To order custom holiday cards or photo gifts online, choose a product and design, upload and preview your photos, personalize the details, compare print and mailing options, then confirm the total and delivery estimate at checkout. Options and deadlines vary by provider and product, so use the specific estimate for your order rather than assuming there is one universal holiday cutoff.
How to order custom holiday cards online
- Choose a provider and format. Decide between flat or folded cards, a specialty format, or a related photo gift. Compare card size, shape, minimum order quantity, and available designs. Shutterfly says its 2026 seasonal catalog includes more than 1,000 holiday card templates; that is the provider’s catalog count, not an industry-wide figure. Browse Shutterfly holiday cards, Minted holiday photo cards, or CVS Photo custom cards.
- Choose a photo that fits the layout. Use a sharp, well-lit image with enough space around the people or objects you want to show. Upload it and inspect the crop in the design preview; move or resize the image if the crop cuts off faces or important details.
- Personalize the front and back. Check the greeting, names, spelling, year, colors, and type before proceeding. Review the back as well as the front. Shutterfly says its cards include free back-of-card customization, which can be used for another photo, a message, or a coordinating design. Shutterfly’s holiday card page describes the feature.
- Select paper and finish. Options differ by provider and sometimes by design. Shutterfly lists Standard Smooth, Signature Smooth, 100% Recycled, Pearl Shimmer, and Luxe Double-Thick cardstock on its seasonal page. Minted lists paper choices including recycled and DoubleThick options, as well as foil-pressed and letter-pressed finishes; availability varies by design. Review the selected design’s product page to confirm the options you can actually order. Shutterfly card options · Minted card options
- Review the proof and envelope choices. If the provider offers a digital proof, inspect it before placing the order. Minted describes a digital proof for approval. Check envelope styles and whether recipient addressing is available for your product.
- Confirm quantity, mailing, and the total. Compare the product price, quantity, selected upgrades, shipping, and any mailing services in the cart. If the provider can address or mail cards directly to recipients, verify that the service applies to your chosen design and whether you need to assemble anything yourself.
- Use the checkout delivery estimate before paying. Check the estimate for your exact product and destination, then allow additional time to address, stamp, and mail cards yourself if needed.
How to compare card services
Do not compare providers by template count alone. Check the options that affect the finished card and the work you must do after it arrives.
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| What to compare | What to check |
|---|---|
| Format and size | Flat or folded, dimensions, shape, and any specialty formats; selection can vary by design. |
| Quantity | Minimum order and available quantities for the selected product. |
| Paper and finish | Available cardstock, recycled options, thickness, shimmer, foil, or letterpress; confirm whether your chosen design supports each option. |
| Customization | Photo crop and editing controls, front and back design, wording, colors, and type. |
| Proofing | Whether you can review a digital proof before the order is produced. |
| Envelope and mailing | Envelope choices, recipient-address printing, direct mailing, and any assembly you must handle. |
| Cost and timing | The complete cart total and the delivery estimate for your product and destination. |
Minted may suit shoppers seeking artist-designed layouts, specialty foil or letterpress finishes, and proofing. Shutterfly lists several cardstock choices, back-of-card customization, address printing, direct mailing, and photo gifts. CVS Photo is another place to compare card formats and seasonal designs. These are examples of listed product features, not independent quality rankings. Shutterfly’s provider-authored comparison of holiday card companies can be a starting point, but confirm current details on the service you plan to use.
How do I send my holiday photo cards?
You can either receive the order and mail the cards yourself or use a provider’s recipient-addressing or direct-mail service when it is available for the selected design. The steps and eligibility differ by product. Before checkout, confirm whether addresses are printed on envelopes, whether the provider sends cards to recipients, and whether you must insert photos or otherwise assemble the cards after delivery.
#1 Best Overall
- PERSONALIZED HOLIDAY CARDS - Create unique Christmas cards or Holiday cards with your own photos, messages, and designs for a truly personal touch.
