Until I had kids, I just picked up whatever batch of holiday cards I could find on sale at the drugstore. Sure, I had appreciation for design and art. But I also had appreciation for not really giving a crap about putting effort in beyond painstaking envelope sealing.
My beautiful baby boy inspired me to send my first photo cards in 2006. I used Shutterfly and found a design that said “Peace on Earth.” I love receiving Christmas cards, but I prefer sending holiday cards since my friends come from a variety of religious backgrounds.
This year Paper Culture gave me the opportunity to try out their holiday cards. I received a $50 credit and used additional funding of my own to purchase and ship my holiday cards. After seeing Paper Culture advertised through the Juicebox Jungle Ad Network, their designs had caught my eye.
Design:
I’m kind of a snob about design. Sometimes. Particularly when it comes to holiday cards and greeting cards. I get sick of the same old Christmas trees and snowmen. I like seeing unexpected colors. I like modern, clean lines. (I also like embellished, art-nouveau-inspired designs.)
Paper Culture cards are printed on 100% recycled paper. Personally, I think this is an awesome way to help continue the dying art of sending actual letters and cards and invitations in the mail.
All Paper Culture designs are completely exclusive. They run the gamut from cute and cheeky to highly sophisticated. The hardest part about choosing a holiday card was finding one I wanted the most.
Since I couldn’t get my kids to hold still together for a photo and we didn’t want to do a family photo, I narrowed my choices down to photo cards with two separate areas for photos. I noticed that Paper Culture also offers customized (non photo) cards.
Why would you want a non photo card? In this case, because Paper Culture will mail your cards out for you for the price of a stamp. I don’t know about you, but I hate addressing cards. Like, with a fiery passion. I absolutely would have used this service if I hadn’t been ordering my cards before Thanksgiving.
My only beef with the designs was that the selection of cards for two-three photos was somewhat slim. Since most people seem to prefer a family photo or photo of kids as a group, I can see why the majority of the designs would be for one photo. I ended up choosing this design. I have a tattoo of two birds for my sons, so it really resonated with me.
Personalizing:
Once you choose your card, you click “personalize” an upload your photo. Then you enter your information and the text you want on the card. Because Paper Culture employs graphic designers to work on each order individually, you won’t see your proof immediately. Unlike sites that print directly from your upload, Paper Culture lays out cards by hand to make sure your photo fits right and your copy looks great. Once you enter your info, a designer works on your card and then sends you a proof by email. (While you’re waiting, you can opt to enter the addresses of your recipients if you’re having Paper Culture mail your cards for you.) I decided to go with black and white photos of my kids.
Ordering:
Once you receive your proof, you can respond with reasonable revisions or proceed to printing. I ended up changing out one of the photos I selected and they turned the change around that afternoon. After I received the revision, I completed my order. The cards I chose were $1.72 each. Since I opted to send them to myself, I paid a flat rate of $8.99 for shipping. The cards arrived within a week, in an adorable cardboard box. Unlike traditional folded cards, the Paper Culture holiday cards are just one page. The cardstock is fairly heavy, and the back of the card includes a small Paper Culture logo.
Here are the exact specs, for you paper geeks: 130lb, 100% post-consumer recycled paper is both FSC Certified and produced with wind power. Slightly textured, matte-feel. White with very subtle hints of recycled paper.
Overall:
I’ll definitely go with Paper Culture again next year. (Yes, even with my own money.) I loved the designs. I loved knowing a professional had his or her eye on the layout. While it obviously wasn’t 100% customized, I know that time went into positioning the photos properly and making sure the text looks okay.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- View proofs before you buy
- Option to have Paper Culture stuff, address, stamp and mail cards for the price of a stamp.
- Excellent designs. Just insanely cute.
- Wide variety of occasions available, from graduation to housewarming.
- Matching thank you cards and note cards available.
Cons:
- Not everyone is into the matte, recycled look.
- Some people prefer a card that folds open.
- I experienced a bug when ordering. I waited an hour, tried again, and the issue resolved itself. (However, during that hour I got a response from customer service saying I could call and complete my order over the phone, which I thought was cool.)
Free Stuff Alert
Paper Culture is giving away $50 toward any card on the site. (This doesn’t include shipping, tax, handling.) If you become a Facebook fan of Paper Culture before we announce the winner, they’ll bump the prize up to $75 if you win!
To enter you MUST:
- Comment with a link to your favorite Paper Culture design. It doesn’t have to be a holiday card!
For extra, optional entries you can:
- Tell us if you sent holiday cards last year, and if so, what did you send?
- Become a Facebook fan of Paper Culture. Comment to let us know.
- Follow Paper Culture on Twitter. Comment to let us know.
- Tweet, blog or Facebook status with a link to this giveaway. Comment to let us know.
Contest ends 11/26/2009. Winner must be a resident of the United States. ou must leave a valid email address to enter. Your entries must follow the rules as stated above or your post will be deleted.
About the author: Maria is surrounded by boys. She gets all aflutter when she finds good deals, new episodes of Gossip Girl, and big bold bottles of red wine. Read more from this author.
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My favorite design is Ornate Patterns.
I haven’t sent cards yet.
I’m a fan of Paper Culture on Facebook.
I really love the Let’s Get this Party Started: Thank You Cards. This would be a perfect thank you card for my sons to send.
I’m also a facebook fan.
Thanks so much.
Yes, I sent Holiday cards last year. About 25. Thanks.
I’m a facebook fan of Paper Culture
I’m following Paper Culture on Twitter (peg42)
I love the Modern Classic Flowers birthday invite.
I sent a few cards last year, was very pregnant and cared more about attempting to get comfortable in the bed.
