Can you hear that? Listen closely. Still can’t hear it? It’s Christmas music playing ever so faintly in the back of your head. Don’t fight it. Christmas is just around the corner.

Now, normally I am a HUGE advocate for NO CHRISTMAS until AFTER THANKSGIVING!!! {yes, so passionate that it requires all caps}

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season? Christmas cards. Sending and receiving. I especially love them if they include photos. Let’s talk Christmas cards for a minute, shall we?

Everyone wants their Christmas cards to show a perfect little family. Matching, or at least coordinating, outfits. All smiles. All happy. My track record so far isn’t great. Observe…

When I was pregnant with Ry, I was supposed to have my ultrasound to find out her gender the week before Christmas. I had this great plan that in our Christmas cards I would include an ultrasound photo announcing it to all of our friends and family. Then our ultrasound got pushed back until after Christmas and I got so annoyed I didn’t even send out Christmas cards.

The next year…well, actually I can’t remember what happened that year. It’s all a blur.

Last year Ry was so sick in the weeks leading up to Christmas with swine flu and pneumonia that I literally did not have the energy to put Christmas cards in the mail.

But this year? It’s all going to change. I’ve already started planning. I’ve already started shopping. And, we’ve already taken family photos. For your enjoyment I’ve included a link to our blooper reel HERE because we’re not actually all perfect.

It’s never to early to start planning. Remember? I’m kind of Type-A.

Enter: Shutterfly

They have hundreds of holiday cards to choose from. Like I said, the photo ones are my favorite. If you are lucky enough to get more than one “perfect” family shot, they have cards that allow you to display all of them like this one:

However, if you’re like my family, with a 2 year old, a grumpy husband and toss in a dog for good measure, it was hard enough getting one really good one. Luckily, Shutterfly has tons of options if you have to go the one photo route. I love my holiday cards to be simple and classy and not too commercial (ie no Santa). I was not disappointed with the selection. There are two different card designs that I love!

And in my true Type-A style, I can even get matching return address labels. SCORE!

If you want to be anal retentive cool like me and start planning early, Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards. Just go HERE for more details.

Now, get to planning! But, before you go…help! Which of the 2 designs do you like better?

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. In exchange for my post I am receiving 50 free holiday cards. If you have a blog and you want to know more, go HERE.