First things first: 15 of you gave to blood: water belt or The Mercy House! Thank you! A thousand times, thank you! So, I’m going to send The Mercy House $30 on behalf of ohAmanda readers! The winner of the Purple PRAY necklace is: Kathy from The House of Hills! The winner of The Hole in Our Gospel is Sarah from Real Life Blog. Thank you for giving!
I’m the person that sends Christmas Cards out on Christmas Eve. I try and try and try to get them out on time. I do! But for some reason, it never happens. It’s in the same vein of why I can’t keep on top of my emails, my feedreader or my laundry.
But I don’t want to be this way! I want to be the first person to send out hand-stamped, photoshopped, made from scratch Christmas cards. I want them delivered by noon on Thanksgiving Day. I want them addressed in red and green calligraphy with a personal note from all four of us on the inside.
But, like an empty feedreader, I know it’s not really going to happen. So can I tell you how ecstatic I was when Snapfish contacted me and my blog about trying out their Christmas cards? Doing my Christmas cards in October is apparently the only way I’ll actually get them done in 2010.
Here’s the deal, when I do Christmas cards, I over think it. I’m assuming everyone is opening up their mailbox with bated breath. I think they are scouring my card with a magnifying glass. Comparing it’s weight to the other cards they receive. Stacking it in the order of coolness and importance.
I spend half of December 20th (the day I usually make my cards) with Photoshop Elements and iPhoto open. I try not to curse as my computer forces quit on both programs. Then I print them out at some reputable place like CVS and then try to find matching envelopes that actually fit the odd 4×6 photo. I never do.
Is it any wonder I never get the cards out on time? And now..
The Top Ten Things To Consider When Making Your Own Christmas Cards Online
{stay with me…there’s a coupon code AND a giveaway at the end!}
1. Layout
My husband despises multiple pictures on a Christmas card. He says the pictures are too small and its a waste of money. He wants prime space to be taken up on that piece of photo paper. I like multiple pictures because usually, you can see more personality! (OK, maybe “despise” is a strong word…)
2. Speaking of Photos…
I like candid. I know, professional pictures are cute…but posed shots are just well..too posed. I love seeing pictures of kids laughing and families walking. I used pictures from our Disney trip. OK, that first one is posed…but I don’t think the kids were cooperating too much.
3. Embellishments
I love a good scrapbook looking card. And I have tried to make several of these over the years. They never turn out well. I just need a cute layout already…laid out. Then I can just plug in my pictures.
That’s how Snapfish is set up. You just pick the layout you want, upload your pics and then drag them into place. You can even edit them once they are in the card. It’s super easy. And there is no moving of the embellishment and accidentally making it disappear or turn colors or flip backwards. Not that I’ve ever done that.
{Check out this awesome tutorial from Snapfish. It put me in the Christmas spirit!}
4. Text
I never know what to say on a Christmas card. It would be kind of redundant for me to do a newsletter. I might as well just cut and paste my blog. A good old “Merry Christmas” suffices for me. Or maybe a scripture if you can find one that fits. Snapfish only gave me enough characters to fit our names so, that’s what we went with!
{Some cute suggested greetings from Snapfish!}
5. Handwritten
The problem with photo cards is that they feel a little sterile. I do kinda like to see some handwriting every now and then. The cards I ordered from Snapfish are no fold but the back is a writable stationery cardstock. So, I’m going to make Lydia sign all 400 of them. What do you think? Good practice, right?
6. Envelopes
Whenever I try to make my own cards, I can never get an envelope that fits. I always end up having a huge envelope with a teeny tiny picture floating around inside or a giant picture that is sticking out of the envelope. I honestly cannot tell you how happy I am that my envelopes are going to match my cards this year! (But it would be cute if I’d line them, huh?)
7. Addresses
This is my only downfall. As much as I try to keep up my address book it never seems to be correct. I was looking for an online address book that would find all my contacts for me, organize them and print them on labels. Is there anything like that? (Too bad Snapfish couldn’t help me there!)
