Here’s the truth: I’m the queen of holiday card procrastination. It started out as just being busy, but then it morphed into this stressful situation of picking the right card, then doctoring just the right photo, then finding the correct expression and before I know it hours go by and I’m stuck at the process your order screen because even after all that work I’m just not sure I can part with the money. It’s been enough to ruin my holiday. As everyone’s gorgeous cards rolled into my mailbox, I felt more and more guilty that I’m stuck on pause.
A few years ago I actually just decided that I would send New Year’s Cards. That helped alleviate some of the anxiety. I didn’t need the perfect picture of my kids in matching Holly sweaters and I didn’t have to figure out how to communicate my wishes for every one of my recipients to have a (happy/blessed/non-religiously joyful) holiday-whatever that holiday may be.
This year, I’m actually getting my New Year’s cards done early. I know it’s weird, but I’ve kind of gotten used to the New Year’s message so I’m sticking with it-even though I’ve ordered them before Thanksgiving. I got lucky this year-the stars aligned when I was offered a chance to try out My Publisher’s cards and I happened to have a fabulous professionally shot photo and it all happened right around pay day. The selection is beautiful and the process to put the card together is super easy and fast-photo upload and all. There are all sorts of different ways to customize it too including adding photos to the back. I love a card that let’s me use a ton of photos! The best part is that you can get cute paper liners for your envelopes AND get your return address already on the back AND shipping for no extra cost. Call me crazy, but not having to address 75 envelopes twice is pretty dang awesome. So is free. My Publisher hits all that and then some.
Want to try out My Publisher’s cards yourself? I have a $50 gift card for you to do just that. Leave a comment below (doesnt’ have to be creative, just say, “I want ’em woman!”) and I’ll choose a winner before Thanksgiving so you can jump the gun and check cards off your holiday to-do list!
UPDATE:Congratulations Kim-the winner of the MyPublisher $50 Gift Card. Happy Holiday Card shopping Kim!
P.S. Looking for more parenting guidance and tips for self-care? Check out From Chaos to Calm a guided training to help you feel better in this tough season.
I started doing the same thing a few years ago! Whether it’s procrastination or “too busy”, I figure Happy New Year cards can still be mailed in January!
Add to that the stress of having them in time to make it to England in time for Christmas – count me in for the draw, the return address already done is a winner!
Great giveaway! I love you idea for New Year’s cards…can they double as Thank You cards?! Thanks for your timely tips! xo clea
I’m with you on all this. I want ’em woman!! 🙂 (p.s. I love your holiday card)
I loved the free mini photo book I got from my publisher! Software is great! I want ’em woman!!
What is it about holiday cards that I can poor over for hours, drooling while doing it? What a great giveaway!
I would have ‘loved’em woman – but I beat you to it and have already got mine sitting on the work surface, just need the enthusiasm to start writing them! Could the $50 go towards someone writing my cards ……..
Hey Lady! I want the GC!! xo
I am a sucker for holiday cards. I read the tiny prints and shutterfly catalogs like NY Times bestsellers!
“I want ‘em woman!”
I want ’em woman!
so fun! I’ve been the worst the past few years…
Getting my Holiday cards out on time is always stressful! When you tell me i could have free holiday cards, well a bit of that stress lifts away! Now you’re speaking my langauge. I want ’em woman!!:-)