I cherish the holiday season, because whether we are making everyone’s favorite recipe, picking the best “Secret Santa” gift, or choosing the holiday card everyone looks forward to receiving, there is always a little bit of friendly competition during the holidays. Still, sometimes there simply are not hours enough in the day! I’m not sure why, but this year, getting our holiday cards into the mail initially felt like such a chore. It’s actually a process that I rather enjoy. It’s fun to sit with the kids and pass the cards around for signing. It’s a good way to catch up and sneak a few minutes of family time while scratching a task from of list of things to do.

Normally, our cards would have already been sign, sealed and delivered by now, but this year I just couldn’t get to it. I panicked when I realized that the kids might not get a card to their dad in time this year. As I shared in an earlier post, my son had reminded me that their biological father would be traveling during the last half of December and not home to receive gifts or cards….Oops.

Thankfully, I had found the Cardstore. The kids were able to create a personalized card that included their own message, photos, and signature. Within a matter of minutes their card was designed and on its way to their dad. I didn’t even have to leave the house. The Cardstore did it all for them, including the getting it in the mail.

This was the cards the kids personalized and had sent to their dad.

I personally did not see the card, except for when they made it online, but two days later, their dad phoned to say thank you to the kids and to tell them how amazing their card was. Because I had just picked up my son’s graduation pictures, I hadn’t sent him one yet, but was able to scan it into his Christmas card, so he was able to lay eyes on the most recent pictures of his children and read their heartfelt wish.

After hearing how great his card had turned out, I was excited to steal a few minutes and order cards for everyone on our list. It took me a little while longer than I had planned, because there are so many wonderful options to choose from. Funny, serious, warm-fuzzy, and even a little naught….there is literally card for every personality, style, and taste.

I love the idea of a Christmas card recipe exchange...maybe my family will agree to this next year. Lol...I'm not telling them that I'll have the Cardstore print and mail mine ;0)

Our list is full of really a diverse group of people, so picking a card that will appeal to everyone is usually something I dread, but the Cardstore has an option for using pre-filled text or creating your own. After settling on the design, the rest was easy since I had already decided that I was going to personalize our message and already knew what I was going to say.

Never have I seen an online card site that you can add your own signature from your computer.

 The process was easy and I could not wait to see the finished product. While I could have chosen to have the Cardstore handle the mailing part too, I opted for our traditional card signing with the kids. I still had the Cardstore add our return address to the envelopes, because 1) my return labels are not Christmas oriented and 2) not having to handwrite or peel and stick return labels gave me one less thing to do (I’m always mindful of the time factor).

They are even packaged fun! You can't see it, but my address on each envelope, under the fun-fetti

I placed our order on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and figured it would take several days to get them delivered, but was impressed when they arrived on Wednesday that same week! I was even more excited when I saw them…y’all they are perfect!

We had our card signing party last night. The kids made hot chocolate and chatted non-stop….it was really a nice evening. I’m glad I made the time.

Though it is a relief to know that in a jam, the Cardstore can handle the mailing too. As I said before, I’ve not seen a site that will handle single or multiple orders and mail then them too. Since we have a big family, with lots of birthdays and life celebrations, I know I will be using them to send cards all year long. I’ve already been working on my Cardstore address book and will be scheduling a few January birthdays….though, I also like the idea of sending a few “just because” cards to my husband at work ;0)

I used the same picture of little girl and the man-child that I included in their dad's card, but for all of our friends and family, I of course added the man-child's apprentice!

If your cards aren’t done or you missed someone, you still have time! Cardstore will print, stamp, and send the cards for you – helping to take one huge item off your already full holiday to-do list! Head over to Cardstore, before December 1^6th to ensure Christmas delivery! You will add one more thing to your holiday done list… it’ll be the Top of the Mantle show piece for sure ;0)

For more inspiration check out the Cardstore’s Pinterest boards and Facebook too!