Sign of the Times
Yard Card Queen Brings Joy in Big Packages
Writer / Megan Arszman
Photography Provided
The pandemic has changed the way many families celebrate milestones, holidays and birthdays, often bringing the celebration back home. Large birthday parties are replaced by some families with large celebration cards adorning front yards across Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield.
By day, Christina Campins-Schneider works with her husband, Josh Schneider, at their realty company, Schneider Reality. In the early morning hours, however, she operates Yard Card Queen, decorating front yards of families who are looking for a different way to celebrate events such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and homecomings.
As soon as I saw what yard cards were, I knew that this was perfect for me, Campins-Schneider says. I love kids, I love to entertain and I love to make people smile. It struck a chord in my heart.
Yard Card Queen was launched in Texas in 2020, and now has a presence in seven states. Campins-Schneider started her local Yard Card Queen business in August, and she averages around 50 cards per month already. She started a special card in December called Youve Been Elfed, and she would plant a small, Christmas-related card in a front yard to celebrate the season.
I started the elf cards because I knew kids werent going to be able to see Santa like theyre used to, and I wanted to bring a little bit of the holiday spirit to them, she says.
Children have a special place in Campins-Schneiders heart. She was a running coach for the Pup Running program at Cherry Tree Elementary for four years. Last year was supposed to be her official last year as the coach, but the pandemic shortened that final season. Her work with Yard Card Queen has helped fulfill her love of encouraging children and their families.
This whole thing was born from the pandemic, but its been a blessing, she says.
The messages, phone calls and emails Campins-Schneider receives from family members, after her Yard Card services have been rendered, bring her fulfillment.
I get the biggest high out of doing the cards because Im bringing joy to everybody, she says. I dont enjoy waking up at 4:30 in the morning, but once Im out there and doing it and I see the finished product, Im excited and cant wait to see the pictures and hear the reactions.
The avid runner and mother of three seems to have an unending supply of energy that serves her well, balancing two businesses and family life. Because Carmel Clay School District leaders changed school scheduling due to the pandemic, Campins-Schneider can prepare a house with her yard cards in the early hours of the morning and be back in time to get her kids ready for school without too much worry.
Sometimes the cards are a family affair for Campins-Schneider and her children. Isabella is 22 years old and a senior at Purdue University. Sophia, 13, and Amelia, 11, both attend Clay Middle School.
My 11-year-old loves to do the ding-dong-ditch with me when Im staking a house, Campins-Schneider says.
Each card typically costs $95 (birthdays for multiples are extra) and remains planted in a yard for the whole day. There is an additional charge for cards to stay in a yard for an extra day. Campins-Schneider typically spends about an hour planning and pulling cards, and then 30 to 60 minutes planting them in a customers front yard. She takes great care in getting to know each card recipient, and strives to personalize everything including the colors and accessories. She feels that this highly personalized touch makes the experience special for her customers.
Campins-Schneider says shes had an uptick in grandparents gifting cards for their grandchildren as a special way to celebrate.
Shes done a few cards to thank first responders and essential workers, and feels such gestures are important given the COVID-19 pandemic.
I feel those people should be recognized, especially during this time of year, and this is one way I can help do that, she says.
If it means helping to support the community she loves, Campins-Schneider is all about Carmel and the communities surrounding it.
I moved to Carmel when I was 13 and graduated from Carmel High School, she says. I moved back here after college and we are raising our family here. Theres just a lot of great things about Carmel, and Im proud to be part of that.
For more info on Yard Card Queen, visit yardcardqueen.com, call 317-460-0140, or email carmel@yardcardqueen.com.
