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It is very easy nowadays to give your Christmas cards a fully personal look and feel by using modern technology. And it isn't expensive either. With a digital camera, your computer and your printer you can do everything yourself. But just with the digital camera you can create the part that turns your Christmas cards into a personalized gift for Christmas and have it produced by a Christmas cards printing service.

Remember, that for many the annual Christmas card is the thing that keeps the connection to other family members and friends living far away. Many people hold the feeling of belonging to someone's inner circle for years without meeting just by receiving the annual Christmas card. Christmas cards should be taken more seriously than we might use to do.

Tips to make the personalized picture card - read on

As pictures taken with digital cameras come as immediate results you can easily experiment a little and take some alternatives.

Here are some ideas for what to focus on. Later I will give you ideas to including the Christmas feeling into the picture:

Alternative 1: You are living alone

Take a picture of yourself or of your dog, cat or pet.

Alternative, take a picture of your house, a room, part of your garden or something else people will clearly relate to yourself.

Alternative 2: You are living in a family or the like

You have very many options:

- Take pictures of the youngest member of the family. The youngest member is the one that receivers of the Christmas card will appreciate most to see the development of 'since last Christmas'. If you have a pet in the family include that with the child.

- Take pictures of the whole family. It isn't a problem that it is an arranged photo.

- Take pictures of the youngest child with the oldest member of the family. That will always generate a lot of feelings and attention.

How to include the Christmas feeling into the picture?

You will need very little to add that extra Christmas feeling into your photography.

If you are only taking a picture of a single person or two you can let a candlelight play a big role in the picture frame. A newly married couple looking from each side into a candlelight without any strong light added might be an intimate and cute picture for Christmas.

We have a lot of symbols we use for Christmas: Christmas tree, red ribbons, red apples, red in general, Christmas decorations, candle lights, Christmas presents made as nice packages, yes, even snow and darkness. All symbols of Santa Claus. You might have many more ideas.

Include one or two of these in the picture when you take it to underline that feeling of Christmas. (I don't expect you to include a full Christmas tree - just a small twig will do.

How should the Christmas picture look like?

Make the Christmas picture look as simple as possible. Not a lot of detail. Focus on the main motive and idea of the picture and avoid a lot of things around. These will only make the picture messier. That means go close to capture the essence of it as a Christmas picture.

Include if possible just a few colors as that will make the picture look more professional.

Select the best alternative shot, stay with it and be happy with that

Layout of the Christmas card and printing the cards

Do it your self cards

Depending on the word processor you use you will have access to the possibility to insert pictures and insert the text you want to have printed on the card.

In many cases you will have access to card formats with pre-made card templates. That makes the whole process much easier. You can also search in Google for templates for Christmas cards or the like.

When you have finished your layout and made a proof print you can start your production of your own personalized Christmas cards. T use more heavy paper will improve the look and feel of your self-made Christmas cards.

Use a printing service for your personalized Christmas cards

Most photo service providers will be able to deliver your personalized Christmas cards in the number you want. The more cards the cheaper. You can search for bargains in Google. You will be able to select the layout and additional text online with many photo printing providers.

The earlier you start your production of your own personalized Christmas cards the better a chance you will have to get them done in time for a modest cost. Your efforts this year to provide family and friends with a truly personalized Christmas card will be highly valuated, you will see.