Chelsea Kaplan’s Musings About Life... After Birth

As my 5th grade teacher used to say, times flies when you’re having fun…and even when you’re not. Do you believe that it’s almost Chanukah? And Christmas is right around the corner. Damn, when did December happen?

This past weekend I realized I needed to get my butt in gear and get my holiday cards ordered already. I’m a big fan of photo cards - especially when you have kids. It’s always fun to show off how cute your kid is and when you get others’ cards, see how everyone’s kid has grown since last year.

For my son’s first holiday season, when he was only a couple of months old, I sent out photo cards (I ordered them off Shutterfly.com) with this photo:

Though my son is not named Rick Jr. after his father, when I was pregnant with him, I referred to him as “Rick Jr.” because I knew he was a boy and I thought it was funny, particularly because Jewish people don’t name for those who are alive. We think it’s bad luck or something, and instead name for someone who has passed away. Though using your deceased relative’s actual name works, of course, you can use the name’s first letter. So, if your late grandpa was Mordecai, you’re not screwed; Max (or Meredith) is sufficient. Additionally, if you are having a hard time picking an “M” name you like (or you didn’t really like your grandpa that much but your mom is going to “die a thousand deaths” if you don’t honor him), the middle name works too.

Anyway, I digress….so, I guess I referred to this baby as Rick Jr. so much that one of my mom’s good friends actually thought I was naming my son Rick Jr., and purchased this pillow for me. I included it in his nursery, thinking it was so cute and a good reminder of what I called him in utero. Well, when he came out, he WAS (and, naturally, still remains) Rick Jr.  As I’ve lamented before, he’s a clone of my husband.  Therefore, the pillow - and the card -  was all the funnier.

Last year, I sent out a GORGEOUS card from Tiny Prints with a black and white version of this photo of my son, my husband and myself (with that annoying lock of hair over my forehead Photoshopped out) from our annual Cape Cod trip:

This year, I chose another cool card from Shutterfly.com, and I have to say, it’s my favorite holiday card yet. I’ll post it later so as to not ruin the surprise for those who will be receiving it, but I gotta tell you, it is really cute.

If you’re needing to order some holiday cards for yourself (and seriously, if you haven’t yet done it - you need to do it soon, people!), I definitely recommend checking out Shutterfly.com. Not only are its cards reasonably-priced, but have it has a selection of cards designed by well-known artists/personalities like avalisa, Martha Stewart, Stacy Claire Boyd and Shirley Lee. Additionally, Kodak Gallery has all sorts of beautiful cards (and photo gifts) too. A word to the wise: before ordering your photo cards from a big-time online vendor, check the site’s homepage or couponchief.net for discount codes - if you order early enough, you can often get 20-30% off your order!

If you’re looking for something different, check out Simply Silhouettes. Their cards are so cool; you take a picture of your child or childrens’ profile/s, which they turn into silhouettes and then place them on a card, like this:

Happy holidays (and card making!).