Monday, November 5, 2012

Holiday cards + Tiny Prints giveaway

This is a sponsored post. Tiny Prints is giving me a credit toward my holiday card order to write this post. They've also provided me a giveaway for a reader.

We did our annual family photos about a week ago (with the same amazing photographer we used for last year's family photos and for our maternity photos) and while I wait impatiently to see the images, I've been perusing the Tiny Prints website to start narrowing down the holiday cards I like.

First of all, here is the card we sent out last year:


Now. What I learned last year is that it is totally futile to try to pick a design using a stand-in photo, because the composition and coloring of the final photo selection will be totally different. So this year I didn't even bother with that. I just went straight for the card designs I liked best, and once we get the images from our photographer then that will definitely inform the final choice of design.

As far as parameters: I want something that is not religious or holiday-specific, as we ourselves are a mixed holiday couple and our friends and family celebrate all different combinations of holidays. I like flat cards, preferably, but not necessarily, rectangular. I don't like our last name to be enormously prominent. I generally like designs with just one big photo on the front, especially because Tiny Prints lets you put two small photos on the back, which we did last year, in part because our front photo didn't feature Montana and in part because we had so many amazing photos of just Callum that we had to share at least one:



Beyond that, all I want is something visually appealing and not too hokey. So. Here are the designs I'm leaning toward this year. It seems like they break down into a few basic categories.

Language or design/color scheme that isn't overtly Christmas-y, but still invokes Christmas:





Structured for family news, which makes me feel awkward/I don't know what I would write, but I'd love to get this kind of newsy card from other people so maybe I should get over myself:





Basic wintry:




Anyway. Soon enough we'll have our photos and then I can actually make a choice! And order the cards! And send them out! And then it will really feel like the holiday season has begun.

In the meantime, Tiny Prints is offering a giveaway for one reader: $50 off your holiday card order. To enter, leave a comment here by Friday night and I'll pick a winner at random. And if you're interested in ordering from Tiny Prints whether you win a giveaway or not, check out their special offers page.

And here's a comment prompt for people who want to enter the contest: tell me about your holiday card habits. Do you send one out most years? Does it have a photo? How do you normally display the holiday cards you receive?

40 comments:

  1. I enjoy sending out christmas photo cards! I like to send them early so people can get them in time and display them if they want. It's also fun receiving them, of course! :)

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

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  2. Two important questions:

    1. Are family members eligible to win?
    2. Can you spend $51 and use the $50 discount?

    :-)

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  3. I love TinyPrints, burt the cost always makes me shy away! Maybe your giveaway would help!

    I really like the newsy ones too, but wonder if it's not a little towards the bragging christmas letter...I guess it all just depends on how you do them, huh?

    Love them all, can't wait to see what you pick.

    Also (this should just be an email to you), Nell can finally use the ergo on her own, so I need to return your infant insert. I'll arrange offline :)

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  4. We used tiny prints for our birth announcements because I love their designs the most! I've always diy'd holiday cards, but was considering ordering online this year since people obviously expect baby photos. this would definitely cement my decision!

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  5. We've never sent one out before, but since we had our first babe in February, it's time to start! I love to receive them (and hang them in the kitchen), so it only makes sense to start sending them out.

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  6. I'm finding myself really liking these newsy card prints, and I agree, I'd really like to get them from someone else (although not maybe quite so *cough* braggy).

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  7. I like the newsy ones, but I'm not sure I could think of enough properly phrased items to include, for us.

    Also, funny thing: on the "by the numbers" example, the picture they used doesn't line up with the blurbs at all. Apparently that baby is starting first grade.

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  8. I've used Tiny Prints every year since Hayley was born to send out our holiday cards. We've always included pictures and I'm really excited about the inclusion of Damien this year! :)

    I put all the cards we receive on the fridge. I may still have a few up....

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  9. I haven't sent one in years but this year I want to be better!

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  10. I've never sent out holiday cards before but since I got married earlier this year, I think this will be the first year!

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  11. Never have before, but I may to let people know what I am up ro these days.

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  12. We always send photo Christmas cards but this year's will be the best card EVER due to someone special who will be featured on it :)

    Will also double as a birth announcement!

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  13. Awww, I heart Tiny Prints. When I was single and when we were newly married, I never sent out holiday cards (especially not photo cards). But, once Gavin was introduced to the mix, we started a tradition of a family photo shoot in the fall to celebrate Gavin's birthday and holiday cards that make use of those photos. I priced out Tiny Prints compared to some more expensive companies that were offering some pretty sweet deals that would make them less expensive than TP ... however, I'd have to choose a layout without having our family photos in hand ... and I'm in agreement with you; there's no good way to do that! A $50 credit to TP would be an awesome way to go holiday card shopping this year. Pick me pick me pick me! =)

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  14. I love all of your choices!! Especially the three "newsy" ones I think though. I have generic paper cards stockpiled from last year's after-Christmas sales, but I so want to send cute photo ones with Charlie's happy face on them!

