Today’s post is almost as much for me as it is for you.
And, yes, I know it seems like it’s WAY too early to be thinking about holiday cards, but I assure you it’s not!
minted.com
You see, last year we dropped the ball. We didn’t get our holiday cards out. At all. Nope, our friends and family didn’t hear a word from us through the U.S. Postal Service during the holiday season. It was the first time ever and it has bothered us all year long.
minted.com
In our defense, we had a very hectic holiday season. My blogging calendar was loaded and my husband — who is usually the holiday card motivator — was swamped at work and didn’t have the time or energy to keep us all on the ball.
minted.com
This year, I have vowed that not only will we send out our cards — they will be sent early. My goal is to have them in the mail the day before Thanksgiving. So that means, it’s time to get moving. And, it’s best to get started before the craziness of holiday shopping, cooking and baking begins. So that means now. Yes, now. Before Halloween.
minted.com
So, I’m getting started this week. Yep, the wheels are in motion.
minted.com
And, I’m keeping myself on track with a very simple holiday card checklist I created.
You can download it here and print it for yourself if you’re like me and need lists to stay organized and on top of things.
You may find it helpful to add due dates next to each item to keep yourself on schedule. It’s a must for me.
I work backwards from the final deadline and give myself time to complete each task as necessary.
If you’re ordering cards online or from a brick and mortar store, you need to know how long your order will take to help you adjust your deadlines.
This year, I’m ordering my cards from Minted.com.
minted.com
I’m so excited to be teaming up with Minted to help you with your holiday cards, too!
To get you started, Minted is offering TWO Lilacs & Longhorns readers a chance to win 50 DOLLARS towards a Minted.com holiday card purchase! Just leave me a comment below and I will randomly draw and announce TWO winners on Sunday, Nov. 1. All comments should be submitted by no later than Sunday, Nov. 1 at 6 a.m. CST.
Minted has so many beautiful card designs for the holiday season that you are sure to find something you love!
In addition to their beautiful card designs, you can have them address your envelopes as well and it’s FREE!
Don’t forget to leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win the $50 discount code. Tell me what kind of cards you like to send during the holidays — picture, no picture, annual letter, Hannukah, New Year’s, etc.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
This is a sponsored post by Minted.com but all opinions are my own.
I try to include an annual letter and picture with the card. One year at the Christmas tree farm, our daughters took a picture with the farm’s pet goat. Our card was captioned “Go Army- Beat Navy”. It was well received- ha ha!
Thanks for the reminder to get started on those cards! Saves a lot of last minute stress.
I love the postcard style card….sooooo much easier! May invest in a return address stamp versus the stickers.
Thanks for the checklist. I would love to win a chance to win cards from Minted.com.
I love the Tiny Cards from minted. We are picture people-The multiple pictures on one card have become a favorite.
I love sending out holiday cards to relatives and always include an updated family picture. It’s a great way for everyone to see how we are doing and the growth of my baby girl (now almost 2)!! I would love to win holiday cards that I can send out to loved ones this season! Thanks for this great giveaway!
Ugh. Christmas already? We do a picture card every year. No letter. Often don’t sign it or write a personal note. I am not a card person, but we have sent one out every year except for the year my step-father died and mother took up all my time. Thanks for the motivation to get it done early this year. Thanksgiving is always my deadline to get them ready to mail.
Haha – Sandra! I feel the same way — Christmas comes too fast! Happy to see you here. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Julie
This year my goal is to send my cards out on time and choose a style of card that’s timeless, but not fussy!
I like to send Christian themed Christmas cards.
Thanks for the reminders! Last year we didn’t send out cards either. minted is such a perfect place to order cards, they have great designs, and their quality is amazing. Thank you for this opportunity.
I love cards with a beautiful winter scene and birds. I like to update the ones I am not in touch with during the year.
Been there, done that. Here’s what usually happens: we’re realizing it’s Christmas two weeks before, and by then the to-do list is jam packed so things easily fall between cracks. I literally schedule reminders for things like that.
