whatever

Eva Scott - It seems like every year we do a funny card, then the following year will be a serious card, then funny, etc. This year it will be a funny card. 🙂

Kami - Christmas cards are my favorite thing ever!
I want one of yours! And I wan to send you one. Can I have your address? I’d love to send you one!

pam - i used to write letters. and then it changed to just photos. and then the photos would sit in the drawer unmailed until January. 🙂 this year it is email…unless i win. hahahaha.
but the weather outside is frightful…because it’s so VERY HOT here! and it doesn’t feel like Christmas…

Jamie - love it!!

Becky - When my preemie first was born, I couldn’t seem to take her picture without her crying… and then, to put the picture on the card, it got stretched, so it was really a terrible card, but I wanted to get a picture of her out to everyone, and well, my husband was not so happy with me for that one…so I haven’t done one since…Now, I am still working on getting my 3 girls together to actually take a picture of ALL of them to put on a card. Was also wanting to start a photo ornament tradition… Love that MPix has it all… 🙂

Diane - We have our first grandchild this year, so we will be sending out cards for the first time in over ten years! And guess who we used? MPix! : )

Heike - My mom spends the weekend after thanksgiving getting all the kids’ critiques on the photos, then we vote via email and she orders them! For my own, I usually take a picture in front of my Christmas tree!

Sarah G. - My card tradition has always been to make a homemade card with my daughter’s picture included. She has even helped me with the card the last few years so I’ve enjoyed this time with her! This year I’ve decided to simplify my life and use my favorite photo printer (mpix!!) For my holiday card!! Can’t wait to design this week…with the help of my daughter of course;)

Liz Fox - Took some pictures at Thanksgiving when my college-aged daughter was home. We used MPIX for her senior pictures; excellent quality. Great looking card options!

Shay - Family update letter including at least one photo….

Tracy Fisher - i haven’t sent out a Christmas card since our daughter was 2. She is now almost 16. that card didn’t even have our youngest in it. he is now 12. it has become a joke with our friends. my family doesn’t seem to think it’s that funny. i don’t know why. i always take a fun photo. but when i go to pick out the card i can’t decide. then they always seem so expensive. then i can’t find everyone’s address because i am unorganized. i wish someone would just do it for me. i would choose the pink and lime striped one. it seems so happy. i have been stressed lately. im in need of some happy :). -tracy

Alison - I sent out 105 Christmas letters and family pictures this year (I come from a big family). I do it almost every year, even though most of those same people are my friends on Facebook or see me regularly. Normally I only include a picture of my daughters, but this year a friend took a nice picture of our family, so I included that instead.

betsy berre - with a 4yo, 2yo and 1yo…my favorite tradition: eating an early dinner and quick bath and pjs…then cruising the neighborhood with their lovies looking at lights.

brandi - We send out cards to our family and close friends every year.

Amber - We have been through alot of changes over the past three years, so we haven’t got a set tradition for cards. I love sending them, but usually decide on what is the best priced way to go. We’ve done picture cards, cards with pictures inside, and cards without. I’m still deciding on this years’, guess its time to get moving!

Jennifer Shultz - We ALWAYS send a photo card, I usually send pics of just my kiddos but since the pictures turned out so nice this year I included myself, my husband, and even our dog 🙂

K Cocca - We always open gifts one at a time, youngest to oldest, so that the magic of giving and receiving lasts just a little bit longer.

di - Annie said she wanted a baby for Christmas…hmmm, I’m sensing a theme here:) Wait til you see mine this year – major CHEESEY factor. My tradition = Done!!

Steve Bensing - I carry on the tradition of my parents and do a family letter each year. The collection of these becomes a family history. I use a lot of photos to tell the stories. These letters are included with a Christmas card. I send them to friends and family who want them. Now that my parents are gone, I’ve picked up their Christmas card list and now send our card and letter to my parents’ friends around the world.

denise@victory rd. - the circle card is darling.
our christmas cards have morphed into ground hog’s day cards. phil is fine getting some recognition when his overlooked day comes round. jesus is cool with it cause he because he doesn’t like me to be insane. 🙂

Julia - My boyfriend and I just moved in together so it’s time to start a new tradition. This year’s card will include a picture of our new house!
juliajalexander (at) gmail (dot) com

Ronnie - We first started sending photo cards when our granddaughter was born in early Dec., kind of like a birth announcement/holiday card. So much more meaningful than a mass-produced card!

jackie @ marin mama cooks - Thanks for this great link Meg. I was tired of ordering cards from the same company year after year. I love this site and they have such great designs. I’m going to order my cards today! I can’t wait to see yours!
xoxo,
Jackie

Wendy O. - Now that we have kids, we do either a photo card or a card with a 4×6 photo enclosed. I also do a letter each year. Some years it’s better than others. And I always make sure to write a hand-written note on each one, and I hand-address each envelope. Because I think letters are a bit generic, I like to personalize each card by writing something personal to the person/family I’m mailing it to.

Valery - I never really had a “tradition” when it comes to sending Christmas cards but this year being my baby girl’s first Christmas I plan on sending out Christmas cards with pictures of her on it from this year and on.

Stacey - MPIX ROCKS! My christmas card tradition is to design them myself, but this would be a lot easier on me 😉

Leslie - We always used to send cards with photos of the kids. I don’t think we even had any family photos taken ever. I am going through a divorce so it has been a rough couple of years and I haven’t sent out cards since I’ve been struggling financially. This year, though, my daughter turned 18, my son 15 and the realization that they will be on their own very soon prompted me to get some. I chose a card through Mpix with just a minimum purchase so we will have to pick and choose who gets them. But I wanted to make sure I got them this year.

Dana Banana - We always do a Christmas photo card. I should do a letter, but don’t. 🙂 Do people really want to know that my daughter plays flute in the band? Or that our 8yr. old lost 3 teeth this year? Oh well. Anyway, can’t wait to see your family photo card!!

Katie C. - I’m just starting the Christmas picture card tradition this year! I’m pregnant with our first child, so I finally feel like we have a picture that people actually want to see… haha!

Alicia - I usually use pictures of the kiddos and/or the pets. We always think of a cute picture idea. The year that I was preggo with my 1st we sent out a sonogram pic with a little santa hat on my little peanuts head. I would love to win the set of cards I am working on this year from MPix!!! LOVE THEM!!!!

