But as much as the world has gone digital, I can't seem to let go of a couple of "old fashion" means of communication. I still have a land-line. I can't bear to pay my bills electronically. And I ALWAYS send Christmas cards. And not just any Christmas cards. Holiday Photo Cards from Shutterfly.
You might even say that I am obsessed. OK, I am obsessed. It's just that I can ALWAYS find the perfect design on the Shutterfly website. With styles ranging from "simple and classic" to "bold and modern", I'm never disappointed. Plus, photo cards are super cute and I love to see how the girls changed through the years. You want to see how they've changed too, don't you? Well, here you go ...
So, how do I end up with such amazing Christmas cards?
For me, the process is simple.
1. I take a zillion and one photos throughout the year, in search of the "perfect shot."
2. I start to narrow down my selection of card designs in late September/early October.
3. I choose a design, a photo and have 100+ cards printed. (I use all the photos that don't make it onto the card in calendars that I give as gifts.)
4. I address and stamp all the cards by hand and have them in the mail the day after Thanksgiving. (My Christmas card is sure to be the first you'll receive).
5. I sit around and wait for cards in return.
Yeah, I'm not OCD at all ...
Adorable card!! I love shutterfly :) I made Aaron a really awesome scrapbook for christmas last year using shutterfly
ReplyDeleteNo, not OCD just really, really organized. I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteThe card turn out beautiful, good way to see how the kids are changing. Super organized not OCD.
ReplyDeleteLove, Love, Love Shutterfly and their holiday cards!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy word! Your kids are SO cute! Quite the system you have there. I tend to go for the: wait until a week before Christmas, scramble to find a family picture, design the card but then have to change the heading to Happy Holidays (occasionally I add some hearts for Valentine's Day). You are inspiring me to get my butt in gear and actually get this done on time this year!
ReplyDeleteAdorable!!! I LOOOVE xmas cards too!! My mom sent out pic cards up until i graduated college. I love getting picture cards every year, fun to see kids grow! Nicejob and great tips!
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas cards. I had a whole wall of them last year. I love sending out my cards, too!
ReplyDeleteAwww, i think you picked the perfect shot for your Christmas Cards.
ReplyDeleteI used to LOVE working on our Christmas Cards and sending them out early to my Family all over Europe... I sat waiting for Cards to return, however I never received any. Sad to say that I haven't sent cards out in about 5 Years.
I heart shutterfly - I LOOK like I'm as organized as you, but in reality, I've waited until the last possible second AGAIN but still get a really cute card...
ReplyDeleteThey are super cute indeed - both the kiddos and the cards! The more I read your blog the more impressed I am by your organization, passion, and creativity! Thanks for sharing a piece of your life with us.
ReplyDeleteLove the cards, especially this year's! I'm a graphic designer and I create my own cards and send them out every year. Sadly, it doesn't seem like many people send cards these days. :(
ReplyDeletePerfect cards!! Reminded me I need to get busy on mine!!
ReplyDeleteWowzers, you are organized with the Christmas card process! Love this year's design!
ReplyDeleteI was that young when we got our first computer too! Way before Windows was around, and everything had to be written as a command, even before turning it off, we had to go put a "park" command!
ReplyDeleteBut I haven't sent Christmas cards in years...
Those are so cute :) i think it helps that you have cute kids. Haha :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a graphic designer, so I end up designing my own cards. But I do send them every year, too.
ReplyDeleteadorable and brilliant! i've never done a holiday card, but you make it sound so do-able. you may have just converted me :)
ReplyDeleteI love this year card soooo cute!
ReplyDeleteI've just discoverd that you are just.like.my.older.sister! How did I not see it before?!
Can you just start managing my life too? I think it's outta control with me in charge!
Your girls are adorable. Love the Christmas card!
ReplyDeleteI work at the post office. If you mail your cards the day after Thanksgiving, your card is not necessarily going to be the first one received. Some people are just CRAZY early with the Christmas cards! The earliest I have seen one mailed was the day after Veterans Day my first year on the job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your dedication to snail mail! You're keeping me in a job! lol
...says the girl that pays all her bills electronically and hasn't sent a Christmas card in 5+ years...
We've been doing our own Christmas cards for years. One year I said I had no ideas and I wasn't going to do it and Emily did it. So the tradition has continued. Our early ones were rather creative and it became too hard to top it so I have gone simpler. But I do love Christmas cards. I even like the gasp form letters that come with them. I do one and I do some fairly cute ones if I say so myself! I would rather get a letter with lots of news than a card with only a signature. Love your card this year! People must love getting it.
ReplyDeleteI want a c-mas card from you. just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteI love your cards. the pita - you know how much he likes cameras. ugggg. one year I'll send you one. I know lucky you, right?! ;)
Always love seeing photos of your girls. Adorable.
ReplyDeleteWe do family Christmas photos every November in a 15 minute photo session with a photographer friend of mine... this season's photos will happen next Saturday. Last year we were FREEZING during the photos and you could definitely tell.
I haven't done cards in a while now although I have always loved Shutterfly!! I have a large collage that they gave me and a photo book and note cards of the youngest two as babies!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME card! I really need to get mine figured out. We generally do PJ shots in front of the tree. The kids love it.
ReplyDeleteI ordered up our cards this week, though not through Shuttefly (have in the past) but this year through Vistaprint (as I think I found good deal). I also hand write our 150 Envelopes and put the stamps on- something about Christmas cards. Mine usually go out in the mail Dec 1st. Love love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteyey! another OCD runner mom/wife. I could super relate to this post =)
ReplyDeleteI love x-mas cards too! Shutterfly and Snapfish are the best!!
ReplyDeleteWe do 100 holiday cards too and we use Shutterfly many years. I love holiday cards you can see your kids, your friends' kids. Love, Love, Love it!
ReplyDeleteI need me a c-mas card!!
ReplyDeletequeenofjean@gmail[dot]com
Wow! I have only succeeded at sending out Christmas cards ONE time in my adult life. Pathetic really, but this is going to be the year. I can just feel it....
ReplyDeleteGreat card! I love Shutterfly! In fact I'm planning to hit their website this weekend and get my card all set up.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever made one of their calendars? Makes a good gift for family!
You seriously have the cutest kids ever!! I am so excited to have found your blog, I can't wait to follow it!! Thanks for joining my giveaway! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteCute, cute, cute!
ReplyDeleteWe're of the same generation, I've always had a computer around, too. And...I still mail a lot of my bills with an old fashioned check and stamp! Hahaha!
Have a good weekend girlie!
That's so funny! And you have an adorable family =)
ReplyDeleteLove this years card!
ReplyDeletei love Christmas cards. and shutterfly. I even hosted a Shutterfly house party. I am waiting till our cruise in 3 weeks to hopefully get some pictures!
ReplyDeletebtw I think that is the first time I have seen your kids names!
Haha! I do the same thing! I love doing photo Christmas cards!
ReplyDeleteCute kids, cute Christmas card!! :) I am obsessed with them too. I design mine myself and print AND send them using PremiumPostcard.com ... it is my favorite project of the year.
ReplyDelete