Nov
2011
Getting in the Christmas spirit (and a giveaway)!
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!
It’s official.
Yesterday, I bought not one, but two holiday scented candles. I even lit one of them (frankincense). Pretty soon I’ll be singing carols…and putting up the Christmas tree. Justin even asked me if we could put it up this weekend. I told him we had to wait. Until next weekend…then I’ll most likely cave.
Anyway, as soon as I start seeing the Christmas paraphernalia pop up in stores, I start thinking about Christmas cards. Last year, the photo involved was pretty easy to decide on:
This year I wasn’t so sure. Justin and I don’t necessarily have a nice photo of the two of us together from the past year. However, after taking some pretty cute photos of Lucia recently for our wall, I thought that we could utilize one of them! Behold, our little star:
Last year, Justin and I were extremely happy with our experience with Shutterfly’s holiday cards. The quality was wonderful, the service was prompt, and the amount of choices in cards was extensive! I had a very hard time selecting the format last year, and this year is no different for our Christmas cards.
Here are a few of the formats we’re considering…
I love the simplicity of this card: it really makes the picture of Lucia pop, and the writing/design on the bottom really stand out!
Again, I love the simplicity…(can you see the direction we’re going yet?)
I love that the Christmas photo cards from Shutterfly also allow for customized text and additional photos on the inside! I’m hoping to add a few sentences about our year and maybe a photo or two from our recent trip to Mexico. And….maybe a picture of the two of us would be a good idea. I better start getting my act together!
And…surprise! I also am sharing some free cards with you! Shutterfly was kind enough to give me three sets of 25 cards to give out to my lovely readers.
To enter: leave a comment and tell me what your favorite thing is about the holidays!
This giveaway will run through Thursday, November 17 at 11:59PM EST. I’ll select three winners at random and contact via email. In the event that a winner doesn’t reply within 48 hours, I will select a new winner(s).
***Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I am receiving 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly for this post. However, the content and opinions expressed are my own.***
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Paige
November 11, 2011 at 12:19 pm (561 days ago)I love everything being festive and sparkly – decorating the house, candles, coffees – everything is fun!
Jen
November 11, 2011 at 12:23 pm (561 days ago)I love that picture of Lucia…she looks so much like our dog, Sherman!!
My favorite thing about Xmas is decorating our house & driving around looking at all of the lights. It’s such a festive time of year!
(I’ve used Shutterfly in the past for our holiday cards & couldn’t agree more…they do a stellar job!)
theresa
November 11, 2011 at 12:26 pm (561 days ago)I love how it manages to make everyone happy for two months. Then Janury is a bit of a drag.
Katie
November 12, 2011 at 8:33 am (561 days ago)Ugh, isn’t that the truth!?!?
Amy
November 11, 2011 at 12:29 pm (561 days ago)I live in DC and my family is in Boston, so I love going home and just being around my siblings, parents and other relatives. This year we are starting a tradition of going to NYC to do the lights and see the Rockettes!
Katie
November 12, 2011 at 8:34 am (561 days ago)That sounds like so much fun! I’ve still never been to NYC…
Brittany G.
November 11, 2011 at 12:37 pm (561 days ago)I love spending time with my family. It’s the only time of year that we can all be together. This year we have a new niece so it will be extra special.
Jessica
November 11, 2011 at 12:47 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing about the holidays is all the family and friend get togethers!!
Andrea
November 11, 2011 at 1:07 pm (561 days ago)My favorite part about the holidays is Christmas music! Oh, and cookies.
Andrea
November 11, 2011 at 1:08 pm (561 days ago)Christmas music is my favorite! Oh, and cookies.
Cassie
November 11, 2011 at 1:37 pm (561 days ago)i love how everything sparkles during the holiday season. from the tree to the snow and the lights outside… i just love it!
Maria
November 11, 2011 at 1:44 pm (561 days ago)Awh, that picture is absolutely adorable! Christmas time is definitely my favorite time of the year. I love how much time I get to spend with family and friends, oh the perks of still being in school!
Mandy
November 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm (561 days ago)Since this is the only holiday I decorate for, I love finally being able to put out all my snowman decorations!! I also love getting to see family that I don’t normally get to see, and having more time to spend with friends and family
Katie
November 12, 2011 at 8:35 am (561 days ago)I love decorating too! I reallllly want to put up the Christmas tree….now…
Lane
November 11, 2011 at 1:51 pm (561 days ago)I love Christmas light. White only!
Lesley
November 11, 2011 at 1:58 pm (561 days ago)I love putting up the Christmas tree and the time spent with family!
jennielee
November 11, 2011 at 2:24 pm (561 days ago)I would say my favorite thing is all the family time! So many family events. I love it!
Jennifer B
November 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm (561 days ago)Hi! Welcome back to Florida!
My favorite thing about the holidays is baking for the family! I love doing it!
Katie
November 12, 2011 at 8:35 am (561 days ago)I’ll second the baking! There are certain cookies we make only at Christmas time, so I always look forward to that!
