The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

November
15 546
comments

There’s a giveaway too — Keep reading for details.

It’s that time again. Time to think of a ridiculous premise for our holiday cards! You know how I do a monthly shoot for the kids in the same chair to document their growth? I thought it would be fun to do the same portrait for all of us this year, then compile the photos into a card.

Eleanor is a toddler. If you’ve experienced toddlerhood, you’ll know that’s all that needs to be said.

I put her down for a nap in hopes of a better shot later. I used the time to run out for flowers (Brandon’s idea, and a good one at that). We took the rest of our photos while E slept, but here are a few from the second attempt later in the day. We tried to bribe her with a lollipop. She let it fall out of her mouth and onto her skirt, and was then appalled.

August was happy! A happy but wiggly, rocking, and slightly out of focus baby. It was so dark in the living room, I had to bump the ISO waaaaay up, open the aperture all the way, and hope for the best.


I was the consummate professional, needing only one shot. Or perhaps I’m just saying that so I’ll only have to show you one shot. You’ll never know.

Brandon looks like a standup fellow. So dapper. So mature.

Oh, wait! We have a B-side. A Brandon B-side.

Aw yeah. Brandon’s footie pajamas made a triumphant return. Along with my necklace. And with that, here is this year’s Balch family holiday card.

We’re lookin’ good.

Giveaway

You are no doubt inspired to make your own holiday cards now, right? OK, you may not want to take the route we did. You can still go for the classic family photo, and for that you’ll need a nice camera. And something (or some things) to put that photo on. Well, Shutterfly is offering 50 cards, a 12×12 photo book, an 8×8 photo book, mug, 3 calendars, reusable shopping tote, and an ornament, along with a PowerShot S100 Camera.

Visit Shutterfly to select your favorite photo card template, and leave a comment here about which one you like best to enter. A winner will be randomly selected.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older. Ends 12/6/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit Girl’s Gone Child, The Spohrs are Multiplying, or Make and Takes. Void where prohibited.

Congratulations to the winner, Diana L!

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link    'F' for Freebies, Holidays, Parenting  •  546 Comments  •  November 15, 2011

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Making it Lovely is a design blog, founded by Nicole Balch, about living a stylish life and transforming the so-so. Subscribe, learn more, or connect with Nicole on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

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546 Responses to “The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011”

  1. katie November 19, 2011 at 10:42 am #

    joy and peace

  2. Monica November 19, 2011 at 1:25 pm #

    Im really loving the “counting our blessings” card! I’d love to win because we’ve been browsing our shutterfly catalog and it would push us over the edge to finally order this year!!

    Love your cute card: got a big chuckle out of me, can only imagine what peoples reactions will be when they receive it!

  3. Deb November 19, 2011 at 4:57 pm #

    How fortuitous! We’re taking family photos this weekend. I love the “alleluia” card format. And Id love to win this giveaway.

  4. Tiffiny Duke November 19, 2011 at 5:22 pm #

    Twinkling Snowflakes is my favorite!!

  5. sarahbchicago November 19, 2011 at 9:09 pm #

    Sweet & Scrappy is my favorite–love the square shape and the retro label.

  6. Erin R. November 19, 2011 at 9:24 pm #

    Loving the Faith, Hope Family card Christmas Card.

  7. Kristin November 19, 2011 at 9:26 pm #

    The snowglobe. How Cute! My little munchkin would look adorable in her little snowglobe.

  8. misolee November 19, 2011 at 9:46 pm #

    i like the faith and hope card. so simple yet so classy~

  9. Charlotte November 20, 2011 at 8:45 am #

    I like the graphic punchiness of the Wishing You Merry card.

  10. Sascha LaCoss November 20, 2011 at 3:25 pm #

    Fa la La is such a cute card – i like multiple pictures on one card and the bubbles above the pictures!

  11. Katie H November 20, 2011 at 3:26 pm #

    Love the “Top 10 Moments!” card – what a great idea!!

    By the way, for your card: I think you should put an age bubble over the cat, as well. :)

  12. Kim c November 20, 2011 at 4:08 pm #

    The peace, love, and joy is the one that speaks to my heart, as that is what I strive to fill my home with each day. You have the loveliest blog. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life and family.

  13. Snowlet November 20, 2011 at 5:07 pm #

    I love Twinkling snowflakes!

  14. Sharon November 20, 2011 at 6:38 pm #

    I have a few favorites… We Believe is adorable, and for the whole family I like Merry Little Stripes.

  15. Marta November 20, 2011 at 8:05 pm #

    The twinkly snowflaes re my personal favorite. This is a great looking card :)

  16. Caitlin @ Hardly Housewives November 20, 2011 at 9:41 pm #

    I love the Cheers Zigzag and Candy Striped Snapshot. Maybe when we have kids I’ll like some of the more playful ones!

  17. Amanda November 20, 2011 at 10:09 pm #

    Vintage Snapshots is my favorite. Love the b&w look.