Heather Russell - Well I’ve been married to my husband for 7 months now, but we’ve been together for 3 years. I would like to start our first Christmas married with Christmas cards to our friends and family! Our family is spread out all over, which makes the holidays difficult since we can’t be everywhere. We had planned to go see his family in Ohio but since he works Christmas Eve night for UPS there is no way we will make it. A Christmas card and a phone call will be the closest thing we have to being there with them. We would love to win these cards to start our tradition and help send a little smile to our loved ones!

MIndi Flynn - Love, love, lOVE to send out photo cards with pictures of my kids. I generally send out a letter wirh family updates but this year my 5 year old, who is just learning to write, wants to do the letter. Couldn’t be more thrilled! Would love a set of perfect cards to send!

detta owens - I love Mpix! I have always sent a letter and a card. When the kids were little, we did family pics or just kid pics. Now the kids have kids so its just me and the hubby

Amanda K - I’m hit and miss with Christmas cards. We’ve been married for 11 years, but I didn’t feel like I had anything to ‘report’ before we had kids! My oldest is 5 and I’ve been trying to get better, especially since we have two kids now! Last year I did great putting together cards and pictures and sending them early. This year, I have a picture to send from our vacation, but I’ve been lacking inspiration to put the card together to send. Thank you for the motivation to get our faces out to our loved ones!

Whitney R. - I’m a dork, missed the “card” part. (I think it may be Christmas shopping
brain.) We send a photo card each year & I was actually planning on using MPix. 🙂

Leah - I send out a Christmas card each year, but I’m never content to just send a standard newsletter, so I have to jazz it up. Last year, I made my yearly update look like a Pinterest board. The year before, I made it look like a sewing pattern. We’ll see what I do this year!

Iris - We send out Christmas cards each year-with all of us-extra 10 or 20 lbs included. Even when I was single (which was until I was 31) I sent a photo card out. I love getting photo cards and why let marital status stop you? Your friends want to see YOU no matter marital status, weight, or the overtired Mama eyes that are hard to hide. I always want to do a letter, but never get to it 🙁

Barbara - I have tried to send out a card each year. Really and truly. And for sure I always had good intentions! So I guess I’m saying I’m a hit or miss kinda Christmas card gal.
Thanks for the opportunity to have no excuse this year, Meg.

beccy - My Christmas Card tradition is to wish/intend/try (depending on the year) to send out Christmas cards, and then to feel guilty that it never happened. :o). Now that my kids are bogger and I am getting a grip on life again, I feel like there is a real shot at it happening. Now to find all those addresses…. Thanks for all the great links and shopping you have had on your blog! Love having more great choices!

Deb Meyers - ha! what’s funny is only TWO of the MPIX examples feature parents in the photos! MPIX needs to listen to Meg, and maybe feature some parents with 10+++ extra pounds.
Merry Christmas, Meg!
dmeyers

Gretchen - Nine years ago when my first was born I started the 4×8 photo card. My friends and family love getting pics of the kids every year. I have a special album I put out every year with all the cards. My kids love it.

Victoria - We put red ribbon on the back of our front door to make it look like a GIANT present. I teach my kids that our home is a present from GOD and that our friends family pictures, that we tape to the door, are one of our MANY blessings we receive from HIM!!
Love the selection and would LOVE to win a set of cards.. Haven’t even started… Sigh!! 😉

becca r. - i love to put all the cards together for one year and hole punch, then put them together on a ring with fun ribbons. they are more fun to look through than in an album. 🙂

Caroline - We hang up all the cards we receive because they are all so beautiful! We only receive a handful of photo cards but those tend to stay on the fridge for the whole year! They are so special!

K - Family photos are the best:) so fun to try and get the perfect one.

colleen sullivan - picture of the kids… never parents…. save them every year and love to look back at them! now that the kiddos are older…. 11 and 13… its much tougher to get that pic but i still do it .. no matter what!
Cheers

Rena - I love hanging out all of the cards we get from some pretty ribbon and tiny clothespins and then I leave them up for a couple of months. It’s so hard to take them down when our friends and family’s faces bring so much cheer to our house.

Sheila P. - I like to send a picture card. I rarely do letters, mine either seem too braggy or too boring. I like to receive letters though.

Dee - I have made my Christmas cards for the last ten years or so…card stock and stamping and embellishments to boot. But this year I was thinking about the exact point that you made in your post…photos help connect, and I miss seeing my far-away people, too! I love getting their photos, so maybe I should send my own!

JeanniePage - I try to do a picture of my sons, and this year I may try to include the two dogs! And I have a couple of those card holders that I hang so I can display the cards we receive – I love to do this and so do my sons.

jamie - oh i’ve been lazy for the past couple years. i’ve written a letter before. loved doing that. and just sending out regular christmas cards. LOVE the chance to win this giveaway!

Elizabeth - I generally capture a picture of my kids (2 sets of twins) and then attach it to a handmade card. Some years they are dressed all nice and prim and proper and some years they are making silly faces. I send what I snap — that’s really more honest than trying to pretend they are perfect little angels!

shar y - I usually send out cards with a photo of my two standard poodles. (Before he passed on to Rainbow heaven, my weim was in there as well. I like to come up with something different each year. But your comment about putting myself in has given me pause for thought. Maybe I will do something daring this year! Thanks for opportunity!

Carla G - Our kids always get to open one present on Christmas Eve. And it’s always pajamas! After they open their pjs, they put them on. Then they leave milk and cookies with a note for Santa. Then my husband reads The Night Before Christmas (and I take pictures). Even though our oldest is 12 (going on 17!), we still keep the tradition!

Maegan C - My family never sent out Christmas cards but I always love getting them! I love seeing what long lost friends are up to and they make great decorations for the house!

Katie D - We do whatever can get acomplished that year. Sometimes it is a picture card, sometimes a letter, sometimes we send it out by email. Thanks for the chance to win.

Kayla - I write a Christmas letter every year where I try to straddle the “aren’t my kids great” verbiage with the “this is really what happened this year” verbiage. It is a lot harder than it seems! We stopped doing pictures because it got expensive.

Deb A. - I TOTALLY agree. Parents really should be in the picture. That’s what we send. Now that my boys are 17 and 18, I usually pick a family photo from some time during the year….thank you for the chance to win!!

