Christmas in October (A GIVEAWAY with ELEVEN WINNERS!)

It's that time of year when thoughts turn to pumpkins, apple cider, falling leaves and Christmas carols.  Wait...whaaaat?  Christmas is two whole months away!!!  

Consider this your official heads up.  Christmas is indeed two months away, but the time to start thinking about sending out Christmas cards is coming very soon.  By the time you coordinate the outfits, pose the photo, choose the card, get it delivered and then mail it out, you're looking at not.that.much.time.left.  

Have no fear, Colleen is here!  I've partnered with Basic Invite to gift one lucky winner 50 free Christmas cards.  I've always used a photo website that rhymes with Flutterby in the past for my Christmas card needs, and never thought of branching out until I saw what Basic Invite had to offer.  They have unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of  every single element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail!!  So you can change the background color, lettering, images, etc. to make it exactly how you want it.  You just can't do that on most other sites!  It makes it extremely easy to find a card that coordinates with your photo(s) instead of trying to fit your photo to a card.  You can even order a printed sample of your actual card so you can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place an order.  Basic Invite is just as colorful with their envelopes as their invitations. You can choose from over 40 different colors and all of the envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed without licking a single one.  They are so winning at this Christmas card game!  Not to mention thank you notes, baby announcements and more.

We haven't yet taken our Christmas card photo, but I played around with a couple of (low-quality) images I had just to give you an idea...

All of those words, the little flowery details, the lines, heart, backgrounds, etc. can all be changed in color.  It's really fun and easy to use.  I'm going to say "You're Welcome!"to the winner of the 50 cards now because I am so sure you will be totally pleased.  (Enter giveaway below)

Now to delight your ears...and get you in the Christmas spirit while you're designing those cards!

Dynamic Catholic released its first Christmas & Advent album. The album, OEmmanuel, is a new 10 track album featuring a mesmerizing synthesis of jazz improvisation, classical and sacred music. Here's their description:

Christmas Music at Its Very Best

Take a journey into the heart of Christmas with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and composer J.J. Wright, the Notre Dame Children’s Choir, and Fifth House Ensemble. With creative renditions of traditional Advent and Christmas songs, O Emmanuel features the harmonious blend of angelic children’s voices, a jazz piano trio, adult vocal soloists, and talented instrumentalists to create an unforgettable listening experience. O Emmanuel will quickly become a Christmas favorite.

I went online and previewed some of the songs and they are beautiful and make me excited for the real reason for the Christmas season.  Matthew Kelly says “O Emmanuel is exceptional. Every Catholic should get the chance to experience this one-of-a-kind Christmas CD.”  And Jen Fulwiler said, "The Dynamic Catholic O Emmanuel Christmas album is a must-have for every home. Play it in the background as you go through your Christmas preparations, and you will never forget what this season is really about. It's the perfect antidote to all the distractions that threaten to consume us during this season."

And guess what? Dynamic Catholic is giving away TEN copies of their O Emmanual CD!! Your whole household will enjoy this joyful and soothing music, and maybe they'll leave you alone for a hot second so you can cook dinner in peace :)

There will be ELEVEN winners - one winner of the Christmas cards, and ten winners of one CD each!! Good luck, and remember, you can't win if you don't play!

(Extra entry over on Instagram!)

UPDATED!!! Winners are listed below...first winner gets the cards and the next ten winners get the CD! I will email all of you with the details. Congrats!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway