my cartModern Photo Card Guide: Christmas, Holiday, New Year Greeting Cards by Lil Sweet Prince
Merry Wishes: A Modern Guide to Holiday Photo Cards
For more than 150 years, people have exchanged cards at Christmas. Styles and sentiments may have changed, and in America we celebrate diverse faiths and traditions, but the principle remains the same: taking time to send a personalized card during the holidays shows we care.
Custom designed photo cards provide a more personal touch over mass-produced cards. Friends and relatives, especially those far away, will love a recent photograph of your family and marvel at how much your children have grown. And unlike store-bought cards, which frequently end up in the recycle bin after the holidays, photo cards from Lil Sweet Prince are treasured keepsakes.
Still, with all you need to do to get ready for the holidays, sending cards may seem overwhelming. Our guide will make the process easier, from choosing your design, to planning ahead, to answering all those tricky etiquette questions.
The Perfect Design
Have you ever searched through stacks of holiday card boxes at department stores and, despite the vast selection, left empty handed because you couldn't find exactly what you wanted? Each family has its own style and personality-not to mention it's own spiritual beliefs and traditions-and it's hard to find a commercially printed card that reflects that.
With a custom photo card, however, you can create a distinctive one-of-a-kind holiday greeting that matches your family's unique character exactly, because you design it with the help of a talented artist from Lil Sweet Prince.
The process is fun and simple:
- Step One: Choose Your Favorite Design.
Look through Lil Sweet Prince's gallery of pre-designed holiday cards. You'll find dozens of styles, from traditional to trendy to funky, with layouts that allow for one or more photos.
Some designs feature classic and stylized holiday motifs like Christmas trees and candy canes, while others make use of snowflakes or nontraditional elements, like dots and damask prints, for a hip, modern look. If you don't see exactly what you want, Lil Sweet Prince will create something brand new just for you.
- Step Two: Choose Your Colors.
Besides traditional red and green, Lil Sweet Prince offers cards in today's most popular color palettes, including cobalt and white for winter scenes, pink and cocoa, baby blue and lime green, black and white (always a timeless choice) and other stylish hues. If you like a particular layout but not the color scheme, Lil Sweet Prince is happy to change it for you.
- Step Three: Choose Your Words.
"Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah" are traditional options, but what if some people on your list do not celebrate your religious holiday? "Happy Holidays," "Peace-Love-Joy" and "Seasons Greetings" are classic choices to send to anyone. (Read our etiquette section below for more about accommodating different faiths and traditions in your holiday card planning).
Make sure to include the names of everyone in your family on your card (e.g., The Bensons ~Sam, Karen, Kira and Toby) and also the year.
- Step Four: Choose Your Photo(s).
- Whether you pay a professional or ask a friend to take photos of your family, the best images capture each family member's true personality and spirit.
- Don't feel restricted to taking a holiday-themed portrait (e.g., wearing matching red sweaters in front of a fireplace). For some families, it's tradition to have their picture taken on the beach or on the ski slopes to use on their holiday cards.
- More and more families these days are opting for candid photographs taken outside using natural light by a professional photographer, instead of studio portraits. Children especially are more relaxed in their own backyard or outside exploring new places, like the beach, a forest trail, or a pile of fall leaves.
- When choosing from your own photographs, select high resolution digital images that are crisply focused and have an uncluttered background. But don't stress if your favorite photo isn't perfect. Lil Sweet Prince can edit, crop and change color images to black and white or sepia at no extra charge.
*Note: Portraits taken by professional photographers carry with them certain copyright restrictions-you must obtain a signed release to use them on your holiday card.
Whatever your celebration-Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's-a designer from Lil Sweet Prince will work with you to create the perfect photo card.
Timeline for Sending Holiday Cards
In the weeks leading up to December, it's easy to get behind on your "to-do" list and the next thing you know, you're scrambling to get your cards out on time. Remember, the point of sending cards is to show you care, which means that no matter how long your address list is you should sign your cards(yes, even if your cards are printed with your names) and write a thoughtful note. To help you keep on top of things, we've put together this handy timeline.
