Fabulous Finds: Christmas Cards!

It's time to start thinking about Christmas cards again!  And that means (yikes!) family photos!

With the arrival of Brooke smack in the middle of the holiday season last year, we didn't do family photos.  Our Christmas card was completely adorable, but only had photos of the kids.  So I'm feeling the pressure to get a beautiful family portrait done this year.  I'm discovering that the bigger your family gets, the more there is to worry about when it comes to family photos.  How will we get all the kids to even look at the camera, let alone smile at it?  How will we schedule around the unpredictable weather at this time of year?  And what on earth are we all going to wear?

I'm sure I will be stressed out no matter how prepared I am, but here are a few of my tips to minimize your worry just a little bit when you take those family photos...

*Start thinking about it and scheduling it NOW if you haven't already!  As the weeks creep closer and closer to Christmas, your stress level will climb higher and pictures are just one more thing you don't want to worry about.

*Really...REALLY...go with outdoor photos in a natural setting.  In almost every case, these will turn out so much better than photos in an indoor studio.  Let your kids run around and play and get comfortable in the setting before you try to pose them.  Everyone will be much happier!

*Don't try to be too matchy-matchy with your outfits.  Layers always tend to photograph well!  If you're in doubt about what to dress everyone in, start with an outfit that you feel confident in and want to be photographed in.  Then build the rest of the family's outfits around yours.  The kids can look cute in anything, and the husband will wear whatever.  Make sure you feel good in what you're wearing!

*As soon as you get your photos back, order your cards!  It's nice to have plenty of time to get them addressed, stamped, and sent off. 

I hope those tips can help some of you!  Last year I absolutely LOVED our Christmas cards from Tiny Prints, and I'm pretty thrilled about their collection again this year.  I love the thick, matte quality of their paper and the way their designs really stand out from all the generic Christmas cards.  Check out some of this year's beauties. . . 

{One of these years, I really must do a snowy family picture!}

 

 

{Note to self: As much as I might love them, do NOT order square cards again this year.  They are perfect if you'll be handing out most of your cards by hand.  But if you'll be mailing lots of them, the extra postage for square envelopes can really add up!}

{Which one will I choose???}

{Seriously bright and fun!}

{Great colors!  I love the untraditional Christmas cards!}

So what are you waiting for?  Go get crackin'!