Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A Paper Holiday: Photo Cards — by Guest Aunt "PaperGirl" Lyndsey



I love getting holiday cards. As a kid I’d pore relentlessly over the hundred Christmas cards my mom received each year, studying family photos, analyzing card layouts and even reading every word of those oft-criticized Christmas letters (some people hate them, but I love ‘em!). I think there’s something so fun about getting to catch up, via snail mail, with long-lost family and friends each holiday season.


However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten a little more picky in my holiday card taste. Sure, I still love receiving and reading cards — but it’s like a little Christmas bonus gift if the card is designed well and piques my creative interest. It really doesn’t take THAT much more effort or money to pick out a cute, well-made holiday card — but I think it definitely makes the recipient appreciate your coolness factor a little more!

I’m here this week to show you how easy it can be to find a great-looking, contemporary holiday card — one that will look way better than the ones you pick up from Costco :)
We’ll start out trying to stick close to the norm — cards that make it easy to include family photos.

The card at the top of the post is from the HelloandCo — love the way the snowflake border blends into the photo! You’ll learn pretty quick with me that I’m a huge fan of the handmade, crafty movement — how about ordering cards off of etsy this year? Your cards are sure to be unique, plus, you’ll be supporting a DIYer!




-I also love this card from Hello!Lucky — they’ll print your photo directly onto the card for super-high quality.

-I’m kinda obsessed with letterpress (in fact, you’ll see many more letterpress cards pop up in my other posts this week), so here’s a great letterpressed card from Armato Design that allows you to easily attach your favorite photo.



-Tiny Prints is another good place to go if you can’t bear the thought of a holiday card without a printed photo.

-And just for good measure, one more printed photo card from the etsy world. I love the non-cheesy religious message of this card from Lille Barn Too.

Hope you’re feeling inspired already! I’ll be back soon with some more holiday card ideas. xoxo

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Note from Design Mom:

Lindsey will be Guest Posting here this week (our second Guest Aunt!) with some fantastic ideas for Holiday Cards. Turns out knowing and loving stationery and cards is her special expertise. You can find more yummy paper goods at Lindsey's blog, The Stationery Place. Lindsey, we're glad you're here!


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9 Comments:

Blogger Melanie said...

Fabulous ideas! I'm feeling inspired already. I'll cross Costco Christmas cards off my list and start thinking more creatively. :)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 3:04:00 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those are really cute Christmas invitations announcements, but I found four websites that give 10 FREE Cards, FREE Shipping and have lots of unique Christmas invitations cards, personalized Christmas party invitations, Free Christmas invitations party and custom Christmas invitations at:

http://www.cardsshoppe.com/holiday-invitations/christmas-invitations-cards.htm
http://www.express-invitations.com/holiday-invitations/christmas-invitations.php
http://www.invitations-shoppe.com/christmas-party-invitations-cards-9-1.htm
http://www.holiday-invitations.com/christmas-holiday-party-invitations-cards-21.htm

I have ordered from all four for different Christmas occasions and been very pleased. Take a look and see what you think.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 6:55:00 AM EST  
Blogger Jill said...

modern, contemporary, fresh holiday cards are here:

http://freshholidaycards.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 9:57:00 AM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

Those are all beautiful, but if I receive cards where the family's last name has an apostrophe in it, my head explodes. Big mess.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 10:33:00 AM EST  
Blogger Nice to meet you, my name is Speed Bumpie said...

Thanks for including Tiny Prints!
If you're not into photo cards, check out our brand new thermography holiday card collection.

I'm right with Sandy on the apostrophe issue. I wonder how many times I used it incorrectly in the past since my last name looks strange in plural form (Buciches). I always opt for "The Bucich Family."

Thanks for all of us!

P.S. this isn't intended to be spammy at all.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 1:06:00 PM EST  
Blogger Dionne said...

These are great. I love the modern look, and I LOOOOVE letterpress!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 2:28:00 PM EST  
Blogger Angela and Mike said...

I love them...you make me laugh because I was totally going to use costco this year :) I guess the under 50 cent each price got me. haha. I love these ideas though!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:22:00 PM EST  
Blogger The Mid Life Guru said...

Thanks for getting my creative juices flowing. Christmas cards are an important tradition to carry on. Can't wait to see your next ideas.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 11:19:00 PM EST  
Blogger Wendi leigh said...

Creative Christmas greetings are definately a treat. Here are some original options as well:

www.paperimpressions.etsy.com

Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 2:22:00 PM EST  

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