DIY holiday cards with photos: Sleigh the season with style

Ditch boring holiday cards! Learn to create stunning DIY photo cards with Facetune's magic. Your festive selfies are about to sleigh.

Tally Moran
1
min read
DIY holiday cards
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Hey there, festive friend! 'Tis the season to get crafty, and what better way to spread some holiday cheer than with personalized photo cards? Whether you're a DIY pro or just dipping your toes into the crafty waters, we've got you covered. Let's dive into some fun and fabulous ways to make your holiday greetings pop!

DIY Christmas card photo ideas that'll sleigh

  • Winter wonderland realness: Transform your backyard (or living room) into a snowy paradise. No snow? No problem! Our AI Selfie Generator can add that magical touch of frost. Try Facetune's "Arctic" category in AI Effects for an instant winter makeover.
  • Ugly sweater, beautiful you: Rock those tacky sweaters with pride! Group photos in matching ugly sweaters are always a hit. And if you can't find the perfect sweater? Our AI clothes changer has got your back (literally). Just upload your photo, tap on Clothes, and choose from our presets or type in your own custom prompt like "ugly Christmas sweater with lights."

  • Santa's little helpers: Dress up as elves, reindeer, or even Santa himself. Kids, pets, or reluctant partners make great additions to this festive scene. Use Facetune's makeup presets to add rosy cheeks and a twinkle in your eye – perfect for that North Pole look!
  • Festive furbabies: Let's be real, sometimes our pets are more photogenic than we are. Dress them up in tiny Santa hats or reindeer antlers for maximum adorableness. Use Facetune's Retouch tools to make their fur extra fluffy and eyes extra bright.
  • Movie magic: Recreate a scene from your favorite holiday movie. Home Alone, anyone? Use Facetune's Backdrop feature to place yourself in iconic movie locations without leaving your living room.
  • Holiday hobby showcase: Show off your festive skills! Baking cookies? Decorating the tree? Wrapping gifts? Capture yourself in action and use Facetune's Enhance tool to make the colors pop and the details shine.

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  • Seasonal silhouettes: Create a striking card by taking a silhouette photo against a colorful sunset (or sunrise, for you early birds). Use Facetune's Light FX to add some sparkle or a subtle glow to your image.
  • Letterboard love: Spell out a festive message on a letterboard and pose with it. Use Facetune's text tools to add extra flair or your signature to complete the look.
  • Tradition with a twist: Take your annual family photo, but add an unexpected element. Maybe everyone's wearing Santa hats... except dad, who's sporting bunny ears. Use Facetune's Patch tool to seamlessly add these elements if you forgot them during the shoot.
  • Globe-trotting greetings: If you've traveled this year, use a vacation photo with a holiday twist. Add Santa hats or snowflakes using Facetune's sticker feature, or change your beachwear to winter gear with the AI clothes changer.

Now that you've got some killer ideas, let's talk about how to make those photo Christmas cards shine brighter than Rudolph's nose.

How to make your own holiday photo cards (without losing your mind)

Choose your vibe: First things first, decide on your holiday card aesthetic. Are you going for classy and elegant, or fun and quirky? This will guide your photo shoot and design choices. Browse through Facetune's photo filters for inspiration – aesthetics that can spark ideas.

Backdrop it up: With Facetune's Mood feature, you can choose from a variety of backdrops or upload your own. No need to brave the cold for that perfect snowy background! Here's how:

  • Upload your photo to Facetune
  • Tap on Mood, then Backdrop
  • Choose from our preset backgrounds or tap Photo to use one from your camera roll
  • Use the Fix and Adjust tools to perfect the background blend

AI magic: Want to really stand out? Try our AI Selfie Generator Head to AI Effects and choose from categories like Seasons or Arctic. Or, get creative and write your own prompt to transform your photo's aesthetic instantly. It's still you, just with an extra sprinkle of holiday magic. Some fun prompts to try:

  • "Cozy cabin in the snowy woods"
  • "Starry night with Northern Lights"
  • "Glittering New Year's Eve party"

Dress to impress: Not feeling your outfit? Our AI clothes changer lets you explore different looks without actually changing. Whether you want a cozy sweater or a glam party dress, we've got you covered. Here's how to use it:

  • Upload your photo
  • Tap on AI Effects, then Clothes
  • Choose which part of your outfit needs a revamp
  • Select from our presets or type your own prompt like "elegant red velvet dress" or "fair isle sweater"

Makeup and go: Add some festive glam with our makeup presets. From subtle "No Makeup" makeup to full-on "New Year's Eve Glam", we've got looks for every holiday vibe. To apply:

  • In the editor, scroll through the Discover feed
  • Choose from categories like natural, glam, fun, night, or trending
  • Tap on the preset you like
  • Adjust the intensity of the makeup, filter, and enhancement to your liking

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Group photo finesse: Wrangling the whole family for a photo? No worries! Facetune's got your back:

  • Use the Retouch tools to smooth out any last-minute wrinkles or flyaways
  • The Patch tool is great for swapping a blinking eye or grumpy expression from another shot
  • Enhance everyone's smiles with the Whiten tool – it works on teeth and eye sparkle!

