Young House Love

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Christmas Card Ideas You Can Photograph Yourself

Every year we like to drop in before everyone abandons their keyboards for Christmas (or have you already?) to share our Christmas card along with some gushy words of appreciation. So thar she blows:

Christmas Card 2013

We had a few other ideas planned for our card this year (Clara gift-wrapping Burger, Clara riding her bike with a tiny Christmas tree on the back as Burger ran next to her, etc) but a combination of book deadlines, hospital decorating, showhouse meetings, and bad weather tied us up. Thank goodness for this shot that we miraculously got on the day that we told Clara she was going to have a little brother (I’ve filed it under “Christmas miracles”).

And because we like an outtake or two, we’d be remiss not to pause to appreciate this one of Burger cowering in blurry fear while Clara manhandles Captain Barnacle.

Blurry Manhandle

Or this one full of Burger enthusiasm but zero discernible excitement from Clara.

Bored Clara

We did get this one of Clara kissing her doll, but Burger is nowhere to be seen, and it’s a little reminiscent of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Kissing Baby

Oh how thankful we are for one good shot.

Card In Stack

We also took this one in front of a Love sign that we thought could have worked for the card, but we were kind of far away, and you can hardly see Clara clutching Captain Barnacle (she never leaves home without him).

Love Pic

We got them printed from TinyPrints and used a coupon code that we found right on their site to save 20% and score free shipping. Addressing all those envelopes with only about a week to spare was a little nerve-wracking, but we got it done. And it was pretty exciting to reference a little one on the way, since we haven’t done that since our very first Christmas card, way back in 2009.

Adressed Cards

Speaking of past years, here’s a quick recap of all of our family cards dating back to that one. First we have last year’s card:

Xmas Card Final

And here’s the one from 2011:

2011 Petersik Holiday Card

The one from 2010:

Xmas Card Final

And our very first one from 2009:

Christmas Card

Also in big arrivals news, we have a bunch of family members coming to town today, so we’re off to hopefully plow through a few more to-dos before they get here (you know, baking cookies, priming cabinets, the usual) but we wanted to be sure we shared our holiday card with you guys along with our warmest wishes to you and yours. We sincerely appreciate you for dropping in on us, and we hope you all have an awesome holiday season full of cookies, baby dolls, and whatever else brings you joy.

And although we figure many of you will be busy with miscellaneous chaos over the upcoming week between Christmas and New Year’s, we’ll still be dropping in occasionally, and we hope to have a big ol’ painted cabinet reveal in early 2014. You know, to kick the year off with a bang. Or should I say, with a brush?

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

  3. Leisa says

    I am reading your blog this week from a riad in Marrakech.
    How will I fill my holiday time without your blog while you guys are enjoying some well-earned family chill time?
    Guess I will have to shop in the souks instead. Needs must. :)
    Have a fab Christmas Petersiks!

    Reply

  5. Kim says

    Merry Christmas to your family! Love all your cards! I wish I could get our chihuahua to sit still for pictures, but she’s just 4&1/2 months old, so no way! Only by chance.

    Reply

  6. Katie says

    Thanks for all you do to keep me inspired and smiling daily. I look forward to all the fun (and baby cuteness) in 2014! Happy Holidays!

    Reply

  13. Mamaw says

    Thank you for your blogs each and every day. It’s been a joy watching the changes you make and seeing your family grow. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

    Reply

  14. Procrastamom says

    Merry Christmas to you, John & Sherry & Clara & Burger! Your site is my favourite in my list of daily reads and I always click the Young House Love link first. Wishing you all the best.

    Reply

  16. Alise says

    What a wonderful Christmas card celebrating a fun 2013 and looking forward to 2014!

    Question: did I miss what you guys are making for Clara this year?

    Merry Everything!!

    Reply

  17. McKenzie says

    We just added a bouncing baby boy 10 days ago! He was due 12/9 but both of my babies have come late. We wait until baby is born to announce his name. Everyone was thrilled to welcome Benjamin Todd. We already have a Sawyer. I made our Christmas cards yesterday with both boys. With our late arrival, I got an awesome discount on our cards! And no one will mind them a little late. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Congrats! We have a Benjamin (Clara’s youngest cousin) and a Todd (Clara’s uncle) in our family so they’re both names we have great associations with. So cool that you’re getting both boys in the card together. :)

      -John

  25. Michelle (aka mybelle101) says

    Such a cute card! I love love love the look on Clara’s face :) (And I love the ideas for Christmas card pics! Definitely stow those away for future years!) Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  26. Abby says

    I love these Christmas cards! What a clever idea that was to have a reserved sign for your growing family! So cute!

    Abby
    Http//:thepreppycoxswain.blogspot.com

    Reply

  29. Carrie says

    I can’t believe you included the funky blue trim in your Christmas card. Thankfully Clara and her cuteness is an excellent distraction ;-)

    Merry Christmas Petersiks!

    Reply

  36. Judy says

    Merry Christmas to you guys too…and thank you for sharing so much of your life. You both are truly special and represent the goodness in this country.

    Reply

  37. Lush says

    2011 – still my favourite shot of all time. Just so stinking adorably cute. You really could not have staged that shot if you tried.
    Have a great Festivus.
    Cheers
    Lush
    Worthing, UK

    Reply

  38. Tami in Chicago says

    Merry Christmas guys! Thanks for a year of great posts. You’ve made my life (err – my Mister’s) life that much easier.

    Reply

  39. Becca says

    Merry Christmas, Petersiks! I pretty much had the best Christmas ever – My husband got me a copy of your awesome book at a miter saw. Yeah! :)

    Reply

  40. Denette says

    I rarely comment since you already get SO many. But I wanted to say that I really enjoy your blog and it is usually the first I go to in my email inbox. I like reading what you are up to as well as your thought process and planning that goes along with it. I like that your decisions are practical and functional and do-able. They really show what a little primer and paint and spackle, etc can do to an outdated house. I also like your mix of house and kid/dog and other projects. Thank you for sharing all you do with us. Merry Christmas! Denette

    Reply

  42. Sally says

    Merry Christmas!! I know you guys are working on the kitchen cabinets and I can’t wait for the reveal…it’s looking amazing so far…but I hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday filled with love, laughs and lots of goodies;)

    Reply

  43. Ginger says

    Love all of the cards! Next year you can re-enact this same one with Clara holding the baby instead of the doll! I love the one with the reserved stocking! Your Christmases will keep getting better!

    Reply

  44. Kim says

    I got your book for Christmas!!

    Also, totally on the edge of my seat excited for the cabinet painting post. That’s our next big project and I’m intimidated!

    Reply

  46. Cassie says

    Don’t feel bad about getting them out so close to Christmas- We took our pictures on Saturday and printed them without any editing (ugh), got them addressed on Sunday, meant to mail them Monday and forgot, and now they’re in the mail today… the day after Christmas…. at least they say “Happy Holidays.” lol

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We mentioned that we’ve started on book 2 (ahhh!) during our blogiversary, but it won’t be out for a while (books take forever – maybe late 2015 or early 2016). We’re just in the outline/early manuscript/shot list stages, but it’s exciting!

      xo
      s

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