This year they are addressing envelopes for free if your place an order. That was an offer I couldn’t pass up, so last night spent an hour with the husband making an actual spreadsheet of all our address book/contact list together. It only took us 20 years of marriage to do it, but now we have it!! I sent that off and am looking forward to getting my cards out a bit earlier this year. I won’t have to sit long hours addressing them and can take time to write notes in those for far off relatives and friends.
We were in San Francisco for Cirque du Soleil last week and had some time to kill near China Basin and the ballpark. My sons skateboarded around a bit and I cajoled them into posing for a quick photo. They aren’t matching, or even wearing their nicest clothes, but they look like authentic teenage guys. I love these impromptu photos more than any staged photo sessions and this card design was modern which I think goes well with the casual feel of our cards.
Minted always uses unexpected colors in their designs as well. I like that you can often choose the color of the writing on the card fonts as some photos clearly stand out more with cool or warm tones. I’m crazy like that, but it makes a photo sometimes.
My card was by local artist, Denise Malacrea and I received a thank you from her for ordering her design. Nice.
Another nice feature is the ability to add another photo on the back of the whole family with a little note we wrote ourselves. Max and I always dig the Peace, Love and Happiness message as so many of our friends celebrate other holidays this season and we send cards to everyone. My husband’s sis Amara took this pic of us at Natural Bridges. We went on a family trek to see the Monarch Butterfly on their migration on Black Friday instead of shopping and did the #optoutside thing. Love the movement behind that.
Today, Cyber Monday, there is 20% off everything at Minted (use code CM2016 ), including their cute calendars which I have made for my husband many times as Christmas gifts. I use our best snaps from the past year and we really do enjoy seeing them the next year, month by month. I even cut them up after and use the pictures in frames.
For holiday gifts I like their hand drawn maps and prints featuring independent artists. Some of the San Francisco ones here..
They also make custom prints tailored to your location, city or state. Any of these would make a memorable gift and are also on the sale today.
Minted opened a San Francisco store this year and I had a chance to pop in on my last trip up to Union Square. It’s full of lovely pillows, cute home textiles, stationery, and art. They also have people to help create a dream gallery wall, as well as customized cards and invites and more.
So do you do cards still? A few years ago I wrote this post What a Christmas Card Means about the history of them and my own memories of receiving them. I really enjoy the tradition. Though it takes some time and effort, it’s so worth it as it’s a little gift saying thank you for being in our lives. Love that!
Kim
