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mine would be a christmas tree surrounded by christmas animals x

Most of people choose to send Christmas greeting cards online because they want to save their time and money. However I usually go for paper greeting cards.

You may not agree with me, so here are the 3 reasons why I think paper cards are the best choices:

1) Keep the Christmas greetings for a longer time eve a life time.

These cards make sure that your close friends and family members can keep and treasure your personalized holiday greetings. On the other hand, if I ask you where are the Christmas e cards you received from your friends last Christmas, I bet you have no idea where they are.

2) Show people your personality and your care about them.

It’s a lot of fun when you send personalized paper Christmas cards by making your own with die-cuts, rubber stamps, or designer paper.

One of my favorite greeting card ideas is angel Christmas cards which are holiday cards with images of angels as the focus point in the Christmas card design.

Another idea use Christian clip arts and adding Christmas card verse. You can use clip arts like angels, the three wise men, Mary and Joseph in the manger with baby Jesus. Also add contemporary Christmas clip arts, such as reindeer, snowman, Xmas tree, Christmas ornament, etc. I must remind you use “Blessed Christmas” instead of “Merry Christmas” if you’re making a Christian Christmas greeting card.

For people who love pets, you can make pet photo or picture card for them. For example, you can use any kitty rubber stamps with kittens playing with a ball of thread or doing other cute activities. This is cute.

3) Family photos – It’s the best time to use them!

If you are good at taking digital photos, instead of just another typical card with a picture of Santa Claus or a snowman, or other such typical images, you can now send far more personalized paper Christmas cards that are relevant to both you and the recipient. And the beauty if it is in its simplicity – all you need is a digital camera and a computer.

Once you have taken your photos, the next thing to do is to upload them to your computer so that they’re easily accessible when you need to transfer them to an online photo site. This is where you can use the various tools that companies such as Shutterfly.com and Tinyprints.com have on their websites. Using these tools, you can add various effects such as festive costumes, additional winter background effects, and many other features your digital camera software wouldn’t come supplied with.

The true beauty of these sites and more is that for those of you who love traditional Christmas cards, you don’t need to forego this touch even with online Christmas cards. Although mainly used for creating the cards and then sending them via your email system, you can also create the cards and then turn them into ‘hard copy’ cards.

Ok, it’s very enough to show you why I choose to use paper Christmas cards and make it on your own.

Just imagine when you say “Don we now our festive holiday appear!” or you find your dog love wearing costumes and posing for holiday photos, you know what you should do for your paper Christmas cards.

Have fun!

Looking for more holiday card ideas? Here are more useful tips on choosing photo Christmas greeting cards.

What to look for in a printer

To get started you need to decide whether you want to design your card with the help of the computer or by yourself. There are many card software packages that come with your computer. Fortunately, if you have the right printer its many features can get you around the need for a dedicated card software package and a computer. What you’ll need for a printer could include a scanner for importing pictures; a color option would be nice with good dots per inch (dpi) for quality images, good through put if your list is long (check for paper tray capacity), % increase/decrease for sizing and a bunch of patients to get it just right. You’ll also need premium photo papers.

What’s available?

Printers have gone through their evolution over the past many years. Combining your design ability with what has evolved will get your card done. If you need a printer for your Christmas card design project look too any manufacturer and they will have a manufacturer that offers what you need.

The Hp OfficeJet 5610 is a good place to start and you do not necessarily need a computer to use it. It has excellent reduction/enlargement functions, a scanner, fax, good through put and a 25 page paper tray. The color dpi is a bit low but ask to see a copy for your thoughts. This printer is a great dollar value.

Perhaps you would like to go in the other direction for increased quality of print and two sided print options. For a bit more money a laser printer may be for you. The Brother DCP 8025DN is a laser with great quality and the ability to turn out color and mono chrome images at 30 pages per minute. It also can reduce/enlarge from 40% to 400%.

The Epson Stylus C120 may be an option right in the middle for this type of project. Priced under $100.00 its fast, has a great color quality and reduces/enlarges. There is no scanner but there are other options to getting your family picture into the computer.

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1. Special connection. Holiday Cards are a special one to one form of communication. Far more personal than emails or voice mails, holiday cards sent through the mail are opened and enjoyed and the effort to send them is valued by those that receive them. They offer a great opportunity to introduce your company when prospecting for new customers. Those who receive holiday cards appreciate the effort and feel they are special.

2. Business family. When you are included on someone’s holiday mailing list you know you are valued. Your name was added because you are special to that business. Holiday cards are a great tool for cultivating business. Welcome new customers to the family and encourage repeat business. You have effectively allowed your customer base to become members of your businesses family.

3. Customer appreciation. Sending holiday cards to new business clients or associates shows you care about them. You want to keep them on your contact list and encourage their association with your company. Personalized holiday cards with a short hand written note will strengthen any business relationship.

4. Personal touch. Personalized Christmas cards show that your business is doing well and proves to others that they are making a smart decision when doing business with you. Retention is key to business survival and you are rewarding those whose loyalty you rely on by remembering them at this time of the year. By hand addressing the envelopes you are adding a personal touch that is sure to be well received and appreciated.

5. Thoughtful gesture. Business holiday cards are a tradition that has proven invaluable through the years. They send a gesture of thoughtfulness no email or voice mail can convey. Christmas cards with religious content may not be appropriate for everyone on your business holiday card mailing list so choose wisely to avoid offending anyone. There are hundreds of seasonal greetings or happy holiday cards that work perfectly for everyone on your list. Thoughtful business holiday cards can be sent to current as well as past customers as a means to re-introduce your business or reactivate customers all with the best of intentions.

6. Visual reminder. Business holiday cards are visual reminders that allow your business name and logo to be shared individually with those whose partnerships you value. Holiday photo cards are especially welcomed and enjoyed when you include a photograph of your employees or your corporate office, giving those with whom you do remote business a visual connection that makes them feel a closer kinship to your staff and your business.

7. Brand recognition. Greeting cards are read and re-read several times and often displayed for all to see. With your company logo imprinted or your company name appearing through a die cut window on the front of the card, your brand recognition is strengthened. Even better, Calendar Cards allow your company name to be displayed throughout the year ahead. Include your contact information when personalizing and it is just too easy for your customers to remember you too!

8. Good impression. Include a custom imprinted verse of your choosing for a special added value that doesn’t cost extra. Select a card design that focuses on your business and speaks directly to your customer. Professionally printed and personalized holiday cards send a message that says your business is thriving and will remain a great partner or provider.

Everyone is looking for a way to differentiate themselves from the crowd. Remembering clients and business partners with personalized holiday cards does just that. They are highly effective marketing tools that will lead to long term relationships. Use them to stay connected with existing customers, introduce yourself to new ones and reconnect with those that might have wandered. Treat your customers and business associates as you would family members by remembering them with corporate holiday cards and your business is certain to grow and flourish all year long.