Suitably sporting missives are essential for spreading festive cheer. Choose from The Field's pick of the best country Christmas cards for 2018, and support some cracking causes
Spread suitably sporting festive cheer this Christmas with cards that have proper country credentials and support a cracking cause. Take your pick from The Field’s choice of the best country Christmas cards for 2018.
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THE BEST COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CARDS
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
2017 was a second successive record-breaking year for the GWCT’s Christmas cards, with over 4,000 packs sold, so order early if you want a selection this year. The five designs available this year have been painted exclusively for the charity by leading wildlife artists, including Owen Williams, Rodger McPhail, Jason Lowe, Ashley Boon and cartoonist Loon. All proceeds will go towards supporting the Trust’s vital work.
Price: prices start at £5.50 for a pack for 10
To buy: call 01425 652381 or visit www.gwct.org.uk.
‘Snowbound Grouse’ by Jason Lowe is one of five GWCT Christmas card designs available this year.
The Quorn Hunt Supporters Association
For 2018, the Quorn Hunt Supporter’s Association has selected a painting by a renowned local artist for their festive design. The painting by Fred Haycock shows the Quorn hounds on Burrough Hill. The cards are sure to be a hit with festive hunters.
Price: £5 for a pack of 10 cards, plus £1.50 for p&p
To buy: contact quornhuntsa@gmail.com
The Quorn hounds star on this year’s QHSA Christmas card.
Countryside Alliance
The Countryside Alliance Christmas cards are always a popular choice, so hurry if want one of their festive designs for 2018. There is a huge selection available from well-known rural and sporting artists and all designs can be personalised. The Countryside Alliance 2018 calendar is also available now.
Price: prices start at £4.99
To buy: call 0370 270 9011 and visit www.countryside-alliance.org
‘Footpath Over Braydeston Hills, Norfolk’ by Pamela Dickerson is one of the Countryside Alliance’s festive designs for 2018.
Hunt Staff Benefit Society
The Hunt Staff Benefit Society have two sporting Christmas card designs available this year, with images kindly donated by Daniel Crane and Jo Stockdale. All proceeds form an important part of the year’s fundraising efforts, to help boost the pensions of retired Hunt Staff and add value to the future pensions for current Hunt Staff.
Price: prices start at £6.50 for a pack of 10 cards
To buy: email Lucy Stevens on hsbs2@mfha.co.uk or telephone 01285 653001 for an order form
‘Hark… Glad Tidings’ by Daniel Crane is one of the Hunt Staff Benefit Society’s festive designs for 2018.
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
Every year sales of the Christmas cards help support the crucial work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity. RABI financially supports farming people of all ages in hardships. There are seven design available this year in packs of 10.
Price: £4.50 for a pack of 10 cards
To buy: visit rabi.org.uk for an order form or phone 01268 888217
Bringing in the Sheep is one of RABI’s seven designs available for 2018.
The Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust have a wonderful selection of Christmas cards available this year, including fun bumper packs with a selection of designs. All cards are printed on FSC certified card. Sales of the cards help support our leading woodland conservation charity, who work to increase native woodland cover, restore ancient woods and protect all of our existing woodland.
Price: prices start at £3.99 for a pack of 8
To buy: visit www.woodlandtrustshop.com
The Woodland Trust have a huge variety of Christmas cards, including ‘Winter Tree’.
The Air Ambulance Service
There are few charities closer to the hearts of sporting sorts than the Air Ambulance Service. There are 12 Christmas cards available this year. Profits will go towards their vital, life-saving work, reacting quickly and efficiently to emergencies. Cards come in packs of 10, and there is availability to buy a pack of 10 featuring two different designs.
Price: prices start at £2.95 for a pack of 10
To buy: visit their ebay store
There are twelve designs available this year supporting The Air Ambulance Service.
Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund
The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund have four festive designs available this year. Two of the designs were painted by Jane Davies, one of the Fund’s co-founders who sadly passed away this year. This year they are not using plastic wrapping on their cards and you can opt for a personalised greeting. Proceeds will go towards the fund’s working supporting people injured in horse-related accidents, campaigning on safety and raising awareness of issues affecting equestrians of all levels.
Price: £6.50 for a pack of 10 cards
To buy: visit mdirf.co.uk
‘Preparing for Christmas’ is one of MDIRF’s festive designs for 2018.
The Injured Jockeys Fund
The Injured Jockeys Fund Christmas cards are now, incredibly, in their 54th year of production. This year’s design, ‘Silent Footfall’ has been specially painted for the Fund by renowned equine artist, Daniel Crane. The cards are printed on FSC accredited sustainable forest card, and it is possible to personalise them. All proceeds will go towards the fund’s important work providing support to jockeys past or present who are injured, unable to ride or generally in need.
Price: £7.50 for a pack of 10 cards
To buy: visit ijf.org.uk
‘Silent Footfall’ was specially painted for the Injured Jockeys Fund by renowned equine artist Daniel Crane.
World Horse Welfare
This festive, tartan design is one of several Christmas cards available from World Horse Welfare this year. Cards come in packs of 10, and proceeds will go towards the charity’s work supporting horses in need in the UK and around the world.
Price: £3.95 for a pack of 10 cards
To buy: visit worldhorsewelfare.org
Bright and beautiful Belwade tartan for World Horse Welfare.