‘Twas a year before Christmas in our publishing house.
Click! Click! From Creative came the sound of a mouse.
Readying cards to entice for next holiday season,
The design team faced challenges, and for good reason.
With Marketing and customer feedback as a guide,
Taking culture, originality, and artistry in stride,
They channel image and words into a card cover,
With greetings to suit the whole world over.
Sketch of forest, ornament or gifts in hand,
On with stars, snow, ribbons, by inspired command!
“Which color paper?” “Should we use ink?”
“What type of foil?” “Embossing, you think?”
Completed, the artwork is rushed to engravers
Who sculpt master dies, both crafty and clever.
The next trips are to the printers and finishers,
With our designers as shepherds of the endeavor.
When their actual turnover cards are in hand,
They return to the office and set up a stand.
With a plea to the rest of us, all of their colleagues
“Be angels,” they ask, “Name these cards, please!”
In hushed awe we gather, then start scribbling wildly.
Does it shimmer, does it glitter? Some try names that are funny.
Wiser heads will select which the best names will be,
“Grapes of Wreath” gets passed over for “Harvest Bounty.”
On to Production, who with skill will fill inventory
So our Plant can imprint customer orders in a hurry.
Creative exclaimed, moving on to new passions,
“Let’s start on designs for the All Occasion fashions!”