Since my boys were born, I’ve sent out a picture with my Christmas cards to long-distance friends and family. The first couple of years, I sent out “normal” Christmas cards and included a picture inside the card.
Then, I got the idea to combine the Christmas card and the picture into one item. However, I did not like the “standard” Christmas cards that you could order at Walmart, etc.
So, I decided to make my own card in Photoshop Elements. The first year, I purchased a Christmas digital scrapbooking kit and designed the card myself in Photoshop Elements. Last year, I couldn’t pass up some premade digital Christmas cards. With the premade cards (like the calendars in a previous post), all you need to supply is the picture. You just add it to another layer in Photoshop Elements (or other photo editing program that has layers).
The first year, I kept my card as a 4×6 print, so I could simply upload it to the place that had the least expensive cards. Last year, I fell in love with a 4×8 design that allowed for several pictures of the boys. That was harder to print, since I had to find a store that would allow me to upload the entire card (basically a blank template) rather than just a picture to add to their template. I could do that on Winkflash, and better yet, they had a sale on the 4×8 prints if you ordered before Thanksgiving. But, you can do a basic 4×6 to keep costs less expensive (that’s what I’m doing this year).
If you wish to design the card on your own, here are some of my favorite designers:
- Shabby Princess – here and here
- Design by Dani
- Sweet Shoppe Designs
Or, if you want to use a premade template, Shabby Princess has some great cards here and here. I’m including a copy of the cards that I used the last 2 years (I blurred out my last name, so that’s why it looks weird there). Also, here is a post that I wrote linking to a set of free Christmas card templates to keep the costs down (and they’re cute!)
What do you do to make Christmas cards? Have you found a great place to print them out, if you use photo cards?
Corrie is a "cents"able wife and stay-at-home mom of 2 boys.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
See, this is why you have become a favorite of mine! You have totally opened up my eyes to digital scrapbooking. What beautiful cards! I can’t wait to make some for Christmas!
Great idea – One of my grandmothers makes her own cards for pretty much any occasion and my girlfriend and her kids do the same.
I find I enjoy a home made meaningful card to a store bought one any day.
This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing this over at CFO. I’m going to have to learn about digital scrapbooking for next year now. Thanks, Corrie!