September/October
- Hire a photographer or make an appointment at a portrait studio (the holidays are the busiest time for photographers so book early)
- If using your own photographs, select the best one and upload it to your computer or scan prints at high resolution
First Week of November
- Revise and update address list
- Obtain copyright release from photographer or studio
- Design and order your holiday cards (order extra cards and envelopes)
Two Weeks Before Thanksgiving
- Prepare envelopes with return labels, addresses, and stamps
After Thanksgiving
- Sign and assemble cards (write several a day to keep from getting overwhelmed)
- Mail cards
Holiday Card Etiquette for Modern Times
While some rules regarding the proper way to address envelopes have relaxed in recent decades (for instance, when was the last time you used "esq"?) in some ways sending holiday cards has become more complicated. How do you accommodate friends and relatives with different religious backgrounds while staying true to your own spiritual beliefs? Should you give holiday cards to work colleagues? Is it OK to include a family newsletter in your card, and if so, what should you say in it? You'll find the answers to these and other etiquette questions below.
When should I mail my holiday cards?
Mail cards any time after Thanksgiving and through January 1. If you know you won't be able to get your cards out until late December, consider sending Happy New Year cards instead.
Will I offend friends and relatives who do not celebrate Christmas if I send them a Christmas card?
If you are worried about this, you can choose a phrase for your card that has meaning for everyone, such as "Peace on Earth" or "Live-Love-Laugh" or you can order two sets of cards, one for those on your list who celebrate Christmas and one with a neutral phrase for those who do not.
My cards are printed with our names. Do I still need to sign them?
Yes. Otherwise it will look as though you just stuffed the card in the envelope with very little thought toward the recipient. Also, handwrite the person's address on the envelope (no labels except for return addresses) and include a handwritten note, even if it is just a sentence or two. Your recipient will appreciate the thought and it will not appear as if you sent out a mass mailing. If you are already panicking at the thought of signing and addressing hundreds of holiday cards, start early.
Is it appropriate to give holiday cards to work colleagues?
Yes, although you should be extra sensitive regarding co-workers' diverse faiths and traditions. Also, do not hand out cards at the office unless everyone will be getting one. Otherwise mail cards to your closest colleagues' homes.
What are the guidelines regarding family newsletters?
Some recipients view family newsletters as no more than "brag" letters. Others appreciate being able to catch up on all the family news. Whatever your feelings about this trend, it is gaining in popularity. If you want to include a newsletter in your holiday cards this year, consider the following suggestions:
- Limit newsletters to one page.
- Send them only to those who might be interested.
- Consider the appropriateness of sharing them with colleagues and business associates.
- Share only news that is positive without boasting. While recipients will want to know that your child graduated preschool, they do not need to know that she has a genius I.Q. If you have to relate unhappy news, such as a death or illness in the family, try to end the letter on a cheerful note. The holidays are a special time to celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us.
- Be entertaining. You want your newsletter to be fun to read.
- Proofread it several times before mailing. Ask your partner or a friend to read it for any errors you might have missed.
What are some guidelines for addressing envelopes?
As mentioned above, it is OK to use labels for your return address, but you should always handwrite your recipients' addresses on the envelopes.
- When sending cards to couples with children, refer to the following examples:
Example 1: The Smiths
1234 Grant Lane
Clifton, VA20000
Example 2:
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith (or informally, Jane and John Smith)
Marcus and Lily
1234 Grant Lane
Clifton, VA 20000
- For unmarried couples living together, married couples with different last names, or gay and lesbian couples:
Example: Janice Malone and Richard King
- For singles:
Example:Mr. Mark Jones (or informally, Mark Jones)
Combining Celebrations on One Holiday Card
Did you recently adopt a child or become engaged and want to share the news with family and friends this holiday season? Lil Sweet Prince can combine celebrations on one card.
For instance, if you've just had a baby, you can combine a birth announcement with your holiday card using the phrase "Introducing our holiday miracle" or similar wording. Weddings, engagements and adoptions are all special events to share on a holiday card.
The holidays are a special time to share best wishes and cheer with the people we love. What better way to reconnect than with a beautiful keepsake-quality photo card from Lil Sweet Prince. It's never too early to get started. Contact Lil Sweet Prince today!
