Cara Jo Knapp is passionate about turning paper into works of art. “Cards and
invitations are highly personal,” she says. “Each one reflects the individuality of the
sender.” Knapp founded Knapp Design Co. to provide a completely customized
stationery experience for her clients. “Every invitation, card or gift we create considers our client stories and is developed completely from scratch. I never use templates.” Knapp is originally from Traverse City, Michigan, and began her career at the Detroit Free Press after earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography and graphic design at Northern Michigan University. Today, you’ll find her creating custom designs at her storefront in Denver’s York Street Yards.
“It all starts with an invitation,” is the company’s tagline, referring to life’s invitations that open doors to relationships. “When I design a wedding invitation, the couple’s story is the motivation behind everything,” says Knapp. Her work is also dedicated to enriching a curated guest experience specific to the couple. “From save-the-date cards to the day of the event, everything is meticulously crafted and custom-made,” she explains. Knapp’s expertise includes working with mixed materials to give every one of her designs a unique, luxe look. “I incorporate the use of leather, wood, velvet, and textured papers to create keepsakes, not just stationery,” she says. Sustainability is also an important component of Knapp’s business. “We can assemble and mail everything on-site and our products are made to be recycled or reused.”
Shopping a local small business empowers Knapp’s clients to work one-on-one to
achieve personalized results they won’t be able to find elsewhere. She notes, “We are proud to offer a range of endless, customized design options.”
A visit to knappdesignco.com can get the design process going. Ready-for-delivery
cards and stationery can also be purchased on her website for home delivery or free pick-up at the York Street Yards location.
Letters from Santa
Making the holidays extra-bright for children, Knapp’s annual Letters from Santa project was inspired by her mother, who emphasized the desire to keep kids motivated through empathy and good behavior. “It was a happy accident that during the pandemic, many children were concerned that Santa might be quarantined,” explains Knapp. “The project became a way to reinforce positivity while reassuring kids that Santa would still come for the holidays.”
Santa’s letters are custom-made in Knapp’s studio for every child. From mid-October through November, parents can go online to fill out a short questionnaire about the recipient. Knapp takes that information and creates an individualized letter that is beautifully designed and magically packaged with small surprises.
Each package arrives in a plain brown box to preserve the secret. Reinforcing the
holiday message of love, compassion, joy, acceptance, and togetherness, each child learns how they made special contributions throughout the year.
The letters are adorned with the hoof prints of Santa’s reindeer and compliment the
caring and goodness in each child. Often placed under the tree on Christmas Eve,
individual letters are crafted to underscore the holiday’s message of love, compassion, joy, acceptance, and togetherness, and each recipient learns how they made special contributions throughout the year. “Letters are meant to be saved and cherished as a reminder of the importance of kindness and the child’s milestones at every age,” says Knapp.
Letters may be donated and sent to children affiliated with charitable organizations. The keepsake letters are given to families and children free of charge, removing economic disparity and making it possible for every child to have their own special correspondence. Knapp explains, “We want to affirm that each child has the Santa they need by addressing their individual milestone moments. The letters emphasize that the holidays are not about what you have, they’re about who you are.”
The standard Letters from Santa package includes some customizations, a Santa “nice list” highlighting three specific achievements per recipient, an ornament name tag, and a gold wax seal. The upgraded semi-custom package adds multiple customizations and a red velvet envelope. Tagline options for 2025 include: “The Nice List is made of kindness, not things,” and “Where good deeds shine brighter then gifts.”
The Santa Shoppe at the Knapp Design Co. carries add-ons that include a “Nice List Member” iron or sew-on patch. (These are available in limited quantities.) Letter to Santa kits include two sheets of stationery and a stamped envelope, and gift tags and stickers are available for purchase.
Knapp Design Co. hosts a special website dedicated to Letters from Santa. Visiting,
santa.knappdesignco.com provides access to questionnaires and initiates the custom letter process.
“Letters from Santa emphasize that the holidays are not about what you have,
they’re about who you are.”
"We want to affirm that each child has the Santa they need by addressing their individual milestone moments. The letters emphasize that the holidays are not about what you have, they’re about who you are.”