You could tell them something about how they treated you like suddenly i felt welcome and loved something like that start it with emothion
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/happy-holidays-card-p-1634.html
i love this! it’s purple, which is a bit unexpected.
i became a fan on facebook
i did not send cards last year. we wanted to save the money & with a new (and 4th baby) i didn’t really have the time to deal with making them.
and i’m following them on twitter now.
This was INCREDIBLY hard to choose! But “Simply Leaves” really stood out for me. http://www.paperculture.com/cards/simply-leaves-holiday-photo-cards-p-1860.html
Last year we sent a hodge-podge of cards – my husband is Catholic, most of my family is Jewish, and it seems like we can never find a well-designed “happy holidays” card. So last year we sent some traditional Christmas cards to my husband’s family and home-made Hanukkah cards to mine.
I’m a facebook fan! (Jenny O)
I like the Hanging Christmas Ornaments card.
We sent holiday photo cards last year. We ordered them online.
This is my favorite design, especially since we’ll be moving soon. “The bags are packed”: http://www.paperculture.com/cards/pack-up-your-bags-moving-announcement-p-1039.html
I became a facebook fan of Paper Culture.
I like the modern tree branch baby announcement.
No cards sent last year.
I think this is my favorite: http://www.paperculture.com/cards/feliz-navidad-holiday-photo-cards-p-1784.html
Thanks!
I did send holiday cards last year. I made photo cards with a pic of my son.
I became a FB fan of Paper Culture. Thanks!
I really like the ornate patterns. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
I have an obsession with trains so I really like teh Little Engine that Would and Could birthday cards!
last year i sent out gnome christmas cards (another obsession) that i had bought 75% off the year before
i’m a facebook fan
LOVE: Winter Berries Photo Cards
I did send holiday cards – generic boxed ones.. :P
twitter follow them too -kgail11
I like the Star Light, Star Bright design in red: http://www.paperculture.com/cards/star-light-star-bright-holiday-photo-cards-p-1864.html
We always send out cards. If they’re close relatives, they get different, individual cards. Most everyone else gets a boxed card.
I love the Spirograph Thank You cards!
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/matching-thank-you-card-spirograph-flower-baby-shower-invitation-p-1085.html
I am a facebook fan
I sent cards last year- a picture of our family
I love the Robot Holiday card. http://www.paperculture.com/cards/robot-holiday-greeting-cards-p-1601.html
the past several years I made my own cards. I photoshop some pictures together and print out 4×6 prints via Ritzpix.com
Became a fan on Facebook.
became a fan on twitter/facebook
Ok, so I definitely think these are cool. The recycled thing is awesome! I went to the site and clicked on holiday photo cards, because those are my favorite, and I really couldn’t take my eyes off the New Years cards, even though I have never sent a New Years card in my life. They are so.. simple, but I can really see the potential for them to be stunning with the right photo!
Hey, I followed on twitter because if they have a coupon I am ALL OVER THIS. @mommygeekology
Also facebook, because again, ALL over it.
And, finally, I sent holiday cards last year, ordered them through VistaPrint I think? They were nice enough, though sort of pricey for what we got.
I love this one with the squirrel. http://www.paperculture.com/cards/magical-joy-holiday-photo-card-p-1772.html
Also following on Twitter. (my twitter id is @_pixie_).
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/baby-shower-invitations/boy/teal-owl/p-135.html
that is my favorite
Yes I sent out hand made christmas cards last year.
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/stockings-stockings-everywhere-holiday-cards-p-1513.html
LOVE LOVE LOVE this card!
became a facebook fan of paper culture!
sent out cards last year, ordered from mpix.com but they were a bit “cheap” looking. want something with better design and nice paper.
following paper culture on twitter!
I like the “Merry Christmas Simply Photo” card! Simple, but cute!
I love Joy Peace and Love card: http://www.paperculture.com/cards/joy-peace-love-christmas-holiday-cards-p-1570.html
I’m a fan of Paper Culture on facebook. angela.gaffke
I follow Paper Culture on twitter ag1414
We only sent out cards to my husband’s co-workers last year.
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/simply-leaves-holiday-photo-cards-p-1860.html
I liked the simply classic lilies. Thanks!
I did not send out cards last year and can’t remember why not.
i became a fan of paper culture.
I love the Mistletoe Wreath design, thanks!
I’m a FB Fan, thanks!
I love the Spirograph Flowers Thank You Cards!
Last year I sent a few cards out to some family and friends, and will probably do the same this holiday season.
Love the party started thank yous
I like this Holiday Photo Card!! http://www.paperculture.com/cards/colorful-holiday-photo-cards-p-1857.html
I do always send cards every year. Usually I just buy a box of cards at the Hallmark store, but I have a really cute picture of our summer vacation that would make a great Christmas card. Thanks.
What a blast, happy holidays
I like the Peace Love Joy card in green.
Appleseed Birds: Thank You Cards :)
The Princess Birthday Invitation is my favorite. http://www.paperculture.com/cards/princess-birthday-party-invitation-p-852.htrr
I love the Rudolph’s Cousin Rachel design in blue!
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/deer-themed-holiday-party-invitations-p-1707.html
I sent holiday cards last year in the form of ecards.
I became a Facebook fan of Paper Culture.
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/santa-claus-christmas-card-party-invitation-p-1779.html
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I like Seeing Double Holiday Joy but wish they had more Christmas Cards that acknowledge Christ in Christmas-more religious.
I sent Christmas cards last year of a photo of our whole family-first time in about 10 years.
Fan of Paper Culture on Facebook
Follow Paper Culture on Twitter-rosannepm
I love to design cards!
Cool giveaway. Here’s my link
http://www.paperculture.com/cards/merry-christmas-snowflake-holiday-photo-cards-p-1909.html
I just became a fan on facebook
I sent print-at-home holiday photo cards last year