Kelly Beugler - I always send out a photo card with EVERYONE’S picture in it BUT I do love to receive photo cards with letters!!! I know it’s a lot of bragging, but I still love it LOL! Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of the season : )

tinaehb3 - I always send out a photo card, although I was a little sad this year our dog would just not cooperate…I laugh because I always set the camera up and take the pic. myself and I always wonder if the people who get them realize how much I’m really sweating in the photo?! lol !!!

KatieD - Love sending a picture card. We have done that every year. Sometimes with us and a few without.

melissa erin - i TOTALLY agree. parents really should be in the picture. 🙂 it’s a downer when they are not. 🙂 always. always. always send a picture card, and never a letter. 🙂 that’s how i like it…thank you for a chance to win!!

Shaun - We always have to include the water in some way! We live along the shoreline and the water is a big part of our lives. But mid-shoot…we always ask “why are we doing this?!” as our dog can’t bear to be by the water without being in the water!! Makes for some good outtakes!!

Sue - We always send about 100 cards – it is something my Mom always did, and it is so important to my husband -since he is originally from Prince Edward Island and still has extended family there, he wants to stay in touch. Even if it is just a brief note on a photo card of the kids. Okay Meg, you are right the adults should be in there too -and we sometimes are. So far this year I have a cute photo of the kids picked out, but don’t really have love for any of the family shots. Need some time with Blue Lily.

Robin Anderson - I haven’t quite figured out my “tradition.” I’ve tried a letter, pics of the kids, both, and have attempted a few family photos with us all in them this year. I at least got in the pictures this year.

ginny - I always send a photo card and they always go in the mail at the very last minute. Sometimes just a day or two before Christmas! I figure better late than never. 🙂

Jen - I always make homemade, from scratch, cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. The smell of cinnamon baking in the oven on Christmas morning will always be our scent of Christmas. 😉

Rhonda - My tradition is to put a picture of the boys on it… you are right… I loeave my husband and I out : ( I will include us on the card this year. We usually write a letter summarizing our year and that goes along with the card… I need to get on the ball… running out of time!

Jack and Verna Collier - We send a photo card of the entire family…so fun 🙂

BriBedell - I send a picture out every year (since we’ve had children)!!! This year I made them with our fall family photos & picmonkey!

Maddy - We make decorations out of our Christmas cards from the previous year.

Mallory - Photo with our furbabies — hopefully soon it will be furbabies and real baby lol!

emily in mo - it’s just me and my hound dog so i send a photo card of the 2 of us! its kinda fun and at least the dog is cute!

Zoe - I manage to get cards in the mail almost every year… and that is so true about using a pic with the whole family in it – I am always tempted to just do the kids, but I always like seeing the ‘big people’ in the cards we receive. And since I haven’t even taken our Christmas card picture yet (waiting to finish a red and white quilt to use as the background!), maybe I will make sure we’re all in it. Anyway – fun giveaway!

Kimberly - My parents never sent out Christmas cards– too much work and not enough time! But, in my own family, I am trying to at least send a card with a photo each year– partly because I want to watch us grow and change over the years. (I always save at least 1 Christmas card for myself!)

Keriyoung2001 - Well I don’t have a tradition with Christmas cards, but now that I have had a baby I would like to start one!:)

Amy - I usually send cards with just the kids. Last year was with all of us. Good advice and perspective about including myself and my husband… Never thought of it that way. Too late for this year, already did the pics but I will remember that for next year!

Emily W. - Since getting married five years ago, I have made an effort to send out Christmas or New Years cards every year. They are always the Sams/Costco ones with a picture. Easy. However, every year when I go home to Austin for Christmas, the first thing I always do is read all the cards at my parent’s house. I love, love, love seeing everyone’s faces and seeing their creativity.

Tanya - I always sent picture cards every year. It’s the kids and I on our own now and I’d like to start again. We missed a few years 🙂

Jill - I always send out a picture postcard of me and my dog, Jasper. I always have him dressed up real Christmasy and cute. Sometimes I get them out on time…sometimes they’re lucky if they get them by New Year’s. 🙂

Lisa Gifford - I always send cards. I make my cards and if I don’t send them out, family and friends squawk! I sometimes send a letter-depends on if it’s been a good year or a bad year. This last year wasn’t the best (we lost my Dad this past spring) so I will just wish everyone a bright and blessed new year.
Last year I sent out New Year’s cards – loved that idea! 🙂

Tracy - I make goofy cards every year and you better believe I’m in the picture. I make my husband be in it too. Last year I even had Mr. T in my Christmas card picture posing with me & my family. We’re cool like that.

Michelle - Going through the Xmas card basket after school was one of my very favorite things growing up. When I got home from college for the holiday break, that was one of the first things I’d do. For years when I was single and childless, I was always happy to see my girlfriends “stay in the picture” with their families. So when I got to send MY first family card in 2010, you can bet my husband and I are in there. This year we’ll be combining a Xmas card with a birth announcement – twin boys arrived yesterday! xoxo

Katie N - I like to send out a family news letter with pics in it but it depends each year on the money!

Kristi REDISKE - My tradition is a picture card with a small note in it. I have done cards with my kids for 30 years, my husband and I have only been in a few of them, but now we put our kids grandkids and us on them, don’t want to stop the tradition, it’s so fun! I also use mpix, love them and hope I win this because I haven’t ordered yet and it would give me the incentive to get it done.

jennifer - Mine changes year to year. Sometimes it’s a Thanksgiving card, sometimes it’s Christmas, sometimes it’s New Years and sometimes it’s every other year. Depends on what all is going on and if I’ve got a picture to use. Sad, but true. 🙂

kat - I generally end up doing something in Feb or March 🙂

Michelle Rotner - I have sent out Christmas cards every year since I was 16, I’m now 38 years young. I start my search in October, I love, love, love it designing and playing around with the templates. I always have to bribe my kiddos to get through the photo session, who doesn’t? We save all the cards we get every year in a big basket that we occasionally look at through the year. It’s so fun to see babies become little boys and girls and then painfully trudge through the teenage years. The circle of life- all through Christmas cards.

Aby Gittings - My tradition is to try my darndest to get around to it! Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s actually looking good this year!!

