Christmas is the biggest spending time of the year, and most of us find that what we want Santa to bring us is a big red sack full of cold, hard cash. This is especially true when we have children, and we know we can't get them the things they really want, or just one or two things. But if you trim your spending on several other aspects of Christmas, you'll have more money to put towards what matters the most: buying gifts for your spouse, children, family, friends and even yourself. One way you can save money is by making your own photo Christmas cards.
You should make your own photo Christmas cards if you're looking to save money during the Christmas season. You can easily whip up two or three dozen photo Christmas cards for less than $50, if you play your cards (no pun intended) right. Two packs of photo paper, high quality ink and templates and free directions from the internet should give you everything you need to make beautiful photo Christmas cards. All that is left to do is buy the stamps and spend the gas required to get to the post office to mail them out.
So, you toddler won't sit still long enough for you get a quick shot of him on Santa's lap, or stuffed into an oversize Christmas stocking or large present box. No problem: break out the props. Bring in an oversized teddy bear or a clean duster, and use them to distract your small child and coax smiles out of them. Perhaps you could pose your toddler with the family cat or dog, or give them a small toy to hold and look at. Occupy your toddler and don't give them time to fidget, and you'll be pleased with the outcome of the photos that will decorate your photo Christmas cards.
Teens are another bunch that are difficult to manage for photo Christmas cards. They're impatient, sulky and embarassed to claim blood ties to you, so imagine what it would be like to get them to focus on a family photo. I say skip the staged photos and head straight for action shots. Sneak the camera with you and try and get a shot of your teen during every day life. Hopefully you'll have a good shot for use with your photo Christmas cards.