9. Individuality
{this is the back of one of the cards!}
I have to admit buying a card from Snapfish doesn’t seem very unique. I still want to do one of these cool cards one day. But then again, there were 1489 designs to choose from. I guess I won’t be getting THAT many Christmas cards…
10. Cost
I usually photoshop my own Christmas cards because I feel like it saves money. After the envelopes, the printing and the time, I’m not sure if it really does save money or not. So, as an early Christmas present, Snapfish is offering YOU 25% off your Snapfish order with code GNOHOLIDAY between now and November 2nd. That’s only one week. So, if you are normally like me, you should take advantage of this and surprise all your friends with on-time cards! AND if you leave a comment OR participate in Top Ten {Tuesday} you are automatically entered to win a $50 gift card to Snapfish! Merry Christmas to us!!
Join me at Snapfish’s #gno Twitter party tonight, October 26 (9-11 p.m. ET) for more chat about photography and holiday card making tips and tricks. for more details.
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You know what to do! Link up your Top Ten list and join in the Top Ten {Tuesday} fun! All you have to do is write a top ten list, paste itΒ below, link back to me in your post & then start lovinβ on the rest of the participants with facebook likes, stumbles, comments and tweets! For better and more succinct guidelines see my Top Ten {Tuesday} page!
Throw my name into the hat fo sho!! π
I’m new to your blog, but
I’ve been brainstorming a top 10 to link up!
~h
I tried to click on that link “www.thewhitesrockthehouse.com”, but it didn’t do anything.
What a great giveaway. I love Snapfish — do my photobooks with them, but I’ve always been too cheap to do my cards through them. They do have great designs. I usually just choose a family photo, and then add some text using Picasa or Photoshop and print them out as regular 4×6 — we mail them in the letter envelopes with a very short note.
I would use my gift card to do something a little more special this year. I agree with both you and your husband on layout — I like one large picture, but it’s fun to include candids of your kids with multiple pics. I have to say, when i look at others’ cards, I almost always like the single picture best.
Yeah, you’re probably right, a big picture is a little better for displaying!
Stace: I know. It’s not real. I was wondering how many people would try it…
I haven’t used Snapfish in years…but I’m impressed with how customizable it is! I’ve just started brainstorming ideas for this year as well. I like to come up with something creative every year…we’ll see what I find this year!
Ugh – in the midst of coordinating a 1000 mile move for our family of nine, I’ll admit Christmas cards are not at the top of my priority list. So that Snapfish gift card would really come in handy for making that process more convenient!!! π
Your card ideas are super cute. I use Tiny Prints to do my cards though I have used Snapfish in the past to do calendars. We just got our pictures done (I agree with you about candids but with 3 kids (two of which who are pre-teens) there are NO pictures of all of us unless they are posed). I usually do one picture on the front and then a couple of little ones inside. There are many people who don’t read my blog from my family so I like to stuff as many pictures in as possible.
Good luck with getting your cards done this year. I know they will look awesome!
Great ideas! I love Christmas cards, but I think this year we are going to need to do online Christmas cards to save money. Have you found any good sites that offer free customizable Christmas e-cards?
well, I don’t have a cute family YET to paste on the front of photo cards, and I don’t think people would want a huge photo of me! BUT, I think this would make a great re-gift to my sister or sister in law. count me in! I love snapfish. I made a photo pillow cover from them once and it turned out great. very unique π
are you serious, do you really have 400 to send out? If so, 400 might be a lot to make her sign, but if I were you, I’d dangle some kind of reward in front of her if she does all 400. She could pretend she’s Taylor Swift and has to sign all these pictures for her fans π
My husband and I have been together for 10 years (married 9) and this is the FIRST YEAR we are actually sending out Christmas cards. Our daughter will be 2 and we figure it’s about time we get our butts in gear. We used tinyprints (they were running a sale) and they seem to have a lot in common with snapfish. But they also offer a mailing service in the US (35 cents/card extra + postage) but if you don’t want to sign the cards and order around Christmas, they will send them out for you. I think this is ingenious, especially since mailing from Germany gets pricey!
Yes, they’re expensive, but they’re like mini-scrapbooks. And we don’t send cards the rest of the year. Although if we lived in the US and I could pick up cards at 50% off after Christmas, I would probably still go for that and include a few photos and or a personal letter π
Yay, we love Disney, too!:0) Great pictures!
I’m the same way when it comes to Christmas cards! Try as I might, I never seem to get them out until the last minute; and, that’s with NOT doing a photo card. Oh, well. π
Maybe if I win the Snapfish giveaway I’ll actually get the Christmas cards out on time this year!