Angela Atkins - I usually send out a photo card–sometimes with all of us and sometimes just the kids. So far this year, nothing. I did start looking around at our pictures from the year to see if I even had one I could use of all of us.

Melissa - i use to send out cards, but haven’t in a couple of years. maybe i’ll win and send them out this year!

Rachelle - We always do a card, every other year with more details (letter).

Anne - Thanks to Facebook, the people on my Christmas card list see plenty of pics of me. Our Christmas card only has the kids on it and, again, thanks to social media and keeping in touch regularly with people, a letter isn’t necessary either.

ikarentee - I have wanted to do photo cards but never have gotten around to it! I always send cards. I handwrite the name(s) of the recipients inside and always include a personal note in each one. I am not a big fan of the computerized letter that gets sent to everyone, but do enjoy reading what friends have been up to over the past year. I keep the cards/letters from the previous year so I can read them prior to writing a note. I like photo cards, but agree with you that the person sending it should be in the picture!!

Amanda Kay - We send a family picture card. BUT I also really like doing something fun with the cards we receive. Growing up we put them all over our cabinets. This year we’ve adopted that tradition…I just love seeing all the faces of everyone we love. Makes me feel so thankful!

Alisha - Oh, I always dream of sending out cards, but I never get it done. I LOVE getting them so I agree that my friends would love to get them from me too. 😉

Tere - I do cards….sometimes they get in the mailboxes towards new years, but I do them 🙂

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - hmmm…I just typed out this big comment and then it didnt post:( I wrote to say that Im always behind on sending out my own cards but I reuse the ones we’ve received from friends the previous year to make our gift tags for the coming year. I re-read them and we look at everyone’s pictures. Then I get out a paper punch, pick my spot on the card and punch away, making unique gift tags. Its nice to be able to use the old cards as opposed to just throwing them away.

Peg Glanzer - I send a picture of the Whole family – our kids and grandkids and my husband and I. It goes out after Christmas because we take the picture when we are together at Christmas or New Years, whichever the case may be. I like the picture to be current! I LOVE getting picture cards from my friends at Christmas.

Tiffany Clark - We send a photo card (with a whole family picture!) and a kind of letter. We do “The Clark Family ABCs”. We list out the alphabet and think of something to say about us for each letter of the alphabet. It’s fun to put together, and kinda tricky sometimes. 🙂 Each year I wonder if people really enjoy getting it or not, but each year I have so many people tell me that they loved it and look forward to it each year.

Kim - We always do a picture…usually just one of the kids. But I also love getting a regular ol fashioned christmas card too! I’d love these designs! We haven’t done our photo card yet…hint hint : ).

Anne - I take all the grandchildren’s photos (14 and counting) and put together a photo card for my mother to mail out – it is difficult getting them all in and there are more children to come !

Rachel M. - I usually send out about 40 cards with a picture inside. But last year I didn’t do anything at all. And it felt great:) We are planning to get a family picture taken this week, so we’ll see if I make it into a card or not.

Dani - Hanging my head in shame here… I haven’t done Christmas cards in YEARS in fact it has been 12 years b/c the last ones I did were when my oldest was born. I always take a picture to make one, but just never seem to do it. If I win this I would definitely surprise some people this year!

sara @ it's good to be queen - i always send christmas cards…although this year it’s looking iffy since we haven’t taken a picture yet! aaahh. life is so busy! i love receiving christmas cards. we set them out in a basket so we can look all through them the whole christmas season. then when christmas is over, i cut around the photos and put just the photos all over my fridge, replacing last year’s pictures. 🙂

Karen - We send cards…just a pic. We throw all the cards we get into a bowl and at dinner we pull one out and pray for that family. My kids love this tradition and it’s a reason to hang on to all the cards. I never knew what to do with them until we started this tradition. LOVE mpix. Still need to order cards. Pick me!

Liana - My tradition is to think about the card for months…then finally order something a few days before (or after) Christmas and rush to send them out.
Love your advice, though– I will be in the picture this year!!

Annie - Those designs are all so beautiful! I always just send out a photo card, so winning this would be great!

Melissa Shepard - ha ha funny about the 10 lbs!! I do that! I just can’t ever do a summer pic for cards… has to be winter!!!!

Gina - I am one of those who does not like to be in front of the camera so we send a photo of the kids. The past few years my husband has chosen the card design and he has done a good job of it!.when I had 2 and then 4 kids I would mail them Dec. 1st after spending Thanksgiving weekend taking/or choosing a photo and addressing envelopes. Lately it seems we mail,them out the week of
Christmas.

andrea - I’ve sent cards one year the first year we had a baby and have failed ever since I always have good intentions and this year would be perfect since we now have two four legged family members and our family is complete, feeling a little guilty now.lol

Siew - I used to be really, really good at sending cards but now I’m lucky if I even get our annual calendar done (presents for aunts, uncles and grandparents). I’ve really been meaning to try this year. Honest.

Jennifer - We have a family tradition of always getting a cocoa or coffee (for the parents)and going for a ride to look at Christmas lights. We play Christmas songs,and our kids almost always fall asleep! It’s very sweet!

Linda R. - We send a family photo with a letter. But we only get it done about every other year. I’m not always that organized! And you’re right about getting in the picture. My husband hates getting pics with only people’s kids in it. So we sure won’t do it to anyone else…even though our kids are way cuter than we are.

Kim Y - We send cards and photos of the kiddos, they are much cuter ;0)

Kim Y - We send the kids picture 😉 they are much cuter than we are..

Angie - We do a newsletter and this year will be our tenth edition.

Rachel Spin - We try to do a photo card, sometimes we do a 4×6 photo inside a card, sometimes we do a letter & photo & card. I think the separate photo allows the receiver to keep it out past the holidays or even frame it if they want to.

lora - We started sending out Christmas cards the 2nd year we were married. we send a photo card with a family photo. And yes, we all are in it, not just the gorgeous toddler.
I usually write a quick note to faraway friends and family on the back.

Lori H - Our Christmas card tradition is spotty, to say the least. Some years I get them out, others I don’t. It all comes down to getting a photo in time. Now that my kids are older, they want a say in which photo we use and do they ever agree on it?? NO. And like you said, I send a photo of the kids, no parents. But you are so right, I enjoy the ones with the grown-ups more because I miss them! This year we are behind already so maybe I can get a photo of all 4 of us. Thanks!

