Other than just not doing it, how are you all simplifying the holiday card giving/letter writing extravaganza?

I just ordered photo cards from Target (on sale for 40 cents, including envelopes). They were really easy to create online. My list is pretty much just close friends and family who already know what's going on with us, so I figured some cute family pictures would suffice. Nothing fancy.

Don't hate me, but I am almost done addressing the envelopes and everything!

The only way this Christmas is going to be any more simple than last Christmas is the fact that we've hired a college student to take our pictures! It's going to be a lot LESS Simple because we've decided in addition to the picture of our little family that we would normally send out, this year we're gonna get a BIG family photo done! 10 adults & 9 kids! The last time we did it was about 6 years ago and there were only 4 kids! SO, this should be interesting! On top of that, we've decided everyone will wear jeans & black shirts... I LOVE the idea, but then I realized how hard it is to find a 3-6 month BLACK onesie!! (still need the 2T & 4T shirts too)

On top of that, not only will we be taking our HUGE family photo, we'll also be taking a picture of all the kids (cousins), then a pic of my parents, then each of my 3 sisters families ALL in one 2 hour sitting at the park! Did I mention 5 of the kids are under the age of 5!!! (and 3 of them are mine) Oh, and there's an 80% chance of rain on our picture day this Saturday...

So, once the family photo extravaganza is over I'll very simply be getting the cd, going to Wal Mart, printing off about 70 photo cards or so, and then addressing envelopes for the next few hours or so!! (oh, and I need stamps....)

So, what was the question again?

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WE'RE DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Im going to take the kids photo myself, (got the little kids outfits already) and take them to Target or Wal-Mart and get the photo cards made.

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I use American Greetings on-line. My address book is already loaded into their system. I just pick the card I want sent, they imprint my special message, print the photo I downloaded on the inside of the card, address them, and mail them for me. Simple, simple, simple. Since I have arthritis and can't hand-address all those cards anymore, the service is greatly appreciated.

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I'm doing my holiday letter online this year, and sending out a few snail mail copies to those who don't have internet. I started a blog for our family (if you wanna see it's HERE ), and the holiday letter will be the first posting, including a family photo we snapped at the zoo a couple months ago. Easier for me, plus I don't have the $ to shell out for stamps and making a zillion copies of the letter and photos and getting cards. I think I'll have maybe a half dozen snail mail copies to send out - not bad

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I also ordered photo card online this year. It was a little more expensive but our pic and message is already on there so all I have to do is stuff the envelopes! This is the easiest I have ever had holiday cards this year! And I am almost done!

I send out e-cards. They are free from 123 Greetings. For those I don't have an email address for, I send a snail mail card. That list is only about 20 people so I don't have a lot of addressing to do.

well i am doing christmas cards we are taking the kids photos in front of the tree saturday then i will upload them to winkflash and do the photo christmas card its only gonna be about $13 bucks with shipping and that includes envelopes so not bad for over 30 cards. then i will give 1/2 of them out to relatives as we see them over the holidays and only mail the ones i won't be seeing.

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

I hate to be the only one not doing the pictures this year but after weighing it out the budget was too tight.

I just got a simple box of cards at Wal-Mart and I have already got the majority of them ready...just waiting to find a few more addresses.

For some reason, I really like doing Christmas cards!

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This will only be my 2nd year even doing cards. lol.

Last year, I sent out maybe 10. This year, I'm sending out a lot, but I am so infused with holiday spirit (which hasn't always been the case) that I am having a lot of fun doing it.

The ones I GET this year will be made into holiday bookmarks (cut and laminate the fronts) for the kids to give to their classmates next Christmas.