Lighting is key: Bad lighting can ruin a great photo. If you couldn't get it right in-camera, try these Facetune fixes:

  • Use the Relight tool to reposition the light source in your image
  • The Shadow tool can brighten up any dark areas
  • Play with the Vibrance tool to bring out the details and add a pro-looking finish

Add some sparkle: 'Tis the season to shine! Facetune's Light FX offers a variety of effects like glitter, sparkle, and light leaks. Try adding subtle snowfall or a warm candlelit glow to your image.

Final touches: Once you've got your perfect shot, it's time to prep for printing. Many online printing services offer templates, or you can flex those creative muscles and design from scratch. Either way, make sure your photo is high resolution (at least 300 dpi) for the best print quality.

DIY printing option: Feeling extra crafty? Print your cards at home on high-quality cardstock. You can create a folded card by printing your design on the front and your message inside. Just make sure to do a test print first to check colors and alignment.

Beyond the card: Your fabulous photo doesn't have to be limited to cards. Consider using it for other holiday items:

  • Phone cases with your festive photo
  • Custom ornaments featuring your holiday image
  • Festive mugs with your smiling face
  • Canvas prints for grandparents or other family members

Remember, the key to make photo Christmas cards that stand out is to let your personality shine through. Whether you're going for heartwarming, hilarious, or somewhere in between, authenticity is always in style.

Make a picture into a Christmas card: Pro tips

  • Think outside the box: Your Christmas card doesn't have to be a traditional portrait. Consider action shots, close-ups, or even a series of photos telling a story.
  • Incorporate your hobbies: Love baking? Snap a pic decorating cookies. Musician in the family? How about a shot with instruments and sheet music of carols?
  • Play with perspectives: Try shooting from above, below, or through something (like a wreath) for an interesting composition.
  • Use props: Fairy lights, ornaments, gifts, or holiday decorations can add festive flair to any photo.

  • Consider your color scheme: Traditional red and green are classic, but don't be afraid to try something different like winter whites and blues or festive metallics.
  • Location, location, location: Your setting can make or break a photo. Scout out picturesque spots in your home or neighborhood ahead of time.
  • Timing is everything: For outdoor shots, the "golden hour" just after sunrise or before sunset can provide beautiful, warm lighting.
  • Coordinate, don't match: Instead of identical outfits, try coordinating colors or themes for a cohesive but natural look.
  • Capture genuine moments: Sometimes the best photos are unposed. Try to catch real laughter or sweet interactions for a card that feels authentic.
  • Don't forget the outtakes: Those "imperfect" shots can often make the most memorable and entertaining cards!

Make your own holiday photo cards: Wrap-up

Creating your own holiday photo cards is a fantastic way to personalize your season's greetings and have some fun in the process. With Facetune's array of tools – from AI-powered effects to simple retouching – you can create a card that's uniquely you, whether you're going for elegance, humor, or pure holiday cheer.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process. These cards are a reflection of you and your loved ones, so let your personality shine through. Whether you're making a traditional family portrait or a hilarious pet-centered card, the key is to have fun and spread joy.

So there you have it, folks! With these tips, tricks, and Facetune features, you're all set to make your own holiday photo cards that'll have everyone on your list feeling merry and bright. Now go forth and spread some holiday cheer, you photogenic elf, you!

And hey, once you've created your masterpiece, why not share it with us? We'd love to see how you've used Facetune to make your holiday cards sparkle. Tag us in your social media posts or use #FacetunedHolidays – who knows, you might even inspire next year's feature update!

Happy holidays, and happy Facetuning!

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Tally Moran
Facetune's copywriter, always on the pulse of new trends, ensuring your selfies and content capture the spotlight with style and ease.
Join a community of 200M+ and discover why Facetune is the world's top selfie editor.

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Bring out your best self in your selfies with Facetune
Join a community of 200M+ and discover why Facetune is the world's top selfie editor. Experience the fastest and easiest way to edit with our ultimate one-tap tools, made for every skill level.

Experiment with new looks, shine on social media & never run out of inspiration.
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