Holland artist unveils 24th annual holiday card featuring Big Red

If you’re looking for holiday cards that celebrate the beauty of the Lakeshore, Holland artist Carolyn Stich has released her annual version.

Her 2024 holiday card, “Light So Bright,” is a festive design featuring Santa gazing into a snow globe with Holland’s iconic Big Red Lighthouse aglow inside. The card’s message inside reads, “Big Red with your light so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

For 24 years, Stich has partnered with the Holland Visitors Bureau to create a holiday card, contributing proceeds to a different nonprofit organization each year. This season’s card will benefit the American Red Cross, whose response to disasters and emergencies aligns with Stich’s mission to give back to the community. (During the pandemic, she created artwork to celebrate the role of essential workers.)

“This is the 24th year, which surprises me! Every time they come back to ask for another one, I’m grateful,” Stich says. “We’ve had Santa doing everything — sailing, skiing, you name it. This year, someone suggested revisiting an earlier design of Santa looking into a snow globe, and I loved the idea. Snow globes have a bit of magic to them, so I hope people feel that in this one.”

19th year downtown

Stich is marking the 19th year of her downtown Holland studio, located near the Cherry Republic for the last six years. She credits the success to her business manager and staff, who let her focus on her art.

“I have a fantastic team who keep the shop running, and I’m grateful every day we’re still here, meeting new people and having fun,” says Stich. “I can’t believe we’re around after 19 years, but I’m really grateful for it.”

Supporting the Red Cross felt like a timely choice for Stich.

“Last year, we supported a fund for those receiving chemo, which was especially meaningful, since I went through cancer treatment a second time. This year, with all the natural disasters — floods, hurricanes, and wildfires — the Red Cross just seemed like a good fit.”

Stich says she is amazed that her vibrant holiday cards have garnered such a following. Many fans have created collections.

“It’s incredible,” Stich says. “People come in and buy one because they have the other 23. I’m humbled to be part of something that has become a tradition. When we started 24 years ago, I could never have imagined it would last this long, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

Next year, Stich will mark two milestones: 25 years of holiday cards and 20 years with a downtown Holland studio. 

“For the 20th year of cards, I created a book, “Twas the Night Before Christmas in Holland,” which includes the first 20 card designs. I’ll definitely have to do something special again next year.”

“Light So Bright” is sold at the Holland Visitors Bureau, Carolyn Stich Studio, and Rivers Ace Hardware. Cards are $3 each or $18 for a package of 10.