Sox The Ox, A Christmas Card Inspired by A Land Remembered

Only 4 sets left as of February 2! Better hurry.

Sox Card

Based On A Land Remembered
You've probably already read Patrick Smith’s beloved novel A Land Remembered or are about to do so. It is considered the"Bible" of the Florida Cracker and many people say it should be required reading for newcomers to the state. Inspired by that great book, we've developed a Christmas card that honors the hearty pioneers who endured hardships that we can't imagine in order to settle this great state.

Send A Card That Says You Care
If you're like most people today, Christmas may be the only time of year when you send a hand-written note to your family and friends. You want it to be special, unique and from the heart, something that will be treasured even after the holidays are over. (My wife keeps her favorite cards to use as decorations).

Boy Girl Closeup We've spent the last few years trying to find Christmas cards with a Florida Cracker theme to offer at the holidays, with no luck. So heck, we decided to make our own!

These Cards Were Created The Old-Fashioned Way
Just to be clear, no computer gizmo was used in the creation of these cards. The original drawing was created in a simple way befitting the subject matter - they were painstakingly hand-drawn in pencil by artist Esther Morrison Smith, who drew the original A Land Remembered slip cover 25 years ago. Knowing Esther, they were drawn with a single yellow number 2 pencil. Very few artists today work in the medium of pencil, and Esther is a master of this simple tool.

Esther's artwork sells in the hundreds to thousands of dollars and her work is in collections throughout the United States. We were very lucky to get her involved in this project. Her commissioned portraits cost thousands of dollars, yet here you can get her sweet drawing of two pioneer children with their ox, standing in a thicket of palmettos and pine trees, with the little girl holding a simple gift wrapped in a red ribbon, for about a dollar each.

What Is Happening In This Scene?
Do you see a resemblance to the story of the magi? Maybe the children are taking a gift to a relative or neighbor. Ribbons and wrapped gifts would have been treasured items in the hard scrabble Florida prairie over 100 years ago. People couldn't just run out to Walmart and buy presents and get some ribbon! You can be sure the gift is something simple, hand-made and thoughtfully chosen, and the ribbon is precious.

We named this card "Sox The Ox." (Can you see why?) Oxen were a favored beast of burden among the pioneers. Like their owners, they were hardy, hardworking and reliable. They pulled many a wagonload of pioneers through the Florida prairies, pine forests and palmetto stands. Despite the 'skeeters, alligators, hurricanes, bears, snakes and other threats, they were loyal, gentle creatures and they made life easier for many families.

The Artist's Story
Esther says she felt something special happening when she was drawing the card. "I was having trouble with the little girl. I kept re-working her and suddenly I heard her whisper, 'I want a bow in my hair' - and I‘m not kidding you - I told her I'd give her a pretty green Christmas bow, and I got her to smile! Weird! And the little boy looks so proud with his ox.”

Look carefully. Can you see why we named it Sox the Ox? She adds, "I really had fun doing this! It brought back memories of playing in the woods in Florida growing up." (She grew up in Titusville and now lives near Seattle, Washington.)

Better Than Snow Scenes and Elves
Although the cards are clearly about Florida pioneers, we've had orders come in from states as far away as California and New York! We take that to mean that the simple, sweet scene of the little girl and boy and a garland-clad ox appeals to people everywhere. We all get the usual cards with snow scenes (I always thought that was strange in Florida), silver bells, Santa Claus, elves, reindeer and ornaments, but how many Christmas cards have you seen set in a thicket of Florida pine trees with a holiday ox? If you want to send Christmas cards that say "I spent some time looking for something special for you," this is it!

You Say You Don't Send Cards Anymore?
For most people, Christmas cards may be the only hand-written message you send all year long; everything else is in the form of email, twittering and Facebooking over the Internet. Handwritten notes are becoming rare. However, even if you don't mail cards, these cards will be a big hit as gift tags to include on and in your packages, with a special note inside. This is your chance to do something memorable. Inside card says: "Hoping your holidays are filled with simple pleasures."

You might even consider framing them in small frames as gifts. They are adorable that way and make inexpensive but unique gifts.

Save Time And Money
The price is comparable to what you'd find in a card shop and you don't have to leave your home or spend your gas money to shop for them. You can order online now and you'll get them in a few days. Your holiday card shopping will be done! How convenient is that?

Better Hurry...
We only announced this card a few weeks ago and are already well over halfway through our initial printing. We don't know if we'll reprint, so please order soon (like NOW) to be sure you won't be disappointed when we run out.

With almost 16 million people living in Florida, it is unlikely that anyone you know will receive this card more than once. Be the one to send it.

Choose The Amount You Need - Order More And Save More
All sets include envelopes, of course. Shipping is just $5.50 for any quantity ordered, shipped via USPS Priority Mail. (Shipping costs for card orders only. If you buy additional products, please choose additional shipping at checkout.)

The set of 12 cards is a Baker's Dozen, so you actually get 13 cards.

BEST DEAL - When you buy four sets of 12 cards (really 13 because it is a Baker's Dozen) we'll throw in an additional set for FREE. You'll get 65 cards for the price of 48. You can include one with all of your gifts or use them as unique name tags on all of your holiday packages! HINT: include one with your gift of A Land Remembered and you really have a wonderful gift.

Also, in light of the season, 5% of our net sales will go to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Patrick and Iris Smith's name! Now that’s the holiday spirit.