You won! You won the contest! Snapfish should be contacting you soon! π
Amanda! I love that Disney pic. It really would make a cute card π And since you have the 10 steps down pat this year….maybe you can help me with MY cards! Love you!
Seriously – do you send out 400 cards?!? π And good for you to get your cards done in OCTOBER! If I have my cards done by Dec 1, I figure I’m way ahead of the game!
No. It just FEELS like 400…
Amanda – this is awesome! I’m so inspired to actually get Christmas cards done this year by this. Usually, as the date creeps up, then passes by, I have this vague notion that “maybe I’ll do an uber-cool New Year’s Card instead!” Yeah. That never happens.
We are kindred spirits! I always say that, too. Then Valentine’s rolls around…
New to the whole blogging thing, and totally addicted. Thanks for the snapfish info. I may just have been inspired π
I’ve used Snapfish the last few years to do our Christmas card. I might try to do them this week if they are having a sale (which means I need to sit down and figure out how many I need). Right now the question is whether to just use a picture of my daughter or of the three of us (this will be her first Christmas). Then all I will have to do is write the letter to go along with it (which I usually do the first weekend in Dec). If I get the cards ordered now I could have them all addressed and just waiting for the letter at the beginnng of December. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow. I haven’t even thought about this year’s Christmas card. You have such cute ideas. But then, Disney does lend itself to some great photos. Now you’ve got me thinking about what we should do. Thanks for the head start! Lisa~
I’m one of those people who mails my cards out by Dec 1st or there abouts each year. I adore Christmas cards. Sending them, receiving them…I love everything about it. I DO use Snapfish and Shutterfly every year. I find them simple and easy. And the premade layouts are a breeze. Wonderful giveaway!
I’m that person that a lot of people hate. I have my Christmas cards ready and dropped off at the post office the Wednesday morning of Thanksgiving week so that they are delivered beginning Black Friday. It’s my tradition and I’m usually the first Christmas card that most of my friends/family receive of the season. They look forward to it…I know because they tell me! LOL
Oh my. You ARE perfect! π
LOVE the back of the card pic, totally awesome! π
I really am going to do that but Les won’t let me get thewhitesrockthehouse.com and thewhitehouse.com was already taken! Still thinking…
400 cards?! Girl.Friend! I used to do over 100 and I thought that was a ton. I’m down to about 80 now. Well, I was down to about 80 until my hard drive crashed and took my Christmas card list with it that for some reason it wasn’t on my Mozy backup. By the way, a great way to get labels: Put your list in Access or Excel, do a mail merge into a Word label document. Tada. I don’t mind return mailing address labels — but to me, hand addressed are more personal. What I really hate? Label for my address, people’s name printed inside the card by the printer…nothing hand-written at all. Makes me feel like I’m just a number on a list. Hate that. π But love getting (and sending) Christmas cards. I’ve started looking at designs and thinking about ours because I love to have them in the mail before December 1.
Oh, no. 400 was an exaggeration. I’m lucky to do 75. π
I use snapfish for my Christmas cards every year!! very easy!
I love Snapfish cards! They are so easy to make and great quality, too! This year, I’m going the generic store-bought route. I bought three packs of really nice cards last year after Christmas for $1 each. (Score!) But I do use Snapfish quite regularly for stationary and other cards. π It’s a great site!
I haven’t even given the first thought to Christmas cards! I suppose I should! (I’m sure family & friends actually want us to send a photo card this year since we have an adorable baby!)
Exactly right–when you have a child it is your DUTY to send his cuteness out! π
I’m new to snapfish but I’d love to get a gift card! I bet I could get a few names marked off my Christmas gift list!
I’d love to win the $50 Snapfish credit! I’m with you- I lile multiple pics and a touch of personalization π Cute cards you picked out!
I would LOVE to win! I love your card ideas- that pic of Lydi is great!!
I use Snapfish for over 3 years now and love it! Last year was the first year I ordered a Photo Calendar for my grandma she loved it. I can’t wait to make one this year. Thanks for the giveaway. Oh and how many versions did you make??lol
I’d love to get my cards done early this year! I was able to do it on time last year but I already feel behind and it’s only October!
Love your pictures/cards!
*whew* You’re better than me! I usually only feel behind when it’s January! π
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