Kim - We always send a photo card of our children. My husband & I are included in the family photo about every third year, along w/ a letter.

Melissa - We send a card and a letter. But if I don’t get on it I won’t be sending anything. 🙂

Jen - I’ve been working on a card on their site since the last post that you included them in! They’re so great. I can’t decide on just one.
I sent a photo-card and letter one year. Then that was too much. And I realized that I read the letters that came from a few people, but mostly just skimmed them.
And Amen! to including yourself in the photo! I’m actually looking at a design that would have a picture of our whole family on the front – on the back it would have two pictures with just our boys – perfect! All the family that could care less what we look like get to bonus pictures of the kids:)

Jolie - I send a card and a letter, and I make the hubs and I smile too! I love to see my friends, so it is important we are in the picture too! I keep them every year, and I figure when I’m like 80, it will be fun to look back at them;-)

Cass M - Sending out Christmas cards is honestly my favorite tradition of the year! Biggest stress? Getting a good enough (for me!) photo!! 🙂

Patti - Photo christmas card with all of us on it. I gave up on a letter yeeeeeaaaarssss ago! It’s enough of a challenge just to get the photo cards done. Still working on it….

Allison - I’m terrible at sending out cards. We never get our family pictures done in time. Those are some really cute designs!

Happygirl02 - My husband and I started our family very early in our relationship. Because of this, we’ve always made it a priority to carve out time for ourselves to keep our marriage healthy. Something we’ve done ever since our little ones were born was to open our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. We light candles, play music, and exchange gifts. It’s a sweet time that we both enjoy. Then, Christmas morning arrives and we have crazy fun opening family gifts!!
Merry Christmas!

Maria - We love to send out a family photo but it’s getting really hard with kids getting married and moving away…this year it might just be a pic of the house with a “Merry Christmas from our home to yours”

Cathie W. - Sadly, I only sent them out when I was single and my cards included a pic of my dog. One year she was dressed as Santa. Another she was tangled in sparkly garland. Each year she had a ‘SAVE ME!!!’ look on her face. Now that I’m married and have kids, I’ve had intentions of sending cards with pics of our little family, but have never done it.
Someone above stated they sent cards out at Valentines…I really like that idea! So much less stress and pressure than during the Christmas season.
Well definitely have to consider that!

Heidi Henderson - I use to send cards with pictures of each kid, now I am lucky if I get the cards out. Would love to do picture cards as I have never done them, and everyone is…

Diane P - I have been including a picture of my kids’ visit with Santa with our cards every year. Every year they look that much bigger sitting on his lap!

Jennifer - Christmas card and letter, lots of work but so worth it 😉

Kirsten J - Yes I always send cards. Sometimes my husband forces me to. Sometimes I feel it, sometimes I don’t. And I hate when he makes me feel guilty for not sending one. So I force myself, I guess. And you’re right about the whole “who are these kids?!?!?!?” thing. *sigh*

Tracy - My Christmas card tradition is…nonexistent 🙁 Ever since my twins were born (my 3rd and 4th kids), I’ve never sent a holiday card. Life is so busy. This is JUST what I need to kick me back into the tradition!

Karina - I usually send out photo cards but I’m not sure what I’m going to do this year. I just had a baby a few day ago so I don’t have any current family pictures. Maybe, I’ll just send a picture of the babies. Everyone loves babies, right!?

Terri Lynne Barrington - We always make silly faces for our family christmas cards. The playfulness makes me happy and helps send the message to have a ‘merry christmas’.

Christie Smith - I always try to send out christmas photo cards, but I’m really bad about writing a letter.

Jacqui Warren - I send a picture each year – usually with EVERYONE – including the dog! Need to get on it for this year!

Amber B - we usually take our Christmas card picture in the summer while we are on vacation 🙂

Janelle Shultz - for our family card i get a bit more lax with each passing year it seems. however, the past 2 years i have made our card instead of having them printed. i usually include a letter but have not done that for a couple of years…i always feel like i type up the same ol thing! i might have to do a favorites list or something to that affect. the year i didn’t—> i was told by many that they missed it! just all really boils down to the time i have. 🙂

Maria - We usually do a kids only card…with all our friends on Facebook I feel no guilt for not putting us on there since we post on there all the time. 🙂
We got a great shot at Disney world this year for the picture we chose…getting ready to get them done, so this would be perfect.

Charlton - I send out homemade Christmas cards and usually try to write a little note to that particular person. I figure between the blog and facebook, they know what’s going on with me, so I don’t send a letter.

Tiffany - U are mean. I haven’t sent a card in maybe 4 years and before that, yep, just the kids. Dammit. I gotta get it done this weekend, guilt on my heart. People need this face in their lives, with lip gloss of course. ha!

Kimberly Dial - When my boys were growing up, our family sent a letter & a snapshot but then they grew up (sniff, sniff) & a regular store bought card was what I sent but then … the grandchildren came (insert “Hallelujah Chorus”) & now we send a Christmas card (which I have always made at Walmart) with all their pics on it. You make a good point about including a pic of yourself along with the kids … I mean really, these days with all the pics on social media, everyone already knows I haven’t dropped those 10 lbs! 😉

Dena - I send a traditional card with a picture collage in it.

Katie G - I have never done Christmas cards, but would love to start!

Amanda - Busy years, my Christmas card becomes a Happy New Year card. :/
If I win I promise to use a photo with me and the hubby in it, too ’cause I’m one of “those” that only does my Christmas card with my children.

Amy M - I always have good intentions to send out Christmas cards but usually get too busy. This year I’m determined to do it. I want to do a picture card with my boys and I. Two dogs, a horse, and me…that should be a fun photo shoot! 😉

Cynthiaj - I meant “Kramer’s”. Anyway you get the gist.

Cynthiaj - These are all very sweet. However. Am I the only one who cringes at “Jensen’s” or “McGregor’s”?… Misused apostrophes are my pet peeve. It’s the editor in me I guess.

Shelley C - I will this year, if I win!

Robin Canter - My Christmas cards must always have kind of glitter on them. I love it when I get this kind because glitter ends up everywhere and it looks so festive!