  18. lindsay November 21, 2011 at 9:04 am #

    I love the “Fa La La” template! So fun.

  19. Paige November 21, 2011 at 10:24 am #

    I love the “bright bold trees” card :)

  20. logan November 21, 2011 at 1:53 pm #

    Hmm…tough choice, but I think I like the “Joy in Lights” template the best.

  21. Dottie November 21, 2011 at 2:35 pm #

    I would get the “Celebrate The Bang” New Year’s card template because, I’m so not going to be able to get my holiday photo together in time to send it out this year! Hee hee!

  22. farrell November 21, 2011 at 3:09 pm #

    wow – thanks for the generous giveaway! i am in love love love with the “retro stripe frame” template. love it!

  23. Elizabeth November 21, 2011 at 3:25 pm #

    I love the “Merry Bright” greeting card template. It’s so joyful and happy and has a great vintage feel.

  24. Sarah H. November 21, 2011 at 3:40 pm #

    Too many to choose from! But since we’re probably gonna do a combo birth announcement/Christmas card, I’m liking the “Holiday Banner” for its simplicity.

  25. elise November 21, 2011 at 7:53 pm #

    Wow! What a selection! I like the “Make Merry” card.

  26. Melissa November 21, 2011 at 8:11 pm #

    I like the holiday love sketch card design.

  27. Sarah Young November 21, 2011 at 9:26 pm #

    We just ordered photo books from Shutterfly for all our family presents! Love Shutterfly. Bright, Merry Zigzag would suit me fine. BTW, those PJs are killing me!

  28. megan @ a life's design November 21, 2011 at 9:33 pm #

    I love the tradition of sending Christmas cards. I would select “Vintage Merry Wishes”. Happy Holidays!

  29. Briana Rader November 21, 2011 at 10:34 pm #

    I like the Joy and Peace one!

  30. Sophia November 22, 2011 at 12:34 am #

    Love the Merry Ribbon card. So many cute designs.

  31. Stefi November 22, 2011 at 1:39 pm #

    The choices are overwhelming! The first one that really stood out to me was Merry Bright Zigzag. Looking to make calendars this year as holiday gifts via Shutterfly. Looking forward to seeing the end result! Your card looks great.

  32. Sarah November 22, 2011 at 8:13 pm #

    I love the Colorful Candy Wishes! They have so many to choose from!!

  33. Suzanne November 22, 2011 at 10:45 pm #

    I’ve been meaning to log on to Shutterfly to make up some holiday cards (after I pose my little 9 month old fellow for a photoshoot). Snowglobe one looks good! I like how you included photos of yourself…I know parents can easily be tempted to just have photos of their kids and leave themselves out, but friends and family from afar want to see the whole gang in my opinion.

  34. Nicole N. November 23, 2011 at 9:27 am #

    I love the “Oh What Fun” flat card– so cheerful! Thanks for sharing yours!

  35. Melissa armstrong November 23, 2011 at 11:27 am #

    Fa la la! Although I would <3 you making me a template! This year is our first true family holiday card! Two under two.

  36. Heidi November 23, 2011 at 11:51 am #

    Count our Blessings! So classic!

  37. Ann November 23, 2011 at 1:07 pm #

    Berry Merry Frame. So pretty!

  38. Nami November 23, 2011 at 1:09 pm #

    I love the “colorful Joy” holiday card template.
    Beautiful with black and white photos!

  39. Caroline November 24, 2011 at 8:55 pm #

    I like ” with love”

  40. Cathy K November 25, 2011 at 6:29 am #

    Love the Joy and Peace card!

  41. Aimee November 26, 2011 at 2:05 am #

    Confetti Jacks is kind of fun. I like the “Merry Everything” bit!

  42. Elizabeth November 28, 2011 at 1:53 pm #

    I love the wishing you merry card. There are so many great designs!

  43. Marisol November 28, 2011 at 8:56 pm #

    I like “Flurry Of Snowflakes Holiday Card” because it’s cute and allows several pictures to be printed on it! :)

  44. Cora November 28, 2011 at 11:01 pm #

    I love the Top 10 Moments layout. If I had children I would so use this one, its a holiday letter and card in one!

  45. mindi November 29, 2011 at 7:52 am #

    I love the “simply love” card! And, I adore your card!!

  46. Veronica November 30, 2011 at 11:08 am #

    I like the Merry Bright postcard. The colors are very eye-catching.

  47. Kelle November 30, 2011 at 9:16 pm #

    Oh Holy Night, Beautiful!

  48. Lisa F December 3, 2011 at 1:59 am #

    ‘Frames of Joy’ would be a fun holiday card.

  49. Lindsay Pearson December 3, 2011 at 8:46 am #

    Family Highlights looks fun!

  50. Andrea December 5, 2011 at 11:41 am #

    I love your card. :) I like the Simply Elegant Frames card.

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