How To Guide: Cutest Christmas Photo Cards Ever
Ahhh, the Holiday Season is Here! Shopping, Parties, Travel, and OH WAIT! You Need to Send Out Holiday Cards, Too! Don’t Worry! Here is My How To Guide for Last Minute Holiday Cards
The sparkliest season of all is here! It is the time of year when you think to yourself, WAIT, how is it already Thanksgiving! I still need to get gifts, decorate, plan, and make all the food for Thanksgiving, get a tree, presents for the kids’ teachers, when do our parents get here???!! The list goes on and on. However, one item that is top priority on our Holiday to-do list is Christmas Family Photos for our Holiday cards!
Christmas photos are a big deal in our family. My mother in law started the tradition of sending a photograph and newsletter with her Christmas card back in the 1980s. I am pretty sure for the past 38 years my husband has griped to his mom about taking the picture, but despite that complaining, he loves looking back on all the memories. When we got engaged in 2011 we adopted his parents’ tradition and started our own little family Christmas card photo. In 2011 it was just us with the puppy and kitty. Now, we are a full family with little man, little mama, and the OG dog and cat.
Every year I try to make the Christmas card unique and different from the past year. For example, last year it was little mama’s debut so it had to be fancy. However, at the same time, we wanted to pay homage to Alabama. So, we dressed little mama in a sequin onesie, tutu, and giant bow and took the photos in a local cotton field. It was quintessential Alabama, but we made it fashion! Some of our photos from last years’ Christmas card are on this post and the link for a look similar to my top is Here.
With all of this said, we love the tradition of the family photos on the Holiday cards, but with everything going on in November and early December it is so easy to lose track of time and be concerned the cards won’t be ready by the magic due date of December 25. Don’t worry, it is not too late! Below is my step by step guide on how to get your Holiday Cards done just in time for your friends and family to enjoy how cute you are!
Step 1: Book your Photographer! You may be surprised a lot of photographers still have holiday mini sessions available in the week of Thanksgiving through the beginning of December. When you book, make sure you set expectations of when you need final edited digital photos and that you would need them by at least by December 15. Also, your photographer is a wealth of information of potential shoot locations and other helpful hints. Use them as early and often as possible and as a resource to help plan your photoshoot so they know how to execute on shoot day. We use Taylor Patrick Photography and would recommend her if you are in the Eastern Shore/Mobile area.
Step 2: Chose your Card! This may seem out of order to chose your card before seeing your pictures, but there is a method to the madness. It is much easier to fit the photos into the desired card, than to match a card design to your photos. For example, if you chose a card with a collage, then you know you will need your photographer to capture several images. Also, if you already know your card has a Burgundy border with gold accents, you can select your color palette and coordinate the family wardrobe accordingly.
I would recommend Minted or Shutterfly to chose your card. I have also heard good things about Vistaprint, but never used them before. I like Minted because they have a wide variety of card designs, including elements like foil, glitter, or letterpress for a unique flair. Minted also offers several different paper options for additional texture and customization. The best part is they have free addressing of envelopes, as well as envelope design, inserts, and even velum! Bonus: I know Minted and Shutterfly always have great discounts, so sign up for their mailing list to get notified on their deals. I doubt you will pay full price between now and Christmas.
Step 3: Chose your Setting! I love this part, I think the setting really “sets” the tone for the entire vibe of the photoshoot. Luckily, your photographer probably already knows a lot of great spots. The more common settings are beach, fields, mountains, lakes, or a Christmas tree farm. I like the idea of choosing a setting that is characteristic of where you live or maybe somewhere you are taking a family vacation. No matter where you chose, just make sure it is different from the year before.
Step 4: Chose your Family Wardrobe! In true lawyer fashion there are subparts (a) and (b) to this step.
Part (a) is chose your color scheme based on the card and setting. Pinterest has a lot of great links for choosing a coordinating color palette and making sure the tones are complimentary. I always like the idea of putting one kid in a pattern like a flannel or holiday print, and then the parents each wearing a corresponding color. The idea is for the colors to be compliment one another, not total Britney-Justin 2001 VMA matchy-matchy! (Although that is one of my favorite red carpet looks of all time, but I digress).
Part (b) is deciding on exactly what to wear. For the ladies, the idea is to wear solid colors and similar colors on the top and bottom (example, not white top with black pants, or vice versa) and to avoid any overly baggy or draped clothes. I always tend to go with a sweater and jeans or tights.
Step 5: Snacks, iPads, General Bribery to Get the Kids to Smile! This goes without saying, you do not want the kids to be crying, fussing, or in a “mood” during the photoshoot. Especially if you are doing a mini, you only have a limited time to get the shots. My tips are simple:
Make sure the photoshoot is not scheduled during or any time even close to nap time;
Make sure the children are stuffed full of food before the photoshoot;
Even if they just ate, bring snacks!
Bring their preferred toys, so they can be incentivized and then rewarded with the toy after the photo; and last, but not least
Bring the iPad with their favorite songs, show, or movie and have it set up on a chair next to the photographer or have he/she hold the iPad up next to their head while snapping. You would be shocked how the photos look like the kids are happy and smiling at the camera, when really they were just watching baby shark!
Pro Tip: Use the photo that looks best of the adults. The recipients of the cards will think the kids are cute no matter what. You can add more flattering pictures of the kids to the back of the card.
Step 6: Signed, Sealed, Delivered! After you get your proofs, simply upload the photos to the card, write up a little cute update on the family, and make sure to use the automatic addressee option. It is free on Minted and makes it so much easier. Then, add a sticker on the back or fun return address label. Next, the sprinkle on top and in my opinion, an absolute MUST, is the holiday stamp. Do not ruin this masterpiece you just created with a basic Forever stamp on the envelope. No. Keep it cute and get the Santa, Reindeer, or Snowflake stamp! Finally, drop in the mail by December 20 and you have a guaranteed delivery by December 25!
You’re done! And now you have this family photo to cherish forever and ever, and you only had to listen to Baby Shark maybe 45 times to get the perfect shot!
I use these same 6 steps for myself. We have our photos booked with Taylor Patrick Photography for November 23. I already have the card picked out from Minted, it will be in a booklet template. As for the setting, this year, it is our last Christmas in Alabama. The area where we live is known as the Eastern Shore because the towns lie on the east shore of Mobile Bay. We decided this year the setting for the photographs should very “Mobile” so the photos will be literally on the eastern shore of the bay near the pier, under some southern oaks. The color scheme will reflect the green of the oak trees and blue from the bay. Our wardrobe will be:
Me: Evergreen color oversized sweater (here is the sweater in mocha the green is no longer available) with a front tuck in a faux white leather skirt from Vici linked here in black. Then, styled with light grey booties.
Little Mama: Janie and Jack white dress with pink faux fur collar, with matching pink fur barrettes.
Little Man: Janie and Jack Reindeer Sweater, with evergreen velvet pants. A similar outfit is linked here for you.
Hubby: Navy Blue Sweater with jeans.
And of course, I am keeping it cute with the holiday stamps! I hope this helps! Happy Holidays Everyone! Also, if you have any additional tips, please feel free to comment or share your own photos!
