Holiday Cards: What's Your Tradition?
In previous years, I would coerce my husband into making the hike out to some spot up in the mountains to snap a picture of our family. As the family photographer and videographer, we've got plenty of pictures of the kids, solo, with each other, with each parent, with other families and friends. However, in the mix of the hundreds of pictures we take over the year, we can never get it together to take a picture of our family. And if we do, inevitably, somebody is caught not looking, with their eyes closed, or not smiling. The first year, when my son was about 9 months old, we spent Thanksgiving in the Wallowa Mountains. We trekked our way on snowshoes into some remote area of "Little Switzerland" and somehow as our digital camera teetered precariously on some rock, we managed to capture this fantastic photo. This year, we decided to go the route to get some professional help from Dimples Photography. Though the pictures turned out fantastic, we have probably missed our deadline to send out holiday cards by the end of the year! Oh well, but as I reminisce on our little adventure to Eastern Oregon, I am inspired to DIY a good family picture in the new year for the next holiday season. Do you partake in the holiday card sending / giving tradition? Do you do-it-yourself, or do use the services of a professional photographer? I'm also curious if anyone sends out electronic holiday cards, or is that too impersonal?
How excellently adventurous!! We had Shayne Berry take ours last year at Laurelhurst park and they turned out GREAT. www.shayneberry.com.
Our usual plan is to get picture cards made through www.snapfish.com. Last year, we didn't make it in time to get cards out either, so we had the cards made anyway and said something to the effect of... Hope you "had" a magical Christmas! Wishing you a wonderful 2007! All of our friends and fam want to see how the kids are growing, etc... and since we had such great pictures, we sent them. This year, I'm on it, I have already sent them out! Now that we are in CA, however, I didn't get to have Shayne take them.. so it was me and my camera at the park! Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Monica in Cali | December 10, 2007 at 12:45 PM
For a photo we just ask a friend or family member to take a couple of shots of us at a gathering. For the cards, I like to make my own with all my scrapbooking things. I have one list of relatives and very close friends and they are the only one's who get a card. Everyone else I will send a photo in a e-mail wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I don't think that e-cards are bad as long as you don't forget the people who don't have internet.
Posted by: Becky | December 10, 2007 at 01:34 PM
This year (as opposed to all of the other years when I did nothing) I took a fabulous picture of my daughter, on my cell phone, and I loved it so much, I thought everyone should see it too! She was wearing one of those winter hats that has ear flaps and strings with pom poms hanging down, and just the most beautiful smile that just shone her personality. I ordered stickers, which are about 2x2 inches, and cut some black photo mat board (I got a stack of remnants last year from Art Media for a dollar) a tiny bit bigger. I mounted the stickers on the mat squares and stuck some self adhesive magnets to the backs. Instant babe magnet! The caption printed on top of the pic is "Have a cozy holiday!" I have been carrying them around in my purse and giving them to people we know when we see them. They weigh less than an ounce, so you can mail them with one stamp, although I have yet to mail any, and Chanukah ends tomorrow night! But I had so much fun making them, and I figure, people usually stick holiday pictures on the fridge during the season, so they can use our magnet to stick up someone else's picture, and also be functional the rest of the year!
Posted by: debby | December 10, 2007 at 03:21 PM
My low-tech solution to finding the perfect picture: I gather the cutest snapshots from the whole year, trim them down and arrange them on a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. I write little notes around some of them, add a few tiny snowflake or star stickers in the empty spaces, add "Peace & Joy! Love from ..." and the year then head for the color copier.
This might sound less than glamorous but last year when we choose one beautiful picture of the kids and had a card made (because I was recovering from birth!), we got requests from everyone to go back to the old way -- seven pictures showing how they have changed over the year is preferred! And if there isn't a good one of all of us, I can always find at least one with Daddy looking cute and another with me that I can stand. I have all the "cards" in an album and it is a lovely retrospective of our growing family! I just put this year's together last night and am heading to Kinko's in moments.
Posted by: AmyS | December 10, 2007 at 03:44 PM
We always make ours a "Happy New Year" card. This takes the pressure off in terms of having it done right when the holiday madness hits, and we figure we've got all of January to get it in the mail.
Posted by: zinemama | December 10, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Along the same lines....who does a "newsletter"? I usually do one for several reasons...we've been on the move and growing our family the last few years so it seems like we've always got news to share with old friends and extended family, and, I love to receive them! I love seeing pictures of friends and their babes, so now that we've got kids I usually include a photo too. Last year it was a professionally taken one (Shayne Berry as well!) This year I'm not on the ball at all, and at the rate we're going it will be a "Happy Easter" card that gets out from our family! Am I the only one who hates getting a card with nothing but names signed on it?
Posted by: Leah | December 10, 2007 at 05:34 PM
On a related note, some friends and I the other evening had a rousing debate about whether the parents should be included in the Christmas card picture. Many were of the opinion that it MUST be a whole family shot....I am of a different mind, figuring that no one needs to see a picture of me with a slightly different haircut and a few more wrinkles! Just the kiddos on ours.
