1. DO think about getting into the picture with the kids.  Some of the people on your holiday card list may not have met your children, but they know you.  Make it a true family Christmas card and showcase the whole crew.

2. DON’T leave out the pets. For animal lovers everywhere, these furry companions are part of the family and should be included in a holiday greeting.  Plus, there’s the extra cuteness factor a pet brings to the cards.

3. DON’T waste time trying to take a perfect group portrait.  It can be a seemingly insurmountable task to try to assemble everyone in one place and get a great shot. At the last minute, somebody always blinks, frowns or looks away.  Instead, take advantage of the trend to use multiple pictures in photo Christmas cards.  This way you can use your favorite photograph of each individual and everyone is guaranteed to look good.

4. DO consider using action shots. Take candid pictures of your family having fun and you’ll notice smiles and expressions on their faces that are natural. Compare those snapshots to your more formal posed photos and decide which pictures best express your family’s temperament.

5. DO use a close-up. The most charming pictures are the ones that feature more of the subject and less background..  Even if your back drop plays an important part in creating the holiday atmosphere, find a way to bring the focus on the main characters in the shot.

6.  DON’T use blurry, dark or overly exposed pictures in your photo Christmas cards.  Some companies will do slight retouching, but they can’t do miracles with a bad photo.  Choose only bright, sharp high-quality pictures for your holiday greeting.

7. DO create your own wording.  You are no longer forced to settle for the text shown in the sample of your chosen design.  Now, you can personalize your cards with your own sentiments.  Include a quote, a line from your favorite holiday song, a short poem or a Bible verse.  Or you could make up something heartfelt or funny.  Just make it a message from you.

8. DO check out the internet, even if you never bought photo Christmas cards online before.  First of all, you’ll find you have a wide variety of designs from which to choose.  If you select something really unique, it will make your holiday greeting stand out from the rest.  Then, you’ll find so many other options; everything from the size of the card to the font used to create the message you compose. Finally, some companies will offer light photo retouching, will customize your design and email you a free proof before your order goes to production.
 
9. DO something unexpected.  Be funny, cute, controversial or warm and tender. Have a family meeting to discuss ideas.  Maybe you’ll try taking a picture of the family’s faces peering out of the center of a big holiday wreath.  You might attempt a close-up of your kids gazing reflectively at a home nativity scene.  It could be a picture of your children on the beach wearing Santa hats or the family dressed in the ugliest Christmas sweaters you can find.  There is no family in the world quite like yours, so take the opportunity to express that.

Photo Christmas cards are a wonderful way to convey the heart of your family to everyone on your list.  Just follow these tips and soon you’ll be sending a holiday greeting that friends and relatives will love and hold on to as a treasured keepsake.

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