‘Tis the season to start thinking about buying Christmas cards, and what better way to show off your family than with photo cards? Crimson Lane, an etsy shop, creates some beautifully designed Christmas photo cards. Simply choose a design at the site, email a photo, message, size, and whether you want a digital file (just the image you can have printed yourself) or print package (where you receive actual paper cards and envelopes). Designs cost $15, and packages vary, starting at $1.20 each for 101+ 4″ x 6″ cards. You can view the entire price chart and designs available at etsy.com/shop/crimsonlane.

Snowflake Gift Company creates one of a kind, customized, three-dimensional pop-up cards for many occasions, including baby announcements, baby shower or birthday party invitations. You can choose to either have your card created from scratch, or to customize a pre-existing design. You provide personal images or artwork you want used in the card, and Snowflake creates a design around it. Proofs are emailed to you, and once a proof is approved, you’ll receive the cards in about 2 weeks. They also provide a mail service in which they’ll mail your cards for you if you provide them with a complete mailing list. These cards are perfect for a variety of occasions. Prices range from $12.20 for 20 1-layer small cards to $17 for 20 4-layer large cards. A complete price list can be found at SnowflakeGift.com.

Sometimes it can be hard to plan a baby shower when you don’t know the sex of the upcoming baby. Paper Culture makes some beautiful gender-neutral baby shower invitations, like this one called “Parental Love,” featuring modern birds and an Asian influence. All Paper Culture cards are printed on recycled paper and have rounded corners. Paper Culture also offers a “mail & message” service in which they print envelopes with recipient and return addresses, stuff them, stamp them, and mail them. This could be a great time-saver for new parents. You can view the array of options available at PaperCulture.com, where these Parental Love cards sell for $2.29 each for the first 20 cards (each card costs less the more you buy).

How many times have you met a mom at the playground and started a conversation, then walked away, thinking, I should have given her my phone number for a future playdate? Itsy Bitsy Smiles has a solution: Mommy Calling Cards. These high-quality business-style cards can be kept in your purse or diaper bag to be handed out at the right moments. Plus, you can even submit a photo of yourself and/or your child to be used on the card. I’ve seen these cards and think they’re a wonderful idea - no more missed opportunities! You can choose to have the back of the card printed with things like your child’s allergies or any specific info you feel is important for other moms to know.

It can be hard for moms to meet other moms even while encouraging their children to make new friends. These Mommy Calling Cards can make both tasks a bit easier. Mommy Calling Cards are available in a variety of styles at ItsyBitsySmiles.com, where they range in price from $35 per 100 cards to $80 for $1000 cards. UpscaleBaby.com readers can receive 15% off any order at ItsyBitsySmiles.com by using the code “15SPRING” at checkout.

Here’s a great gift that can be customized to just about any special occasion–Mother’s Day, a new baby, a cherished teacher…Kind Notes offers personalized glass jars decorated with ribbon and filled with decorative filler, a charm, and 31 envelopes for messages. You can either customize the messages yourself, or select from a list. There are many great styles to choose from. If time isn’t on your side, this company really makes it easy to create a very sweet and personal gift. You can purchase one for around $32 at KindNotes.com

It is important to me that my kids learn to write thank you notes for gifts that they receive. At the same time, however, I don’t want the writing process to be overwhelming or a chore. When my oldest daughter was just learning to write, I discovered the beauty of fill-in thank yous. These cute cards allow children to send a thank you without having to struggle with a lot of writing. All they need to write is the name of the gift they are thankful for and their name. It is a great way to enocurage a life-long habit. I like these simple, all-purpose cards from PaperPrince Marami. You can purchase a pack of 10 for $5.95 at MyExpression.com. Sometimes I secretly wish I could get away with such simple thank yous!

I’ve always loved stationery and am especially fond of blank cards like these that allow you to use them for multiple occasions. Made by Binth, these unique Giraffe Eco Notes are screen-printed with inks on 100% recycled stock, so you don’t have to feel as wasteful about using paper instead of sending an e-card. They would be perfect to use as invitations for a baby shower, as a birth announcement, or even thank you notes. I really like the giraffe design on front; I think the only downside is that each set only comes with 6 cards and envelopes, which means you would have to purchase quite a few sets if you’re planning on sending them to a large group of people.

You can purchase this Binth stationery set of 6 cards and envelopes for $14.95 at NewBornMom.com.

It is never too early to start building your little one’s library.  These cute little book plates are a great way to make your collection special.  Illustrated with a vintage print of a little boy with an airplane, these bookplates are personalized with your child’s name.  There is just enough blank space that you could add a small note showing the date each book was received, who it was received from, etc.  Over time, these personalized labels will help your child treasure his or her library and care for the books that comprise it.

You can purchase a set for $26 of 32 self-adhesive labels at myretrobaby.com.  A number of other styles are also available.  All come in a cute matching tin that makes them perfect for gift-giving.

There are lots of great kits available for making your own baby announcements.  I always love the idea of these, but I never seem to have the time or the patience to upload and print photos, weave little ribbons through paper, etc.  If you are like me and you want your announcements to actually make it into the mailbox, you might want to visit Custom Card Cafe.

The company offers a number of announcement designs for boys, girls, and twins.  You provide a picture and all of the birth information, and they do the rest. You approve an online proof before the announcements print, so there won’t be any surprises.  best of all, the order will ship within 24 hours.  All you have to do is get them in the mail to friends and family when they arrive.

Most announcements retail for $1.69 each–a very reasonable price to ensure that you actually get them sent.  You can check out the selection and order announcements at customcardcafe.com.

My sister used to invite my three children over to her house during the holidays, and she would have her dining table set up to make Christmas cards and pictures. Your kids can add a little extra touch to their special creations with these Kids Make-Your-Own Holiday Cards. There are plenty of holiday shapes to punch out and glue to their custom cards, but don’t forget to have paints, crayons, markers, etc. ready so they can add their own special touches.

Each set comes with 10 cards, 10 envelopes, glue stick and more than 250 punch out shapes. My sister would have loved this. Visit OneStepAhead.com to order your set for Christmas for only $12.95.

We’ve all met other moms and dads at the park and wanted to talk further or schedule a play date.  Sometimes we are too busy chasing after our kids to write down a phone number or email address.  Other times, we manage to exchange numbers, but misplace the scraps of paper we’ve written on.

Mummy cards offer a fun solution to these problems, and will definitely make you stand out.  Designed by a number of talented designers, these cards feature your name and contact information, as well as select information about your kids (you control how much information you have printed on the cards so you can feel secure in giving them out).  You can also have the card printed with emergency contact or allergy information, which makes them perfect for giving out to babysitters or for leaving with other parents when you drop your child off for a play date.

You can purchase a set of 100 of these double-sided cards for $80 at mummycards.com.au.  Shipping to the US costs an additional $10.  There are a number of designs to choose from, and kid cards are available, too.