I usually write a short personal note on the back of our cards in place of a newsletter. Somehow I feel too much pressure at the thought of summing up our year for 75+ friends and family in a typed page. It's not that we have too much going on...just that what we have going on always seems rather ordinary!
Posted by: MollyH | December 10, 2007 at 07:41 PM
In past years, we have really been lax with cards. Last year, we did limited production handmade cards that were were reserved for just out-of-town family. We really enjoyed making them, though we know we omitted friends we would have otherwise included. We bought a chunk of red cardstock, got stamps of "Peace" or "Ho Ho Ho", and bought paper at the Art House (NE Broadway) or collage (NE Alberta) and used their stampers in the back craft room to make big confetti pieces in different shapes to paste onto the cards. We assembled cards day in and day out, the centerpiece being a photo of the whole family.
This year, we are doing what so many others are doing -- postcards off snapfish. We picked up a box last night. The feature photo on the postcard is a big one of the two girls. The smaller photo is a family shot.
I am also wondering about a newsletter. It feels a bit impersonal to have a typewritten insert, but it makes sense. My husband & I have not decided on the newsletter yet.
In past years, it appears that we had to use a family shot. This year's layout is nice so we can have both - a small family shot and a big kids-only shot. One of our friends sent their snapfish postcards out already, and all three photos are of their daughter. Very cute, though I think I would've loved a family photo thrown somewhere in there.
Posted by: olivia | December 10, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Olivia, I'm with you. A family photo is what I create and what I crave. I didn't disappear when I had kids, neither should my friends.
Posted by: philomom | December 10, 2007 at 09:10 PM
I'm insistent on the whole family in the shot. A lot of times we receive these gorgeous pictures of people's children, but since I'm not regularly in these children's lives, I often have no idea who they are! Also, I miss seeing my friends. I love pictures where you not only can see how the children are growing up, but you can see how the family interacts together. So all of our (3) xmas cards since our son was born show us as a family. I typically have a friend take a bunch of digital pics, choose the best and upload it to shutterfly. I don't bother having a preprinted message, and this way, if there are any left over (and there invariably are, as I never get around to doing ALL the cards I meant to), I can use them informally throughout the year. (Therefore I purposely don't make them TOO Christmassy!)
As for newsletter, some years I do, some I don't. If there's enough to say, that I don't feel like writing it out again and again (like, this year, we bought a house, we're expecting another child), then I'll do a chatty newsletter. But I'm also uncomfortable about sending out something without SOME personal touch, so this year, we'll tuck the letter into the photo card, and write a sentence or two in the card to the recipient. I figure that's a good compromise between the two!
Posted by: Anjani | December 11, 2007 at 12:54 AM
Has anyone received any greif from sending out Email Christmas cards? I want to swtich over this year, because we're trying hard to be as green as we can, and sending out photographs in envelopes that are probably not made from recycled paper, not to mention the extra load on the mailmen and fossil fuels to ship them to distant relatives. It just seems like the real COST of sending out a mass mailing is greater than the actual $$ cost. And greatgrandma who doesn't use a computer, of course we'll send her a photo of the family, we don't want to be evil green. Just do our part.
DO any other mommas feel that hang up, you want to stay in touch, but can't stand the thought of all the extra paper and energy used?
Posted by: katie | December 11, 2007 at 01:39 PM
I have a related question. This year one of my kids wants his picture taken w/Santa. He is very shy so this is a big step for him. Can anyone recommend a good/not scary Santa?
Posted by: Lori | December 11, 2007 at 01:54 PM
MollyH: To get into the debate, yes of course! Parents should be included. When you're kids are older, they'll probably chastise you for not participating in the Christmas card photo. And of course, I personally love seeing the entire family wrinkles, new haircut and all.
Posted by: Hau | December 11, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Lori, we really liked the Santa at Washington Square Mall a few years back. He seemed very jolly and gentle and put our guy at ease. But of course, I have no idea if it's the same one (or even if there is only one...I imagine there are probably more than one).
We walked by this year (haven't done the pictures yet) and my son was really interacting with the Santa there again. So, we will do that one again.
Posted by: Laura | December 12, 2007 at 02:58 PM
On the ecards- I did one this year, and i thought it went great. I took a photo from our wedding this past summer, photoshopped on a pair of santa hats and sent it along. What I loved was that we could send it to almost everyone we know- whereas I guarantee I would not have had the time to write and send paper cards to all those people.
Plus, I got back a lot of replies and everyone seemed to love it. Many shot back a quick "happy holidays to you too" and were probably relieved that it was so easy.
Being 'green' was a big part of my decision to not send paper cards this year, and I considered whether I should include that somewhere on the card but in the end I decided not to be preachy and just let people take it for what it was. I did, however, make sure I sent them out early in December so it didn't look like I had just run out of time to send the 'real' cards!
