Holiday Card Ideas
Holiday cards are a great way to keep in touch with family and friends each year. Not only does it give you a chance to show off what your favorite family photo, but it is also the perfect excuse to update your address book! When designing your card, there are a few things you want to keep in mind.
- Font(s) – should match your card theme and be easy to read. If using a combination of fonts, make sure they have a similar aesthetic so your cards feel cohesive. You’ll also want to make sure the font is large enough to stand out when printed, but not too large that it looks awkward.
- Colors – It is best to stick with the classic holiday colors here: red and green for Christmas, blue for Hanukkah, black and gold for New Year’s, etc. Choose the colors for whatever holiday you celebrate!
- Design – Before starting the actual design, decided whether you would like to use pictures or keep it text-based, as well as how many photos you would like to use if you do decide to go that route. Once you have your pictures, you can choose colors and fonts that fit the same look s your photos.
- Message – what do you want to say on your holiday card? Do you want to tell people Merry Christmas and Happy News Years? Or do you want to include a bible verse or holiday quote? Including a thoughtful message will help to bring your holiday card design all together.
- Paper – You should also put some thought into the thickness and type of paper, as well as if you would prefer gloss or matte. The design you choose for your holiday card can also impact how it looks when printed out! A text-only design will look great on matte, whereas photos tend to look better on gloss.
- Mailing type – An affordable option is to create a holiday card that doubles as a postcard! Not only does this save you money, but it also saves time because you don’t have to stuff the cards in envelopes. Or you can send your holiday card in an envelope to include additional photos you want to share with your friends and family!
- Mailing List – Make sure you check with friends and family to be sure you have their correct home address. We all know how stressful it is to move and it is easy for your friends or family to forget to give you their new address! You don’t want your pretty holiday card going to the wrong place.
If you are struggling to decide how you want your holiday card to look, we have a few examples we have printed for people and businesses over the years that are always a holiday winner!
1. Text-Based Holiday Card
If you have coworkers or customers you want to connect to this holiday season, this first card is the Holiday Card for you. By opting out of using pictures, you can have a more generic message that is appealing to everybody. Seay Seay and Litchfield used this holiday card idea to create these timeless Christmas cards for their customers. By sticking to your brand’s image, you are creating a solid identity for your company while connecting with your consumers.
When putting one of these cards together, be sure to keep it simple. An easily legible font combined with vibrant colors will help ensure your cards stand out. Including Christmas themed graphics that are classic and timeless can make these cards reusable year after year. With one of Beth’s professional holiday cards, you will be able to foster your relationships with your customers.
2. Photo with Christmas Background
If your family is the type to have a yearly photoshoot for your cards, step the game up this year by adding a themed background behind the photo with a message for your friends and family. Keep it simple by adding your names and ages in an elegant font, as well as the year and a message of well wishes. You can get creative with your background here, using something simple like the above example or using something more fun and vibrant. You can even make the background a Where’s Waldo knock-off and hide Santa among a bunch of elves.
This holiday card idea also works for professional settings. Use a picture of your office or staff members and add a message saying you appreciate them. This is a great way to strengthen your brand identity and show employee appreciation at the same time.
3. Photo with Patterned Background
Similar to holiday card idea two, this card is perfect to show off that beautiful shot from your family photoshoot. The basic chevron background pictured above adds a feeling of youth to this card. Stick with the classic Christmas colors here to allow your pictures to feel festive no matter the wardrobe. You can also add a personal message, like your favorite bible verse or well wishes from your family to your loved ones. By choosing a background with more saturation than your personal photo, you can really make this card pop!
4. Holiday Card Photo Collage
The photo collage is perfect for capturing youth, whether it is young children, pets, or newlyweds. This holiday card idea allows for more creativity and uniqueness than some of the other options. You can choose photos from the different seasons of the past year or use photos from years past to show how much your children have grown. If you have children who have grown up with pets, recreate pictures from when they were young and use them to show how much they have grown.
Combine your photo collage with bright colors and bold fonts to create a design just as fun and unique as your family is. If you have text over a graphic background, play around with the contrast and make sure the text can be read over the design. Beth is an expert at crafting fun holiday cards that reflect your family’s personality.
5. The Christmas KardLet® from Memory Road
One of the most unique Christmas cards we have found over the years is the Christmas KardLet® by Memory Road. Found online or at various retailers, the Christmas KardLet® is full of trivia and historical facts about Christmas. Most children don’t find much enjoyment from Christmas cards; however, the Christmas KardLet® is perfect for children of all ages. There’s even a page in the back where you can write your very own letter to Santa! Whether your cards are going to friends, family, or work colleagues, this is the perfect interactive addition. Pair the Christmas KardLet® with your holiday cards or use the Christmas KardLet® as your holiday card instead! It makes a thoughtful holiday gift and eliminates the work of having a holiday card created.
Holiday Cards by Creative Printing
This holiday season reach out to those who matter most and make an impression by ordering your holiday cards from Creative Printing. Whether you already have your cards designed or need someone to handle the entire process, we can help create the perfect cards for you. Plus, with our variable data printing options we can have different holiday cards created and mailed to each recipient on your list! If you or your business has a diverse holiday list, this is a great way to make sure your holiday card is personalized to the recipient. Call to speak with Beth today to get your free quote!
