Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Christmas Cards 2010

I love making our Christmas card every year, but this year I just wasn't feeling it.  I was just so busy with the move, but once friends' cards started arriving, I couldn't resist the urge to put something together.  The problem was it was mid-December and we didn't even have a family photo.  So what's a girl to do but pack up her family the very next morning and head to the photobooth.

 Oh yes, and antlers were a necessary part of the plan too.  

Creed was in a foul mood and had to be forced into the booth, thus the picture of him screaming, "No!" which we thought was hilarious and we decided to use it even though we got one of him smiling later.

I picked up some jewelry boxes that were the perfect size for our little photo and designed a label to wrap all the way around them to seal them closed.  
And yes, the postage was expensive.  They were really light so they wouldn't have cost much to mail except I met up with the grumpiest postal worker ever who told me that even if I put them in an envelope (which would have been much cheaper to mail) he would still know that it was in a box inside the envelope so he would still charge me parcel post.  Truthfully, I liked imagining my friends surprised by these little boxes arriving (who doesn't love getting a package) and we only send cards once a year so I didn't mind splurging a little on the postage (which cost way more than putting the whole things together.
I made the postal worker a little more angry when I told him that I didn't want him to print postage for these I wanted "pretty stamps" and he slapped some options on the counter and asked, "does this meet your standard for 'pretty'?" He gave me air quotes and a sarcastic tone and everything, which just made it  hard for me not to giggle, and it was totally worth it for "pretty stamps"
We tucked some mints in each box for our friends to enjoy. To be honest I selected them because of their light weight, but they were tasty too.
I was so happy with how they turned out, and I hope they made our friends smile.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Enduring that grumpy postal worker was worth it - we loved it! The photo is on our fridge and Miles points to Ollie and says it's "baby Miles."

susan said...

I think these are perfect Christmas cards, so bravo!

I also request "pretty" stamps. I go to a specific post office in my city where women work the front and not men. They find my banshee children adorable and therefore put up with my handsome stamp demands.

ellen said...

clever card! i have to deal with grumpy postal workers now and then too. :)

The Stanger Fam said...

I've followed your blog since I found your beautifully designed prints for Sycamore Street Press. I live in Utah too and I love photobooth pictures!! Kmart stores used to have booths but this summer I went and the booths were gone. Where did you find a photobooth in Utah if you don't mind me asking? I would love to get some more done with my hubby and boys!

Heather said...

oooh, I missed your card this year - hopefully next year when we are both settled I'll make it back on the list with our new Spokane address. I can't wait to hear where you're heading. Please email me your number so I can call and catch up!

imteresa said...

What a great idea for Christmas cards! They're unique and way fun! Love it!

lisa h. said...

that is too cute! man, such a good idea w/ the photobooth!

I just saw this on a friend's blog...reminds me of something you would like!

http://three-men-and-a-lady.blogspot.com/2011/01/polar-express-ward-party.html

Amy said...

Love the cards! I, too, love pretty stamps and yes, everyone loves getting little packages in the mail. Your friends are lucky, indeed!

Reba said...

we loved the cards. makes me want to get my act together for next year :) miss you

Eva / Sycamore Street Press said...

Of course we loved it!!! As always, I am so impressed by your creativity and motivation!

Adrian said...

This is an awesome idea! I love it!

Shar said...

we love photobooth pictures! i try to do one at least once a year so we can see our family progression in them. thanks for a fun idea of what to do with them. :)

Amanda said...

Where did you make copies of the photobooth strips?
Thanks!

Victoria said...

I love this idea for Christmas cards, so cute!

backcountrybelle said...

Great Idea! Thanks for sharing. :)

Hillcrest Acres said...

These are adorable. I love the labels you used. One year I did something very similar to this. I used a square craft box and filled it with paper shreds then put in chocolates and topped it with a a flat card i printed out. I used billfold size photos for the flat card.

Rani said...

genius idea!!! thanks for the share!

Charlotte Sanchez said...

I love your idea... do you happen to remember how many ounces they ended up weighing? I'm ordering the brown kraft boxes today and I'm trying to calculate how much it will cost me to ship these things! Also, did the post office let you ship a box that was only 2" wide?

talha said...

Its inspiring card idea,i like it.



Plastic Card Holders
Plastic Card
Scratch Cards Printing

Hank Hendricks said...

you can marge your family photo to make one family photo card.

Plastic Card Printing

khusbhu said...

Planning to get your Christmas cards printed? Confused about choosing the right printing company? Your worries end here. Uthara printers will provide you high quality Christmas cards at affordable prices.

Thanks..
christmas card printing and Business Cards

Brandy said...

I also live in Utah and would love to know where you found a photo booth. We live in the Kearns-ish area d oyou know of any close to there?

Farmgirl Paints said...

such a sweet idea. thanks for the inspiration!