Sending and receiving holiday cards are among my favorite holiday traditions. I absolutely love seeing the beautiful cards we get throughout December (and hey, getting mail is nearly as good as a package arriving at my doorstep!)… from the cool outfits, gorgeous backdrops, and sweet sentiments, it’s a beautiful way to connect with so many loved ones.
As a parent, I also now see how impossible it is to get a good family photo, so doing a professional photography session each November has become an informal/mandatory fam tradition. We missed it last year and I was so, so sad. A local photographer, Stephanie Smith, has been taking our photos for four or five years now. Evan and Sarah’s birthdays are in November, so for us, it’s also way to mark each year and have the professional photos for our house, for holiday gifts (you know, the grandparents eat this stuff up!), and for our holiday cards.
We do New Year’s cards because well, this mama needs a few extra days to get that stuff together. 😉 Who doesn’t, right? I’ve used Minted on my own for two years — actually ordering the first time after seeing them on a bloggers post! — and I’m so happy with the quality. From the range of cards (traditional to elaborate), and the option for so many special touches — this is my second time doing the gold glitter envelope insert and I’m obsessed! — it all comes together for such a professional look.
Actually, my favorite part: Minted for free will label all of your envelopes! BAM. Hello, most genius/appreciated thing ever. No handwriting or using crummy labels.
TIP: If you don’t have all your contacts stored in one place, do this: create an excel file (I literally have a file called Contacts.xls in my Dropbox that I keep current… usually). The first time getting it together is a little painful but after that… incredible. On Minted, I uploaded my list and they printed; check it out below… I blocked out my friend’s address but you can get the sense below the “Deliver to:” on the envelope. Super profesh!
Assembling clearly takes time… wine is necessary!
Message on the back: “We feel blessed and thankful for each of you — our family and friends who love and support use. As we look to 2017, we’re ready for even more laughter, kitchen dance parties, adventure, kindness, hugs, afternoons by the pool and time with each of you.”
By the way, debating family outfit attire? Try these tips:
- Avoid the matchy matchy: it’s cute if the kids coordinate or have matching but no need to do all white tees and jeans, or something similar anymore. Show everyone’s personality, and your personality as a family.
- Use one person’s outfit as the anchor. For us, it’s always Sarah! (no surprise there!). After she selected her cherry print dress from J. Crew, we luckily had that cute plaid for Evan that integrated all the same colors. I picked a black blouse from my closet, and Adam wore a neutral button down.
- Consider your backdrop. We decided with Stephanie we wanted a more woodsy vibe, and we knew she also had that gorgeous cream and gold couch. Avoid greens and yellows that might might blend into the scene.
- Make sure everyone’s comfortable. There’s nothing worse than a too-low blouse, a kid miserable in their outfit or layering someone up when it’s 80 degrees outside. That discomfort is always evident and doesn’t make for happy campers.
- Go with the flow and remember: candid moments are often the best moments. Evan wouldn’t sit still the entire time, Adam was getting hot and the weather was more humid than expected when we photographed this. So, instead of getting insanely stressed, we focused less on the posed photos and tried to make everyone laugh. A good photographer will get the best moments captured.
- Plan for dessert and wine. Yup, we totally bribed the kids a little (and ourselves!). You earned it.
Join the Conversation
Abbie
December 9, 2016 at 6:26 AMGreat job!
Julie
December 8, 2016 at 10:02 PMOh my gosh, you’re holiday cards are adorable! What a beautiful family you have. Thanks for sharing and for offering the giveaway! 🙂
-Jules
Christina Huber
December 8, 2016 at 8:55 PMI’ve used Minted before and was very satisfied with their product!
Hayley Somerville
December 8, 2016 at 5:58 PMYou have a beautiful family and I love your photo perspectives – makes for a very fun and readable blog!
Ashley
December 8, 2016 at 2:51 PMThank you for the opportunity!
Jessica
December 8, 2016 at 9:55 AMLove Minted’s art work!!
