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How to turn your photos into personalised Christmas cards

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Turn photos into personalised Christmas cards

The tradition of sending Christmas cards dates back to the mid-19th century and has since become a cherished part of the holiday season.

At PostSnap, we believe that a picture is worth more than a thousand words — it’s a memory, a moment, and a heartfelt message all wrapped up in one.

With our easy-to-use photo printing service, ordering personalised photo Christmas cards online couldn’t be easier. Whether it's a family portrait, a snapshot of a cosy winter scene, or a candid moment that captures the joy of the season, we’re here to help you create something truly special.

Why Make Your Own Photo Christmas Cards?

Creating personalised Christmas cards allows you to add a special, meaningful touch to your holiday greetings. Oftentimes, generic store-bought cards lack creativity and sentimentality, and are printed with similar colours, patterns or messages.

Personalised ones give you the freedom to choose your own photos and designs, making your cards truly unique, a real one-of-a-kind. You can incorporate personal elements like handwritten messages, jokes or family photos, making the card more heartfelt.

Additionally, printing personalised cards can often be more cost-effective in the long run, giving you a customised and thoughtful alternative to off-the-shelf options.

Choosing the Right Photo for Your Christmas Card

When choosing the right images for your photo Christmas cards, it’s important to select photos that capture the warmth and joy of the season.

Family portraits are a classic choice, offering a timeless way to share a special moment with loved ones that can be looked back upon as the kids get older.

Festive backgrounds, like a beautifully decorated tree or a snowy outdoor scene, can add an extra touch of holiday spirit to your card, especially if you’re sending them overseas to distant relatives.

Don’t overlook candid moments with family and friends, as these can often convey the most genuine emotions and memories.

To ensure your cards look their best, we recommend choosing high-quality images with good resolution and proper lighting. A clear, well-lit photo will make all the difference in creating a stunning Christmas card that everyone will love.

Image of a Christmas family portrait displayed on a Christmas card.

Creative Ideas for Your Christmas Card Photos

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to get creative with your photo Christmas cards.

Set up festive scenes that showcase your unique style!

Consider dressing up the kids (and pets!) in themed holiday costumes, like Santa hats or reindeer antlers, for an adorable and fun look. Props like oversized candy canes, wrapped presents, or twinkling lights can also add a playful and harmonious touch to your photos.

Wintery locations, such as a snowy park or a cosy fireplace, provide a classic, heartwarming backdrop. For something a bit quirkier, think outside the box with ideas like matching pyjamas, a festive pyjama party, or even a retro holiday theme - the possibilities are endless.

Christmas is also a wonderful time for family updates, so using photos of newborns, a first Christmas in a new home, a first Christmas with a partner as newlyweds or even photos of festive holidays abroad make for a wonderful photo Christmas card.

No matter your style, these creative setups will make your Christmas cards stand out from the crowd.

Christmas card with the print of a pet dog dressed up in Christmas tree decorative party glasses.

DIY Christmas Cards vs Professional Christmas Card Printing

When deciding between DIY photo Christmas cards and using a professional printing service like PostSnap, there are a few key factors to consider.

DIY cards offer the flexibility to create at home, but they often require more time, effort, and potentially higher costs if you need to purchase high-quality materials. The biggest downside is the potential for lower image quality and inconsistent results, especially if your printer isn’t up to the task.

On the other hand, PostSnap’s professional printing service ensures that your cards are of the highest quality, with crisp images and vibrant colours that stand out. It’s also incredibly easy—simply upload your photos, customise your design, add some text and order.

We also offer convenient packs of 8 Christmas cards, making it easy to send beautiful, high-quality cards to all your loved ones without the hassle of DIY.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Photo Christmas Cards at Home

Creating your personalised Christmas photo cards couldn’t be easier.

  1. Choose from the hundreds of templates we have to offer, from portrait, square and landscape orientations to single or multiple photo options.
  2. Select the style and desired colour of your card.
  3. Get creative! Begin personalising your card by uploading your photos from your device, make text alterations to the front, choose different colours and font styles.
  4. Write a personalised message inside of your card (or leave it blank if you’d prefer to handwrite your season’s greetings later on).
  5. Add your recipient’s address and send!

Get started on your photo Christmas cards.

A stack of Christmas cards with the print of a little girl in front of a Christmas tree.

Tips for Adding a Personal Touch to Your Christmas Cards

Elevate your Christmas card game with some small, sentimental touches! Sometimes, knowing what to write in a Christmas card can be challenging. We often like to include more than the standard “Merry Christmas” when sending a season’s greeting, but what else could you include?

Family updates, nostalgic stories, expressing thanks and festive puns are all great ways to connect more personally with your recipient, as well as small gifts or unique envelopes. The goal is to create a card that someone will want to keep,

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Photo Christmas Cards

When printing photo Christmas cards, there are a few key pitfalls to avoid to ensure your cards look their best.

  • First, steer clear of using low-quality images, as they can appear pixelated or blurry when printed. Photos taken professionally or with good conditions using a high quality camera phone will print well.
  • Be mindful of photos with extreme shadows or highlights, which can make faces and details hard to see.
  • Avoid overcrowding the design with too much text or too many elements, as this can make the card look cluttered and detract from the main focus - the photos.
  • Finally, don’t wait too long to place your order! Ordering early ensures your cards arrive in time to be posted out, avoiding the last-minute holiday rush.

When to Start Making and Sending Your Photo Christmas Cards

To ensure your photo Christmas cards arrive on time and spread holiday cheer, it’s best to start the process early. Ideally, begin designing your cards in late October or early November.

This gives you plenty of time to select the perfect photos and templates, choose fonts, write personalised messages, finalise your design, and place your order without feeling rushed.

Once your cards arrive (if ordering them to your home), aim to send them out by the first week of December to account for potential postal delays and ensure they reach your loved ones well before the holiday season is in full swing.

Starting early not only reduces stress but also guarantees your cards arrive at just the right time to make the season special. If you’re spending the holiday season abroad, perhaps consider a Christmas postcard to document your festive travels!

A Christmas card with the print of a young girl in a Christmas jumper pulling a sled in the snow.

Start Your Photo Christmas Cards

Creating personalised photo Christmas cards with PostSnap is a wonderful way to share the joy of the holiday season with your loved ones. Start by choosing the right images, like family portraits or festive backgrounds, ensuring high quality and good lighting.

Get creative with your photo setups, whether it’s themed costumes, wintery scenes, or quirky ideas that reflect your style. Avoid common pitfalls like low-quality images, overcrowded designs, and waiting too long to order. Get designing today.

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