongs
Inside: Celebrating inclusion and equality on Harvey Milk Day.

Humorous but Respectful (light touch)
Front: Hope Isn’t Silent — And Neither Am I
Inside: Celebrating Harvey Milk Day with pride and probably too much coffee.

Front: Equal Rights Look Good on Everyone
Inside: Honoring Harvey Milk and all who keep moving the world forward.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Wanted Cards Extra – Driving Instructor

Driving instructors are a special breed of superhero. They willingly sit in a car with brand-new drivers, calmly pointing out blind spots, braking distances, and the occasional wrong turn—all while keeping their cool. That’s patience, bravery, and nerves of titanium.

These professionals deserve cards for all occasions, yet they’re widely overlooked. This is your chance to fill a growing niche with fun, heartfelt, humorous, and workplace-friendly designs.

Whether it’s for a birthday, a thank-you moment, a holiday greeting, or celebrating a season with their occupation in mind, there’s a real demand here. From cute cartoon cars to minimalist road-sign graphics, there’s loads of room to play.

Design Tips for GCU Artists

• Think icons & symbols: Steering wheels, signal indicators, L-plates / “Student Driver,” cones, miniature cars, dashboards, mirrors, simple map graphics, key fobs, speedometers.
• Avoid using trademarked car logos or overly realistic brand-dependent interiors.
• Go visual with metaphors: Roads forming shapes (hearts, smiley faces, stars), traffic signs used creatively, “journey” themes.
• Humor is welcome, especially about patience, bravery, and the white-knuckle experience of teaching learners.
• Inclusive characters: Instructors come in all ages, genders, and backgrounds—keep it flexible.
• Seasonal versions:
  – For Christmas: reindeer in the passenger seat, Santa behind the wheel, festive cones, snow-covered “Student Driver” signs.
  – For Thanksgiving: a turkey learning to drive, fall foliage around the car, a dashboard pumpkin.
  – For Hanukkah: dreidels as cones, glowing menorah dashboard lights (stylized, not literal interior brand depictions).

Category Placement

If a Driving Instructor subcategory doesn’t already exist, cards can be submitted under:

Occupation >> Other

Otherwise use the appropriate occupation-specific categories:

• Holidays >> Christmas >> Occupation Specific >> Driving Instructor – cid#39428
• Occasions >> Thank You >> Occupation Specific >> Driving Instructor – cid#2747
• Birthdays >> Occupation Specific >> Driving Instructor – cid#39430
• Holidays >> Thanksgiving >> Occupation Specific >> Driving Instructor – cid#39432
• Holidays >> Chanukah / Hanukkah >> Occupation Specific >> Driving Instructor – cid#39434

Card Text Ideas for Driving Instructor Cards

Thank You – Driving Instructor

• “Thank you for guiding me through every turn, every stall, and every ‘oops.’ You made the journey possible.”
• “Thanks for your patience, your wisdom, and your nerves of steel.”
• “I couldn’t have done it without your calm voice and great teaching. Thank you for helping me hit the road with confidence!”
• “Thanks for believing in me—even when the parallel parking didn’t.”

Inside options:

• You’re an amazing instructor.
• Thanks for helping me find my way.
• You’re the reason I passed!
• Grateful for every lesson, every mile, every moment.

Birthday – Driving Instructor

• “Happy Birthday to someone who knows how to steer life in the right direction!”
• “Wishing you a smooth, scenic year with no potholes and plenty of green lights.”
• “Happy Birthday! May your cake be sweet and your students remember their turn signals.”
• “Another birthday? At least your teaching skills never age!”

Inside options:

• Hope your day is a joyride.
• Enjoy your special day—no student drivers allowed!
• Wishing you a year of happy miles.

Christmas – Driving Instructor

• “Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and well-behaved student drivers.”
• “May your holiday season be as smooth as a perfect parallel park.”
• “Merry Christmas to someone who keeps the world moving—one new driver at a time.”

Inside options:

• Warm wishes and safe travels.
• Hope your holidays are merry, bright, and blissfully brake-pedal-free!
• May the season bring you joy at every turn.

Thanksgiving – Driving Instructor

• “Grateful for all you do—Happy Thanksgiving!”
• “Thankful for your patience, guidance, and steady hand on the invisible passenger-side brake.”
• “Wishing you a holiday full of comfort, gratitude, and no last-minute lane changes.”

Inside options:

• With appreciation today and always.
• Hope your Thanksgiving is easy and enjoyable.

Hanukkah – Driving Instructor

• “Wishing you eight bright nights and many safe miles.”
• “Happy Hanukkah to an amazing instructor—thank you for lighting the way.”
• “May your holiday be filled with peace, warmth, and good directions.”

Inside options:

• Sending light and joy this season.
• Happy Hanukkah and safe travels always.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

🌿 Wanted Cards Extra – Handfasting Ceremony Invitation

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition that has found a beautiful place in modern weddings and commitment ceremonies. The ritual of “tying the knot” — quite literally — symbolizes the binding of two souls, their love, and their promise to journey together through life.

Today, handfasting can be part of Pagan and Wiccan ceremonies, but it’s also increasingly embraced by couples from all walks of life who want something personal, symbolic, and rich with meaning. You’ll see handfasting in weddings, vow renewals, and even elopements — sometimes as the centerpiece of the ceremony, and sometimes as a symbolic addition alongside other traditions.

For GCU artists, this means a wonderful opportunity to create invitation designs that honor heritage, spirituality, and love in equal measure. Think of soft natural tones, Celtic patterns, knotwork, ribbons, and elements from nature — such as ivy, oak leaves, wildflowers, or stone circles.

You might also consider versions that feel more rustic and earthy, as well as elegant or minimalist takes for modern Pagan couples. Handfasting ceremonies often happen outdoors — in forests, gardens, or meadows — so designs with greenery, sunlight, and natural textures will feel right at home.

Be sure to include both “Handfasting” and “Wedding Invitation” in your text or keywords, since couples searching may use either term.

These cards should go here:
Invitations >> Wedding >> Religious >> Pagan / Wicca
cid#4530

✨ Text Ideas for GCU Artists

Front of Card Ideas

• Join us as we “tie the knot” in a sacred handfasting ceremony
• Bound by love, joined by spirit – please celebrate our handfasting
• Two hearts, two hands, one bond of love
• A handfasting celebration of eternal love and unity
• With hearts and hands entwined, we begin our journey together
• Love bound by sacred cords – you are invited to our handfasting
• By knot and by vow, we bind our lives as one

Inside Verse Ideas

• Please join us as we celebrate the binding of our hearts and hands in a handfasting ceremony filled with love, light, and joy.
• Together we will weave our love into a bond everlasting – surrounded by friends, family, and the blessings of nature.
• Our hands will be tied, our hearts forever joined. Please share this moment of love with us.
• As the cords are bound, so are our hearts – in trust, in respect, and in eternal love.
• Join us under the open sky as we bind our lives together in the ancient ritual of handfasting.
• A celebration of love, tradition, and unity – please be part of our sacred handfasting ceremony.

Optional Add-on Text for Formal Invitation Details

• Date, time, and ceremony location to follow
• Reception to follow in the garden / hall / meadow
• Kindly RSVP by [date]

Happy designing!

Corrie