Shutter Sisters

what’s the word

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To tie up our great greetings! series, let’s end with a few simple ideas on how to come up with the best message for your holiday card. A good photo isn’t the only element that will set your card apart. The right message is essential to making it memorable and meaningful!

I like to go simple. That’s my thing. So, just one word has done the trick for me for many years of holiday cards. I take a good long look at my favorite photo and start free associating. It’s all part of the process for me. And the right word can come quickly and obviously. Peace, Love, Cheer, Joy…those are all timeless classics. I have used a few of those. But other words need to be pursued, discovered, uncovered, if you will.

The frolic card didn’t come quick. I think I even used my trusty thesaurus for that one. I think it went something like, fun, laughing, running, playing…no wait, what’s a winter word for all of these…ah ha! Frolic! Don’t hold me to it but it was something like that. Try running through the lyrics Christmas carols to find fitting holiday words or phrases. And of these a word that you love try looking it up in the dictionary to see if the definition adds to the message. They don’t always add anything but sometimes they’re perfect.

I like phrases too. I used “And Heaven and Nature Sing” a few years ago. Big hit. It’s really good when you have a pet in the photo too. And then there’s the quotes. Everyone loves quotes. Perhaps my all time favorite was used when my first daughter was only 2 years old. “Nothing is worth more than this day.” by Goethe. I STILL get compliments on that one and it’s been years! I’m serious.

If you like the idea of incorporating your message in the photo you can write it in the sand or make a sign or two. Brilliant. Or you could adorn your babes in the appropriate message strewn clothing like the Joy Jersey’s shown above. These words melt my heart and I promise you will make your card extra special. It doesn’t take much effort to match your great photo to the perfect message, just think outside the normal verbiage and try something new.

And if you haven’t already decided on what holiday card company to use this year, the cool chicks at Cool Mom Pickshave offered up a list of folks they recommend using so click around and see what they have to offer.

Fin + Roe

Groovy Paper

Minted

My Good Greetings

Ruva Cards

Tiny Prints

Ringo Baby

 

Be sure to share your ideas and holiday handiwork over at our great greetings! flickr group! We want to see what you come up with!

Now…about today’s giveaway…one clever reader will get the chance to spread the word! Joy is giving away one of their Joy Jerseys (made of an organic cotton and bamboo blend ) for a special little someone in thier life. Couldn’ you melt right now? Just comment on this post and you’ll be entered in the drawing.

Congratulations to Renee of FIMBY for winning yesterday’s giveaway. A copy of Ordinary Sparkling Moments: Reflections on Success and Contentment..

Comments

  1. The thesaurus is my best friend. I love the three photos especially the little boy with the orange popsicle! That’s definitely joy in my book. Thanks for posting the list of card companies I can’t wait to check them all out! Have a great weekend Tracey.

  6. I had our pictures taken but still waiting for the cards to come in. I send out a letter every year but this year, I just wrote, "Read our Christmas card on lifesignatures.org" on the back rather than printing a picture and a letter too. I hope to write our Christmas letter on my blog as well. It’s a new tradition this year!

    My niece would look great in one of those shirts. Thanks for being so generous.

  16. I love these shirts. I need one that says compassion so that I am reminded to remain calm and steady with my vibrant two year old 🙂

  17. I love Shutter Sisters. This is one site which I truly look forward to reading each day. I think all of you authors have such a beautiful way of looking at and a way of approaching your daily lives. I want to be like this. This is my first time leaving a comment because I am such a terrific lurker. Happy Holidays to you all. Alissa

  19. It would bring me so much JOY to win this t-shirt for my little one!

    Thanks for all the holiday card tips.

  21. i love these shirts and buy them for all of my little friends, what a great way to send a message!
    I send new years cards because that is about the time my cards are really ready. I have almost always used quotes and I love the idea of a single work, thanks so much for the inspiration.

  27. I’m a JOY girl…while making my card this year it occurred to me that I used JOY last year as well. Oh, well. Guess I will go with it and revel in the fact that its what I’m feeling! How lucky is that?! (but next year I’ll try a quote – I LOVE that idea!)

  29. A-DORABLE!!! Seeing my boys (2years and 5 months) interact and bond on a daily basis is what is bringing me Joy these days.

  33. i love that quote by Goethe. words and stunning images are such a powerful mix. i wish these two medias would come together more often.

    on that note… those shirts!! covet… covet…

    thanks for all the resources, times running out and i’m still a bit speechless over the whole holiday of 2009 thing, so i think i’ll do a valentine’s card mass mailing to all those on my list. something to brighten a cold february day when all the festivities are over for the season.

  39. thanks for the great share! i always used to think christmas cards had to be this or that and have just recently realized they can be anything i want them to be.
    very nice shirts!

  40. Ours last year was "let your heart be light" with a picture of the kids laughing. Thanks for some great ideas for this years!

  42. Hello–coming around here for the first time and LOVED this post and the happiness it conveys. We are not doing printed holiday cards (instead creating a narrative set on flickr as an overview of our year), but after reading this, I will definitely be budgeting for something printed next year! Thanks for the inspiration!

  46. I LOVE the "compassion" t-shirt – especially since it’s a trait I want to instill deeply in my son. And putting it on him will remind me each time of the values I want to live out in front of him.

  47. I am still plugging away trying to get a picture in focus of all three of my rambunctious boys, but these posts are definitely helping! Thanks

  55. Thanks for this post! We are doing our pictures tomorrow and I’ve been stressing out over what to do with them. I love the word idea!

  57. I finally ordered mine from shutterfly. Next year I will do something different but this year I just needed to get them ordered. It takes forever to get things shipped up here.

  61. Love your ideas! The Goethe quote is beautiful!! I hope you don’t mind if I use it, too. 🙂 The shirts are wonderful, too. Thanks!

  63. What a great idea! I hope it’s not too late to try it out and still get cards sent out in time! Nothing like waiting til the last minute!

  64. Still working on, ok obsessing over, our Christmas card. Must get past the need for perfection. I love the compassion jersey; I think that’s the hardest thing to teach my kids. Thanks for the ideas and another great post!

  67. Oh my goodness! Courage across her tummy! I wish all us grown up girls could love ourselves that way….

  69. I’ve been eyeing these shirts for my little nephew!

    Thanks for all the greeting inspirations. We’ll be taking our card photos this weekend.

  74. Oh I love the greeting cards. I am so inspired now. I’ve been trying to get a good photo of my boys for our Christmas card. I’m determined to get it this weekend.

  78. I’m in the same boat as Sharon (above) except that I only have to corral two rambuctious boys. They’re only 2.5, though, so it’s difficult. I love the message shirt idea and will have to keep it in mind for next year.

  84. We are working on setting the letters to ‘christmas’ in different locations, held by a variety of family members.. its taking a longer time to coordinate than I had planned, but its allowed for some wonderful and interesating moments, so all worth while.

    Thanks for the ongoing inspiration here.

  96. Wow. I came here via Jen Lemen and I love the t-shirts.
    I love Maya Angelou’s words.

    I tried to order this morning, but couldn’t figure out if this was available only for toddlers ( I saw sizes 2,3 and 4). WOuld you consider making it for adults?

  97. I LOVE those shirts! They really caught my eye. As far as inspiration for cards….I always say too much, I suppose. I really liked your ideas.

  103. Please please pick me! I need compassion, courage and joy for tomorrow this a big day for me!

    Trish

  107. I really like this concept. Last year, I used JOY and my boys had a great time "posing" for me! (Which I posted on the Great Greetings site)