Instead of sending out impersonal, store-bought holiday greeting cards this year, get creative by designing your own cards online. Whether you want to create a silly photo card or a card adorned with artistic typography, these three sites have everything that you need to make your holiday correspondence dreams a reality.

Shutterfly
This hip printing site enables you to upload one or more photos to add to its wide selection of holiday cards in all styles and sizes. The card templates range from rustic and traditional to chic and trendy, and many of them feature hand lettering, calligraphy and other popular design elements. Include a personalized message to make your cards even more unique.

Snapfish
if you’re searching for a simple card creation site that is entirely customizable, Snapfish is one of the best online options. First, the site asks you to choose the size of your cards, from traditional folding squares to more modern long, rectangular shapes. Next, the site offers a number of colorful pre-made templates that feature spaces for your family photos, and they’re worlds away from the traditional sentiments from years past.

Tinyprints
If you prefer a more minimal greeting card, Tinyprints offers a number of sleek and stylish options to choose from. The site also enables you to create a customized holiday newsletter that updates loved ones about your family’s past year.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/allison_mcdonald

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

There are few things more relaxing or inspiring than spending an afternoon wandering through beautiful flower gardens, and that’s just what you’ll find at Helen’s Garden in League City. This beautiful public garden is located in between a major highway and a popular neighborhood in the area, but it feels like a quiet respite where you can get away from it all.

In the center of Helen’s Garden, a rushing waterfall flows into a crystal clear pool and ties the whole space together, creating a relaxing place to sit and think. Arched trellises are covered with deep green vines, while paved walkways and open patio areas contain wooden benches where you can stop for a rest. Colorful flowers bloom from just about every part of the park, but there are also exotic plants and tall trees throughout the space. Whether you’re planning a small wedding, taking engagement photos or just looking for a private spot to relax, visit Helen’s Garden.

Helen’s Garden
701 East Main Street
League City, TX 77573
(281) 554-1180
www.leaguecity.com/facilities/facility/details/Helens-Garden-17
www.yelp.com/biz/helens-garden-league-city

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr AllieKF