Holiday Steals and Tricks
Everybody knows it. If you’ve talked to me after November first, for even 10 minutes, I always find a way to bring up Christmas. It was such a magical and at times, miraculous season during childhood that I can’t help but get a twinkle in my eye when I hear Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole.
My friends call it my “Hallmark smile” when I happen upon anything strung with Christmas lights. And it’s true that I have a Christmas-themed event every day each weekend in the month of December. So call it natural happen-stance that I, a single girl living in the city, send out snail-mail Christmas cards every to friends and family.
You may be thinking, “WHY?!” or “How can a teacher afford such a luxury?!” I’ll let you in on a little secret: I plan.
I always spend Thanksgiving with my family in Wisconsin and this year was no different. My sister and I reverted back to our middle school days of backyard photo shoots and produced some very Christmas-card-worthy shots!
Start Early
Thanksgiving holiday weekend is the perfect time to find a friend, a family member, or an empty space where you’re comfortable and take some photos! It’s a great time since the family is all together and the break from work leaves us more relaxed than those awful summer posed Christmas card sessions.
Remember this is about reaching out to your loved ones and not sharing your highlight reel. This is a time to remind those that you care about them and how your year was memorable – with well wishes for the next!
Take Your Time! Shutterfly and other photo printing websites have great Black Friday/Cyber Monday holiday deals. Shutterfly normally runs deals on a holiday weekend or change of season since you’re more likely to get prints/cards to send. I always upload photos onto their app as I snap so when I receive their “100 free prints!” or “10 free cards!” emails I don’t have to wait an afternoon of uploading to order. Just a few clicks and a fee for shipping and they’re on their way! ALSO. Shutterfly is running a 40% off EVERYTHING (ending TODAY the 16th) so use the code "JOLLYGOOD" and there's free shipping this weekend, (Plus not done yet) tomorrow they are giving a 25% off code "CARDSBYXMAS" Even better: you can address your labels and just pay for them to be sent where you need them to go, saving you time and effort!
If you’re extra (like me) I also coordinated some address labels from Shutterfly’s site – I always take forever to choose because they’re so cute!! I just view on their app and “heart” the ones I love along the way and take my time narrowing them down. If you’re still in the window of a holiday weekend you can usually snag a coupon code to bring the price down a little. How do they always have a coupon to use amazes me!
Send ‘em out! You’re ready? You have your address list, labels, and newly released holiday stamps. Last year I tried to personalize every monogram on my envelopes and that is NOT happening this year. I may be an extra but I refuse to be an overachiever this year. So remember, have fun, start early, take your time, and enjoy all the memories this holiday season brings you!
Cheers from Chicago,
Ashley
