December is one of the few times I look forward to receiving mail. Instead of just bank statements, credit card bills, and magazine-subscription renewal cards, I actually get thoughtful cards from friends. And while I'm not always the best at keeping up with old-fashioned letter writing during the year, I make an effort during the holidays to send personal messages to the folks I care about. We've been talking a lot about spending our money locally this holiday season, so for those of you needing to send out holiday cards, hoping to support a local artist, here are some good-looking cards from crafter Jennifer Mason (who, you may remember, helped me learn to make soap). Mason hand-stamps her cards and colors them with pencils, giving each one unique detailing. Compared to other handmade cards, Mason's are really affordable at just $4.50 (plus shipping) for a pack of six with envelopes---and larger orders come with a discount. Also, she'll throw in some non-holiday-themed cards if you want, which I'm planning to use for my more secular friends.