This time of the year is supposed to be a joyous time. Christmas music plays on the radio and in the stores. People seem to try small acts of patience, for they know that this is the season in which it should be shown. For many people this year, it won’t be a happy holiday. The unhealthy economy has obviously taken a toll on many families. I heard on the news the other night that the workers from the local post office were reading through the “Letter’s to Santa” (they are of course working part-time for Santa this season to get all those letters read in time!) and many kids were writing to ask Santa to help their parents. Help them because they can’t afford not just Christmas gifts, but the everyday things we often take for granted. What a heart breaker. I just want to encourage all of you to dig deep this year to bless everyone, not just the people you may know. And remember, a blessing doesn’t have to be something material. It can be an act of service or just an act of kindness. After all, isn’t love the best gift of all? This is definitely the season to show what it is all about-that sweet and glorious baby Jesus! Praise God for sending him. I can’t imagine life or this world without the Father of it all…
Greeting Card
This Christmas, create a unique card with a personal touch. It is not as difficult as you might think! If you have your own family photo or a layout in mind, there are many tools to create your custom design online.
There are numerous online places to find or create your special holiday card. We spent some time exploring some of the best photo sharing sites, print companies, and online tools. Here are a couple we found that were easy to use and affordable. If you have some others to add or comments on the companies we have listed, please send us an email and we’ll update our list.
OverNightPrints Greeting cards
OvernightPrints has thousands of holiday greeting card templates. Begin with a template and personalize it with the simple online design tools. If you don’t see the perfect template to start with, starting from scratch is not as scary as it seems. The free online design tools allow you to add your own images, text and colors. OverNightPrints.com is one of our favorite printing services. Not only can you create your personalized and unique Christmas card to your exact specifications, you can also have OverNightPrints print and mail your cards to your mailing list. Try out their design tools and build yourself a unique Christmas card this year – It only takes a few minutes. The quality is excellent and the service is great. If you have questions, their exceptional, friendly design team will help you out.
Watch a short demo video. We created a photo Christmas card in under 5 minutes.
30% OFF ALL Greeting Cards at OvernightPrints! use code “PARTYCARDS”
VistaPrint Christmas cards
VistaPrint has hundreds of greeting card templates. In a matter of minutes you can find the perfect Christmas card and add your personal touch. If you don’t find the perfect template create your own family photo Christmas card. Once your order is placed shipping can be arranged in as little as 3 days. VistaPrint is a great affordable printing service. While you are at it check out the calendars.
30% to 60% OFF All Products
PrintingForLess Holiday cards
I did not find a great online design tool at PrintingForLess. But these folks will go the extra mile to make your order perfect. Each order is reviewed by a design expert and the proofs are then approved by you. If you already have a design in a high quality format this could be a good option for you. Create your personal greeting card using your graphics program and place your order. The design team will help you along the way and you might improve your design skills during the process.
Get $50 off your 1st order over $100! Use coupon code MC5008.
Shutterfly Photo Holiday cards
If you have a couple holiday photos you would like to use on your family Christmas Card, then Shutterfly is another great option. At shutterfly.com there are several greeting card templates that are designed so you can just insert some of your own personal photos. You can also get a Free Card to make sure you card is what you really want.
Watch a short demo video. We created a card in under 5 minutes (from registration to completion).
Have you come to the realization that you are not a professional photographer? If this is a problem for you, shutterfly.com has many images you can use to create the perfect Christmas card.
Holiday Shipping Made Easy
With Christmas fast approaching, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of people out and about all trying to accomplish the same goal. If you are like me (my relatives can vouch for me here), I DESPISE the act of going to the post office to mail packages! Much to my dismay, my packages are always late for birthdays and holidays. I have recently discovered a way to avoid having to even go to the post office-yeah! Thank goodness for the internet, because now I can even ship things online. Well, sort of. By visiting the United States Postal Service website, anyone can order packing and shipping materials AND schedule a pick-up from the post office! To get started, follow these steps:
- Go to www.usps.com
- Under “Order Supplies” , click on the blue button that reads “Stock Up On Supplies”
- Select the category you wish to order (I order “flat rate” because you can stuff the box for one rate.)
- Choose your item (I order “Priority Mail Box Flat Rate” because it is a reasonable size to fit a lot of goodies.)
- Under “Items”, choose how many you would like-10 or 25 boxes.
- Select quantity (ex. “1″ pack of 10 boxes).
- Click “order”.
- You should see your order and that you are not being charged for it. From here, you can continue to checkout or shop.
- When you are ready to checkout, you will have to set up and online user name and password through the postal service.
- Once you set up your account, your information will be saved for future purchases. Don’t forget to tip your postal worker this Christmas for all of his/her hard work!
Top Ten Christian Gifts
Since Christmas is a holiday to celebrate the birth of our Savior, giving a Christian Christmas gift is a personal way to recognize the reason for the season. Here are the “Top 10 Christian Gifts” to give your loved ones this season. I have included a link for each item to make shopping a breeze. Just click and order online. Many of these companies are offering discounts and specials on shipping to earn your business. Happy shopping!
- A Bible
- This is a great gift for everyone, especially for those who may have recently had their faith tested. There are so many different types of Bibles available. Those with daily devotionals
, for leaders
…the list goes on. You can find a thorough inventory here
.
- This is a great gift for everyone, especially for those who may have recently had their faith tested. There are so many different types of Bibles available. Those with daily devotionals
- A Good Book
- There are several best sellers out right now. One Christian book that is gaining much recognition is The Shack
- There are several best sellers out right now. One Christian book that is gaining much recognition is The Shack
- An Audio Version of a Good Book
- Christian audio books are becoming very popular. They allow a person to listen to their favorite book and even the Bible while driving or completing chores. These are a great idea and make the perfect gift for Christmas. Not sure which audio book to purchase? Companies like Booksfree.com
offer an unlimited monthly rental of their inventory of audio books. Just pick-up a gift membership-your receipient is sure to be wowed!
- Christian audio books are becoming very popular. They allow a person to listen to their favorite book and even the Bible while driving or completing chores. These are a great idea and make the perfect gift for Christmas. Not sure which audio book to purchase? Companies like Booksfree.com
- A Christian Music CD
- Who doesn’t love a good CD? These obviously make good stocking stuffers. There are many worship CD’s’
that offer a mix of Christian songs. I particularly enjoy the CD’s that are made up of various Christian Christmas songs
from different artists.
- Who doesn’t love a good CD? These obviously make good stocking stuffers. There are many worship CD’s’
- A Christian Movie
- Many people do not realize that some movies that have been popular within the secular movie scene actually have a Christian connection. For example, The Chronicles of Narnia
was originally written by C.S. Lewis who was a Christian apologist (defender of Christianity). So, a wholesome family movie
will fulfill the gift requirements for the little ones on your list as well!
- Many people do not realize that some movies that have been popular within the secular movie scene actually have a Christian connection. For example, The Chronicles of Narnia
- A Magazine Subscription
- I love getting magazine subscriptions-they are the gift that keeps on giving! You can find a large inventory at MagsForLess
. Don’t forget to put a note in with your gift so the recepient knows that he/she is getting a whole year of the their favorite magazine-what a treat!
- I love getting magazine subscriptions-they are the gift that keeps on giving! You can find a large inventory at MagsForLess
- Jewelry
- A cross necklace, a scripture band, cuff links, or earrings.
- A Painting with a Scripture Verse
- A Gift Card
- A Cross
Unique Christmas Gifts
My husband recently shared a website with me that offers some really unique Christmas gifts. The site is called cafepress.com. You are sure to find a gift for those people on your list that are always hard to buy for. I especially like the canvas tote bags. Each bag comes with a funny quote or creative design on it. There are many that would be perfect for all of those hard working teachers, speech pathologists, and assistants that care for our children each day. I have included some of my favorites. The site also offers ornaments, stationary, calendars, clocks, t-shirts…again, all with a special touch of design! Order from the site and have your special gift shipped directly. Happy shopping!
Christmas Classics
When I was a child, there were a handful of Christmas movies that my brother and I loved to watch year after year. That tradition is one that I have now carried on into my adult life. Here is a holiday list of some of my favorites as well as some of the most popular Christmas movies available. In case you don’t already have some of these beloved Christmas Classics, I have provided a links for easy shopping. I have found Walmart to be one of the most inexpensive places to purchase Christmas DVD’s.
- Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
- A Christmas Story
- Elf
- Classic Christmas Favorites
- Christmas Vacation
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- A Christmas Carol
- Miracle on 34th Street
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Vintage Christmas Classics
- The Christmas Star
- The Christmas Child
- Pink Panther: A Pink Christmas
- Little House on the Prairie: Christmas at Plum Creek/A Christmas They Never Forgot
You will find some great holiday DVD sets that include a variety of holidays favorites in one collection! Don’t forget how great DVD’s make as stocking stuffers! Children and Family-Holidays-
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