Guide to Making Family Photo Christmas Cards

Bring out your creativity this Christmas season by designing your own family photo Christmas cards. Three DIY Christmas card ideas are described in this guide.

The Brady Bunch Family Photo Christmas Card

Description:

This is my original idea of a DIY family photo Christmas card using the tools in Microsoft Word computer software. The cover of this Christmas card contains a photo of each family member framed in a window-like arrangement inspired by the television introductory depiction of The Brady Bunch.

Materials:

Microsoft Word computer software (any version), digital photos of each family member, cardstock or photo paper, printer

Instructions:

1. Open a Microsoft Word blank document and select Table, Insert, Table.

2. For the table size, select "2" columns and "1" row.

3. Double click the Table Properties perpendicular arrow symbol at the upper left hand corner of the table.

4. Select the preferred width of 6 in. and the height of 8 in.

5. Move the cursor to the second column and select Table, Insert, Table.

6. For the table size, select a number of columns and rows that are factors of the total number of family members that you want represented on the card. For example: if adding photos of 6 family members, the factor of 2 is selected as the number of columns and the factor of 3 is selected as the number of rows. (If the total number of family members is an odd number, round it to the next highest even number).

7. Double click the Table Properties perpendicular arrow symbol at the upper left hand corner of the table.

8. Select the preferred width of 3 in. Choose a height that suits the number of squares in your table. It works to use a height under 5 inches for a family size of four members and over.

9. Click and drag down the perpendicular arrow symbol at the upper left hand corner of the table to center it, and type a greeting at the top of your card.

10. Position the cursor in the first square of the table and select Insert, Picture, From File.

11. Open the folder with the photos of your family members and double click one by one after positioning the cursor in the desired square of the table.

12. Preview and print your card on 8 ½" x11"cardstock paper.

13. Fold the paper vertically in half so that the family photo is on the cover of the card and write a personalized message on the inside.

Special Occasion Family Photo Christmas Card

If you have great photography skills, then creating a Special Occasion Family Christmas Card is a wonderful idea. The materials and steps for this are outlined below:

Materials:

digital camera, cardstock or photo paper, internet access

Instructions:

1. Take digital photos at a special family event such as a vacation, graduation, or wedding.

2. Use Walmart's online digital photo center to upload your family photo design and personalized message that are printed on a luster, glossy finish, or stationery card. One-sided greeting cards are available in the sizes of 4"x8" or 5"x7" at prices starting at 33 cents and 5x7 folded cards are available at $1.42 including an envelope.

a. If you have a walmart.com account, login at http://photos.walmart.com. If you have never registered for an account, go to www.walmart.com and select photo and greeting cards listed under departments on the left side of the webpage.

b. Select styles, and select from a variety of card choices such as a 4x8 card entitled "Holiday Greetings from Our Family" that allows you to add two family photos. Along with adding a digital family photo, you may also add animated family characters to your card by selecting Walmates Character Cards that also start at 33 cents.

c. After making various selections such as the paper type, you will be prompted to register for an account, upload your family photos, and complete your order. Most of the cards will be available for pickup at your local Walmart within one hour.

3. A similar alternative to Walmart's online digital photo center is CVS's Online Photo Center that offers sets of 20 - 4x8 high-quality paper holiday photo cards starting at $14.99 and sets of 20 - 5x7 photo cards starting at $16.99. After making various selections, uploading your photos, and making your purchase, the cards are ready for pickup within hours.

Professional Family Photo Christmas Card

Creating a professional family photo Christmas card is quite simple with the following steps:

1. Have a family photo taken at a photography studio that offers photo cards. For example, Picture People offers 4x7 photographed postcards at package prices starting at $34.95 for a set of 25 that may be personalized. Also, Glamour shots offers photographed greeting cards.

2. After the family photo session, select the photo of your choice, the design of the card, and a personalized message that you would like the photographer to prepare.

As you can see, you have a wide selection of ideas for making family photo Christmas cards. Whether or not you are skilled in graphic design, computer technology, or photography, you can make your family photo Christmas cards on your own or with the assistance of photography studios. Either way, your family and friends will be delighted.

Sources

"Photo Gifts: Personalized Photo Gifts."CVS.

"Picture-People - Postcards."Picture-People.

"Walmart Digital Photo Center: Store: Cards." Walmart.