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  15. I usually send out a holiday card with a photo or two - I love to receive photo cards so I send them out!

    melduke26 at gmail dot com

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  16. I love photo holiday cards. We started sending them out when our 1st baby was on the way. We were adopting and it was a surprise to everyone we sent them out to.

    I like cards that allow for multiple photos since my kids are so darned cute. :)

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  17. I am a huge fan of montage cards as we rarely (read: never) get professional pics taken, so I have hope that throwing a bunch of images at people will distract from that fact :)

    HOWEVER. I think I need a new plan, as it is HIGHLY HIGHLY likely this will be the only updated pic of the three of us that I will have this year:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizlewis/8145662762/

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  18. We've been on the fence about holiday cards. Having just moved, I think it'd be nice to send one out to our friends and family!

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  19. This year I'm handmaking them, which seems like a big undertaking but I started in September and I'm almost done. Last year was a total fail; we got married in October of that year and I just picked up some cutesy red-with-cartoony-holly-design frame cards from Walmart, planning to insert wedding pictures and just sign and send - I was lazy, but at least my newlywed intentions were good. However, in holiday craziness (family health troubles and problems with coworkers which escalated to HR.. we're nothing if not exciting.. I completely forgot to send them. I got them all ready, and even stamped some of them, but it was way past the acceptable grace period for Late Card Senders. So, Oh well. The year before, more bad luck - we got engaged in the fall, exactly 51 weeks until the wedding, so I used our ADORABLE engagement pictures. And my cat spilled mod podge (oh yes, these were serious cards, my friends!) all over them, leaving me with about 4 usable cards out of the dozens I'd made. Frustrating, to say the least. I hadn't sent them out previously when I was single, and my husband lived with a girlfriend before and they didn't have the type of relationship that had them sending them when they were together in winter. So, that's us! And this year should be my most accomplished year yet, with the most detailed cards.

    Whew! Lots to talk about. Anyway, I can't wait to see this year's cards! You have the cutest family. :)

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  20. This is the first year we will be doing holiday cards. I will definitely heed your advice about picking a few and then waiting on the photographer to make the final choice. Love Tiny Prints too!

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  21. I've never used Tiny Prints, but we did do Christmas cards for the first time last year. I'm with you and usually stay away from religious choices and like one picture best. Can't wait to see which cards you chooose this year!

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  22. We have never sent one out before but I'm excited to start the tradition! Love Tiny Prints!

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  23. i love to make holiday cards- i like family photo ones but last year it was just my kids in the pictures...
    if we get cards -we put them on our tree
    tcogbill at live dot com

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  24. I don't normally send one, but have a new baby and would love to send one this Year!

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  25. I'd love to be able to send holiday tiny prints cards!

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  26. We always send a photo card. It appears that Shutterfly isn't going to offer me a giveaway to host this year, so I need to win this one. Ok?

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  27. I'd like to send some photo cards this year.

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  28. Just had a baby, so holiday cards are a must this year!

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  29. I normally display cards on our jelly cabinet in the dining room.
    madelinebrubaker {at} gmail (dot) com

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  30. My wife and I were just talking about how we wanted to do holiday cards starting this year (first as a married couple), and I just lost hours perusing their site--sign me up for the giveaway!

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  31. i send them to all family and friends with a family photo and an update letter. i would love to send out tiny prints cards! love them!

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  32. I send a photo card every year with my daughter on it...usually just one picture, unless I happen to have lots of good picts. I sent them out just after thanksgiving.

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  33. I always send out cards. We comeuppance with cute Christmasy things to dress our pug in and shoot away. ;)

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  34. I adore Tiny Prints- and that "A Merry Spot" card has my name all over it! :)

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  35. Since having kids I have started to send out cards every year. They specifically are photo cards now since everyone seems to want to look at the cute kids. Then when we get cards I usually put them out. I am actually trying to figure out a better way to do it this year so they are more visible.

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  36. Love Tiny Prints and we've used them before for Christmas photo cards and baptism invitations!

    Each Christmas we definitely send out Christmas photo cards to everyone on our list - usually 125 or so. Lots of stamps, lol!

    Love sharing the cards we receive with our two young boys. And a tip for smartphone users: last year, for each person's contact, I took a picture of their incoming christmas card. So everytime they call their Christmas card pops up!

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  37. Love Tiny Prints!

    I send cards each year and if I procrastinate too long like I did in 2010, I just sent those cards out with 2011! Yep, I sure did. :)

    I always send photo cards and love to receive cards! I display them hung around the door frame separating our dining and living rooms.

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