The first picture postcard in the U.S. appeared at the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893 and it was a huge success. They became popular as a way to send someone greetings at any holiday including Christmas. During this period and into the 1930’s artists or illustrators designed postcards as it was an easy way to make a living and the cards were very intricate and ornate with many decorative accents like ribbons, glitter or feathers. There were elaborate borders with idyllic winter scenes or Christmas trees and holly along with clever verses on the card.

In the United States and Great Britain there was a big demand for holiday postcards during the Victorian period and into the Golden Age – plus the cost for mailing a post card was only a penny – making it ideal as a way to send holiday greetings at a low cost. Best of all, you didn’t have to write much on the card – as there was not enough space to do so! This trend has continued to the present day with postcards still a popular way to send greetings to loved ones.

 Make your holiday easier this year by sending out a holiday postcard. Here are some reasons it will be right for you:

• Postcards are more affordable – both for the cards and for the postage to send them.
• Postcards are easy to read – without a long letter to go through.
• Postcards are high quality and very festive.
• Postcards are politically correct – you can customize the message to make it suitable for anyone on your list.
• Postcards are fun and http://www.astonishingcards.com/ can print, address, stamp and mail them out for you.

Photo Christmas cards, along with Hanukkah and other holiday greetings have evolved to be a big business today with both personal and business cards being routinely sent. Often photocards are sent showing a family on vacation or in holiday attire by the Christmas tree or some other winter scene.

 You can have multiple photos showing various scenes printed in full color on both sides of the card. This type of card is much more personal and displays families at play or enjoying themselves during the holidays. A formal photo can also be used depending on the audience.

 Here are some reasons why a photocard makes good sense for your holiday greeting card:

• Photocards are more personal and can take the place of writing a long message as you can show it in photos rather than words.
• You can use multiple photos to form a collage which can be interesting and fun.
• They are printed in full color on both sides of the card.
• We can get them printed, addressed, stamped and mailed the next day after the order is placed.
• It will save you time and effort – and be a terrific way to send your holiday greetings to family and friends.  Just go to http://www.astonishingcards.com/and create that special card that is unique to just you and your family.

 This tradition has evolved from the photo that was slipped into a slot that was in the center of the card, to a beautiful piece of artwork that can now be done easily. The holidays are a time to remember family and friends and acquaintances and wish them well for the New Year. Many people write newsletters or write messages inside their cards, but a photo is worth at least a 1,000 words – or so they say.

 Here are some fun ways to make Photo Christmas Cards more interesting and gives you more time to enjoy the holidays:

• Photo Christmas Cards can be a family project so that everyone in the family is contributing to the holiday spirit.
• You could also dress up in holiday attire and show off your Christmas spirit making it a creative family pose.
• Some families use vacation photos to showcase what they did during the year or take pictures of your new home or backyard.
• Compose a family message to accompany the photos.
• Determine what size photo card you want to use:
  • Large Folded Card …7.75 x 5.125
  • Small Folded Notecard…5.5 x 3.8
  • Full size flat cards…5 x 7
  • Photocards…4 x 8
  • Postcards…4 x 6

Once you have selected the size, upload your photos along with the message to http://www.astonishingcards.com and we will have them printed, addressed, stamped and mailed for you – so you can enjoy the rest of the holidays.

The postcard was first introduced in London around 1840 but the first commercial post card was developed in Philadelphia in 1861 but was used for advertising and did not feature pictures. A picture postcard was made in 1870 during the Franco Prussian War although it was never sent through the mail but acted more as a souvenir.  In Vienna, Austria in 1871 the first holiday souvenir picture postcard was sent – which is more like the type used by vacationers around the world today.

The postcard has continued to evolve and be used in many ways besides the traditional pictorial display of your favorite holiday retreat. Businesses have used postcards to advertise or make announcements of upcoming sales or the opening of a new store. Personal use has evolved as well so that you will often see postcards used as an invitation to a party or to “Hold the Date” for a wedding or other event.

In the early 1900’s postcards became so popular that they were often used instead of traditional Christmas cards. Today it makes good sense to use a Photo Christmas Card for many reasons that you will agree with:

• Postcards are more affordable and the postage costs less to mail them
• High quality card stock with beautiful designs
• Both sides can be fully designed
• Convenient to have printed, stamped and mailed for you.

This year, try something different and use a http://www.astonishingcards.com/ Christmas postcard to send to family and friends and carry on a tradition of keeping in touch but in a festive and practical way.

