We want to meet YOU! – Send us your Holiday Card this Year!
The other morning I woke up around 4:30am.
I shuffled to the bathroom, did my thing and then crawled back into my warm sheets.
How is it that even if I don’t drink an ounce of liquid after 5pm, I have to pee at least twice in the night… yet Cason can down a gallon of water right before bed and doesn’t even take his first bathroom break till after breakfast?
Having kids ruins ya. It’s the truth.
Aaaaanyway…
For some reason, all of a sudden, I was wide awake. I tried to force myself to close my eyes and slip off into sleep again, but I had this nagging thought on my mind that I couldn’t shake.
I got thinking about, YOU.
Yup. Our readers.
People who read about what we have to say on a day-to-day, or maybe even just week-to-week basis.
A question flew through my head that we get asked ALL the time.
“Don’t you think it’s weird that a bunch of strangers know so much about YOU, but you know nothing about THEM?”
My response:
(shoulder shrug) “Meh.”
Sometimes I get an eye roll from people who think about how unpleasant and awkward that would be for their family, other times I get an uncomfortable giggle with comments after, like: “Well… you’re just crazy” or “I could never do that, it would be so weird.”
But to be honest (and I’m going to assume that about 99% of you have gathered this simple fact already)
I’m just an excitable over-sharer.
Didn’t know there was such a thing, eh? Well… there is.
Hello
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Cason on the other hand… notsomuch. The same goes for his family.
While they are hands down the nicest, most charitable, happiest people in the world…
loud, talkative, giggly storytellers, they are not.
I distinctly remember about 3 months after we were married, hanging out at Cason’s parents house with his Mom, Dad and a few of his siblings.
Oh sheesh… look at that goofy couple
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I was causally flipping through the latest Better Homes and Gardens magazine when I looked up and noticed almost everyone staring at me. I did the awkward, push-your-neck-backward-open-your-eyes-wide look and said something like… “WHAT? What did I do?”
Cason’s Mom replied with…
“Nothing! That’s the problem. We’re bored, entertain us. Tell us a story.”
Ack!
At first I wasn’t sure if this was a jab at my overly chatty, fast talking, way too passionate about everything personality… OR… if she was really just simply asking me to strike up a conversation. (?)
Come to find out, gladly, it was the latter.
While I found this completely strange, because I (along with any one of MY family members) could carry out an entirely colorful discussion with a brick wall… the Smith’s weren’t really that way. Don’t get me wrong, they were awesome conversationalists and always had great, funny things to chat about once they started talking… but sitting around, shootin’ the breeze and just talking about everything and nothing, wasn’t really their strong suit.
For me?… That’s what I live for. That’s how you get to know people for who they REALLY are.
Politics, religion, the meaning of life? All important things, don’t get me wrong.
But discussing why dried-on Cream of Wheat makes for the hardest substance on earth to clean off of a granite counter top, how I wish I was like a Barbie, whether Heinz ketchup is better than Hunts or why sleepovers on a trampoline are NEVER a good idea with small kids…?
Now that’s where the good stuff’s at.
Are these things trivial and generally unimportant?
Yes.
But do they make for fabulously interesting and hilarious conversation that most people can relate to?
Oh yeah..
So, my point? And maybe a better answer to that question above…
I have truly never viewed our blog as “something that strangers come to look at”, but more as a place where I can chat about the everything and nothings, with friends who can justify my feelings and laugh along with me, compliment us on a job well done when we finish a project and occasionally relate to what I’m going through, as a Mom, wife and creative woman.
.
.
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SO. That being said, I’ve got an idea.
We want to meet YOU and get a little glimpse into YOUR happy life!
How you ask?
Well, (in what may seem like a desperate plea to receive some fun mail… which kinda has something to do with it, I’m not gonna lie), we want YOU to send us your photo holiday card this year!
We’re hoping to display them front and center in a special area of our home, designated for happy pictures this holiday season from all the friends we love and appreciate, near AND far! (the world wide web being the “far” part, ha!).
