Disclosure: I am receiving a free credit from Minted.com to facilitate this post, which I plan to use when ordering my holiday photo cards. Any additional opinions are my own.
When I met my husband, he owned several 35 mm film cameras, enjoyed taking pictures with slide film, and developed many of his photos in a darkroom. Photography has been a focal point in our lives for the last decade, and without his talents this website would not be what it is today.
Advancements in online technology have certainly made an impact on how easily we’ve been able to share his imagery and creative ideas with friends and family members over the past few years.
When Derek and I got engaged 10 years ago, he painstakingly created our “Save the Date” cards, a photo collage, using Photoshop. I now find it amazing to say that back in 2003, he was the only person I knew that actually could design a way to place multiple photos and fonts on the same 4×6 photo.
Gavin has been in front of a flashing camera since the second he was born, so aside from documenting his development with photos, creating fun and unique holiday photo cards and photo books have also been a priority for our family. 10 years ago we didn’t have many customizable options, but these days there are so many templates and designs. For some reason though, I’m still never able to get them all addressed and mailed in time for Christmas delivery!
When Minted contacted me about reviewing their site, some of the features that immediately resonated with me were the vast amount of holiday card options. The choices with Minted are endless: flat cards, post cards, folded cards, photo cards that include from 1-3 images, uniquely shaped and personalized cards (pictured above), customized photo magnets, save the date cards, wedding invitations, thank you notes, birthday party invitations, mini-books, holiday birth announcements and even personalized party decor. The templates are created by designers all over the world and cards can be personalized and customized. Pricing is different based upon the format of the card and the type of paper chosen.
After selecting a card I liked, within seconds I had a photo uploaded into the template and in minutes a customized holiday card was complete. What used to take Derek and I days to complete, I was able to achieve in a fraction of the amount of time.
As years progress, we tend to buy what we need when we need it and we are spending less money on senseless gifts during the holiday season. Instead, we frequently choose to focus our time and energy creating memorable photo keepsakes. One of my most favorite items on the Minted website, which I haven’t seen elsewhere, is the Heart SnapshotMix Photo Art (pictured right). This template includes the ability to upload a variety of images into one framed/unframed print. With Gavin in preschool we are inundated with paintings and drawings. I recently saw something on Pinterest that recommended scanning a child’s artwork, rather then saving each individual piece. I think this particular item would be perfect way to display them. There are all sorts of templates for calendars, family trees, and nursery decorations.
Here are some additional things you should know about Minted:
-After an order is submitted, a Minted designer will review the order and email a proof for approval before you place the order.
– Using the Minted Address Assistant, Minted will print recipient addresses on envelopes at no additional charge with save the dates, birth announcements, and holiday card orders. They mail the envelopes to you, so just stuff them, stamp them and drop them in the mail. Hopefully this feature will allow me to finally get my cards in the mail for Christmas delivery!
– Most of the cards I liked cost about $2 per card for 55 cards and about $1.63 each for 100 cards, for a flat card on signature paper. Follow Minted on Twitter and Facebook and search for a discount code, right now I am frequently finding codes for 15-20% off your order.
– Minted states that they provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee to their customers
– You may find more inspiration and pinnable inspirational ideas on the Minted blog
Guess what! Minted.com is offering one reader a $50 credit to use on their website! Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here:a Rafflecopter giveaway
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1 2 3 Next »I haven't really used any sites. I'm typically late on even thinking about cards!
Look like a cool site!!
I use whichever one has the latest freebie deal.
I like The Birds and the Bees Welcome Baby Print.
I generally use Tiny Prints for gifts but I should start using Minted!
We use shutterfly.
I usually use Shutterfly. And it usually takes me a couple days to choose, design, etc!
Oh gosh I could never decide on a card design. Ha! But they would be holiday cards for sure. I like Aquarelle, Classic Merry, and In The East to name a few.
I have used cardstore.com
Holiday card! Too many cute designs to choose from!