In 2024 London’s award winning card shop and GCA members Earlybird, teamed up with local primary school, Grazebrook for a “Thinking of You Week” inspired card designing competition.

Earlybird asked the students to design a card that they think would make someone happy. They then displayed the designs in their shop window for customers to vote for their favourite.

“We had nearly 100 entries,” explains shop co-owner Heidi Early. “It was brilliant seeing all the friends and families of those that entered as well as our regular customers voting for their favourite!”

The design that was voted as the customer’s top choice was a lovely bold yellow design by a young boy named Adrian.

Heidi said: “What a wonderful choice! Adrian and his mum are Ukrainian refugees and were hosted for a year and a half by a fellow Shop owner, Georgie Cook. The family now live on church st, Adrian goes to Grazebrook (his English is now excellent) and his mum works in a local nursery. It’s such a lovely story.

Windles Printers kindly printed the card for free so all the profits go to Kids, a charity that Adrian chose that supports disabled children in Hackney.

Heidi said “We’ll definitely be doing the project again next year, cards really do make people happy.”

Want to Run Your Own Happy Card Project?

If you’re a retailer inspired by the Earlybird and Grazebrook School collaboration, why not run your own Happy Card Project this Thinking of You Week?

Heidi has created a simple step-by-step guide to help you partner with a local school, engage your community, and support a charity of your choice — all through the power of greeting cards.