Lisa
December 8, 2016 at 9:40 AMI LOVE the cards! What a beautiful family! Happy Holidays and Cheers to a happy and healthy 2017~
Leslie
December 7, 2016 at 9:40 PMThis was my first year using Minted and they had me at free envelope addressing <3
Payal
December 7, 2016 at 5:44 PMHappy holidays!
Lea Anna
December 7, 2016 at 3:42 PMCute cards!
Cheryl
December 7, 2016 at 3:35 PMAdorable photos. Especially love Evan’s tie!!
valerie sobus
December 7, 2016 at 1:54 PMminted cards are not new to me… we have used them the last two christmases and for our son’s birth announcements…yet somehow i did not know you could add photos and text to the back of the card. i love that! (plus it is so worth saving me the time for writing out personalized messages on every card. i do like doing it but it takes SO long). and also, i am LOVING your nail polish color.
Dana Lidfeldt
December 7, 2016 at 12:49 PMHappy Holidays! Such great advice as usual!
Lauren
December 7, 2016 at 12:35 PMHappy holidays!
Liz
December 7, 2016 at 9:01 AMHi! Your cards (and your family!) are adorable!
Cheryl
December 7, 2016 at 3:59 AMHappy Holidays!
Liz
December 7, 2016 at 12:04 AMThese look great!
Sarah L
December 6, 2016 at 11:24 PMSuch great things to remember when trying to get everyone in the family in one picture that is usable!
Jessica
December 6, 2016 at 5:45 PMLove your photos!
Susan Todd
December 6, 2016 at 4:49 PMYour card looks fabulous! Merry Christmas ~
Jessica Beard
December 6, 2016 at 4:06 PMYour cards look great! I’d love to win.
Kali
December 6, 2016 at 3:01 PMLove Minted and your holiday cards look amazing! What a beautiful family!
Kelly
December 6, 2016 at 1:48 PMI like the selection at Minted. Thanks!
Casey h
December 6, 2016 at 12:56 PMLove minted!
Kenya F
December 6, 2016 at 12:56 PMHey Hey Hey! Your family is just so beautiful!! Hope you all have a wonder holiday and a the most fabulous 2017!
Heidi
December 6, 2016 at 11:39 AMThese turned out amazing Alyson, you have such a beautiful family! Love these tips too. Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Shira
December 6, 2016 at 10:57 AMThe cards look so cute! Minted is great!
http://asequinloveaffair.com
Meghan
December 6, 2016 at 10:34 AMLove your blog! Your family pics are great! Thank you for an amazing giveaway!
shannon
December 6, 2016 at 9:30 AMLove Minted! Love your cards – beautiful family!
Debby Gans
December 6, 2016 at 9:13 AMYour cards look terrific! I love Minted…used them for my son’s Bar Mitzvah invitation!
Andi
December 6, 2016 at 9:10 AMHappy Holidays! Hope it is filled with lots of joy!
Michelle L.
December 6, 2016 at 9:09 AMWhat a beautiful family … love your card! I’ve been really bad about getting our photos printed.
Nicole
December 6, 2016 at 9:07 AMLove ur pics! Minted is awesome!
Sara
December 6, 2016 at 8:49 AMAwesome tips [as usual], Alyson! Beautiful photos to share the story of your cards and beautiful photos IN your card.
Jessica
December 6, 2016 at 8:08 AMLove reading your blog – it’s often one of the highlights of my day. Plus those kiddos of yours are just adorable! Wishing you all the best in 2017! LML
Sylvia
December 6, 2016 at 7:42 AMThe cards look great!! Happy Holidays!!
Kerry Cavallo
December 6, 2016 at 7:28 AMYour family is so beautiful Alyson! Happy Holidays to all of you!
Lauren
December 6, 2016 at 6:53 AMYour cards turned out so cute! I love these beautiful pictures of your family!!
By Lauren M
beth sarnoff
December 6, 2016 at 6:30 AMGreat post, and as always, the best tips! Love the pics, your family is beautiful!
Tara
December 6, 2016 at 6:10 AMSooo cute! These came out perfectly!