7 Ways To Save On Holiday Cards (If You Don't DIY)

All across the country, the holidays are in the air.

Did anyone else notice that as soon as Halloween was over Christmas carols started being played in stores and

I’m over here like, “Ummmm, did we forget about Thanksgiving??”

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas, but it just seems like it’s a bit too soon.

But stepping off my soapbox now, starting the holiday season early is actually your friend if you want to save serious cash on holiday cards. I’ve already purchased 10 for next to nothing, signed, and addressed them!

Aren’t our holiday cards cute this year??

I’d love to say I DIY-ed our holiday cards, but that’s just not me! I see all of these pictures of cute homemade Christmas cards and I think to myself “Yeah, that will never happen”

So, instead of saving insane amounts of money by doing my own cards, I’ve come up with some pretty cool ways to save on professional designed and printed holiday cards, taking some of the stress of the holidays down a notch:

Let Your Photos Do Double-Duty

While Christmas-themed photo shoots are adorable, for sure, they’re really not necessary. After all, what would a typical family portrait session cost? Probably upwards of $300, plus all of the clothes, props, and accessories that the shoot would require.

Instead of booking a special Christmas card photo session, think ahead during your spring, summer, or fall family photo session and ask your photographer if you could do a pose for the Christmas cards, complete with Christmas outfits and everything.

But even if you forgot to think ahead for this year’s family portraits, don’t worry! No one will bat an eye if you use your most current family photo with a few individual pictures of the kids. What family and friends really want is to see that you’re all doing well, and of course to display your beautiful Christmas card!

Shutterfly

My personal favorite for all things printed, Shutterfly routinely offers free holiday cards! All you pay is shipping and between the 100’s of card options and the ability to customize them, the possibilities are literally endless. Those cards you saw above? From Shutterfly and I only paid $3.29 for 10 cards!

Right now, Shutterfly has a couple of really cool promotions going on. New customers can enjoy 1 free set of address labels or 50 free 4×6 prints using the code YOURCHOICEAFF and my link. (Code good 11/24 – 11/25) Existing customers can enjoy 10 free cards, either flat or folded, as well as 10 Free Trim Options and 10 Free Paper Types using the code 10FORME at checkout and shopping through my link. (Code good 11/26 – 11/29)

For black friday, Shutterfly is offering 50% off hard cover photo cooks (these make awesome and inexpensive Christmas gifts for grandparents) and 40% of everything else using the code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout. (code good 11/27-11/29)

TinyPrints

TinyPrints is actually owned by Shutterfly, but they have separate products, pricing, and promotions. Currently, they are running a 30% off all orders promotion when you use the code TPSAVE40.

Minted

Minted also offering beautiful, affordable Holiday Cards with a $25 discount + free shipping on all order sizes using the code SHINE25.

York Photo

Now through 11/16, York Photo is offering 60% off of all holidays cards! Use the code HCARDS to receive the discounts, and if you use the code MAIL and your order is over $20, you’ll get free shipping!

Address & Mail Your Own Cards

All of these sites: Shutterfly, TinyPrints, Minted, and York Photo, send envelopes with your holiday cards. However, beware the upcharged! They all also offer the option to customize your envelopes, have them pre-addressed, pre-stamped, and even sent straight from their printers to your friends and family.

Unless you have an unlimited budget and are crazy pressed for time, don’t do it!

They prices they charged for these (oh-s0-convenient) services are astronimical and could quickly put your holiday card spending through the roof!

Or Better Yet, Hand Deliver Them

Want to save even more?

Skip the stamps and hand-deliver your cards to friends and family. If you’re routinely checking for new deals and coupon codes to get your holiday cards on the cheap, you will have about 2 months to get cards to friends and family.

Maybe you’re family lives all over the country, and if that’s the case, then this way to save is out.

But if you’re like us and family lives close, give your family the cards when you see them & skip the stamp!

Holiday cards are a really fun tradition for our family.

We love everything about the cards, from thinking about our family photo, to picking and customizing the cards, then sending them out and receiving everyone else’s cards too!

Holiday cards are a part of our Christmas traditions, but that doesn’t mean they have to break the bank, now do they?

Gretchen

*This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosures for more information.

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