- PREMIUM 18PT CARDSTOCK – Printed on thick, smooth 350gsm cardstock for a polished, professional presentation. The smooth surface produces crisp photographs, clear text, and vibrant full-color designs.
- SIZING - Standard size holiday cards. Each card measures 5x7 inches.
- ENVELOPES INCLUDED - All cards come with matching envelopes.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities range from 15 to 200 cards. Choose the perfect number of holiday cards to suit your needs.
For example, Minted says customers who choose its Photo Mount design insert the printed photos into the cards after delivery. That means the order is not ready to mail as soon as the package arrives: leave time for assembly, envelope preparation, postage, and delivery through the mail. Minted’s holiday card page describes the design and mailing options.
When should I send holiday cards?
There is no single reliable cutoff for every holiday card order. Production and shipping time can depend on the product, customization, delivery method, and destination. Minted recommends ordering holiday cards by mid-November and says its estimated delivery date appears at checkout. Shutterfly says deadlines vary by product and delivery method, and that the actual estimated arrival date appears in the cart. Treat these as provider guidance, not a guarantee that a package will arrive by a particular date. Check the current estimate for your chosen order before paying, then add time for any assembly and for mailing the cards yourself.
Rank #2
- PERSONALIZED HOLIDAY CARDS - Create unique Christmas cards or Holiday cards with your own photos, messages, and designs for a truly personal touch.
- PREMIUM 18PT CARDSTOCK – Printed on thick, smooth 350gsm cardstock for a polished, professional presentation. The smooth surface produces crisp photographs, clear text, and vibrant full-color designs.
- SIZING - Standard size holiday cards. Each card measures 5x7 inches.
- ENVELOPES INCLUDED - All cards come with matching envelopes.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities range from 15 to 200 cards. Choose the perfect number of holiday cards to suit your needs.
Shutterfly’s holiday shipping guidelines, published February 23, 2026, provide its general guidance; the cart estimate is the relevant one for an individual order.
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What photo gifts can I order?
If you want something beyond cards, Shutterfly lists photo Christmas ornaments, photo books, canvas prints, photo mugs, photo blankets, and photo puzzles among its personalized gifts. Choose based on how the recipient is likely to use or display the item, then verify the current design, personalization, and delivery options on the product page. Shutterfly’s seasonal card and gift catalog lists these categories.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PERSONALIZED HOLIDAY CARDS - Create unique Christmas cards or Holiday cards with your own photos, messages, and designs for a truly personal touch.
- PREMIUM 18PT CARDSTOCK – Printed on thick, smooth 350gsm cardstock for a polished, professional presentation. The smooth surface produces crisp photographs, clear text, and vibrant full-color designs.
- SIZING - Standard size holiday cards. Each card measures 5x7 inches.
- ENVELOPES INCLUDED - All cards come with matching envelopes.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities range from 15 to 200 cards. Choose the perfect number of holiday cards to suit your needs.
Rank #4
- CUSTOM CHRISTMAS CARDS - Create unique Holiday cards, Christmas cards or New Years cards with your own photos, messages, and designs for a truly personal touch.
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Crafted on high-grade cardstock, our cards showcase vibrant colors and sharp details, delivering a professional and elegant look.
- SIZING - Standard size holiday cards. Each card measures 5x7 inches.
- ENVELOPES INCLUDED - All cards come with matching envelopes.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities range from 15 to 200 cards. Choose the perfect number of personalized holiday cards that suits your needs.
Rank #3
- PERSONALIZED HOLIDAY CARDS - Create unique Christmas cards or Holiday cards with your own photos, messages, and designs for a truly personal touch.
- PREMIUM 18PT CARDSTOCK – Printed on thick, smooth 350gsm cardstock for a polished, professional presentation. The smooth surface produces crisp photographs, clear text, and vibrant full-color designs.
- SIZING - Standard size holiday cards. Each card measures 5x7 inches.
- ENVELOPES INCLUDED - All cards come with matching envelopes.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities range from 15 to 200 cards. Choose the perfect number of holiday cards to suit your needs.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
