Karen I agree with you those cards are pretty but way too much out of my budget. I am a frugal person by nature so no I haven't not cut back because I have never been all that extravagant to begin with. I buy all my Christmas cards in January to get an even better deal and go to places like the Christmas Tree shops or a Big Lots, and not surprisingly this is when I get my wrapping paper as well. I put it with all my Christmas decorations in storage so I always know where they are and don't have to run out and buy in Nov/Dec. I personalize my cards with little notes and my favorite part I design my own return address labels with free clip art, print them on regular paper and use a paper cutter (I use the craftlite cutter) to separate them all and get fancy edges and swipe them on a glue stick and voila I am done. And surprisingly enough the plain paper and glue stick holds up to being in the mail.

Karen and Wendy, you're right these cards are expensive, mostly because they are letterpress and custom photo cards. I didn't include regular printed cards because there are so many to choose from. The ones I chose are more inspirational than pratical, I guess. Wendy, I love the idea of making your own address labels. I bet you could use wrapping paper scraps and typing paper that has already been used on one side to layer and make the labels as well. Anyone else have suggestions for ways to save?

I am sending cards this year, but also shortening my list.

I buy all of my Christmas cards from UNICEF every year. It's a small way, but at least small sure way!, I can "give back" every holiday season. They make some beautiful cards too.

We are on a very tight budget. We are newlyweds and my husband is still in college. This is our first Christmas together, so we still want to send something out. We decided to send our parents, siblings, and grandparents cards and we are sending everyone else an online Christmas card/newsletter. I went on to smilebox.com and made a very cute card/letter!! It just saves so much money because he has a huge family and there are quite a few family friends we would send to as well. All together, if we sent a card to everyone, we would have had to order over 100 cards! And that is far beyond our little familys budget!

I stopped sending out holiday cards a few years ago. They are a chore to write, cost more money than a phone call or email to wish people a happy holiday, and think of all the trees spared if Everyone stopped sending out cards. This year I will probably email everybody a family picture and a personal greeting (no mass emails). I feel it conveys the same message at less cost and in a more environmentally friendly - not to mention clutter free - way.

Yes, still sending cards but I am combining holiday greetings and birth announcement with a photo card from Shutterfly. 75 cards were $33.00 and, magically, when I went to pick them up at Target today-- they ended up only costing about $6.50. I don't know if the clerk took pity on me (crying newborn) or if there was a huge promotion I somehow missed, but either way, it was a big savings! Also, next year I intend to send postcards instead-- cheaper postage and less paper waste.

What good is a card that is useless after the holiday season?! ... or one that you can't really use?! I'd like to introduce to you the holiday card / CD (with holiday music)! This is THE holiday card that will get everyone talking! "Where did she get this card / CD!?" "What a wonderful idea!" You'll be the talk of the town ;) I swear.

On the front, it says: Stay warm this holiday season...
inside says: Turn down the heat and crank up the tunes!!!

There is room to write a message to whomever you send it to. No envelope needed, as a clear tab seals the card and you write the address on the outside (back cover).

Inside is a CD with 4 original (and very hip, even w/ ukulele!!!) songs ;) I think it was time for some new holiday classics - that's why I wrote the songs!

Come check out some of the songs at www.myspace.com/victoriavox
and... there is a discount for purchasing 5 or more!

thanks for reading ;) and happy holidays!!!
xo
victoria vox

I love to send out photo cards of my daughter to friends and family. Of course that list has expanded to 125, but who can you cut out? The people we see all the time? No, they are too important. The people who are just Christmas card friends by this point? No to them as well...if not for this card we would lose touch altogether, and they are important from some phase of my life. And for every recipient, here's my suggestion: I won't be insulted if you ditch the photo along with all the other holiday cards sometime in January or February. I just hope her smile and our words made your day a bit happier.

No I am not sending out holiday cards this year, I actually stopped about 4 years ago. The price of postage, the cost of the cards....I can fill my cars gas tank twice for what it would cost me to send out cards!!!!