Alice
November 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm (561 days ago)The hubby and I work 7 days a week (80+ hours) and our families lives in a different state. Therefore, our favorite thing is getting a day off from work to sleep in and spend time laughing, eating way too much food, and sharing stories with family.
Sarah B
November 11, 2011 at 3:02 pm (561 days ago)I love everything about the holidays… but on the top of my list is the great decor and seeing Christmas lights everywhere!
E @ Oh! Apostrophe
November 11, 2011 at 3:20 pm (561 days ago)Christmas morning with my husband in our house… so nice to have time with just our family (and this year our son!) of us before the craziness of celebrating with many relatives begins.
Layla
November 11, 2011 at 4:57 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing about the holidays is all of it! ALL. OF IT!!!!! (And the movie Elf.)
Katie
November 12, 2011 at 8:37 am (561 days ago)Ooh, I always love when Elf comes on! Watch out for the yellow ones! They don’t stop!
That, and I always have to watch A Christmas Story at least once on Christmas day. Gotta get my dose of “you’ll shoot your eye out!”
Layla
November 12, 2011 at 12:41 pm (560 days ago)Yesss! “you look like a pink nightmare!”
Lori Kay
November 11, 2011 at 5:52 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing about the Holidays is getting 3 weeks off to go spend it with our families (who live on the other side of the country)!!
Brittney
November 11, 2011 at 6:23 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing about the holidays (especially now that I’m pregnant and have a super sense of smell) are all of the smells! The baking, the christmas trees…. everything… I LOVE it! =)
Nodakademic
November 11, 2011 at 6:38 pm (561 days ago)Ooooh, I love the food! I am sure I’m not alone in this. I also love Mr. N’s big family get-togethers (his side of the family is much bigger than mine). I never experienced a big family christmas till I met him!
Allie
November 11, 2011 at 7:25 pm (561 days ago)My favorite things about the holidays – green bean casserole and Christmas lights!
Sarah
November 11, 2011 at 8:34 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing about the holidays is how happy and close everyone feels… The love I have for everything and everyone increases! I also adore being cozy under a blanket/by the fire when it’s cold outside. Such a wonderful feeling!
Brooke
November 11, 2011 at 10:33 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing about the holidays is the festive mood everyone is in and the undeniable excitement you feel waking up Christmas morning!
Cat
November 11, 2011 at 11:57 pm (561 days ago)My favorite thing is getting all the fun mail–cards from everyone I know all over the country! And yes, you should definitely have a picture of the 2 of you somewhere; people want to see your pretty faces, not just your dog’s.
Katie
November 12, 2011 at 8:38 am (561 days ago)I love going to the mailbox every day to see if a new holiday card has arrived! I feel popular…haha.
Beth Quah SooJing
November 12, 2011 at 8:16 am (561 days ago)Hi Katie, I love the anticipation for Christmas celebrations. It’s the most beautiful season isn’t it ? I tend to feel sad for things that haven’t yet turn out exactly like I hoped. But October and November fills the air earth with hope and a mounting sense of renewal. It’s the time of year when, something bad happens, but. I am still mindful that a beautiful day will be coming on us sooner than we might realize. Of course making Christmas wish lists and buying presents are fun, really excited that the recipient gets happy. Christmas lights are a brilliant sight to see and bask in. Christmas holidays are the times when i feel happiest going to church, haha, somehow it feels like duty the rest of the year.
happy November Katie!
This Christmas, I want to become professional at something,like waitressing. I hope it turns out right. I can’t really go wrong with Christmas wishes. I want to gift.
Sammie
November 12, 2011 at 9:22 pm (560 days ago)My favorite thing is the anticipation of Christmas morning- I love waking up to the glow of the lights on the tree! Something about it just makes the day seem magical.
kim
November 12, 2011 at 10:42 pm (560 days ago)my favorite thing about Christmas- is everything:) i love the decorations, the Starbucks red cups, the festive mood everyone is in, the parties, and christmas shopping
Erica
November 13, 2011 at 6:02 am (560 days ago)Normally ny answer would definitely be spending time with family, but since it’s just me and the mister this year, decorating will absolutely be top priority! =)
Erin H.
November 13, 2011 at 9:32 pm (559 days ago)I love the music, the candles, and everything that smells like peppermint. I also love love love how adorable my husband gets about creating traditions and cutting down our Christmas tree.
Kayley
November 14, 2011 at 9:15 am (559 days ago)It’s impossible to pick a favorite thing! I love the joy of going to midnight Mass, driving around the “rich people” areas of town gawking at their gaudy decorations (really, who needs a 20 foot tall angel in the front yard?), and a good Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks. Love it all!
LatteLove
November 14, 2011 at 2:57 pm (558 days ago)I love baking and decorating Christmas cookies!
Emily
November 15, 2011 at 10:22 pm (557 days ago)My favorite Christmas activity is bundling up, making hot chocolate in thermoses and freshly baked brownies, and loading up in the car to drive around town and see all the christmas lights!