Sending Holiday Day Cards
It feels like an adult thing to do, which might be why I can’t bring myself to join the ranks of responsible, organized folks who send out personalized cards each holiday season. It’s what responsible, married couples do, right? Except this year, I signed on to send cards to other lovely bees, which means I’ve actually got to get myself into gear.
Typically, I purchase holiday cards, and then place them in a drawer or box because I’ve run out of time to write them and tell myself “I’ll use them next year”. Riiight.
So I could pretend that I’m organized and purchase more generic holiday cards, only to let them collect dust. Or I could pretend that Nick and I can take a picture in front of the Capitol in celebration of our recent move, which I will never be organized enough to do. So I’ve landed on the idea of a printed photo card, which takes 80% of the work (plus mail merge labels). Maybe one day I’ll get to the level of writing a letter, but I think it’s best to ease in with the baby step of actually mailing a card. One year I wrote, addressed and stamped cards and STILL did not send them out. So, clearly I need to go slowly.
I thought I could use a photo from last year’s shoot with Muriel Silva (which, I have STILL yet to blog about). Here are the options I’ve narrowed it down to. There were so many great shots, but Nick and I are both awkward picture takers, and the best shots are either leaning a bit romantic for a holiday card, or have our eyes closed.
Option 1:
Option 2:
In an ideal world, I could use photos of our cats, but I know that really, we’re the only people interested in our cats. I love to get pictures of people’s pets, but I understand I’m not the norm.
Which photo would you choose, and what company do you use for online printing?
October 25th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I love the first one! I haven’t used online printing before, but we probably will be using it this year. I have yet to choose a picture or take a picture yet, but it most definitely will include our pets
October 25th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Ohh #2 is so festive! I used Wal-Mart. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that, but they were quick, cheap and had a good variety of templates.
October 25th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@Liz, when I meant our cats, I truly meant just our cats. Photos of humans and pets is way different than just pets
@Emily, I hadn’t thought of that! I was mostly looking at shutterfly, vistaprint, tiny print, etc
October 25th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
i love the second one because it really puts me in a holiday mood. although it’s obviously christmasy–would that offend anyone in your circle of family and friends? i like the pet idea. my sister and husband went from a holiday card featuring them two (the humans), then the humans with the dogs, then just the dogs. last year they reverted to humans with dogs.
October 25th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I like the first option because you can use the image as a generic Holidays card or as a New Years card if you have people you want to send a card to but they don’t celebrate Christmas. I have a drawer full of cards I bought over the last few years that I am determined to send out. Next year I’ll make cards (yeah, right), but this year they are store bought.
October 25th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I love the second picture! But both are good options, honestly; I haven’t yet done ones of myself and future Mr., but I’ve heard good things about Shutterfly for cards.
October 25th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
the second one, and you can print them with our professional photo printer (we printed our wedding invites with that), i’ll charge you with beers
October 26th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Two things. Number 2 is WONDERFUL. I want one. B, I want one of the cats too.
Oh, and I’m totally the same way. Must be a family thing, sigh.
October 26th, 2010 at 10:20 am
#2!!!! It’s so festive! I love getting pics of people but I struggle with them being face close-ups since it’s always been kind of glamour-shots to me. The bottom one is so perfect for the season and REALLY cool!!!!
And I’m totally sending one of JUST our pugs. Haters be hatin’!
October 26th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Either are great! I really like pet card too, though:)
October 26th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
I love #2. Definitely puts me in the holiday spirit! We used TinyPrints last year because it was so easy. We’ve also custom designed our own on Modern Postcard which was a lot cheaper and we preferred the glossiness of the paper… but we got lazy last year. We’re so behind on cards this year! We don’t even have a photo!
October 27th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I love both! I am also jumping on the vista print holiday card bandwagon- now you’ve inspired me to get my but in gear and actually buy them
October 28th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I love the first one! Although the 2nd is very Christmasy, which is nice, but the first one is such a beautiful picture.
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:42 am
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