Holidays are made for you at Zazzle. Find cards you’ll covet at http://www.zazzle.com/holiday+cards.
Years ago, I used to really go all-out with our holiday cards. I’d spend hours and hours on the things, hand-crafting every part. But that was before my life became virtually one giant creative outlet, and in recent years, when I have actually managed to get cards out, they’ve been pretty generic. I had made it a goal to do something manageable AND special this year.
So when Zazzle invited me to use their site to make my holiday cards, I was happy for the chance to get them done early and done right.
For the front of our 5×7 card, I wanted a family photo that had a little something to do with Arizona and that told the story of our recent move. I made a tiny tissue paper pom-pom garland and strung it on a cactus patch sort of near our house to make things look a little more festive. While we were taking photos, a huge flock of about twenty peacocks came wandering by! It was awesome (and a little terrifying, to be honest). The girls have been talking about it non-stop since!
On the inside of the card, I wanted to do a photo booth strip insert. I drew some words on black foam board using this google search as a reference and I painted in the lettering with white acrylic paint. Looking back, it would have looked a million times better to use a white paint pen, but you know, whatever. Thank goodness for grainy photo booth photos.
We found a photo booth at a shopping center and took one strip of photos each while holding one of the signs. This photo booth made things super easy on me and automatically uploaded all the images online, which I was able to access later with a code. I picked one photo from each of our photo strips and photoshopped them into one new strip. I had the strips printed out three to a page to save money and I cut them to size for the inside of the cards.
I used a little washi tape to attach the strip to the inside of the card. I think I’ll go back to the store to find some different colors of tape for when I finish assembling the cards over the next month.
I kept the printed message pretty short on the inside of the card to leave room for a place to write a personalized message. I love getting (and sending) hand-written notes, especially during the holidays when we’re all so busy. The extra care and thought feels really special to me.
Another one of my favorite things to do is to buy vintage stamps for the envelopes. You can get full sheets on eBay for just a few dollars and then just mix and match.
Zazzle also offers a custom stamp option that I was so tempted by! I had thought about printing out a photo of Linus with a big Christmas bow around his neck! :) They also sell some really cute vintage-looking stamps if you’re not wanting to deal with the eBay route.
I’m so happy with the quality of the Zazzle cards and my large order came so quickly. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have these done this early! I’m feeling majorly on top of my game here. :) And now I’m wondering what are my chances for getting all my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving? Can you imagine?!
Love this! So simple & sweet!
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I love your work and the lettering of the postcard!
I love these!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
xoxo PARIS BEE kids blog
What a sweet idea. Love the photo booth message. So cute!
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Cute! The Photo booth idea is actually something I could totally go for.
There are so many online places to get cards and such done these days – lucky us ^_^
I have grand plans for holiday gifts this year (lots of -classy- DIY) so I had to start way early if I want to get things done on time. Good luck to you!
Love the card and the photobooth pics. I don't know if you realized it, but part of your home address is visible in one of the photos.
So so so cute! Ack- I haven't even thought about holiday cards yet, although I do hope to get all our Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving. Guess I should actually START shopping!
Wow! I thought I was on top of things b/c I purchased a Groupon for holiday cards a couple weeks ago, but you're light-years ahead of that!! The photobooth strips are a great idea, love it!!!
This is an adorable card. I love that you write a note by hand. My husband and I do this every year. It feels so much better to receive a card with a personal note rather than one where someone just signed there name.
Excuse me. Now I have to go start planning our card for this year. ;)
Hi Lucy! I used a fake address for the post – so no worries there. I appreciate the concern though!
xo
These are adorable! Love the photo booth idea.
Any tips on what to search terms to use to find vintage stamps on eBay? I love this idea! It's so cute and creative. I agree — handwritten notes are so much more meaningful. I always do this but was starting to think I was the only one! :)
Yes! I am all about the hand-written notes. I always get Christmas cards in the Spring from the Met because they are so beautiful. But, I'm tempted to go the route that you did–your cards are so great! And I totally love the stamps!
So pretty! you make simple things fabulous!
I love the idea of a photo booth! I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years
The photo booth idea is genius…and of course even your penmanship is good!! Great cards!
This is my first time commenting, although I've been reading your blog for several months. I finally realized that by never commenting, it was like receiving a gift and not saying "thank you". So thanks for all your hard work and for the awesome ideas & inspiration you share. The cards look fantastic. I especially liked what you said about including a personal message. I used to do that & need to start back because it really is so meaningful. Blessings to you & your family!!!
This is so great and so inspiring! The photo strip idea is so smart and looks really good! Thanks for the heads up on getting cards done. It takes me forever! Thanks for the great ideas!
Great idea, brilliantly executed.
Great idea, brilliantly executed.
I absolutely love the photo strip idea! That is so cool and such a nice treat to get.
so darling!!!
Who is the big poodle dog? Linus? How long have you had him? I don't think I've ever read about him before! :)
Super cute card!!!
Hi Jenny,
I read your blog every night before going to bed. I guess it is like a little ritual I have! :) I really enjoy it and thank you for sharing all of your creativity!
That's a lovely Christmas card with the entire family.
Your cards are adorable! I love how they turned out. Your personal touches were so perfect, per usual :)
Love the photo strip idea!
um, i cannot deal with linus' face in the family photo!!!!! too cute!
This is complete genius! Love, love, love!
This is SO adorable.