Free E-Card Sites for the Classroom

In my last post, I recommended using e-Cards in the classroom for a variety of reasons – curricular as well as motivational. To get started, here are some suggested sites to find free e-Card sites, as well as comments on their advantages and drawbacks.

free e-card

123 Greetings

Pros

  • free
  • remembers your details for next visit
  • format font, color, and size of the text in the personal message
  • set a delayed delivery date
  • preview the card
  • both sender and receiver can send same card on to another person

Cons

  • must accept notifications from 123Greetings but may unsubscribe later
  • busy page with lots of advertising
  • short ad appears for receiver before card loads

American Greeting Cards

Pros

  • no advertising on page
  • recipient can easily send a free reply or post a reply to Facebook; the default is a thank you for the card

Cons

  • not clear which cards are free – to begin, look for free cards using search feature
  • add a photo or voice message feature in personalized message is not available for free cards

Greetings Island

Pros

  • all cards are free
  • cards may be personalized: add stickers, edit text, font, color, size, alignment, and layout
  • Kids category is suitable for young students
  • cards may be filtered by relevant categories, such as boy or girl
  • Add-a-Photo cards allow the user to upload a photo from your computer
  • card, invitation, and calendar templates to personalize, download, and print, or send as an e-card
  • only need to open a free account if you want to save drafts or favorite designs

Cons

  • advertising on website, some ads link to different card sites
  • some categories, such as Funny, may include text or images some schools may find inappropriate for young children. For lower grades, teachers should direct students to specific categories, e.g., Kids

Card Boulevard

Pros

  • no registration or subscription needed
  • look for free cards
  • can select music for card
  • download app MyFunCards to send free ecards
  • to send the card type free for Username and cards as Password

Cons

  • simple, plain cards
  • if music is chosen, sender and recipient must download midi file

Cat Cards

Pros

  • all free e-Cards with cat photos for many occasions
  • easy to navigate
  • simple, minimal information required – sender only needs to submit from and to names and emails
  • sends you an email to confirm that you sent the free e-Card
  • site is hosted by Cat Depot, a nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless, abandoned, and injured cats

Cons

  • limited choices – just cats

Crosscards Ecards

Pros

  • all cards are free
  • track contacts and e-Cards you have sent and received
  • set delivery date
  • post to Facebook, share link on Twitter, post to a board on Pinterest, or email

Cons

  • the opt in for email holiday alerts or special offers is selected by default
  • no formatting options for personal message

Dog Breedz

Pros

  • lots of dog related categories e.g. Humorous, Specific Breeds, Birthday, Puppies and more
  • can choose a background image and a ‘dog stamp’
  • add an emoji to personal message
  • sender is sent email confirmation
  • can view printable version

Cons

  • restricted to only dog e-Cards
  • e-Cards only available for 15 days

The Nature Conservancy

Pros

  • beautiful nature photographs including categories: Seasons, Animals, Birds, and more
  • no advertising
  • card appears in email message – don’t need to click link to see card in a browser
  • can opt in to receive updates and invitations
  • set delivery date

Cons

  • limited choice of cards – restricted to nature theme

Regards

Pros

  • can select View all free cards
  • see dates for upcoming holidays
  • choose background colors
  • recipient can send a thank you note
  • sender can see when recipient has viewed card

Cons

  • ads on page
  • recipient must click link in email

World Wildlife Fund

Pros

  • all cards are free
  • beautiful photos
  • includes fun ‘Species Fact Cards’
  • can opt in to receive emails about conservation news

Cons

  • restricted to wildlife and nature topics

Care2 Earth to Kids

Pros

  • all cards have been drawn by kids
  • message in card has links to learning more about environmental issues
  • sending e-Cards earns credits to generate donations to nonprofit organizations
  • customize with stamps, music, background, or greeting

Cons

  • must click link in email to view card

MOMA

Pros

  • e-Cards are artwork from the Museum of Modern Art
  • categories such as Architecture and Design, Painting and Sculpture, Special Occasions such as July 4, Mother’s Day and many more
  • browse by artist
  • no ads

Cons

  • CAUTION: artwork can include images that schools may find inappropriate for younger students

free e-card

TechnoHella

About TechnoHella

Hella Comat, Curriculum Writer - Hella Comat is a dedicated professional, who has taught in the education system for more than 30 years. As a pioneer of technology integration in Ontario public schools she was one of the first teachers to introduce the internet, video conferencing, web design, and multimedia learning activities to teachers and students in the Halton Board. To inspire teachers to use technology, she has led sessions for the Touch Technology program, ran workshops at education conferences, and sat on numerous advisory committees related to technology-issues. In recent years she taught the Computer in the Classroom course, at York University. Her lifelong commitment to teaching and learning was acknowledged when she was honored as the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in Science, Technology, and Mathematics. Hella's contribution to the blog includes entries about the importance of technology integration. Drawing from her in-depth knowledge of technology in the classroom Hella writes about teaching strategies and useful resources that can benefit your practice. In addition, she provides innovative lesson ideas that you can implement into your own curriculum.