Christmas Card 2010

Vintage Provence Holiday 2011 Christmas 5x7 folded card

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Shutterfly: Christmas Card Envy

Let our Shutters Fly.

Ever since I had Caleigh, I have liked sending out photo Christmas cards. There is some good motivation in doing this. I want my family and friends to see how my children have grown. I also believe it is something more memorable than a boxed card, BUT I must admit there are a lot of other less than good motivations going on.

When I try to put together a card for my family, I am automatically comparing it to the cards on the website's illustrations or cards received from friends and family. All the kids on the website's cards are examples of perfection, clean, matching, and smiling, and the kids on the cards from friends and family are a close second. I'm not a professional photographer and my children are definitely not baby models. So, what do I try to do every year when it comes time to capture those sweet moments?

I dress them in the closest to matching outfits, try to situate them in a location that is the least of an eyesore, and then, attempt to get them to all smile at the same time in the same direction. Does this work? No! And, if it did, it would be far from reality. My kids typically have snot oozing from their noses, drool pouring from their mouths, and ketchup dripping from their clothes, and that is only their appearances. Their smiles look more like a clown's smile or a crocodile's grill. They don't want to touch each other and would rather stand on their heads than look at a camera and say "Purple Pizza."

(Side Note: I know the action photos are in, but who wants to see Caleigh whacking Elisha and him trying to tattle or Josiah bombing himself off the fireplace?)

Anyway, this year I hope to fight the envy that arises when I see everyone else's Christmas cards and accept the beauty of the disarray of my children...I will just tell myself everyone else's kids are just as wild and messy as mine...

But, the main reason I'm writing this post is because Shutterfly is offering 50 free Christmas cards for bloggers. I have used Shutterfly before for Christmas cards and was very pleased, more so than when I used other places. And, I can say praise the Lord for this offer because I really didn't have the extra cash built into my Christmas budget. I had planned to design my own, and who knows what would have come of that? Even if they had been presentable, I would have gotten stressed out, feeling I had wasted to much time. But, now I'm going to get to choose from one of the many splendid designs, such as ones below.

This is one of the options I would consider because it has room for multiple photos and place to add captions. So, I could have a picture of each of the three kids and one of them together and be able to write something like, "Caleigh's favorite Christmas movie this year is A Christmas Carol. She thinks Mommy looks like the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come."

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/sharing-the-love-christmas-5x7-photo-card-5x7-photo?sortType=1&storeNode=93480

This is a classic option with the black and snowflakes. It also has the perfect template for pictures of three children and a family photo.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards/snowflake-wishes-noir-holiday-5x7-photo-card-5x7-photo?fg=2304&sortType=1&storeNode=93480

Another option for three children but with a little more spunk. I may even consider putting in snapshots in the rounded photo slot.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/our-shining-stars-christmas-4x8-photo-card-4x8-photo?fg=2304&sortType=1&storeNode=93480

I had already had an idea for our Christmas card before I saw this design. I had thought about doing a then and now theme, from last Christmas to this Christmas, and with this design I could have a picture of each child from last year and from this year.

Apparently, I want a card that will capture all of my children as individuals, but I also want to present them (us) as a family. With this card, I would be able to do both.

When I decide, I will post and let you know. I guess it will all depend on the photos I find and the mood I want to convey. But, whatever the end result, please don't turn green with Christmas card envy....it is all in the presentation.