The Art Of A Christmas Card

Brock wrestled Elle across the living room floor trying to put on the velvet, ruffle, jumpsuit I had gotten her specifically for our family pictures. As she screamed, arched and kicked, beet-red in the face he said, “I wouldn’t want to wear an Oompa Loompa costume either.”

Trey didn’t want his pants tucked into his boots. Casen was telling Brock what he was forgetting to put on each of the kids. When we needed to walk out the door Ayden was still in his pajamas. We finally got everyone buckled in while the twins were screaming (they do that a lot if you haven’t gathered that from my posts yet), and I chuckled to myself as we backed out of the driveway.

Driving to the new house to take our pictures I had zero expectation for how it would go. I’m thankful I gave up having that Pinterest perfect shot after our first born, Casen, crushed all of those dreams for me. He went through a phase after he was a year old where he loathed the sight of a camera. He would either cry, not acknowledge your presence, or look like he hated the world whenever we tried to take his picture. We have just recently seen growth in him smiling for the camera. At any rate, Casen prepared me to just roll with whatever was about to happen. I mean you really only need one good shot. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be what ya need.

Thirty minutes later we were pulling away from the new house and back to the rental. As we all rushed in to change our clothes, I thought of all the extra little things that come with the holiday season.

From Merry Christmas cards, to family gatherings, to all the buying and giving and buying some more. From the Christmas party invitations that need sent out, to all the decorating and redecorating. There are few weekends free and if you aren’t careful you start living in a state of what you ‘should be doing.’ It’s not how it is supposed to be folks.

Don’t get me wrong, we all know these things aren’t necessarily bad things. I love decorating, and Casen has already started asking when will we decorate for Christmas. I love picking out gifts for those around me. I love all the get togethers and the holiday food. It’s where the state of your heart is at while you’re doing them that matters. Are you taking time enjoy or are you hustling everywhere like a chicken with your head cut off? Do you stop to really think about the gift, taste the treat, or hear the conversation?

Which brings me to the art of a Christmas card. What is displayed in most peoples homes during Christmas time? Christmas cards! They are hung, put in a cute box or set on the island in the kitchen. What do you do when you look at them? Nothing, other than stand and move your gaze from one to the next. Everyone likes to look at them and it’s one of the first things people will gather around when they’re displayed. I figured this year if I like to look at them, I should probably send them out too.

I was thankful to have found Basic Invite. They allow customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. This is what sets them apart from almost any other online stationery company. They also have 40 different colored envelopes to choose from that peel and seal.

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers to order a printed sample of their actual invitation before they place their final order. They can see the paper quality and how it will print in real life. I didn’t order a sample, but I was really impressed with their customer service. After I had submitted my order I received an email and a text later that afternoon that my card was ready to preview. When I viewed it, a representative suggested I change the color and placement of one of my words so it could be better seen. I couldn’t believe they take the time to personally review everyone’s products. Had I ordered through another company everyone would have struggled to read my card!

I also thought their address capturing service was a really neat feature that allows customers to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their friends and family’s addresses. The addresses are stored in the customer’s account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders.

So if you want to be on top of your game this year Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 and for a limited time their personalized holiday cards are 30% off with coupon code: HOLI30

As you take time to look at the Christmas cards this year, take even more time to be with Jesus. We have so very much to give thanks for and we have so much to rejoice in. Seek out time to be still with Him, create the margin in your day for it. When our hearts are right - the ‘to do’s’ get placed in the right priority, with the right urgency, and done in the right way. Let’s strive to walk less distracted into this season as we celebrate the coming of Jesus the King.