I have not tried Minted yet – would be awesome to get my hands on these gorgeous designs!
I like to enclose a photo.
Some years I type up a letter and other years I send cards with a short handwritten note included. We traveled a lot in 2015 so a picture postcard with some of our vacation shots would be great!
I generally send out a non-photo card with a handwritten note on the back but this year we are going to splurge for some professional family photos – I hope to feature them on a Minted Christmas card!
Actually this will be the first year for us to send a photo card! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve sent family picture Valentines Day cards for several years and everyone loves them!
I haven’t even thought about Christmas cards yet!!! I usually send them, but last year I didn’t. That was the first time in a long time I didn’t send any.
My daughter is a photographer, so we always send cards with one of her photos on it.
Thanks for the reminder Julie! I need to get my act together so that I’m not sending them out the week before Christmas again! I like sending picture postcards since most of our family and friends are out of state… Great way to show them how much my daughter has grown.
What a great idea–a holiday card checklist! I’m TERRIBLE about getting Christmas cards in the mail, which is a shame because I love to receive cards. Thanks for the chance to win a giftcard to Minted. Their cards are wonderful!
Every year I say I am going to get my Christmas cards out early. It never happens! Now that my kids are getting older, it is harder to pin them down to get a picture too. Thanks for the reminder Julie! I will definitely be snapping a picture whenever the kids are in the same room at the same time – just in case!
What a wonderful assortment! I send christian holiday cards. Thanks for the drawing.
Love the blog. I sure hope I win so I can save myself some money to pay for some kids’ overpriced clothing item! Thanks for the chance!
What darling cards, Julie! Thanks for the great checklist!
i have been sending picture cards for years now. I love doing them. Thank you for the giveaway!!
I was so late in getting our cards out last year. Thanks for the checklist and reminder to start planning now. I love sending photo cards, but now that my girls are older they are not as excited to pose for pictures. Minted has so many pretty cards to choose from and I love that they will address your envelopes for you!
I usually send non-picture cards for Christmas but this year I may send a picture card. The Minted cards are beautiful!
Last year I was ahead of the game – thanks for the reminder to get started early. Now if I could just find the perfect little
Christmas outfit for Sushi!
I love seeing a picture on a card! Nooooo to Christmas letters!!!
I love to send out Christmas cards! And minted has such adorable cards!! I also love that they will address them, because there is nothing worse than finding the time to address all of those cards 🙂
I love photo cards! 🙂 These are great! Love Minted!
Wow Julie~ Thank you for sharing this with us. I love to send photo cards because my family is located all over the place and I also include a quick note that keeps everyone up to date on what’s going on in my neck of the woods.
I have sent Christmas cards since I left home at 18, and I am 62. I have never sent photo cards, but wouldn’t mind sending them this year. My husband and I could be with our cattle and have some funny saying on the card!!!
I send out about 100 cards and I write something personal on each one!!!
THese are all beautiful designs – luv the photo cards!
I love to send Christmas cards each year to friends and family. Because we are in the Navy and have been stationed in a variety of different places, my list has grown over the years! I definitely need to start early each year! Thanks for a great give-away opportunity…hope I’m the lucky winner!
Blessings,
Lanita
The cards from Minted are so pretty. We usually do a non-photo card since we don’t have kids but this year might do a photo one with our dog. I need to start planning a photo shoot.
Minted has such a large selection and they make everything so easy for you!
Minted has beautiful cards! Thanks for the checklist and the giveaway!
Love the minted cards samples in your post! We send picture cards of our grandsons. Thanks for the reminder and checklist.
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I usually send a card with a picture so out of town family can see how our family has grown.
I really like that first one! I’m drawn to vintage-inspired cards with simple designs.
I love to send, and receive, photo cards. I think they are so much more fun that other cards.
Love minted cards! We used them as our wedding invitations and can’t wait to shop their holiday card line.
I am always rushing at the last minute to get my cards out! I need to schedule it like a blog deadline lol. Minted has so many great options to choose from!