We’re hoping to display them front and center in a special area of our home, designated for happy pictures this holiday season from all the friends we love and appreciate, near AND far! (the world wide web being the “far” part, ha!).
You know a ton about us already, so now we want to see and hear about YOUR beautiful, awesome, special family/life… and since you’re already sending out those amazing cards with that picture you spent so long preparing for and taking… now’s the perfect time!
Just you, your dog, your kids, the whole crew… whatever you want to share with us is up to you.
Just you, your dog, your kids, the whole crew… whatever you want to share with us is up to you.
Send us your cards here:
The Smith Family
The Smith Family
PO Box 203
Sandy, UT 84091
Please Note: Your holiday photo/card may appear along with others in future images on our blog; as part of our decor, and also so we can brag about how cool our readers are.
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I ran this idea past Cason and he’s just ask stoked as I am! Whether we get 3 or 300, we’re just crazy-excited to know a bit more about some of YOU!
Happy Mailing!
Melanie says
What a cool idea. I can't wait to see how you pull them all together in your display!
Unknown says
LOL OK, I'll put you on my list. I'm actually wondering what I'm going to do this year. I'm known for putting out that "annoying" Christmas letter (which, if I'm late, people ask me for, dang it!), but with an online presence and connections to so many of those on my Christmas list, I'm wondering if there is a point. Hmmmm…thinking out loud here…I may have my next post…TTYL! G2G! LOL
Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations
shonaskye.blogspot.com
Colleen says
Do you "follow back" any of the bloggers that follow you? THAT'S a great way to get to know your followers too =)
Lisa says
Cute idea! Watch your mailbox. ๐
Amanda says
What a fun idea! I'll definitely have to add you to our list. ๐
Amy C says
What a fun idea! ๐
Amy @ The Happy Scraps
Erin says
What a fantastic idea! I'll be sending ours, which means I need to print ours. Hmmm… I've got some things to work on this weekend! ๐
Ashley C. says
SOOOO fun! I love it! May or may not have just dropped one in the mail!
Unknown says
What a super cute idea! I bet you will get tons:)
Unknown says
I am new to blogging myself, but have been reading your blog for a while. What a fantastic idea! My card is ready to be sent! (Yes…I'm on top of it).
Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil says
How cute! I'm totally sending mine your way! Love this idea! xoxo
Unknown says
I'll be sending you mine! I love, LOVE , LOVE sending and receiving Christmas Cards; it's rather exciting to me! Happy Holidays!
Unknown says
I'll be sending you mine! I love, LOVE , LOVE sending and receiving Christmas Cards; it's rather exciting to me! Happy Holidays!
Sandy says
My guess is 100+ cards will be coming your way and one will be mine:) First time I did this end smile. I'm learning!
ritajoy says
Oh, what a fun, fun idea! I would love to send you our holiday card. That would mean, however, that I first must actually get one made! I'll be putting that a little higher on the to do list!:)
Love Being A Nonny says
What a fun idea!!!
Kari Wagner Hoban says
What a fun idea! If I have an extra, I will send it on!
Anonymous says
How fun, I'm going to send in a pic!
The Women of Westwood says
I am soo excited about sending out christmas cards! And I will be sure to put you on the list. I don't have kids yet but I hope you are ready to get a picture of my fur babies!
istaistaista.blogspot.com
Meghan says
What a fun idea! Will be sure to add your address to our mailing list ๐
Unknown says
oh – you are so gonna get one from me!!!!
Unknown says
What a fun idea! Mind if I steal it for my blog too? I love getting Christmas cards!
Kelli Kegley says
I love this idea! Funny how the best ideas are sometimes thought of in the middle of the night!
Aubree says
Wow I bet you get a ton of cards. You are going to have to tip the mail carrier!! Fun idea!
Jenny says
What a super-fun idea! I am adding you to my Christmas card list.. And we even got a family picture taken this year. ๐
Bernice says
I think it's kind of a brilliant idea! And I, for one, am excited about the idea that a blogging celebrity might put my little family on display at her house!
