Here is our Christmas photo this year. The finished photo had a caption: Surviving Sandy 2012.
I nearly didn't do one this year, but how do you stop after 27 years? Our kids were electronically included in photos taken at their colleges as they kept checking on the power situation. (note: the occasion was re-created after the hurricane)
Christmas Cards: fun to do? probably not; fun to get? I think so.
I guess that is why I still do it year after year and intend to do as long as I'm around. I get a card from great uncle who is in his 90s - Bless Him - hand signed.
In my never ending attempt to document things I have a Christmas Journal. It includes our first Christmas photo, taken on 1985 at a party when we were dating.
this is one of my favorite photos of the kids. Notice the journal part has fallen away, lol.
We announced our big move with NYC themed cards and photo -
Here are my tips: Put the addresses on the computer. A template code is included in the package of labels. Hand writing all those addresses used to be the worst part for me.
As you receive cards, or change of addresses you can go right into the document with the addresses and update. So easy its almost fun, well I did say almost.
Order festive printed return address labels in January when they are on sale instead of trying to get them last minute.
When you take your photo to the shop (or order on line) get a coffee mug too. It's not too expensive and I think they are fun! I got all of these this year and plan to add a couple a year. Why, oh why, did I not do this all along?
If you take a photo, consider doing it some time other than between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Use an event, like Sandy to make it more memorable. I already have a plan for a summer photo shoot for next years card.
I'm a big fan of the blooper and out-take. Here are the best of the bloopers my son kept clicking while we were trying to get the shot right.
I'll tell you - that coco is good for a million laughs!
I hope you are off to a Fun New Year!
What great photos and story! I beat the folks on your Christmas card list can't wait until they get your family card. Thanks for share. I'm still smiling.
ReplyDeleteFun post, great tips and really great card! We've got a card tradition with our dogs. The bloopers are definitely the most fun! Wish I'd thought of the mugs too.
ReplyDeleteOh Barb, that looks like a lot of laughs! Do you know I've never seen a photo of your hubby until NOW?! He must have a sense of humor as well:)
ReplyDeleteCoco just wanted to join in the picture and have fun!
ReplyDeletecute idea to recreate , sandy survival mode! I wish I would have journaled more about my kids over the years.
Kathie
Fun,fun, fun, You sure have a unique way of saving those memories for generations to come.
ReplyDeleteThink back 100 years to those sepia prints- those people had such stern faces.
BTW who's the hotie. LOL- Nice to see a photo of your other half.
LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteGreat sense of fun.
Thanks for the laugh! You make me wish we'd been sending out cards all these years but we could never get it together to get a family photo.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet, fun post. Your family is beautiful. Hope you're having a great day.
ReplyDeleteFun post and great journaling ideas! Coco is such a ham! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing pictures of your family -
Judy
What a fun read and lots of good, boring tips lol!! Just Kidding :)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a hoot - love your Surviving Sandy card & bet all who received this did too. You know the secret of dealing with what life hands you unexpectedly!!
ReplyDeleteLove the hat!!!
Great idea! The card is cute and the Christmas journal is a neat idea. Kind of late for me since I have 50 years of not having one. I guess I could still start one. Love your blooper pictures! This year we sent out a card that we made with our 50th anniversary photo on the front of the whole family . Maybe we'll do the same thing next year with a photo taken during the year somewhere from our travels - if we go anywhere, that is. We plan to go to Oregon, so I hope that works out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. You have a beautiful smile Barb. Looks like it took Coco a little bit to get in the groove but the cold wet nose shot with Coco and your husband is cute. Enjoyed seeing the photos of your family and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun, Barb!
ReplyDeleteI love getting Christmas cards too and even sending them. I love reading other people's Christmas cards as well as looking at pictures too! I would never be bored at a "Pictures taken on our trip last year" - I just love it! As usual, you have made the process extra special and given me ideas as well. I think one should always write at least one line about themselves in the card - not just sign it. I especially love the family or kid pictures each year. I save them all. When I am old (older) I will send them back to the families in case they lost one or two. It will also tell them how much I appreciated their thoughtfulness. Please include your yearly card on your blog each January!! Have a good weekend Barb!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, Barb. Wish I could start over again. Our first Christmas was 34 years ago.
ReplyDeleteLooks like life at your house is never dull. : )
What great ideas you have regarding Christmas cards! A little late for me to start after 46 years of marriage but I love them anyway.
ReplyDeleteLove the doll quilt - you are very creative.
While perusing some quilting magazines in the grocery store, I came across a quilt that you had designed. Way to go. You need to post about it on your blog or did I miss it?
Charlotte
thanks Charlotte - I will do a post on that quilt now that it has been published. Thanks for leaving a comment
Deletexx
I think your Christmas picture for 2012 was very fitting. What a great way to include your kids in the picture. I LOVE the mugs - what a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteThought I was smart this year by having New Year's cards printed rather than Christmas. Have I sent them out yet? Of course not! I always love getting your annual family photo.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was great fun! I always send out Christmas cards, too. I'm sure people look forward to getting yours. Loved seeing the bloopers and years past. Coco looks so serious. Dogs do tend to keep things lively.
ReplyDeleteOkay forget all that great fun Christmas picture advice and tell me about your HAT! Too darn funny. My favorite picture is you sitting there with both pictures of the kids on laptop and pad and your husband is messing with Coco...you look like Edith Anne from laugh in..remember that?
ReplyDeleteYou did leave me laugh Barb!
Happy Sewing
Barb, You are such fun!! Your family Christmas cards are the best!! I loved seeing cards from past years, you are so good at keeping up traditions. It's lovely to meet your husband too.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at these photos, I sense the JOY you have as a couple, and as a family.
ReplyDeleteSo fun to see! Love the mug idea!
I love what you do, where did you find the Christmas journals would love to do one for each of our kids
ReplyDeleteI loved this post.....and most of my reading blogs seem to just be filling space these days.... so you hit a great button with me. I have a christmas photo album with the photos of friends and families through the years. All the smith photos are on consectitve pages, then the jones, you get the idea. Thing is now the kids of the smith and jones, etc. are sending photos of their families!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mimi
DeleteI had no way of contacting you - thanks for your comment. What a great idea to keep other family too. One of my Moms friends sent us 10 years of ours one Christmas and it was a real gift.
I am the worst at sending Christmas cards, and seeing your post and how creative you are with it makes me wish I had done better over the years. What great memories and the journal is such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the card thing. We've been doing it for AGES and I love getting those cards in the mail from friends and family every year. This year we went with a photo card service (cardstock) and really liked it. Agree with you on getting it done early--we got all sorts of discounts so it was a great price. And YES to the labels. I used to want to hand write them, but gave that up long ago. It was either use a label, or never get them sent out.
ReplyDeleteLove the outtakes!
Elizabeth
Great post! I love the out-takes, too.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Now why did I never think of doing fun pics like this?
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny! Looks like you had a great time setting up your card. I always hand write my cards every year -- and it really bugs me when I get cards that aren't even signed -- everything is printed, even the giver's name. And what, exactly, are you doing to those candles in that one shot???
ReplyDeleteWe have been doing our for years also. Every year the kids complain about it but in the end I think they are secretly glad we do it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS POST!!! That is such a great picture...and the bloopers are so fun. You put your finger on my biggest problem...I try to get a picture after the decorations have gone up, which is the busiest, WORST time to do so! Which means, I am ridiculously tardy (still don't have them all out...).
ReplyDeleteYou look great in your hat!
I want to be in your family...
In stitches,
Teresa :o)