First Minister wants environmental theme as he launches this year’s official Christmas card competition

The First Minister has told Wales’ young people that he wants an environmental theme as he launched this year’s Christmas card competition.

The winning design will be chosen by Mark Draeford and used as his official Christmas card, and will be sent to the Queen, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Following the First Minister’s visit to Glasgow for the COP26 Summit, the theme for this year’s contest – which is open to children in years 5 and 6 of primary schoo – is ‘Green Christmas’.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was great to see hundreds of cards entered in the competition last year.

“This year I’m looking forward to seeing my desk covered again in brightly-coloured festive designs,” he said.

“I hope that the theme ‘Green Christmas’ will make children think about the way we can all play our part to cut pollution, protect our nature and our climate.

“We all need a little cheering up after a difficult year. I’m really looking forward to seeing the results of the children’s imaginations in my post bag.”

All entries should be to a maximum size of A4 (210mm x 297mm), can be in portrait or landscape orientation. All entries should be ‘flat’ with no uneven surfaces, no cotton wool, glitter etc. Bright, vibrant colours reproduce well and dark backgrounds should be avoided.

Any text on the Christmas card should be bilingual, with Welsh followed by English. Here are some standard phrases too: Nadolig Llawen – Merry Christmas / Cyfarchion y Tymor – Season’s Greetings.

The closing date is November 12th and attempts should be emailed here. Please include the person’s name and contact details with the entry.