Although the annual avalanche of Christmas cards seems to get smaller and smaller every year, there’s still something special about receiving a really nice one. But now a London-based animation studio has redefined the humble Christmas card – elevating it to something incredibly special.

While pop-up missives of ‘Merry Christmas’ have been common place for decades, and ones that play tinny melodies about as long, it’s not everyday a flip-book animation of three animals with a surprise finale comes through your letter box. Check out the card below:

If those barmy animals can’t cheer up even the most humbugging moaner, the secret snow explosion should. Birdbox is well regarded for its brilliant short animations, and now it's at the forefront of making you think your holly-wreath cards are wholly inadequate.