Tired of the same old studio picture of your kids wearing red? Do something new this year and create a creative, innovative photo that your family and friends will enjoy receiving with their Christmas cards. Digital cameras make parents' lives easier, as there are many websites where you can order preprinted photo cards.
Save paper and stamp money this year by creating a simple Christmas e-card. E-cards can be sent to all your family and friends for whom you have email addresses, and can include a family photograph. Put your kids together in matching Christmas pajamas and Santa hats for a cool, casual shot to include on your e-card. Hallmark’s website has a lot of great e-card choices. When you have to use paper cards, look for Christmas cards that are made from recycled paper.
This is a really unique, fun idea. Line up your young kids in a big bathtub (this is perfect if you have a clawfoot tub) filled to overflowing with bubbles. Have the kids wearing Santa hats and make “mustaches and beards” out of bubbles. If the kids are lined up peeking out over the edge of the tub in their Santa ‘outfits’ it makes a really clever holiday photo!
Make your holiday photo this year a picture that will last all year long. Use black-and-white film or select the black-and-white (or even sepia-tone) option on your digital camera and take a bunch of photos of the kids all wearing white T-shirts and jeans, with a plain wall in the background. When the kids wear matching plain shirts and there is nothing in the background and you’re using black-and-white, it really shows off their adorable little faces and will surely be a favorite photo of family and friends.
Who says holiday photos have to be Christmas photos? Use a family photo from another holiday or event during the year for including with your Christmas cards this year. Have a fantastic beach shot of the family, or some great individual photos of the kids in their Halloween costumes? Use them! Many websites like Shutterfly and Kodak gallery let you incorporate your favorite photos into a wide variety of holiday card designs like the one in the photo above.
In the mood for a laugh? Here's a funny sample family holiday letter.
Read more about some wonderful Christmas movies for the family, how to create your own beautiful holiday mantel, creative Christmas gifts for kids, cute Christmas crafts, or creative Christmas wreaths.