For longtime Mixbook customer Britt Smith, sending a holiday card is more than a seasonal tradition—it’s a creative ritual rooted in reflection, storytelling, and connection. Each year, she uses custom photo cards as a way to share her family’s journey with loved ones across the country—capturing not just what they did, but how they felt.
Pairing this kind of update with joyful season’s greetings to send to all your friends and family is a beautiful tradition. It’s also one that every family can embrace with just a little time, creativity, and your choice among Mixbook’s holiday cards.
“Holiday cards have become such a sweet tradition for us,” Britt said. “A way to reflect on the year and reconnect with the people we care about.”
Cards that capture an epic African adventure
This year, Britt’s family had an especially meaningful story to tell. The Smiths went on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to South Africa, returning with unforgettable memories and tons of photos capturing their adventures.
“This year’s Mixbook holiday card was inspired by our family’s incredible trip to Africa,” Britt shared. “It was such a meaningful experience, and we wanted to capture those memories and make them a special part of our Christmas card—a way to share the adventure and joy of that journey with our loved ones.”
Bringing the spirit of travel into the holidays
To make the card feel as personal as the memories of the epic trip itself, Britt carefully selected favorite images that captured the full emotion of their time abroad.
“We added multiple photos to highlight moments from the trip—the laughter, the wildlife, and the awe of exploring somewhere so special together.”
All Mixbookers can take inspiration from this project and choose photos from their most meaningful travel experiences. It doesn’t have to be as far-flung as South Africa! A late summer camping weekend in your home state, a road trip to a national park, or even just a fun getaway to visit family—if the memories bring a big smile to your face, then the photos could be the perfect choice for this year’s holiday card.
A card that feels like a gift
Along with selecting the right travel photos for her holiday card, Britt picked a versatile custom card theme that accents her full-sized photos with eye-catching typography.
Britt also chose to print her Mixbook Christmas card on matte paper, a tactile decision that reflected the warmth behind the message.
“The design we chose reflects both the beauty of the holidays and the spirit of our travels.”
While the process of creating custom holiday cards can often feel overwhelming, Britt found the Mixbook experience seamless—and even enjoyable.
“Mixbook always makes the process so easy and fun,” she said. “I loved how simple it was to customize every detail, and the quality of the printed cards truly exceeded my expectations.”
“It felt like creating a mini photo album we could actually send to friends and family.”
A family tradition, reinvented
For Britt’s family, holiday cards have become more than just a December task—they’re a way to document and honor each passing year. And with a growing collection of past cards, she has created a legacy of storytelling that her family and friends look forward to.
“Seeing these Africa photos bring smiles to loved ones’ faces will be especially meaningful,” she said. “It’s a small gesture that carries so much joy and nostalgia of where my family is from.”
A moment that says it all
Among the many photos featured in this year’s design, one stood out for Britt:
“The most meaningful part of this year’s card is a beautiful picture of our family in the middle of the African bush, simply enjoying our time together,” she shared. “It perfectly captures the peace, connection, and gratitude we felt in that moment—and the spirit we hope to carry into the holiday season.”
If your family photo collection from the past year has that one amazing photo that evokes similar emotions, be sure to save it for your annual holiday photo card.
Mixbook’s top tips for holiday photo cards
Whether you're highlighting a big trip like Britt’s or simply celebrating cozy moments at home, here are a few ways to make your holiday photo cards meaningful, memorable, and uniquely yours:
1. Choose photos with personality
Look for moments that capture real emotion—laughter, connection, celebration. The most loved photos aren’t always the most posed.
If you absolutely nailed that photo shoot in coordinating outfits with a pretty backdrop, and everyone’s genuinely smiling, then kudos! But, don’t overlook the rest of your photo reel.
The best photos for a holiday card might be of your silly kid pulling a funny face, your serious child lost in her thoughts, or a sneaky shot of your spouse practicing air guitar. Candid photos can sometimes be even more special than posed ones.
2. Match your message to your year
Pick a design and tone that reflects your current season of life—whether that's joyful chaos, quiet reflection, or something in between.
Maybe your family home is typically loud, bright, and playful, like the design of our Whimsical Ornament Collage card. Your newly empty nest might be best represented by Peaceful Snapshots. Celebrate your first holiday season as newlyweds by customizing the Merry and Married Sunburst card.
3. Use premium paper for a polished touch
Matte paper adds warmth and texture, while satin finishes offer a modern, elevated feel. You might upgrade your cards with a shimmery pearl finish or cotton texture. Think about which tactile qualities match the aesthetics of your holiday card.
Other customizations available for your Mixbook photo cards include real foil accents in a choice of metallic hues, plus various trims such as rounded, double-rounded, or vintage crest corners.
4. Include multiple photos if you can’t choose just one
Many photo card layouts allow for a collage-style card with space for travel, milestones, or everyday wins. Here are a few of our favorite card designs with room for multiple pics:
5. Don’t wait until the last minute
Design early and order ahead so you can enjoy the process—and avoid the holiday rush. Mixbook Studio’s intuitive tools make it quick and easy to customize your card (just click and drag), so you can complete the whole project in under an hour.
Want to turn your memories into something meaningful this season?
Mixbook makes it easy to create holiday photo cards that feel like a gift—and tell your story beautifully.
Take inspiration from creative Mixbookers like Britt and get started on your custom card today.
