Another Christmas Tradition

I wanted to share another Christmas tradition that started from my grandma. Since I was young, she has put together a family calendar and sent to everybody for Christmas. As all the grandkids have gotten older and we are all spread out geographically, we don't have as many family pictures (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...). So now the tradition has been passed on to each individual family to carry on (if they choose). I have kept the calendars from previous years..it's a great way to remember what happened that year and kind of like a little scrapbook of memories.



This has always been one of our family's favorite gifts each year so (my mom, sister and myself) have all continued to make one for our families. Abby and I have also shared this tradition with our in-laws. So now this is one of the most anticipated gifts for everyone...they are all so excited to get their calendars and it's a neat way to personalize a gift for the ones you love. Now that we are in the digital age, it makes things even that much easier to create. I use the shutterfly website to create our calendars and there is usually a pretty good deal around the holidays (like mine this year was buy one get the rest half price with free shipping). Since I order so many (usually 5 or 6...because everyone gets their own calendar to take to work or keep at home...) I'm always excited to get a deal.

It gives you the option to add special events, birthdays and of course the major holidays. It saves those every year in your account so you just choose which ones you want to include in your calendar. I do customize the one we keep at our house (combine pics of my family and Justin's family), but the ones I give his parents and brother...is more of their family. Since it's all on the computer...it's pretty easy to switch it up. It takes a little bit of time to load the pics on the program...but then it's easy..just drag and drop the pics into the format you choose. Oh and depending on whose birthday or anniversary it is...they get a feature picture for that month.

Enjoy the pics...and I'm sure you might catch on to the recurring theme in the calendar this year :)