#5 Christmas Card Bonanza

Good morning planners,
For the fifth part of our Simplified Holiday series I would love to talk a little bit about holiday cards.
          What is one of the most dreaded parts of the holiday season?  Holiday Cards!  What starts off as a nice way to say happy holidays to your friends, and family can quickly turn into two hundred cards with a picture of the entire family in matching gingham because the baby threw up all over your perfect first outfit, the lighting outside isn't right, and the twins won't stop giving each other bunny ears every time the flash goes off, and you want everyone to think your family has it all together this year.   

STOP.........WAIT.......

Then comes having to choose weather you want digital cards, an e-mail type card, a printed card from a card making website, or the old-school written note.  Do you go with the cheapest cards so that you can send out a ton of them, or do you go with the most expensive so that you only have to send cards to a select few?  How many people do you actually NEED to send cards to? 

Here are a few ways to simplify holiday card giving this year:

1. If you use your phone or camera be sure that it is set to HDR mode for the best photos.
2.If you decide on digital cards, have a photographer or your phone ready, and be sure to plan your picture day so that you are not hurried or stressed due to time constraints.
3. If you decide on digital cards be sure to order before the cutoff date in December to guarantee that you will receive your cards with enough time to envelope, stamp, and send them out.
4.Matchey-matchey is NEVER cute, but planning a common theme will look great.
5. For a more traditional card choose your design wisely, and stay classy!
6. Know your audience (Names, and weather they are still alive.)
7. Be clear about what response you would like to receive - If you don't mean it don't say it (Like asking for people to visit.  They might really expect to make future plans.)
8.If you choose to do an e-mail card be sure to include a current family photo.
9.  You can go crazy with eccentric holiday cheer by Elfing yourself or Grinching yourself (Elfyourself.com which is on the Staples website)
10.Don't send 200 cards if you don't need to.  Narrow down who will make the cut, and make your cards as personal as possible!

Wishing you a simplified holiday





 

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