Posted by: Leah | December 17, 2007 at 04:52 PM
My all time favorite photography studio, Campbell Salgado has a new line of lovely photo cards.
Samples here: http://photos.campbellsalgado.com/gallery/6413982_qpNLG
They are sure to add an artistic look to your holiday cards that will delight your family! You can also use images from past sessions or call to schedule a session.
I've always been so happy with Kim Campbell and Francisco Salgado that I'm thrilled to help with marketing and spreading the word about their amazing talents.
Posted by: Michelle Minch | November 23, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Haha, this year I am going paperless, too! Though I haven't figured out yet, if it is due to environmental concerns, cost, ie, being cheap, laziness, etc so I thought about letting my family and friends decide by a poll within my Xmas letter though I will not request replies! My sort of indirect way of saying, "you, too, can send me a paperless greeting each year."
Heck, not only will I be saving about $100 but the times alone is priceless.
So what does everyone do with the cards and letters and photos they receive each year!?!
Posted by: bearlee | November 23, 2008 at 08:04 PM
My kids and I decorate pages and glue down all the pics/letters and they go into a scrapbook. It's fun to see the changes in everyone over the years.
Posted by: Michelle Minch | November 23, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Here's an idea for those looking for a green solution - Campbell Salgado Sutdio offers digital wallpaper, a lovely photo suitable for sharing with family and friends on line. This offer is avaialable with certain packages.
Another idea is a portrait slideshow on dvd to snuggle up and watch with family.
To read more about this holiday special click here:
http://campbellsalgado.com/blog/#17712412
Posted by: Michelle Minch | November 26, 2008 at 02:34 PM
is this website the appropriate place for this kind of promotion? this has been posted before, this is their marketing person.
Posted by: wondering | November 26, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I gave up on cards quite a few years ago--it was just a time and aggravation thing.
Funny thing about our holiday photos--since my divorce 10 years ago, my parents have always spent Christmas morning with my daugther and I. I hate, hate, hate having my photo taken, and my mom is always behind the camera. So, 9 years worth of Christmas morning photos have been of my dad and my daughter--looking at them you wouldn't know anyone else was there! My dad died during 2007; I ended up taking over the photography duties from my mom and now it looks like Christmas morning is just my mom and my daughter.
Posted by: Sheryl | November 26, 2008 at 03:15 PM
I use snapfish.com every year and have loved the results. I am down with using an ecard, but there are lots of older folks in the fam that don't do email and love getting a picture of us every year.
I just did the card today online and after a couple years of compliants over kid only photos, I included a family shot. I don't lloovvve the picture, but whatever. Again, thinking of the elder folks.
Posted by: Monica in Cali | November 26, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Newsletter writers: Do not write it in the 3rd person!! We get these every year and I think it's the goofiest thing ever!
If you use snapfish.com, winter08, takes 20% off.
Posted by: Monica in Cali | November 26, 2008 at 06:26 PM
A response to concern regarding my holiday card posting...
I'm a mom of 3 young children and a long time reader of UrbanMamas. Over 8 years ago I began my client relationship with Campbell Salgado - returning every year to capture changes in our lives.
It is only recently I began assisting with marketing.
I mentioned my relationship with Campbell Salgado earlier in this thread because I want my connection to the studio to be known and not hidden - I believe in upfront honesty.
In addition, their introduction of their newest line of holiday cards seems relevant to the topic at hand - Holiday Cards.
I certainly have no intention to upset any readers and hope my contributions are well received.
Posted by: Michelle Minch | November 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM
We have chosen to send out pictures of the kids only...it is simply so hard when they are young (ours are 3 and 1.5) to get everyone smiling and looking at the camera, etc. I think that when they are older and can cooperate better, we will have a family photo.
I have debated and debated for the last 5 years about the snapfish/shutterfly card and the newsletter. I always felt both were actually too impersonal. I have always bought cards, written a note, and enclosed a card. But last year, while living in London, I sent out an ecard for reasons of both ease and cost. I was happy to be more green, but I felt a bit unsatisfied...
I have decided that it is time for the shutterfly route...as the mother of 2 toddlers and working full time....it is simply the only way. It would be either this or nothing..
I am still considering the newsletter...as I must admit, I love reading them....so why not?
Posted by: Rebecca | December 01, 2008 at 03:20 AM
My original plan was to make it simple: generic letter and photos via email but now that I have begun writing my letter it appears each will receive a personalized email as my 'draft box' is filling up. So I guess I will still save a bundle in cash but not in time but the computer sure makes it a bit easier.
I just came across the wonderful site for sending ecards with photos:
http://www.smilebox.com/ecards/
Posted by: bearlee | December 01, 2008 at 08:24 AM
We sent out holiday cards last year from a family photo session with Campbell Salgado Studio and they were the most beautiful we have ever sent! I send a lot of people to them for pregnancy and family photo shoots and only hear positive feedback. They have such an artful style!
Savannah
Posted by: Savannah Mayfield | December 02, 2008 at 11:34 AM