They arrived!
My holiday cards arrived*. Of course, I still need to write out the address labels and actually send them, but having beautiful cards (with matching address labels) ready to rock makes me feel much better.
As it turns out, my cards arrived last week, but with the whole chin-splitting accident excitement, I didn't open the box. The turn-around time from order to design-approval to on-your-front-porch is really rapid at Minted; it certainly isn't too late to order holiday photo cards that appear as though you spent multiple revisions with a design crew and tons of time to obtain - but really are done in just a few days.
Last year I used Minted and reviewed them. I was impressed with Minted then, and so they graciously gave me a discount code for you readers earlier this year, and then offered to provide me 25 free flat-cards this holiday if I would mention them again.
By way of disclaimer, I ordered more than 25, and also ordered the matching address labels. In other words, I trusted Minted enough to pony up my own money to send these gorgeous cards to more than just 25 recipients.
Ready to see what my card looks like?
This scan doesn't do the card justice. The paper is textured, so the image is clear in person even if it looks bumpy above. I also got some photo stamps to match, as well as the matching address labels from Minted to complete the package.
Just like last year, it was difficult for me to decide which of the excellent designs would make the perfect holiday card. We lucked out during a wedding reception a couple weeks ago and got a photo of us all together (in which we don't look completely lame) with a background that could match many of the designs. My final choice was pretty easy because while I wanted a family shot, I also wished to show my boys' personality a bit. The shots of them together tend to be much cuter than the whole family, naturally!
Both shots were taken outside, so there were some shadows. In the family shot I was leaning awkwardly into my kids. But it was super simple to crop the photos appropriately to fit within the design to my liking. Similarly, I played around with the wording of our family name. I kept the suggested holiday message, but then switched around the other text.
When I was satisfied with what I saw on the preview screen, I held my breath and pressed the "order" key. I knew a professional designer would review the card prior to printing, so I didn't have to hold my breath too much.
A couple days later, I received an email with a link to view and approve my proof. This was slightly different than last year. Last year, I received an email with the proof attached. I then responded via email to let them know whether I approved. This year, the process was easier. The email contained a link to the proof along with a series of check-boxes to indicate whether things were correct on each piece of my order. Everything was great, so I checked the "approved" boxes for both the card and address labels.
Just a couple days later, the package was on my doorstep. I paid for a rush delivery since I wanted to report back to you readers, and rush they did!
Like last year, the cards were packed in a way to ensure safe delivery. Last year, the packing material was a nest of brown raffia-like twigs. This year, bubble wrap. I must admit I was surprised by the bubble wrap because the seemingly environmentally-friendly paper raffia-twigs of last year felt like a better choice. (I turned around and used the bubble wrap to mail a package of gifts to relatives.) Just as last year, there was a little sticker with a person's name saying he had packed up our order for us - I love this personal touch.
I'm happy with the cards. They are thick and well-made. There were certainly many other Minted designs I considered and probably would have been thrilled with those as well.
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More on Minted here at Spectrum of Reviews:
I'm Mailing Minted Holiday Photo Cards
Get Minted in the Mail
Disclaimers: Minted gave me 25 cards in exchange for posting about them. As it turns out, one of their competitors - tiny*prints - also gave me incentive to post, which I will do in a separate entry. It is no secret that I have spent my own money at both Minted and Tiny*Prints and it is definitely not my intention to pit them against each other; rather, I wish to explain how much I love both and hope that you readers will check them out to see what fits for you.
*If you receive a physical holiday card from me, it might be his one, or it might be the tiny*prints one that I'll review in a separate entry.
