That One Time of Year We Still Send Mail
If you’ve ever felt pressure to create the perfect holiday card, take a deep breath. There’s a simpler way — one that feels more like you. As a lifestyle-focused family photographer serving families around Tacoma, Puyallup, and the South Sound (and beyond), I’ve watched what really makes a holiday card stand out.
Every December, a handful of envelopes arrive in my mailbox that I drop everything to open. They’ve got the familiar handwritten addresses of clients I’ve photographed that year, and inside? A card that makes me laugh, get misty-eyed, or both.
These aren’t shiny, overly posed productions. They’re soft little snapshots of real life: a bear hug from a grinning toddler, sandy feet at the Oregon Coast, a new baby snuggled up in the nook of their mama’s arm. Basically? Magic in envelope form.
Keep reading for family photographer’s approach to approach creating holiday cards with more joy, less stress, and a lot more meaning.
Family Photos: Not Just for the Holiday Card
Sure, holiday cards are fun to send to grandparents, coworkers, and the neighbor who still lets you borrow their leaf blower. But here’s a secret: the real value of those photos is for you.
That’s why I don’t believe in getting photos taken just for the Christmas card.
Don’t get me wrong; I love designing and sending out my own every year. But the images we choose for those cards should be the ones that made you pause when you first saw them. The ones where your kid is belly-laughing, your partner is backlit in golden hour light, or your family is finally all together in one frame during a weekend at the coast.
So yes, print those photos you love. Put one in a frame, stick one on the fridge, and if it makes its way into a holiday card, that’s the bonus.
3 Must-Know Tips for Holiday Cards from a Family Photographer
1. Picking the Holiday Card Photos: Feels Like You > Perfect.
Want someone to actually keep your card? Choose an image with genuine emotion.
Maybe it was during your in-home newborn session, when your toddler crawled up unexpectedly and we caught that soft little kiss. Or maybe it was your beach maternity shoot, with wind-blown hair and a smile you didn’t even know you were making. These tiny, unscripted moments are the ones people remember.
And here’s something I wish more families knew: your holiday card photos don’t have to be taken in the fall to be “good enough.”
Some of the most meaningful cards I’ve seen were pulled from spring sessions, summer adventures, or early-year newborn photos. If the image feels like your real life, it’s more than worthy.
If you’re hoping for one photo to use on the front and others for the back collage, go for variety. Show the full family in the big moment, then add a few details; a goofy outtake, a snuggle shot, or even a messy moment that sums up your year.
2. Use a Design (and Message) That’s Simple
You don’t have to pick the shiniest foil-pressed cards or layer it in gold leaf unless that’s your thing. Honestly? Simple often works better.
A few reminders:
- Choose clean fonts that are easy to read
- Keep messages heartfelt, short, and in your voice
- Include the year somewhere, especially on photo-only cards
One thing I love to suggest: make one side of your holiday card framable. Pick a non-seasonal photo and skip the text on that side. That way, loved ones can pop it in a 5×7 frame and enjoy it all year round (yep, your card’s now a mini heirloom).
3. Timing Is Everything for Making Holiday Cards (and for Booking Your Family Photographer)
Every year around Thanksgiving, inboxes explode with last-minute rush orders. And listen, if you love a good stress-spiral, that’s your prerogative. But if you prefer a peaceful December? Here’s what I tell all my clients:
- Book your photo session early (September and October are prime)
- Finalize your favorites and get your digital gallery as soon as possible
- Take advantage of the early bird discounts most card companies offer in November
- Aim to order by December 10 if you want any fading chance of mailing them on time
And yes, you will almost certainly wish you ordered more stamps.
One more thing – if you’ve had a session with me in the past year, your gallery is still active, and you can order holiday cards directly through your gallery store. It’s an easy, one-stop option that saves you from hopping between websites during an already busy season.
Why This Actually Matters (Hint: It’s More Than the Card)
Every year, we change. Kids grow. Families shift. Life doesn’t pause, even when we wish it could.
Holiday cards are one of the few traditions that helps mark those years. Not with perfection, but with presence. When done right, they become less of a to-do list item and more of a gift to your future self. It’s a way of saying, “Here we were. This was our life right now.”
So if you’re getting ready to order yours and holding back because things weren’t perfect, I hope this gives you permission to embrace the real. The laughter, the chaos, the genuine smiles. That’s what makes the memory last.
Thinking About Holiday Photos? Let’s Chat
If you’re already dreaming up this year’s card and haven’t booked your session yet, now’s the time.
Unless you’re reading this on December 15th, then we should probably talk about what we can do next year at that point 😉
I offer laid-back, storytelling sessions in cozy homes and peaceful PNW spots that help bring out the real in your family.
If you’ve already had a session this year that you loved, now’s the perfect time to revisit those photos and pick your favorites. Your card doesn’t need to be a curated photoshoot – just a moment worth remembering.
Visit https://www.westernsky-photography.com/contact to get started or reach out with any questions!
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