The holiday season is in full swing, and your mailbox is probably bursting with holiday cards from friends and family. Many parents are eager to show off their newest little addition in the family holiday card photo to share their joy with loved ones and send good tidings and cheer their way. While the traditional photo card never fails to warm the heart, we thought we’d share a couple of fun twists on this annual tradition that take it up a notch and put your baby front and center!

Show and Tell with a Slideshow
Thanks to modern technology, you can easily create and share a personalized slideshow for your nearest and dearest at little to no cost. By creating a montage of images taken throughout the year, you’ll get to commemorate your baby’s discoveries and fun family moments, allowing your loved ones to share in the wonderful memories you’ve made together since this amazing little person entered your lives. Using an easy-to-use program such as Animoto or Slideroll, upload photos of baby experiencing new foods, baby exploring sand and surf on your beach vacation, or candid shots of him expressing himself. Add holiday music, special effects, and text to create a personalized message that you can share via email or post on Facebook.

Lights, Camera, Action
If you really want your family holiday greeting to come to life, record your own video greeting for friends and relatives and let them see baby experiencing his first holiday season firsthand. Baby will be most comfortable and natural in his home environment with familiar faces, and it allows you to capture him when he is most happy and alert. Try to film in natural light, especially if you’ll be shooting in front of the tree, and have a prop on hand for baby to explore and interact with, such as a new toy. You can also try playing a game of peek-a-boo to capture his moments of discovery and expressions of surprise. For the grand finale, finish with a shot of the whole family saying a holiday greeting and message for the New Year. Using editing software such as Microsoft Movie Maker or Apple’s iMovie, add music and personalized text if you wish. Remember to try and keep it short and sweet. Upload the finished video to YouTube, and share the link with friends or post it to your Facebook page. Getting a peek into your family life, traditions, and the joy that baby brings is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.