Annual Holiday Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum

Searching for a unique and wholesome way to bond with your family this holiday season? The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum’s Annual Holiday Card Workshop may be just what you’re looking for! Perfect for visitors of all ages, this open-house event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on both Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9.

The museum provides a bountiful spread of patterned papers, postage and rubber stamps, gems and other 3-D embellishments, special cut-out scissors, washi tape, stickers, markers of every color and more!

Following their own creative instincts, kids can choose whichever supplies they would like to design one-of-a-kind greetings for any holiday, or even just a wintery “Hello!”

Once finished, cards can then be placed in envelopes, addressed and adorned with a distinctive National Postal Museum postmark at the museum’s stamp store. In keeping with educating children about the postal service and how mail works, kids can pop their own cards in an official USPS mailbox that is decorated to exactly resemble — none other than — SpongeBob SquarePants!

Of course, visitors are also welcome to explore the whole museum and everything else it has to offer!

The workshop takes place in the museum’s lower-level Atrium, which, for those new to the National Postal Museum, is full of various postal transports from over the years, including a real train car, semi-truck (yes, kids can climb in and pretend to drive!), a horse-drawn carriage and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Thanks to Smithsonian Gardens, the Atrium will be decked out in festive foliage, as well!

The layout of the card-making stations and supply tables encourages sharing, friendliness and a sense of community, which is particularly important in this day and age. And the museum’s pleasant staff and volunteers are always available to answer questions, provide examples of completed cards, or help in any other way!

Remind children of the real reason for the season: giving! And impart in them the tried and true lesson: It’s the thought that counts. Sometimes a handmade gesture can mean so much more to a friend or a loved one than any store-bought gift.

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than taking the time to express your love and gratitude for the important people in your life with a heartfelt greeting? The Annual Holiday Day Card Workshop is free and requires no advance registration. Learn more at https://postalmuseum.si.edu/visit/Holiday-Card-Workshop.html.