In a Flash

Tired of looking at other families looking fabulous in holiday cards each year? It’s time to step up and get in the game.

We’ve got some great options for holiday greeting cards to get you started.

First up, make a great photo card with a fun family photo. There are lots of great photographers in Ottawa who can help you out in this department, but we really like what photographer Harry Nowell, of Ottawa Studio Works is offering this year—a DIY option for holiday portraits. If you have a DSLR camera and can snap a good pic, take it yourself at his studio. Harry provides the lighting, backdrops and the expertise, and you provide the camera and the smiles. It’s very casual and easy going. Bring props, and pets (if you like), as well as snacks for the kids. There’s a washroom and a kitchenette if you need access to one. It’s easy as pie, and it’s Harry’s first year offering this service, so snap up the introductory pricing while you can.

Once you have narrowed your favourite pics down to one or two good ones, you have a few options:

Use an online photo service to magically turn your family photo into a card. It’s super quick and convenient. Kodak Gallery is a good option because you can pick up the final product at Best Buy or Future Shop. Vistaprint, Snapfish, and Elephoto are other easy online options. How easy are they? Upload your photo, type out a message, place your order, and wait for delivery. Just make sure the uploaded photo is really high-res and not too dark.

If you’re old fashioned, and want to buy a more traditional card, you might like some of the options at Ten Thousand Villages and you can still enclose your family photo to the inside. Another one of our fave places is The Village Quire in Westboro, where we’re smitten with a retro-Canadiana Rocket Richard card by Wendy Tancock that they’re carrying right now. (The inside reads: “Wishing you a Happy Holiday, eh!”)

Get snapping, then get your cards in order. You’ll be done in a flash! Tested by Andrea T., Ottawa

Comments