Merry Everything! With Christmas + Hanukkah behind us, we look to the New Year for inspiration. Erin Newkirk, our CEO, shares three quick + easy ways to take those adorable holiday cards and transform them to create a warmer, friendlier 2011.

Idea #1 :: Write or email people you haven't talked to in a while. Who doesn't deserve a little mailbox bliss? That exciting feeling of finding a fabulous, personal piece of mail in your mailbox? Real or virtual. Doesn't take long to write a little love or like note. Just keep it simple and to the point. Need inspiration? Here's my formula to the perfect one-thought note.

Idea #2 :: Tell someone {or someones} you loved their card. Everyone loves to know they earned the coveted spot on the mantle. That sort of information is too good to keep to yourself! Let your friends + family know that they took a great photo. Chat about how the kids have grown or how young the parents look. How you loved the personal touches -- a signed name, a fun letter.

Idea #3 :: Create a fun board filled with favorite faces. I have a medium-sized bulletin board I keep in my home office filled with happy faces of good friends + family. It keeps me in good spirits no matter what the task at hand is that day. So easy to pull together when you use holiday card photos. And really useful for figuring out next year's list and/or refreshing my memory on the goings-on of the year before.

To you + yours :: happy everything!

WOW your recipients this year with your tech-savvy ways with these perfect last-minute gifts! We asked our CTO + resident tech whiz, Dan Wick, to tell us what's on his holiday wish list + what he's gifting this year. The best part? Most of these gifts take mere moments to send/give to your nearest + dearest. Enjoy!

1. For the Party Starter: Jambox Speakers

 This gift will rock their world- literally. Ultra portable wireless speaker system.  Lithium ion battery.  Lets you bring a speaker anywhere you go, for music anytime. Get it at the Apple Store or Best Buy.

2. For the Wordsmith: Words With Friends

Social gaming at it's finest. Engage your mind + competitive spirit with this {addicting!} game! For only $0.99 you can give the perfect gift your favorite word geek. Even better, get it for both you + yours and challenge them to a dual upon receipt. 

3. For the Fitness Buff: Runkeeper

This is a great {+ FREE} app for your smartphone. A fun + social way to track work-outs and engage in a fitness lifestyle. Create maps, count calories + interact with other fitness buffs. Sign up online or put it right on your smartphone! {iPhone or Android}.

4. For the Bookworm: Gift a Kindle Book

The best last minute gift. Why? It's an instantaneous. The best part -- you don't need to have a Kindle or Kindle Reader to make this possible. It's simply a link, that's emailed + voila, it's right on their reader. What do they love? Cooking? Thrillers? Or a nice daily? The possibilities are endless.

It started as a way to break the ice, 3+ years ago, when Paula Barton moved to her new suburban, Minnesota neighborhood. Now, it's a much-anticipated holiday tradition for Ladies of Woodhill. The event? Her stylish cookie exchange party. She invites the Ladies of Woodhill over to exchange cookes, sip a little wine + to catch up on some much-needed conversation.

Sunday will be Paula's 4th year in the making {+ her 4th invite designed with us :)}. We caught up with her recently to ask her about how she prepares for such an anticipated event + what's inspiring this year.

First, a little advice. What's your fool-proof tip to a flawless party?

"Keep it warm + inviting and don't worry about everything being perfect!" She likes to keep a nice variety of goodies, but doesn't think it all needs to be from scratch. "Some homemade things are nice, but so are some treats I've discovered other places throughout the year. The most important thing is to enjoy each other's company -- the food is secondary."

What's your key to flawless decor?

"I keep it classic. A lot of my decorations have sentimental meaning -- things I've collected over the years. I mix it in with new things and it balances, keeping the mood warm and inviting."

What's inspiring you this year?

"I steal shamelessly. I gather recipes from other get-togethers throughout the year. I am a sucker for any Cookie Cookbooks, I love Real Simple and other old stand-by Better Homes and Gardens magazines."

What's your favorite part of hosting? {Besides the YUMMY cookies..}

That was then. This is now.

"Inspired by all that's bold + bright this season, from sequined skirts {J.Crew}, to sparkling holiday decor {love Lonny Magazine's Holiday Mini Issue!} to glistening ornaments, my cookies this year took on a bold feel with bright colors and a bit of sparkle."

Happy {early}Thanksgiving! The holiday is two days away and we are excited! We want share a couple of memorable + important traditions we share with our nearest + dearest!

What are your favorite Thanksgiving memories + traditions { please share below}?

Photo credits:: poker bowling wishbone yummy apple pie {recipe too!}

Some of the sweetest things in life should not be planned. Spontaneity can brighten the season.

