With Easter just around the corner, this is the perfect time for greeting card illustrators to keep an eye out for this year’s trends and be inspired to create even more exciting designs for Easter 2008.

Click here to read some of my notes on Easter iconography, colours, font styles and flowers.

The Hallmark Pressroom has also posted some interesting trends & research for Easter 2007 :

TRENDS

• • People think of new beginnings, a clean slate, a spiritual awakening during the Easter season. The season of rebirth may bring optimism and a feeling of a fresh start. Reaching out to family, expressing appreciation for friends, and being refreshed by spiritual renewal can serve as respite from winter.
• • Many will choose to send religious and inspirational Easter cards to lend support to those in the military and to those with loved ones in the military. Others will remember friends and relatives across the miles.
• • Families focus on children, helping them enjoy the festivities, fun and family traditions. Adults tend to like the closeness of family, friends, faith and community.
• • The trend toward seasonal home decoration, including holiday flags, “Easter trees,” and decorative items has extended to include seasonal clothing, accessories and jewelry.

WHEN
Easter is observed on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. The exact date is the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. In 2007, Easter is on Sunday, April 8.

CELEBRATION
Easter is celebrated by Christians and is a significant religious holiday in the church year. It is a religious holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death by crucifixion nearly 2,000 years ago. The holiday traditionally represents the arrival of spring.

For children, Easter is a festive celebration – more than 20 percent of Easter cards are given to children, often as a way to personalize Easter baskets.

Family and community traditions include Easter egg hunts, visits by the Easter Bunny, Easter parades, Easter brunch, family gatherings, and attending church.

HALLMARK RESEARCH

• • Industry wide, an estimated 80 million Easter cards will be exchanged in 2007, making Easter the fifth largest card-sending holiday in the United States.
• • About 76 percent of consumers celebrate Easter. Those who celebrate the holiday spend an average $96.51 on food, clothing, gifts and decorations. (Source: National Retail Federation)
• • The top recipients of Easter cards are grandchildren, children, parents and friends. Twenty percent of Easter cards are for children from newborn to age 12.
• • According to Hallmark research, people associate Easter with family, religion, children and spring. Easter is viewed as an enjoyable, relaxing time for getting together.
• • Flowers, sunlight, colorful spring clothing, and nicer weather are associated with Easter and springtime, which symbolizes a new beginning.
• • About 75 percent of consumers identify “religious meaning” and “involving children” as primary needs during the Easter season, preferring to celebrate the Easter season in a way that is consistent with their religious beliefs, and including children in their celebrations.
• • Because people tend not to travel as much for Easter as for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, keeping in close touch with family and friends during the Easter season is important. About 68 percent of Easter cards are mailed, allowing for a tangible remembrance that can be shared and displayed.