Kristin S - Yes, yes, yes!
I’m in a weird spot, though. I’m in full-time ministry with a team of ministry partners who support me financially. And, I’m single. It feels beyond weird to send a photo of myself every single year. Just me. Wah-wah. I do always receive kind words about my photo.
My biggest pet peeve? Christmas cards/photos with JUST the kids. I want to see you, my friends! I love your kids, but I like seeing entire families together.
I’m also a big sap who loves to flip through the previous year’s cards on December 1st before adding new ones to my bucket.

Jane M. - The week before Christmas I dress up the kids in front of the tree. I then proceed to yell at them to smile and stop making goofy faces and please look at the camera. Ahhhhh, good times!
I will get in the picture this year,I promise!

Juanita - I always send out a photo card. Except I skipped last year. But this year is the first Christmas with our little girls so of course I had to get back on track. 🙂

Ali - My husband is an artist so I “commission” him to do our card each year. Some years it’s a simple illustration and one year he did a select few screenprints of the nativity story. We don’t send a pic of us with the card, but I hope to remedy that soon! With just two of us, our self-timed photos aren’t always the best…. 🙂

Analia - I LOVE giving and receiving photo cards like these! They are not so expensive and that means a lot to us since my husband is going to dental school.

Jackie - No real traditions at our house yet but since our little one is almost 2, I feel like next year will be a whole new story once he figures out what the holiday is all about!

Laura @ BTB - We make ornaments with old one’s that come in, including pictures of friends and family. We’ve sent them out before, but it’s been a few years. This year is a new year. We’re sending them again!

Laura Wilder - Seriously this is what happens every year- Get super motivated in like October, pick out paper, try to make them in November, forget, go hard, miss my December 5th deadline (self imposed), not like the cards, try to find last minute store bought cards that perfectly convey the message of Christ without being too overwhelming, find the box of unsent cards the next October. 🙂

Beth K in CO - I send a picture card every year – except one year where I got the cards done, but never mailed them. Oops! I try my best to get them done by early December, but that rarely happens – usually by the 20th they are all in the mail. Thanks for the chance to win cards from mpix. I love mpix!

Janet C - I have good intentions of sending cards, but some years time gets away from me. Like this year. Is it really 3 weeks until Christmas? Sometimes I send Happy New year cards if I miss Christmas.

stephanie - Oh yay! Thank you for the opportunity!
I have been sending out Christmas picture cards for a LONG time now–like since 1998. One family that my parents have known since before I was born has always sent them a picture of their whole family at Christmas (before the days of Christmas picture cards) and I always thought that was the neatest idea, so I have done it almost every year.

Erica Haude - usually just a picture, but this year we moved and so I’m actually considering writing a letter to update people on life. we’ll see if I get that done!

holly - I have been very random with getting out christmas cards in the past, but i just got married in august and want to muster up the effort to get out a picture card this year!

Jessica - I always send out cards. Lately, they have been picture cards with just the kids. My tradition is that I am notoriously late getting and sending my cards! I have sent them as late as Christmas Eve. I still haven’t taken the picture yet! Egads!

Nellie Jane - Well, this is only my second Christmas as a married woman, so I haven’t really figured out a tradition for myself yet. Though I definitely want to send out something this year! But my family loved getting cards and pictures – after Christmas was over, we would collect them all in a basket and each night each of us girls (there are five of us) would pick out a card and pray for that family. It was a beautiful way to finish off the Christmas season. 🙂

Kacie - Mom always used to send a letter and pictures (the best was the year that she included what we wanted to be when we grew up… and my sister said, “A race car driver with Colin (our brother) in the backseat waving a flag!” Priceless.
Now that we are all grown up she just includes a couple bullet “highlights” on the back of the picture.
Which I have also adopted for my little baby family.
Christmas cards are the best. I love going to the mailbox this time of year.

Suzanne - I do the picture thing for our cards. Simple works best for me, or no cards would ever go out!

Alice H - I love the idea of the family letter thing! Usually I send a picture of all of us. And I try to get them out by December 1st but this year I didn’t get any ordered 🙁 thanks for the giveaway!

Annie Pickle - we send out copies of vintage postcards! (and a photo of the kids to relatives!)

Staci A - I usually send a photo card of the kids.

Kristi B - We almost always send a Christmas card with pics of our family.

Molly B - We always try to send a picture card of the three boys, since we live so far from family

Susan Allen - I love to send cards with a picture…but we moved right before Thanksgiving last year and I didn’t send out any cards in 2011. This year I’d love to send out a photo-card that shows our family by our fireplace and decorated mantel. I love receiving cards/pictures/letters, too. It’s so fun to see & read what family & friends have been up to over the year! Merry Christmas and God Bless! Susan A.

Lisa - We’ve been sending Christmas cards for years. To receive them, you really have to send them. 🙂 We usually try to come up with something unique for our picture (one year my baby daughter looked like she was hanging inside a stocking with us standing beside her by the fire – my husband is a graphic artist!) This year I have no ideas, and with things being tight, I’d love to win this give away!

Heidi - Bwah ha ha! Christmas cards? Most days I can’t pull it together enough to take a shower. Christmas cards are out of the picture. (Although, if I won, I most certainly would take a shower and a picture of me with the hubs and the kiddos!) The only year we’ve sent out Christmas cards was the year we lived in Hawaii and we kinda wanted to rub it in everyone’s face by sending them a card with a Hawaiian postmark. We’re thoughtful like that.

Jenny - If there is one thing I’m a bit obsessive over at Christmas time, it’s my cards! I always have a deadline in my head, they have to go out by a certain date! A December mailbox is such a happy mailbox, isn’t it?

Kribss - I tend to send cards to those we don’t see on a normal basis but I’ve gotten lazy. Now that we’ve moved- this would be a great way to start sending them again!

karen brown - i stopped sending Christmas cards a few years ago so we could use that money towards Advent Conspiracy (www.adventsonspiracy.org. but we live in boston and our family is spread out all over the country. it would be wonderful to send them again…with a pic of coarse!

Christy - Sandwich Maker – Best thing EVER! We’ve had one for over 10 years now. Best “I don’t know what to make for dinner” fix ever. Some of our favorites – Tuna melt, Egg and cheese (One egg per sandwich cook for 3 minutes for a runny yolk), Chilli and cheese, and finally Spaghetti (I know that sounds weird but sprinkle garlic salt on the buttered/outside side of the bread and fill with pasta and sauce premixed. It’s good.
Blokus is a great game. Quirkle is another good one.
Good choices!

