I was tempted to skip it this year. No one needs another picture of our family, right? Then I thought I’d just use a photo of the kids. People only care about the kids, true?
But we got all gussied up and we headed out at sunset to a park down the road. And now I’m weeding through hundreds of photos to find the best of the best. I’m looking for the one where her eyes aren’t squinty and his smile isn’t silly. Out of 200 shots, I think there are one or two I’m willing to mass produce and send to our loved ones.
This is my Christmas Card drill every single year. Each time I want to hang it up but at the end of the day, I just have to do it. Here’s why. . .
- Each family photo; each card, documents the past year of our life. Though I don’t include a “Christmas letter”, that simple photo and greeting (along with the colors and style I chose) is a documentation of where we were that year. Our cards are not only for the recipients. They are for my husband and I to look back through in years to come. These cards are for our children to cherish when they are grown.
- Cards let people know you are thinking of them during the busiest time of the year. Even if we don’t write a note. . .to choose a recipient and put their name on the list means we think about them, wonder how they are doing and hope maybe we’ll receive a card in return.
- Christmas cards bring together tradition + modernization in a beautiful expression of social graces. In a way, I do it for my mother as I picture her seated at the kitchen table with cards, pens and stamps spread out for days. She hand wrote cards every year to loved ones in her lovely penmanship. I am a lover of social graces but I’m yielding to modern ways as I embrace culture’s love of imagery + the ability to custom print just about anything.
Yes, it’s an investment of time + money but for me, it’s well worth it. And with partners like my absolute favorite (Minted), Christmas Cards have never been easier. (affiliate link)
Minted has a beautiful design for every style + Christmas Card goal you can imagine.
Multi-Photo (to really tell your family story)
Foil-Pressed (beautiful!)
Letter Press (look at that texture!)
Major Life Events (like a new baby, marriage or home)
Minted‘s holiday cards are one of a kind because they are sourced from and support their global community of independent artists. There’s a perfect card on Minted for every style + budget. In addition to their amazing designs, I love Minted because they offer free recipient addressing, styled to match your design! What?! It all just got so easy!
So cute, right?!
I just heard about Minted’s new MORE membership program where you get 30% off holiday cards + 15% off all other Minted products year round for a small, annual fee. It sounds amazing and I’m looking into it for myself. Join me to find out MORE!
To celebrate my decision to keep spreading Christmas cheer year after year, our friends at Minted are giving away a $100 shop credit to 3 lucky Grace for Moms readers!
Click Here to Enter!*
Do you love to send Christmas cards each year? What are your reasons for keeping up with this important tradition?
*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway closes at 11:59pm PDT on 11/23/16. Three winners will be randomly drawn from all entrants.
Post sponsored in partnership with Minted. Post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.
I enjoy sending cards to our family and friends. I don’t include a letter, or even a family photo (we’re just not organized enougfh for that), but a card let’s them know I’m ththinking of them and gets me in the spirit of Christmas. I also enjoy receiving mail besides bills and junk, so I always hope to receive a few cards in return!
I can so relate and completely agree with all three. Keep those cards comin’!
We’re a military family so we have friends all over and Christmas cards are one way we keep in touch.
Oh I bet they are so important to you Danica! To give and receive!! Hope you win the contest and get to send some beautiful Minted cards this year!