Christmas card & unique holiday card ideas…
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with minted.com this year, and specifically, their new line of fully customizable cards. We received cards in exchange for content provided in this post. But rest assured, cheesy content included in said cards, opinions, wild as they may be, bad photoshopping and outrageous song references, as usual, are completely and unabashedly all my very own.
*This post contains affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure policy HERE.*
The holidays loom large in our household. It’s such a beloved time of year for so many reasons. The sight of half-unpacked boxes of Christmas decorations hap-hazardly strewn throughout the house. Bits and pieces in each room, anxiously awaiting that perfect placement in what will surely be a stunning and inspired vignette.
A masterpiece that somehow never fully materializes. The smell of burning gingerbread which we will then attempt to mask with the overpowering allure of some seasonal Yankee candle scent. The sounds of a million and one Christmas carols available for our streaming pleasure at the push of a button, and we welcome them all into our holiday home with happy thankful hearts.
All except for anything off of Mariah Carey’s holiday albums. Those are banned in our home. Nothing against her personally, of course, but her perfectly perky voice sets my teeth on edge.And before Thanksgiving comes, the preparations are in full swing, and they typically start with the writing of lists and the making of the annual Christmas card. Do you send out an annual card? Boy do I love receiving them each year, so if you have room for one more on your list, please send one our way.
I adore seeing the kids growing, images of your family’s trip to Disney, that beach trip you went on last July. I love your first card after you’ve gotten married, and the picture from that year when you were expecting your first child. Christmas cards are permanent markers of time which is so fleeting and difficult to capture…
yet time arrives each holiday in my mailbox.Perfectly packaged and addressed with care. Wrapped up in a bright envelope and stamped with a Santa Claus…or maybe it’s an angel this year. No matter, it’s all wonderful and welcome. *This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.*
The making of our family Christmas cards is one of my favorite traditions. And here is where I must apologize and beg your forgiveness. Last year at this time, our friendship was so new. I didn’t know if a card from us would be appropriate yet, less welcomed. I just felt it was a bit presumptuous to include you all in our Christmas card list.
But this year, I know better. Our flock here at the Heathered Nest is a treasure. Your guidance and enthusiasm inspire us and prod us to keep moving this little dream onward, whatever that may mean and whatever direction that may lead.
So, this year, as a matter of apology, I’d like to re-send to you our Christmas cards of years gone by. That way, we can properly catch up, and turn a new leaf. Our card tradition started the year after we were married, in 2006, so let’s start this little card game there.
2006 Holiday Card
In the span of one year, we got married, bought a house, and by the end of the year, we were expecting our first baby. We sent out this fun accordion card for the holidays…it was the first one I had ever sent out.
2007 Holiday Card
In 2007, our first child was born, and we sent out another fun folding card. 
2008 Christmas Card
2008 was marked by the birth of our second child…this was our card from that year.
And the inside…
2009 Christmas Card
Two kids in, and this may be one of my personal favorite cards.
And the inside.
2010 Holiday Card
As you can probably tell by this point, I don’t usually use a beautiful, manicured professionally photographed shot for my Christmas cards. Although I’d like everyone to believe that we look that put together throughout the year, it’s just so very far from reality. So, instead, I pick the pictures that aren’t “picture perfect” but rather show our personalities…weird and crazy as they may be!
This was the year we found out we were expecting #3!
2012 Christmas Card
I’ve made cards on tons of different websites. And typically, I do the whole card from scratch because I can never find exactly what I’m looking for in a pre-made version.
The quality of this particular card wasn’t stellar…probably because my own photo-shopping, etc skills aren’t great, but I loved this card anyhow…
2013 Christmas Card
I often end up using Halloween costumes for a Christmas card idea. This is the card I pulled out of my sleeve for 2013…
2014 Holiday Card
In 2014, we moved from our old home out to the country…if you’ve never seen the show “Green Acres” then this card will likely make absolutely zero sense to you, but we thought we were humorous.
And another example of my unbelievable photoshop skills below (she says with an enthusiastic eye roll)…
And that brings us to the present…
2015 Christmas Card
This year, we were lucky to work with Minted.com in creating our cards. In the past, I always admired their designs, and whenever I’ve gotten a Minted card from a friend, I’ve always loved the quality. Unfortunately, though, in the past their designs hadn’t been customizable enough for my wacky sensibilities. But this year, they opened a new line of fully customizable cards, so we decided to give them a try. And I’m so happy we did!
Their site was really user friendly…even for designing this very customized card. And the quality of the paper and printing is great. SUPER thick card stock. They have a nice pearlescent paper with a bit of shimmer that I really liked as well. The great thing is, if you’re not into making more work for yourself and going this fully customized route like some of us crazy people do, they have a gorgeous, huge line of holiday cards that are ready to roll. TONS to choose from.
All that said, you are now fully caught up on a decade of our sordid and seedy Christmas cards…wild cards, trump cards, get out of jail free cards and the rest. With my conscience now clear, I can wish each of you the merriest of holiday seasons. The earlier we start celebrating, the longer the joy of the season lasts, I think. And I’m hoping that if we continue to try and play our cards right, you’ll remember to send us one of your holiday cards this year! Drop us a picture on our facebook page…or email us one, pretty please?
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home says
I am not surprised that your Christmas cards are incredibly clever. I bet your family and friends love getting your cards in the mail each year! Great ideas, Heather.
Heather says
Thanks friend 😉
April says
Wait?!? You already have your cards ready for Christmas this year? I am both impressed and jealous of your organization skills.
Thanks for sharing your family’s Christmas card journey.
Happy holidays to you all. I look forward to more of your zany writings as well as your oh so creative projects in 2016.
Heather says
THANK YOU April!! Trust me, if you saw any room in my house right now with toys strewn everywhere, dirty clothes on top of lampshades, beds unmade and a pile of laundry I could only scale with climbing shoes and carabiners, you’d understand my organizational skills are HORRIBLE. I do the fun things first, and leave all the boring, adult tasks for last….THAT is why my cards are done 😉
Heather says
Holy cow, you’re creative! I am pinning this to unashamadly steal your ideas for my own cards! (If I ever get around to sending Christmas cards, which I haven’t done in the last five years. . .)
Heather says
Thanks Heather! You should get back on the card wagon. It’s so fun to receive them, so just make a simple one!!