Pitter and Glink says
Oh my goodness! This is such a fun idea! I don't normally send out Christmas cards, but I'm totally tempted to now after reading this! I know. Totally weird. But you're kind of like, well, you are ARE a blogging rockstar, and to think that you would hang up my little ol' Christmas card in your house… ๐
Anonymous says
Love this idea! I don't send photo cards but if I did you would get one for sure!
Unknown says
this is a pretty wicked awesome idea! i'll be sending ours ๐
Iuliana@Hip2Thrift says
what an awesome idea! Totally will send our card!
BAILEY says
So fun! I'll send you one. I wish we got more. People just don't send holiday cards as much these days. ๐
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
Oh how fun! Hope you get LOTS of mail because you are appreciated and are such a help and inspiration to so many bloggers and readers. Merry Christmas!
Jen and her men says
This makes me chuckle! And now you need to have a contest to guess how many Christmas cards you are going to get from readers! I guess 638 ๐ I think you are going to have to wallpaper your walls with these!! Have fun!
McKenzie @ Girl Loves Glam says
What a fun idea, Shelley! I will add you to our list!
courtney says
Such a fun idea. And I love reading your ramblings. Makes me feel normal *wink*
Tonya @ Love of Family And Home says
This is such a fun idea!! If I have an extra card, I will totally send one your way!! ๐
Jessica @ Simply A Farmer's Wife says
What a wonderful idea! We will definitely be sending one!
Natalie@Endless Crafting says
How fun Shelley! I love getting Christmas cards! I better get my booty in gear and order those cards! I'd love to add your family's card to our wall too! Thanks for being you!! Love it!!
Stephanie says
What a fun idea Shelley! And oh my gosh about cream of wheat…you could build a house with that stuff ๐
Corrie says
Fun idea! I'm a new reader, so I need to get to know you better – looking forward to it.
Doug and Leslie says
I'm a newer reader to this blog and I just love it. My husband's family is exactly the same as it sounds like your in-laws are and I've never been able to put into words how different it is from my family (who are the "chatters"). You said it wonderfully!
Nicolette says
I love this idea! I'm adding you guys to my list. Oh and I can completely relate about being the chatty one. You basically described my interactions with my in-laws.
Merry Christmas!
Pinky says
Oh exciting – we don't really do the family photo on the christmas card here in New Zealand or at least I don't so I will look for a nice picture that will depict xmas day for us here – in the middle of summer!
Anonymous says
I like that idea! We don't have this tradition here in Germany, and when I come to think of it, I might just adopt it and send you one, too. Just need to see how my fiancรฉ thinks about it ๐
Nicole Shah says
Such a great idea….I'm adding you to our list! Can't wait to see what you do with so many cards:).
Amber says
oooh – this is an exciting idea! Can't wait to send you our Christmas card. Guess I'd better finish designing it…
Emily McCollin says
Wonderful post. One of the best things about social media is the ability to become "friends" with total strangers. It's the new form of a vintage pen pal system.
Lesley T says
Dear Shelley, this is a great idea, but it is not why I'm writing to you. I just want to say that I love the way that you send your blog emails. There is enough information and pictures to let me know if I want to click through the read the rest of the post. With the trend to get everyone to "click through", most other bloggers only enter a couple of sentences, which is not enough to whet my appetite to click through. Just want you to know that I appreciate that you thought of your readers when making this decision. I wish that your fellow bloggers were just as considerate ๐
Love from Homewood, Alabama!
Michelle says
This is a fun idea!!! I am definitely going to try and send one out. I love this online world. I have "met" so many wonderful people that have become friends that we now chat over the phone.
Beth says
Love this idea! BTW Heinz is better. It is saltier to me, and that is a good thing in my book. ๐
Michelle says
Love this! ๐
Deborah says
Love this idea. ๐
Anonymous says
I just want to say that you are great! I love you! It's so nice to wake up in the morning and read such a cheerful blog. I just wanted to let you know how much I admire you and how much brightness you bring to my day.
