I realize it’s a little ridiculous, but I desperately wanted to take the little bug to a pumpkin patch this year. I know he’s not old enough to have a clue, but I just can’t bypass his first Halloween without a little celebration. I compromised this weekend and took him to roadside stand with pre-picked pumpkins. He loved it. I loved it. And the pumpkin-themed pictures made me start thinking about all the other holiday we have coming up and all the cute pictures we’ll get to take.
I know it’s only October, but word on the street is it’s time to start taking Christmas pictures already. WAhhhaaat?! I’m not ready to do that quite yet {he grows too fast to pull off a Christmas picture at 9 months when he’ll almost be 12 months, plus there’s no way I’m pulling out Christmas stuff}. Nonetheless it made me realize I’ll have to get my act together this year. The novelty of sending holiday cards kind of wore off when we started having friends and family with kids that would send the adorable photo cards in the mail. Somehow a white card with our names signed in the corner just lost it’s appeal. But this year I’d say we have some pretty cute material to work with. 
You all know I love my photo books. I haven’t made one since the babe was 6 weeks old. I’m working on one, but let’s just say it’s taking awhile. While working on my book I got a little distracted and started looking through all the photo card options on the Shutterfly site.
So.many.choices.
Apparently in addition to starting to think about Christmas cards in the fall, people also plan their Christmas pictures around the card they pick out. I’m so not that organized. But of course I started looking and brainstorming anyways.
I’m in love with the “Merry Everything” themes.
The “Top 10 Moments” is a pretty stinkin’ cute idea too.
Thinking about Christmas absolutely blows my mind. Last year on Christmas I was big and pregnant and blissfully unaware what was about to happen the next week. Let’s just say my mom packed up all my Christmas stuff while I snuggled with a brand new babe. I can’t believe that this Christmas is going to be spent watching the little guy play with the wrapping paper and low-hanging ornaments and tugging on the tree. I guess it shouldn’t really surprise me that I’m getting nostalgic thinking about the holidays when I’m already thinking about his first birthday… cue the water works.
Anyways. So fill me in on this Christmas card photo thing. Do I realllllly need to be planning this already?!
And in case the answer is yes, and you’re planning already too, Shutterfly is giving one of you $50 off your total order {not including shipping}. Leave a comment about your favorite holiday photo idea below! Ends Friday. You can also check out the special offers they have available.
{You can also get 30% off photo books.}
Disclosure: I received a discount on my holiday photo cards from Shutterfly in exchange for this post. Woot woot.
EDIT: The WINNER is Kelly, comment #18!
{ 29 comments… read them below or chime in }
those merry everything really seem like a great idea! cant believe i need to order X’s stocking for christmas soon! great giveaway!
Katie Heddleston Just blogged…Second Favorite Workouts for Runners
Wrapping the kids in Christmas lights is always a fun pose.
I’m in the middle of ordering a photobook from Shutterfly right now (have it saved in my cart and everyone) so this giveaway really came at the perfect time. Crossing my fingers I win! And since we don’t have kiddos, I love exploiting our JRT during for holiday cards. What’s cuter than a dog in an elf costume wishing everyone a Merry Christmas? Umm… nothing.
Meghann Just blogged…Who are you?
Ummm I have never been this organized, but I did realize if I could color coordinate their outfits with the card that would help. So my faves are the Fa la la la la one, the CHeer with turquoise and red, and the Happy Joyful Merry Bright….you’ll have to let me know if you go with one of those!
As a blogger, I like the idea of Top 10 Moments of 2012! It is like a Christmas letter but without all the work! We just took family pics over the weekend that I plan on using in my Christmas Cards, so the timing of this giveaway is perfect!
I started taking my kids to the pumpkin patch pretty early, it was my excuse of starting traditions even when they were babies. We just visited the pumpkin patch last weekend for our 6th? 7th? year in a row and it has become one of my favorite fall family traditions.
Stephanie @ Food and Fitness 4 Real Just blogged…Roasted Pepper and Corn Chowder
I have been thinking of my holiday cards since july. Excited that I have a session booked with a photographer for THIS Sunday. Cant wait. I have been wanting to get it done earlier but something keeps coming up.
So yes you need to start planning as you have to plan the right place, outfits and all that takes time! And it always seems to fly by. Oh there are so many I like too. The fa la la ones are good now but watch once I get my photos I may change my mind =-)
Holy cow that is cute! Of course anything can be made better with baby pictures. You are going to love this holiday season.
Carolina John Just blogged…Paradigm
I like the fa-la-la-la-la card….it just seems fun! But honestly, I am having a hard time thinking about Christmas right now and I know I need to get a move on as it takes awhile for cards to be shipped to Hawaii…..
Erica G Just blogged…Long Run Love!
I love ALL holiday picture cards! But this year will be my first getting to send them – because I just got married! We’d love to take a picture of the two of us with our “kids.” The cat and dog!
I love funny, out of the ordinary ideas for photos, or things out of season… like Christmas on the beach or something like that. We do a super traditional fireplace photo every Christmas though.
Heather@YSP Just blogged…Gluten Update
I love christmas photos done in the snow they make it look so much more festive! I also love the merry everything i have never seen that before but LOVE it!
I still can’t decide if I want to use a summer picture or one in their Christmas outfits?! LIke you said, a lot changes in 3-6 months when they are this young!
With little munchkins, I love the less posed pictures….they’re usually way more cute and priceless
I love all the cute holiday cheer, you can’t go wrong!
This is going to sound crazy, but I love the awkwardness of my holiday photos. Lately we’ve been using vacation photos from the year for our holiday picture cards, but I think I prefer the staged and slightly silly photos we take ourselves. You know, the ones where you push the button on the camera and run back in front of the tree before it takes the picture? Yeah… fun stuff
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers Just blogged…My Wednesday has a 1st name; it’s nom nom nom nom nom
Better be prepared than not! I love cards
Kierston Just blogged…Fitness Competition WIAW: A Touch of Sweetness
I’ve been browsing Pinterest for ideas for months! So far I like snapping some pics of a santa hat wearing baby playing with Christmas lights
Let There Be Light!!
dressing up the doggies like santa and an elf and taking a picture and sending it to everyone! (: How perfect!
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife Just blogged…CrockPot Applesauce
I really like simple. Less is more! Just a really good family shot (candid is good), with a nice message to enjoy the holidays.
We are taking our family photos for our cards next month! I need to go to a pumpkin farm ASAP. I’ll probably do the same thing you did and just go to a stand! It’ll be easier this year. I am so not as organized ad others and have barely started thinking Christmad!! I can’t wait and will def send some cute cards out! I love Shutterfly! They did my baby shower and birth announcements!
This will be our second holiday season with the little one (15 months ) and I really want to get a professional shot of the three of us for our holiday card this year. I LOVE the idea of a fall theme b/c like you said, the weather is always so beautiful. We still have a bit of foliage so I better call the photographer! Great ideas in the cards above. I love the ‘Merry Everything’. Maybe we’ll use that
This is our first holiday with our 6 month old daughter! Since were Jewish we’d probably have a nice blue theme and maybe some fun Hanukkah outfits for our daughter and dog
We like funny holiday cards (ok, funny cards in general..) and last year we did one that said…Peace, Love and Candy Canes. Loved that one!
Every year we try and take a picture with us and our two cats (no kids yet.. maybe next year!). We put a santa hat on one cat and reindeer ears on another and we don some christmas props too… These pictures always turn out so horrible (cats attacking their hats, or trying to jump off our laps) but they always make the funniest christmas cards- chaos and christmas go hand in hand!
Kristina Burke Just blogged…31 days of fitness- Foodie Fridays- Healthy Swaps
I LOVE the top 10 moments idea!
Betsy Just blogged…San Francisco: Day 3
i love shutterfly’s christmas cards! have ordered them for the past 2 years
would love some help budget-wise this year, lol.
i am still in denial that my sisters and i are growing up. i want christmas morning to be pretty much the same as it has always been – even though 2 of us are married now (my sister with a kid on the way). it’s been new adjusting to the fact that we have to celebrate a little differently now.
lindsay Just blogged…sucking wind
Well, what I have planned for this year’s card is me and hubs tangled in tree lights while our little opportunists tear into a pile of wrapped presents.
Our second idea was to make holiday treats together and get messy with clouds of flour/powered sugar settling and a gingerbread house/holiday sugar cookies in the process of getting made/decorated.
I love Christmas photos that are done in the snow. People don’t even need to be a part of it – I just love how seasonal and festive it can look.
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life Just blogged…Friday Food Finds
I always love including companion animals in photos. It makes everyone have more fun taking pictures!
Emily Just blogged…Bits and Pieces 10.7.12