Last-Minute Holiday Cards and Gifts (About)

I have some friends who sent out their holiday cards weeks ago. (Yes, before December even hit.) Then there are other friends who like to send their cards two weeks before Christmas so that they get there in plenty of time.

I am neither a member of the super-early group nor of the timely group. I am one of those souls you see frantically searching for last-minute ">gifts on Christmas Eve, hopefully not at the drug store. I am one of those who send out their holiday cards in time for New Year's -- maybe.

But as we get ready for our annual cookie-decorating party ('cause kids and cookies and icing just go together and create magical-looking edible art), I am giving myself a bit of a break this year. Holiday cards will be late, but time together with family and friends will be first.

I know there are a lot of much-more-organized folks than me who will say you can do both. I'm gonna keep trying to emulate them (I may get there one year!), but in the meantime, I'm gonna kick myself a bit less for not measuring up to the expectations that are so often self-imposed during the holiday season.

If you are like me, then give yourself a break too. Aside from the fact that being hard on yourself is counterproductive (and you still have a lot to do!), know that it's okay not to be perfect every time.

And don't panic. There are options.

If you are late with holiday cards and you have a Mac, you can still send out beautiful personalized letterpress cards with Apple's iLife '11. If you don't have that software, you can still use iPhoto to create gorgeous photo ">gifts such as calendars and photo books. Order by the 18th (for standard shipping) or the 19th (for express shipping) and these ">gifts will still arrive by Christmas.

Another option: You can make terrific cards and ">gifts using sites such as Shutterfly or Snapily, or you can make your own.

Related Articles: Great Holiday ">Gifts and Stocking Stuffers for EveryoneHow to Plan a Kids' Christmas PartyFamily Holidays Survival Guide

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