Christmas Cards this Season | Jules Ko Photography

In the past two days, I had two separate yet memorable conversations.

Conversation #1 went with a well traveled European guest I met at a party, who noted that sending family pictures for Christmas cards is unique to American customs.  Aside from learning something new, I thought about when this started around us, and why do we do it?  It certainly wasn’t always the case, but I can think back about 10 years ago, when the drug store photo counters had a holiday photo print template to choose from, and every once in a while, I’d receive a holiday wish printed on a letter envelope sized photo paper.  Back then, the templates were very elementary and limited.  But in the recent years, majority of the cards I receive, especially from married households is a Christmas Photo Greeting print. Now days, the options are pretty vast, from the websites that offer countless amount of templates, styles, sizes and paper finishes.

Conversation #2 went with a friend that we see on a regular bases, but don’t really get to talk to very often.  He complimented and thanked me for our Christmas card (a custom designed card with our Christmas photo) that mailed out to his family.  I explained that we don’t always do it, especially to people we see regularly, but this year, decided to give it a try.  He explained that he prefers photo cards over traditional cards because as they display the cards around the home, seeing the friends’ photos reminds him about the friends and love in their lives and what Christmas is about.

Last week, I also came across a ‘Christmas Card Tree’ on the Designer Preston Bailey’s blog site: Where he created a tree strictly full of Christmas cards from this year.

Christmas Card Tree By Preston Bailey

These conversations along with the annual Christmas Portrait event I hold for our friends where they get to order Christmas cards based on one of my designs,  I am more convinced then ever, that a photo Christmas Card is a special treat, and it’s not just for those who have cute kid pictures to share, or just for friends who live across the country to receive.

I myself have also been making electronic photo update ‘newsletters’ since several years ago, thinking this is the way to save postage, as well as give a visual reference to what all happened each year, and I think there’s still a place for that, for friends who would like to receive updates AND well wishes, but I am definitely thinking that there’s space for both in our lives.

That being said, here are the three card designs that went out from our home/business this special season where I am really trying to slow down, and concentrate on the true meanings of Christmas.  Being sick also helps me slow down…

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