Kathy (kathyb) - I love your approach to gifts Meg and will be making a note ready for next year. I too would love to hear if/ how you do Santa. Also how do you approach stockings? Do you have a set number of items or set budget or do you work more flexibly? Thank you for sharing your family’s traditions.

Laura Phelps - love the mess of family and wrapping…after ten years of Christmas with no family, it is such a special gift to have a room full of noise.
off to get Jack and show him those sneakers….I would love to get our boys together to shoot some hoops.
xo
miss you

Kelly - Did you get your red and white polka dot glitter ribbon at Michael’s? I had that too. yea!
LOVE the Cosby show!
I also like the one gift idea. We got our little guy three and I already felt like that was showing a lot of restraint. 🙂 Kelly

Jenny B. - Meg, thank you so much for sharing about the gifts! I have been stressed about the excess of Christmas for the past few years, and you’re so right – you can only control what you buy – not what everyone else buys. It is so helpful and encouraging to see/read about how you do things in your family. Thanks again! 🙂

amy - i love the idea of everyone getting a family gift and then one big gift each. ooooh… but the sesame street fever t-shirt? awesome. this child of the 70’s needs one, too ; ) happy new year!!

megan - Blokus is really fun. I actually enjoy it when the kids want to get that one out. Unlike some others–I’m looking at you Chutes & Ladders.

Tanya H - Nope. Christmas Eve was mostly peaceful, Christmas Day was fabulous. But since then? I swear my kids have a bi-polar relationship. They are either going to kill each other or they are so happy they are collectively and excitedly OUT OF CONTROL.
I like seeing how you do Christmas in your family.
And I love the Cosby Show. My husband gave me the whole series a couple years ago. Its so handy to stick in a 1/2 hour happy show. 🙂

Staisha Klein - I love your new shirt! It’s A seriously thoughtful gift. I loved that album as a kid and at 36 I’m not ashamed to say so. lol “Do’n the pigeon!” Happy New Year! Love the blog. God Bless!

Shannon R - I would like to know also if you do Santa. We have three little ones (1,3 and 6). We do not do big Christmas for several reasons and it’s hard trying to balance our gifts and Santa gifts. I see some pictures of people’s living rooms covered in gifts after Santa comes. It makes me feel sick. One because all that money was spent on toys when so many people have nothing, and two I get that guilty feeling for a second that in some way I’m depriving my kids. Then many times I wonder, if we really are serious about teaching our kids about giving to others should we skip the gifts all together and use that money and energy to give to others who really need it.

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Your Christams looks like it was wonderful. Just the way it should be with lots of family, food and fun. P.S. Would love me a Dr. Pepper cup 🙂

Nikki - I love reading how others do Christmas and sharing ours.
A few years back I felt the gifts were getting excessive as well.
I remember a friend from when I was little. Her family did 3 gifts per kid. Jesus got 3 gifts so if it was good enough for him…..
So we do a big,medium and small gift. They all take turns and then open one shared family gift and stockings.PJ’s are opened the night before.
So much easier now that we have 4 kiddo’s.Chaos free 🙂

Vonda - We have done the four gifts for many years. They get one present that is very special to them, and the rest are little things that they need or are practical, like pajamas, or a book or a family game. We do fun little things in their stockings too. Our older 2 boys have moved out now, and one of them wanted a new pasta pot and a set of wooden spoons(they went in his stocking)! I love it that they are so content and that they know they will not get everything-but they know they are very loved!!! Your Christmas pictures made me smile-I love your colorful cookies!:)

Meredith@count it all joy - Headphones! Brilliant! What better way to encourage peace on earth & goodwill to all:). Merry Christmas to all at Chez Whatever. Meredy xo

mary - omg my sister had sesame street disco…still does
last year we played “doing the chicken” song during my mom’s birthday dinner…hillarious!

Monica - Cute PJ’s…where? where? where? 🙂

Sophie - I got a sesame street related gift too! My parents bought my sesame street finger puppets because I’m training to be an elementary school teacher! ^_^

Emily W - Hi Meg! I would LOVE to know where you got that Big Badminton set! My daughter LOVES badminton, but due to a stroke she suffered years back, struggles with the small rackets and birdies. And it wouldn’t hurt for this 37 year old(and little too fluffy around the middle)momma to have some extra help as well 🙂 I have looked everywhere I know of(online) and cannot find it annywhere. She has a birthday coming up at the beginning of March and I would LOVE to get it for her! If you could just email the info to me I would really appreciate it!

Gemma - Sounds lovely Meg!!! I’m with my boyfirends family tomorrow for another christmas.
Gemma x

Sarah - i love hearing how other people do christmas. and i love how you guys do gifts, it’s probably more meaningful and it probably helps focus more on the reason/meaning of Christmas than just on the gifts. hope your Christmas with craig’s fam goes great!

LeaAnn - Absolutely beautiful! I am so enjoying your site! Merry Christmas!

carly - love, love, love it! the colors are beautiful. thanks for sharing with us!

Lisa - Yay, I’ve been waiting for your Christmas decorating pictures!! I love the little Merry sign on the mirror and the shiny ball wreath. I am sitting in my jammies right at this moment drinking coffee, watching a Shirley Temple movie and reading your blog, perfect relaxing morning. No hustle and bustle over here, running out of money helps with that!!lol
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
XOXO

Kristina Carter - your house looks amazing! truly inspired by you!! Merry Christmas!

MichelleB - I think it is because we lost a weekend…Christmas being on the weekend, means we lost a weekend. Really only three weekends in between thanksgiving weekend and christmas… is it normally like that? Of course I love your decorations! you amaze me everyday!

Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com - I started to say I love all of your sparkly balls and then thought maybe I should rephrase that, so I love all the vintage sparkles and the Christmas ornaments in the glass containers. So fun! Looks very merry!

April R - Merry Christmas Meg 🙂

Jenna@CallHerHappy - i think you actually live in pinterest. as if the website was a home and you live there. so pretty!
jenna
callherhappy.com

amy jupin - so, so pretty!
love it all.
and i love how it is the perfect reflection of you.
merry christmas, meg!

karen - LOVEEEE the decor! your good girl!!

Kristen - your house looks awesome! merry christmas!

Tanya - These pics make me so happy 🙂
Happy Christmas Meg and fam!

