Because my Christmas cards come out late EVERY SINGLE YEAR, you might never know how I truly love making photo Christmas cards. I have a fabric bin in my office on a shelf year round that contains old cards and extra envelopes, along with bits of paper that contain names and addresses of people to add to next year’s card list. As my love for photography and interest in graphic design has grown, my cards have evolved from pre-designed cards printed on photo paper made at a big box store to custom stationary cards printed at my professional lab. I love creating the cards – usually starting with a design from one of my fabulous designers and then customizing the text, colors, and photo layout to best complement the photos I wish to use. I love getting these beautiful photo cards in the mail as well. I especially love the ones from clients – there is nothing like seeing what you chose to print and knowing that some of your favorite images were some of mine, too.
Displaying Our Cards
During the Christmas season, I display the cards we receive on a wreath. Admittedly, my wreath is a more than a bit cheesy, something purchased from one of those fundraising catalogs that a co-worker brought to work for her child back in the long ago days of my corporate gig. Even though the little snowman lost his nose years ago, I still think it makes a fun display for all those beautiful cards.
After Christmas Ideas
But, what to do when Christmas is over? Here’s what I do with my own extra cards, and some ideas that I culled from a Google search.
A Scrapbook for Our Leftover Cards
For our personal Christmas cards, I print an extra card each year for our scrapbook. At the front of the scrapbook, I make a page for every year with photos and a little story about where we lived, who we saw, and how we celebrated. At the back of the book, I add the extra photo Christmas card. Ironically, this scrapbook is the only one in which I have ever been able to actually complete a page. Scrapbooking is just not my thing. The pages look like something that your average third grader could create, but I am adding photos here anyway. Don’t judge…
A Photo Card Bundle for the Cards Received
For a simple way to save all those photo cards from others, I found this idea on the internet. It’s cute, simple to make, and compact to store. I can imagine storing the bundles in the box with the ornaments, and then keeping the card bundles in a basket on the coffee table the next year – might be fun to look back at all those kiddos growing up and changing over the years. If you are one of those super efficient types, you could create the cover in advance, then punch the cards and add them as they arrive in the mail.
https://thediyplaybook.com/2014/01/what-to-do-with-old-christmas-cards.html
A Photo Card Book
This idea is similar to the previous one, but with little scrapbook albums. Just slip the cards in a sleeve – even easier!
https://www.iheartnaptime.net/what-to-do-with-christmas-cards/
A Photo Card Garland
I love the sentiment behind this idea – a way of keeping friends and family far away closer by placing them on your tree. Oh, how I wish I were this crafty!
https://inmyownstyle.com/2010/09/how-to-make-a-friends-and-family-christmas-tree-garland.html
Your Turn!
What are your traditions for holiday cards? Do you save them? I would love to hear how you display your cards and your ideas for saving them!
