How We Archive and Display Our Family Christmas Card and Photo Memories
Christmas always seems to come and go so quickly. No matter how early or late we "officially" start the Christmas season, the anticipation, preparation and waiting suddenly just seems to kick into overdrive and *poof* - it's over. After our first couple of Christmases as parents, I started to realize just how quick and precious those moments were and wanted to find a way to archive some of the memories so that we could look back at them together as a family each year. In this digital age, we've got gobs of photos and videos but committing to getting them printed and into a physical form after Christmas each year has been one of my annual post-Christmas must-dos. From the Santa visit photos to our family Christmas cards, I've created a couple of traditions that I thought I'd share with you as you're winding down the holidays before you pack 'em up.
Christmas Card Album
We spend so much time, money and energy on producing our Christmas cards each year that I thought it was a shame to just let them go out the door.
So after a few years of lugging around a box of extras, I finally got smart and ordered a 5x7 photo album and keep a couple of each card in it.
We love flipping through this each Christmas when the decorations come out and keep the album out all season. Since I've been doing this, I just make sure to order 5x7 cards each year.
Santa Photo Album
We always love looking back at the Santa photos my mom pulls out each year of us kids growing up, so that inspired me to also print our Santa photos each year and put them in an album.
I've been a Shutterfly fan for years and they always offer free 4x6 prints from their app so it's a really easy way to get a few pics printed after the Santa visit each year.
Annual Christmas Card Ornament
Another thing we do each year is create an ornament that mirrors our Christmas card. Whether we do a standard family photo or something more holiday themed, I try to find an ornament that emulates the style of the card.
I mix up the style each year and have ordered a variety based on what our card was - wood cubes, metal, glass, etc.
I feel like this is a more grown-up version of the school picture popsicle stick frame ornaments I so used to fear putting on the tree! If you missed my last blog about how I learned to embrace the kid craft decorations (and get my own "mom tree"), click here to read it!
GET A FREE ORNAMENT!
I just ordered this year's ornament and got a referral offer! So if you've never ordered anything from Shutterfly before, you can use this referral link to get a free glass ornament through Feb. 15, 2022! https://invite-shutterfly.com/x/5ESgXR Official details down below the disclaimer.**
Christmas Decor
Now and then we capture a real stand-out Christmas photo. For those, I turn into little desktop plaques for displaying during the season among our Christmas decor.
The little easel backs are great for propping up and placing here and there. I do these on Shutterfly too after the season when I order my ornament.
It seems semi-ridiculous that I just wrote a blog about printing out photos you take, but I don't think we stop to do that enough anymore. So whether it's prints, plaques or ornaments, find what works for you and get those photos off your phones and into your homes! Sure, Christmas is over for this year but future you will love pulling these out next year!
Need a holiday fix-up? Here are some shop-able items to get you started:
4x6 Red Photo Album for 24 Photos (affiliate)
5x7 Red Photo Album for 24 Photos (affiliate)
Photo Desktop Plaques - Shutterfly
Photo Christmas Ornaments - Shutterfly
*DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
**New Shutterfly Customer Free Ornament Offer Details
Offer expires February 15, 2022 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for one free glass ornament or 50% off regular-priced cards through shutterfly.com or the Shutterfly app. Valid only on your first purchase from Shutterfly. Not valid on sale prices, other ornament types, other products and prior purchases. Promo can only be redeemed once per account and/or billing address. This offer code can only be entered once. Cannot be combined with other code-based %-off or $-off offers. Taxes, shipping and handling may apply. Shutterfly may refuse or cancel orders due to altered, unauthorized or ineligible use of promotion. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with select offers or credits. Not valid for resale. Shutterfly may modify or replace any part of these terms and conditions without notice at any time. Valid while supplies last.