Here are some exciting ways that you can create a birth announcement that will really be a winner for all who see it:

• Photographs of the newborn are always a great tradition, but you can be more inventive with your birth announcement if you utilize the newest craze of a QR code that can be used to provide a slideshow of the newest family member being welcomed into the world. A QR code looks like a graphic barcode and can be read by a Smartphone and go directly to your Facebook page or provide a family album to recipients.
• Create your own message that could be told from the newborn’s perspective saying how much the child appreciates the wonderful family he or she has been welcomed into.
• Use the vital statistics – length, weight, color of hair or eyes – to describe who the child takes after and make it a creative and fun way to show off this little person to the world.

We at http://www.astonishingcards.com/ know that a birth announcement is important and we are here to assist you with making it all that it can be.

Whether you want a postcard style invitation or a folded card, you can create full color Halloween invitations that are festive and fun.  Here are some things to think about when planning:

• Ensure everyone wears a costume by showing a photograph of revelers from past years and make it clear that no one is allowed in without a costume.
• You could plan a theme such as particular types of characters like ghouls and goblins from a cemetery or a Haunted House theme.
• Compose a compelling personalized invitation that will inspire people to go all out with their costumes or ask them to bring their favorite spooky story to tell at the party.
• Remember to have everyone RSVP so that you are sure how many goblin goodies you need to prepare for the party.
• Ensure that you have plenty of time to plan the party by letting http://www.astonishingcards.com/ do all the addressing of the Halloween invitations – then we will stamp and mail them out for you too.

 Halloween is the time when everyone gets to portray a favorite fantasy character so you can create a Halloween card for each person individually to suit their persona. Here are some suggestions on creating special Halloween cards:

• Children of all ages enjoy a good laugh – whether they are small children or adults – a Halloween card can be sent to a daughter, son, grandson or granddaughter, nephew or niece or children of friends or neighbors.
• Friends also enjoy receiving something to brighten their day so make sure that friends are included on your list of special people.
• Use creative touches like old photographs that show the personality of the person and that will spark a smile when viewed by the recipient.
• Compose a special Halloween message for each person so that the Halloween card is especially personalized for that person.Once all your full color Halloween folded cards or postcards are completed, http://www.astonishingcards.com/ can get them all mailed out for you as they will address and stamp them.

1. Create a design that you can carry through to the shower itself whether the shower is for a girl or a boy or twins – or whether you have no knowledge of the gender of the child.
2. You can use colors as well as designs – blue for a boy or pink for a girl – or other colors like yellow or aqua if you are unsure.
3. Teddy bears, carnivals, circus animals – there are an endless array of different themes to choose from – use the same theme for your decorations and create a festive atmosphere. Plan games so that everyone can participate in the fun.
4. Your personalized baby shower invitations with your own customized message makes the event one that everyone will look forward to.

All it takes is a little imagination from http://www.astonishingcards.com/ and you will be able to create the excitement needed for a fun-filled baby shower that all will enjoy!

• Be creative – think outside of the box. Develop a theme that will create a sense of adventure and fun and one that the mother-to-be can relate to.
• Whether the baby shower is for women only or couples, you can find an entertaining way to make the shower more fun for everyone with games that are interactive and that all will enjoy. You can let people know that this will not be a routine baby shower but will be one that will be fun and definitely not boring!
• Compose your own wording that is personalized to the mother-to-be so that everyone will be excited about the baby shower and want to participate.
• Have a photograph of the mother-to-be to make it more personal.
• If you do not know the gender of the child, you can create a baby shower invite that is neutral and will work well for either a boy or a girl.

Astonishingcards.com will add the finishing touches with addressing, stamping and mailing the baby shower invites for you.

You can make your own personalized baby shower card that will charm everyone with your creativity who receives an invitation. Your customized message will ensure that these baby shower invitations are extra special whether you use a postcard or folded card style.

Baby showers are usually personalized for the occasion with a theme that has a special meaning to the person. You will be able to find the perfect baby shower invitation from the astonishing array at Astonishingcards.com so that your baby shower is exactly how you want it to be. With an interesting and varied selection that can be customized any way you want it, including a photograph if you like, you will be able to make this baby shower the best one you have ever planned – or attended!

Let the astonishing staff help you out further by letting them help with the addressing, stamping and mailing of your baby shower cards to make your party planning even easier.