It may only be October, but Christmas will soon be upon us. Our local craft store started putting out Christmas decorations back in AUGUST!! Can you believe that?!?! Whew!
Anyway, there is lots to love about the holiday season but one of the things that I love the most is giving and receiving Christmas cards. It's the one time of year where your mailbox is stuffed with more than bills, statements and random solicitations for various products I do not need, nor do I want. Christmas cards, in my opinion, are like tangible smile to brighten your day.
My go-to site to get personalized photo greetings has always been, and always will be, Shutterfly. This year, their holiday cards are as varied as the people you send them to. Here are some highlights from the 2013 Holiday Card Collection:
New card design styles for 2013 - 5x7 folded tri fold & back of card designs
o Classic: Traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes, monogram
o Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter, Instagram pictures are perfect for this style
o Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments
o Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun
o Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas
o Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights
Following, are my personal top five favorite cards/photo gifts (In no particular order) of the season (For those on my mailing list, don't be surprised if one of these little beauties show up in your mailbox! :-)
Year In Photos Christmas Card- The tri-fold card is new for 2013 and I love it! It offers more space to add pictures, a newsletter, etc. Plus, this particular card offers a green card offering and a red card offering.
Dots And Stripes Christmas Card- This card is simple and graphic. Yet, it offers lots of room for pictures. Plus, most importantly (to me), is that it says Merry Christmas.
Thankful Monogram Table Runner- Holiday time means holiday meals. Might as well make them cozy and personalized! I love that you can add pictures to the runner to remember those near and dear.
Family Wall 30x22 Decorative Wall Decal- I come from an art/design background and in a previous life, I worked for an art and framing gallery. So, naturally, I love hanging pictures on the wall. A room isn't complete until the pictures are hung. These vinyl decals make it so easy to have those special memories surround you! Plus, these vinyl decals would be great in a renting situation (no holes!).
Wonderful Year Deco Square Metal Ornament- We have lots of grandparents and great-grandparents to shop for at Christmas time. These ornaments are perfect for adding a little personal touch to the old fir tree. I love that there is space for more than one picture on the ornament.
To get you excited for the upcoming holiday season, Shutterfly is hosting a Pinning Party (TM) #PhotosYouLove on October 16 at 8 PM ET. Feel free to stop on by an pin away!
Now, for the best part of this blog post.... my first giveaway!! One lucky reader of All Things Katy! will receive a $50 off total order (plus free shipping) code at Shutterfly.
Here's how to enter:
o For the main form of entry, please visit Shutterfly Holiday Cards and leave a comment on this post about your favorite card.
o As an optional form of entry, pin your favorite card with the #PhotosYouLove hashtag.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And that's it! Entries must be received no later that 10/22 and the winner will be selected at random and notified via email. Please be sure to include a valid email address when commenting.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck and Merry (early!) Christmas!
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received non-monetary compensation for this post and givaway. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*
