You've got Mail!

I love getting mail!  Doesn't it make your day to get an unexpected card or note from a friend when you go to the mailbox?  When I was in college, my mom used to send me a card or a small package once a week.  I always looked forward to seeing what she sent, even though it was never anything big or expensive.  Somehow a card and a few dollars for lunch seemed so much more special when it came as a slightly unexpected surprise in my mailbox.
Knowing how much I enjoy gettting mail, I thought my kiddos would enjoy it as well.  Each year, a couple of weeks before school starts, I send a short postcard to my new group of little darlings.  I let them know that I will be their teacher, and I usually remind them of any back to school activities coming up.  This lets me introduce myself and lets them know that I am excited to meet them.  I think it's also a great first impression for parents, since it lets them know that their child's teacher is looking forward to meeting them.
Last summer, I discovered VistaPrint, and my back to school postcards will never be the same! 

Here is my personalized, cute-as-can-be postcard from last year.

Since I ordered them using an email coupon, I only had to pay shipping and handling for 250 postcards...great deal!

....Until I got moved to 3rd grade this year.  (I'm looping with my class from last year....exciting!)  Now 230 of these sweet little postcards are packed away in my closet.

Fast forward to this summer and another VistaPrint email coupon.  I not only ordered another 250 postcards (which match my jungle-themed classroom)....

I also ordered 500 free (only pay S&H) business cards!  I'm using these business cards (which also match my classroom decor) for lunch passes, desk passes, computer passes, etc. in my classroom store this year.  They are so much cuter than the usual store-bought certificates, and I only have to fill in a few blanks each time they "buy" one in the classroom store...Love it!

Aren't they cute?  Right now, you can get your own free business cards!  Let me know the creative ways you use them in your classroom!

Now, I better get to work on the 24 postcards that I need to send out by Friday!

~Myranda