This post is sponsored by Minted, but, as always, all opinions are my own. You can ready my full disclosure policy here.
Do you still send Christmas cards in the mail? I do! It's a holiday tradition that I refuse to give up despite all the ever growing presence of social media in our lives. There is just something so wonderful about receiving cards in the mail from our friends far and wide and opening each envelope makes me smile! Sure I keep up with friends and enjoy photos of their kids and their travels on Facebook throughout the year, but there is something extra special about receiving a card in the mail that you know was intended specifically for you!
And as much as I love receiving cards, I get just as much enjoyment out of choosing our family's card each year! I have always loved design, and for me choosing a Christmas card is like choosing a work of art to represent that year in our family's life.
This year we are planning to order our cards from Minted, because when it comes to unique and artistic options, it just doesn't get any better! And now Minted has even gone high tech with some new options that allow for even more personalized cards!
Are you familiar with Minted? You probably remember me mentioning them just last week because they provided the fabulous framed art that I incorporated into my laundry room makeover. Minted is a design marketplace of independent artists from around the globe. They source creative content from a independent artists around the world {including through monthly design challenges}, then sell the best content in the form of art, home décor, and stationery, directly to consumers. Minted provides these artists with a place to learn, gain exposure, and build their businesses, all the while allowing you and me to purchase unique and creative works of art at reasonable prices! Now that's a business model I can get behind!
We had our boys' portraits taken last week - and OMG are they adorable! I don't have them in hand just yet to be able to share them with you, but picture my two and three year old sitting in miniature gray, button tufted, wing back chairs with their legs crossed like such little men!
So now that we know what pictures we want to use, I've begun the fun process of choosing our Christmas card. But if you haven't taken holiday card photos yet, or just haven't had a chance to choose your favorite photos from throughout the year, no need to worry! You can buy now to take advantage of the discount code I have for you {at the end of the post}, and then upload your photo later!
As I've begun browsing the Minted holiday catalog, I've noticed that hand-drawn patterns, dark grey with metallic, geometric, and bold color palettes are what’s on-trend for this season! But what ever you choose, make sure it represents your family's own personal style and tells your own story!
Are you newly wed? Share a favorite wedding photo and dress it up with some bling in the form of real foil-press in gold, silver and even rose gold {exclusive to Minted}.
Did welcome a baby this year? Use the card as an announcement of your adorable new arrival!
Buy a new house? There are stylish holiday cards for that too!
Photo cards remain as popular as ever, and why not?! What better way to help friends and family keep up with your growing family?
But the cards that are really catching my eye this year are the ones that look like true works of art, with watercolor and brushstroke backgrounds!
Photo cards not your thing? Not a problem! That doesn't mean you can't still send a customized, personal card!
Minted is also offering some amazing new advances in Christmas cards this year! Just launched in late October, new technology allows you to create a completely custom card by transforming your drawing or photograph into a luxe house portrait, silhouette, line drawing or map!
Have a little artist in the family? Just upload a photo or scan of any line drawing and Minted will create a digital version for the front of your card! We will definitely be taking advantage of this option in a year or two when Beckett and Cooper can create some fun art for our Christmas cards!
Love your city or take a fabulous trip? Commemorate it with a totally custom map card! Simply provide the address and Minted will show you a map of the location. You choose how much to zoom in and what parts of the map to include. Minted will clean up the map, removing any of the labels or words, and transform it into an art print for the front of your card! These stylish, custom map cards are available foil-pressed or letterpressed in a variety of vibrant colors!
Remove one of the biggest barriers to getting those cards mailed on time! I don't know about you, but as much as I enjoy choosing our Christmas cards, actually getting them ready to mail is a whole other story. We are often dropping our cards in the mail at the last minute because we procrastinate on the less-fun task of addressing all those envelopes. But Minted has you covered, because this year, all holiday cards are available with matching envelope designs and recipient addressing, FREE for a limited time!
There you have it - no more reasons to procrastinate on ordering your Christmas cards! You can order now and add your photo later, and Minted will even address the envelopes for you. So get on it already! :) If you order between now and 11/24, you can receive 15% off on all holiday cards using the code CHEER15 at checkout.
Once you get your cards ordered and mailed, then begins the fun of opening cards from your friends and family! We like to display every Christmas card we receive, and last year I shared a simple tip for dressing up your card display in those early weeks when only a few cards have arrived.
Merry Christmas card shopping! I'll be sure to share my family's Christmas card with you in a few weeks, and I would love to see what cards you choose! Share them on Instagram and be sure to tag me (@blueistyle) and Minted (@Minted), and add #minted!
Let's get social!