Make Your Own Holiday Photo Card

If you enjoy sending pictures to your family and friends, you may be wondering how to make your own holiday photo cards. Fortunately, this is a project that doesn't require great crafting or computer skills. All you need is a photo you wish to use and a basic image editing program.

Open a document in your image editing program that measures 4x6 with a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. (This tutorial uses Adobe Photoshop Elements, but the instructions are similar regardless of what software is on your computer.)

Create a background for your photo card using the gradient tool. You can stick to the traditional Christmas colors or experiment with wilder combinations if you'd prefer a more unusual holiday greeting.

Use the shape tool to draw a frame on your background.

Add a drop shadow to give your frame a touch of dimension.

Add your photo to the frame, resizing as needed.

Add your holiday greeting and your family's names, if desired. Add a piece of seasonal clip art, such as a snowflake, candy cane, or Christmas tree.

Save the image as a JPG file. To make your own holiday photo card, order prints at your favorite discount store or from an online photo processing site such as Shutterfly or Snapfish. A standard 4x6 print can be sent through the mail like a postcard, saving you a great deal of cash on your holiday greetings!

For more Christmas card ideas, please review the LoveToKnow Crafts slideshow Christmas Card Ideas.