Julie - Love, love, love….love the colors, the silvers, the whites! Everything looks great!

kristin - Love your decor, but especially at Christmas! Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for letting us peek inside! 🙂

erin - I really love your home! Thanks for sharing!

sara @ it's good to be queen - gorg. meg…your style is amazing…the perfect blend of sparkly and vintage and it is by far my favorite favorite in all of blog land. your blog is the one i get most excited about and the one i *always* read first. even i have no time to read blogs, i will at least read yours. thanks for writing and posting and letting us in on your world. you’re a little spot of sunshine in my days. 🙂 merry christmas.

Heather - I always love seeing your Christmas decorations- they are what I aspire to! I love the sweet vintage ornaments and the handmade touches. Just gorgeous! I had to pin it. 🙂

Elma Riedstra - Wow what a beautiful home!! I LOVE the wreath!! Did you make it and if you did is it easy??I have ton of vintage pink and aqua ornaments and would love to make one:) As allways your home is amazing!!! Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!!

karen gerstenberger - Somewhere in between. Cleaning up after a busy weekend with guests, preparing for the upcoming weekend. Finishing Christmas cards, Katie’s Comforters Guild “thank you” notes, preparing to deliver blankets to the hospital for the kiddos who are in-patient over the holidays, and waiting for the hard copy of MY BOOK to be delivered for final proofreading!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Meg.

Aby - I love your house and your style Meg!! Everything looks so beautiful and magical and kid friendly…just as Christmas should be!! We have so enjoyed doing your crafts too!! My girls (10 year old twins) love your blog as much as I do!!! lol Thank goodness I can rely on you for creativity!! You’ve made me a better mom!!! THANK YOU!!! God bless!!!

Suzette - Amazing! Beautiful! Can I move in? Where did you get the Christmas flash cards?

elz - I LOVE your colorful Christmas decor. It’s so effortless and fun!

Lindsey - Gorgeous!!!!!!! A sight to behold!

Cecilia Madden - Oh my- everything is so beautiful! I LOVE the mix of fabrics you used too, to accent some of your displays. Just beautiful.
Have a happy, peaceful rest of the week 🙂

Tiffany - Love it. The chalkboard (wow!) great title too, sparkly sparkles!!!

melissa@joyineveryseason - oh meg … your home is so beautifully sparkly and festive … and your photos are -as always- gorgeous. I love stopping by your blog! Merry No Melt Downs Christmas!!

Heidi - Wow, these photos are simply stunning. They look like they’re straight out of a magazine! Meg, you definitely have a talent and eye for creating all things beautiful and lovely! How lucky your kids are to live with such a creative, talented woman who creates such a beautiful home! Thank you for sharing photos of your home with us! Such an inspiration! May you have a relaxing, stress free holiday and remember the reason of the season. =)

Carrie - I think your style is so awesome. It’s kinda retro and whimsical and so fun!!! I think I love it because it is so completely opposite of all my traditional red and green decor. Opposites attract I guess. That is why I love your blog.

Holly - very pretty Meg! Our kids have been out since last week! We have been doing some volunteer stuff this week and jammie time next week!

Lori Austin - What a beautiful post! My daughter came and looked over my shoulder while I was looking and said “oooohhhh that is so pretty!”. 🙂
Love, love the vintage ornaments all around. So pretty. I only have a few. W-A-N-T more.
I keep reminding myself to keep the craziness in check. I SO don’t want to be the whacked out mommy flipping out about everything and then melting down Christmas night because it wasn’t just how I wanted it because I have unreal expectations. (super long run on – I know) I keep reminding myself (and praying) to keep focused on the true meaning and finding joy in each moment (even if my kids are hanging from the ceiling fan!).

Kayla - Love all your pictures….it makes me want to come and crash on your sofa and just absorb all the…..color…..and happy vibe that seems to be floating everywhere! Please don’t crash and burn….it would steal our joy! Merry Christmas!

Southern Gal - Love all the gorgeous colors and glass ornaments.
I have Joy to the World on our chalkboard with Nora’s manger scene underneath it, too. Maybe I have just a smidge of creativity in my body.

jen@thecottagenest - It all looks beautiful. Good luck on the chillin in jammies. I hope to accomplish that too and I agree about the pace of this December. I wish I could play the next few days in slow motion.

jen - I love to see your house decorated! We celebrate Hanukkah but I just didn’t have it in my heart to decorate this year (sad story too sad to tell), so thanks for the vicarious fun!
On a totally separate note, I’ve been trying and trying to find the white Good MOrning mug you have–WHERE did you get it?? I hope you answer this so I can stop my exhaustive googling!! :o)

Kim from Miracle-Round - I love all the sparkle. So pretty. My kids don’t get out of school until Friday. So late this year. Merry Christmas!

Lori - I haven’t wrapped thing one! Love all your beautiful color. Where oh where did you find the cool Christmas flash cards??

amy - love the flash cards an dal of the vintage cuteness.
can’t get enough of it all.
i have that vintage light up santa too.
and when my kids see presents wrapped under other people’s tree they wonder why they are there because i never do it until like the day before.
why can’t i pull it together?
merry christmas.

Terrie G - I LOVE seeing other people Christmas decorations! I always love yours!
Your ball wreath turned out way better than mine…mine is a little lopsided I think.
I need to get out of the craft room and take pics of my decorations…
so much to do! I’ve to let some of it go…’cause I feel a big meltdown coming on.
Looking forward to some chill time soon!!!
Merry Christmas to you!

Simply Lanny - If I lived closer you’d be sorry I’d be at your door looking in ! love everything my friend … Merry Christmas to ALL and give Waffle a big hug for me 🙂

Lisa Biedebach - I am done, but my crash and burn is more emotional about my kids getting older, time moving too quickly, etc. I love your house any day!
Lisa

shauna - im promising too….
we’ll see right?
your house is a happy sparkly burst of delight.
hopefully everyone that comes into it can follow suit.

Tanya H - 🙂 I have to say, I would love to crash on your couch and just look at all the shiny pretty for a while. Your house ROCKS! 🙂

keri - forever folding laundry - Love all the pics.
Can I come over for coffee tomorrow?
I’ll bring fudge.
My kids will be out Thursday, too.
I need more time.
Merry Christmas, friend.
xo.