For a jolly holiday season :: keep it simple + elevate the basics.

A Lil Spirit Goes a Long Way
If you have yummy drinks - everything else will fall into place, easily. {Check out these yummy drinks from epicurious.} As for treats, think vegetarian-friendly, salty + sweet. {And remember, no one needs to know you didn't slave in the kitchen all day.} Keep it simple - so you can do what matters most, mingle with your party people.

Mix + Match
Add a little variety + spice up your place by mixing color, patterns + textures. Start with your glassware. Serve drinks in funky martini glasses, short mason jars for deep red wine + little tumblers for the icy cocktails. Let your guests pick their fancy. This is a great way to keep track of whose is whose without the addition of charms.

Another great way to add a little texture is through an array of colorful napkins with interesting patterns. Stop by your local grocery or party story + buy tiny packages of bold colors + patterns. {Don't worry about extras -- you can never have too much color!}

Lights to Invite

Turn down the bright, overhead lights + bring out soft light with candles. Unique shaped jelly jars make great holders for votives + they'll project beautiful flickering patterns as the candles smolder the night away.

The holidays are upon us. Soon we will gather near for Thanksgiving to be with the people that matter the most, our family + friends. We'll eat together, chat together + snap some special photographs our precious moments together. Not only is this a great time to catch up on the important moments past, but it's also the best opportunity to snap the perfect photo for your holiday card - when everyone is in the same place!

To prepare you for this photo-op we asked our resident photographer + lead trend setter, Kara Kurth to lend us some helpful {+ simple!} tips for taking the perfect holiday photos. This is what she had to say :: 

 Keep It Al Natural Natural light is best! Get outside or close to a window to capture a natural stream of light. It also helps to turn on as many lights around you - to even out the shadows. Though flash is handy, natural light makes your photo POP a bit more.

Quality Control Make sure your camera {whatever kind it may be} is set on the BEST possible setting for a high resolution. When you start out with a high quality photo your end-result will be crisp! It's also easier to edit a high-resolution photo for cropping, colors changes, etc. {If you're wondering how to be sure your cam is on the best resolution, refer to your camera's manual or do a quick search online. These places will give easy how-tos.}

Don't Stop 'Til Ya Get Enough Don't be afraid to move around - turn your camera vertically, horizontally or even diagonally. Get up close + personal and then back up to bring more background in. Throw on your coats + run outside -- the sky's the limit! The beautiful thing about digital photos is you can snap as many moments as you want + delete/crop/edit later.

These three guides can help you land the perfect shot for your holiday card.

The Candid Shot

Have your camera ready for any moment - tree climbing, giggle-fits at dinner or even the little ones helping in the kitchen. Every picture tells a story + your recipients will love it!

The Close-Up

A close-up shot cuts out the background and makes it easy to focus on what really matters :: your adorable subject!

The Whole Family

Show the whole family! Your recipients love to know who your nearest + dearest are and how they've grown {especially your grandkids}!

Special Highlights

The holidays are perfect time for reflection + a great time to show what you've been up to. When you include special photos that highlight important milestones you are able to connect to your friends + family {both near + far} in a very personal way.

All photos courtesy of Kurth Studios

Three Perfect Reasons for a Return Address Stamp During the Holidays

Before the Holidays :: Invitations

The perfect addition to every holiday season. Prepare stylishly + make inviting effortless! Stamp your envelopes + make it easy for your guests to RSVP. A great way to send stylishly + save time!

During the Holidays :: Holiday Cards

Any time saving tip for sending holiday cards is a must! Save time during this {busy} holiday season + stamp your envelopes with a return address stamp -- add a chic + personal touch to your holiday greetings.

After the Holidays :: Thank Yous

Post holiday is all about reflection + a thoughtful thank you. Be one step ahead this year + stamp your thank yous with a return address stamp - impress your nearest + dearest all year 'round.

Psst...This week only get our special return address stamp FREE when you buy $125 {or more} or RedStamp printed products. Use promo code HOLIDAYSTAMP. Shop now!

Offer ends 11/21/2010 @ 11:59PM CST; limit one stamp per purchase. This promotion applies to the stamp pictured above + cannot be applied to any other stamp on our site.

Happy Friday! We're excited to share a couple of FRESH designs from our Modern Typography collection --perfect for any holiday fete!

Modern Typography 'Celebrate' Invitations

Modern Typography Wonderful Invitations

Whatever the occasion, invite stylishly. This is the PERFECT weekend to order, but hurry sale ends Sunday -- happy shopping!