Melanie@FinditMakeitLoveit.com says
I would love to send you a Christmas card! You're blog always inspires me and makes me laugh ๐
29th and Delight says
You are too cute and this is such a fun idea – we'll be sending one your way! ๐
To The Moon and Back says
What a great idea! Merry Christmas!
Our Pinteresting Family says
What a fun idea! I'll send one out tomorrow. ๐
Cristin says
What a GREAT IDEA! I wish I was doing cards this year, I would totally LOVE to send you one! Instead I will be moving into a new home and making my husband (and myself) do all of your DIY profects: plank wall, beadboard with shelf, board and batten, etc! Thank godness for you and your hubby sharing ALL OF YOUR FABULOUS IDEAS! I love everything about you guys! Your the best! xoxo
Christal says
What a fun idea!! I just love your blog!! and YOU!! You seem so bubbly nice and beautiful inside and out!! Thanks for sharing with us your life!!
Anonymous says
I LOVE this idea! Totally cute & who doesn't love to get fun mail? The first thing I thought, however, was good now when I say my friend Shelly, like you are my neighbor, I won't feel like you are only an imaginary friend because you do send Christmas cards to your FRIENDS!:)
Allison says
This is why Seinfeld was so successful. Everyone loves to talk about everything and nothing.
Pam says
This makes me laugh…I am sending out a few cards with my dogs on it but as far as my children go…it's extremes. The older family (2 boys) shyest of the shy would rather be staked to an ant hill than be involved in something like this. They younger family (2 boys and a girl) would have 3 children discussing the importance of being in front and what to wear and Chloe would be right in the center because she is, after all, a 4 yr old princess. We are a unique family
Kelly Knecht says
I've been reading for a while now but have maybe never commented. ๐ I'll be sending a card your way… because I feel like i know you, so you must know me right?! ๐ blogs are such funny things when you think about it!~
Katie says
Such a fun idea! After all, we all get to know you through everything you share through your blog, instagram, etc. But when it comes to us, you don't know a whole lot! LOL. And reading this reminded me that I MUST get started on our Christmas cards!
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
That is the most fun idea EVER!
Anonymous says
This Grandmother who enjoys reading your blog everyday would love to send you a Christmas card. Your blog is a joy to read and you always brighten my day. I am sure you will get many cards and thank you for being you!
Val & Terri Galvan says
I am totally sending you one. Our missionary got home in October- so we are so Excited to take our family picture this year! Especially since-we will most likely have an extra member in our card next year. Yay! Thanks for this awesome idea!!! I hope you enjoy receiving our Family card. (the Galvan's)
Anonymous says
What a fun idea. I just ordered our cards yesterday and can't wait to see how they turned out. I'm a little OCD when it comes to the whole Christmas photo card. It takes forever for me to pick the right picture and them pick the right card to go with the picture. Sadly I let my husband pick the card out of three that I created. He picked my least favorite but I went with it. I just added you to my list.
Unknown says
Oh my! I was just talking about doing the same thing. Great minds. My hold up is I don't have a PO Box and I'm not going to put my address out for the world to see…Not that I would mind all my bloggy friends paying me a visit. I Might have to go get me that PO box now!!
Have a crazy beautiful week!
Rebecca A. says
Makes me want to start a blog…just to use this idea!
Love it!
Cards have been ordered…
Love Being A Nonny says
Mailed you my card! Hope you got it and hope you will keep us posted on how this fum project went for you!
Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says
Well you were already on my list to send to, and now that I am seeing this (very late) i'm feeling silly that I emailed and asked you the address when you already had it posted…I miss SO much, but I came here today to send my hubby a how-to link with the email title: all i want for christmas is to get some projects done. boards on the wall is #1 on my list (like in your kitchen, but pink)
Sweet Parrish Place says
Great idea! I love getting cards! Mine is late but it is on the way!
bathmate says
thank for your sharing.