December 26th. Boxing Day (whatever that means). The day after Christmas. As a child it was a huge let down- It’s all over! As an adult, it’s something of a relief- It’s all over! Still, I never manage to accomplish everything I hope to in December. All too often that includes sending out Christmas cards. (I can’t be alone in this, right?) With all the parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow, who has time to sit down and write two dozen cards? Now that the holiday is over and we get a bit of vacation before New Year’s, NOW is the time I want to do all that! Fortunately, I discovered the brilliance of New Year’s cards. Along with a website that creates beautiful ones. Best of all, I get to share it with you and one exuberant reader will win $50 to spend! Yep, a holiday give-away!
Have you heard of Minted? I was just introduced. Since then, I can’t stop looking at their designs and imaging glee spread across the faces of my friends and family when they check their mail. Says their website: “Minted is the world’s premier online marketplace for independent design and art. We crowd-source design from a global community of thousands of independent designers. We sell their best designs as fine paper products for the home, holidays, and occasions.” Remember Threadless where artists submit t-shirt designs? This is a bit like that, but for stationary. They constantly have design challenges for open submission- if you create or design visual art, you might consider it! Any one can vote on designs, which I would argue is more fun than browsing Tinder, and the are many prizes possible.
Their New Year cards are gorgeous. And you don’t have to worry about religious affiliations! Minted uses high quality paper and the majority are designed to show case your photographs in creative ways. The demo cards pictured on the site are of course primarily of babies and newly weds. There is an entire section devoted to Pet Holiday Cards. As a single gal, is THAT my option? I mean I love my cat, but not enough to subject all my relatives to a card of his face!
In the past, I sent out cards with a picture of myself and my roommates. Is that still cute when you’re 27? I’m starting to question it. But then I know my family just wants to hear from me, that any smiling picture of me will bring them joy. That’s what actually matters. I have to admit, I am tempted to send out a picture of just me. “Hey folks, this is how it is! Single and fabulous! Don’t ask me when I’m going to meet Mr. Right, congratulate me for not settling for Mr. Wrong!” That would be the subtext, not the words I would actually write… What do you think, should I go for it?
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to write more. Letters! I know the joy I feel whenever I open the mail box and am greeted by something that is not a bill. It’s the romantic in me, I adore snail-mail. Minted has lovely stationary to make this easy. I find the prettier the stationary or card I have, the more motivated I am to send it out into the world. Even more then their whimsical cards and inspiring stationary, my favorite thing they have is their unique, easily personalized journal selection. I love me a good notebook but always struggle to find one that makes me want to carry it every where, one that begs to be used as much as possible. The amazing designers that Minted features have certainly met those requirements in their notebook designs. See for yourself!
Remember I said this was a give-away? Sponsored by Minted, the winner gets $50 to spend on anything on their site! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, share ANY of my blog posts on Facebook or Twitter- let me know you did that and where on the comment you leave in this post! Winner will be announced on Monday Dec 30th.
In my book it’s totally valid to send out New Years cards at least through the middle of the month. Come on, it’s January, the month where we most need little things to brighten the cold, dreary days!
Did you send out holiday cards a month ago? Do you ever write snail-mail letters? Do you know an artist who submit to their current Birth Announcement Challenge? What’s your favorite feature of Minted.com? Follow Minted on Twitter!
All images (aside from Pip the Cat) are from Minted.com
I like the cats clothes.
Wow! I love sending out cards. That’s so fun.
Looks like fun!
As long as you, and your friends ( at least the ones I’m thinking on), retain that twinkle in the eye, the irrepressible smiles, and the fearless expressions of thought and emotion you will ALWAYS garner the measure of cute, regardless of the measure of time.
Your cat is adorable!
Love it! I actually did Christmas cards this year for the first time…and by DID, read: MADE. I, er, may not put myself through that again….this would be a nice alternative!
Yay! I want to win so I can send out New Years cards!!!
We did a bunch of design and printing this holiday season. Sounds like a fun site!
I am terrible at those little things like sending out Christmas cards (or even decorating for Christmas in the first place). I am hoping to actually manage to send thank you cards this year. 🙂 Merry belated Christmas and a happy new year to you! 🙂
Love these designs! I did send out Christmas cards this year, but I loved the act of sending and receiving them. Like you, I’d love to send more snail mail in 2014.
New Year’s cards are a very sensible choice: these should be acts that bring us joy, not that add stress to already busy lives.
And, I tweeted about the giveaway here: https://twitter.com/krschfld/status/416574805429997568
I LOVE MINTED! Their stationary is the best!
I love getting cards from friends. 🙂
Where on EARTH did you get that snazzy kitty vest? It kind of makes me want to get a cat just so I can dress it up.
And no. I did not get around to sending holiday cards. I even had a stack from last year. And I think I sent maybe 3. But then I just…the thought of looking up everyone’s postal address…it was too much.
I love the party supplies at minted. The ‘holiday bling’ line is really cute.
Omg that cat. He would look adorable on some Valentine’s day cards!
I love sending cards! and getting them in the mail too. Thanks for the chance
I twitted! https://twitter.com/Dimplesbyu/status/417186471456411650
again thanks so much for the chance
Nice giveaway! thanks
They are some nice designs, I design for a small print company and I may see about host some of my stuff on there.
I just received a snail mail-letter yesterday. It’s so much more fun to send letters via snail mail than e-mail. Unfortunately, it’s also more expensive…
Oh, what pretty cards! I LOVE writing snail mail as I love to receive snail mail <3 It's just a personal touch that shows you took the time to sit down and actually write something out, as oppose to a text.
My sister and I both sent out Christmas cards and thank you cards this year, and I would love to send out Happy New Year cards too! I hope I win!
<3
Christina
http://lifebeinggirly.com/
I love Minted!! This credit would be perfect to apply to birth announcements!!
I would love to order my save the dates from minted. Thank you for this opportunity!
I could use some thank you cards after my holiday haul!
I didn’t need an excuse to read your blog, but this is the BEST excuse to comment ever! I’m a huge card person (and so is my Mom). Winning would mean making BOTH our years. 😉
I used to send out Halloween cards too. I might try to get back into that.
Sounds like a great way to get designs out there and to find some really interesting new cards!
Can’t wait to look at all the designs they have to offer!