Creative Holiday Cards That'll Wow Your Loved Ones

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This year, skip the expected holiday greetings and go for a card that's sure to wow friends and family. These 13 unexpected options will be the hits of their recipients' mailboxes. Added bonus? Some will even allow you to take a pass on the annual family photo shoot while still sending a personalized greeting — a perfect solution for those among us with uncooperative kids (or spouses). Season's greetings!

Paper Culture Peppermint Milkshake Recipe

Paper Culture Peppermint Milkshake Recipe

Sure, family and friends would be happy to see your kiddos' smiling faces on your annual holiday card. But we bet they'd be thrilled to get a recipe for a peppermint bark milkshake ($100 for 50 cards) this year instead.

Iomoi Blanket Pattern Cards

Iomoi Blanket Pattern Cards

These blanket pattern cards from Iomoi ($98 for 20 cards) buck holiday tradition with their splashy tribal design and bold colors. They're a great pick for a family that celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas — or the mom who prefers to read interior design magazines over holiday catalogs.

Insta-Book Holiday Minibook Cards

Insta-Book Holiday Minibook Cards

Embrace the age of Instagram with a miniature flip book ($258 for 75 cards) that utilizes hashtags and photo filters to tell the story of your family's year.

Minted's Year in a Nutshell Holiday Card

Minted's Year in a Nutshell Holiday Card

Who among us doesn't groan when we open a lengthy "news of the year" letter with our holiday mail? Instead, update your loved ones on your family's happenings with this crisp infographic design from Minted ($163 for 100 cards). It's the modern way to share your annual highlights.

Tiny Prints Sweet Snowscape Laser-Cut Cards

Tiny Prints Sweet Snowscape Laser-Cut Cards

These clever laser-cut cards ($180 for 50 cards) from Tiny Prints bring an artsy and playful feel to your holiday greetings.

Yes Dear Studio Custom Family Portrait Card

Yes Dear Studio Custom Family Portrait Card

Skip the photography session this year, and instead let Yes Dear Studio create one of its charming custom family portraits ($75 for digital file) of your cute crew.

Peartree Greetings' Holiday Sweets

Peartree Greetings' Holiday Sweets

Turn your family's photos into a festive garland ($270 for 72 assembled cards) that its recipients can display with pride. This design is the perfect solution if you've got great individual shots of your kiddos but couldn't quite nail down the perfect family photo.

Vintage Library Card Year in Review

Vintage Library Card Year in Review

If you've got 12 months of good news to share, do it in vintage style. Minted's Vintage Library Card ($158 for 100 cards) offers a fun outlet to showcase the highlights of your family's year plus space for a favorite photo (or several) on the back.

Luscious Verde's "Unleash Your Joy"

Luscious Verde's "Unleash Your Joy"

For the family who counts the dog as more than just a pet, let Luscious Verde (inquire for price) customize a greeting starring your precious pooch.

J.Crew For Paperless Post "From Our Family to Yours" Holiday Cards

J.Crew For Paperless Post "From Our Family to Yours" Holiday Cards

If clean lines and a crisp aesthetic are your style, check out the line of greetings (digital and paper) that J.Crew created for Paperless Post this year. The "From Our Family to Yours" design (starting at $1.57 each) highlights your perfect picture in a look inspired by the brand's catalog.

Year in Review Chalk Christmas Card

Year in Review Chalk Christmas Card

Share your family's 2014 highlights in an on-trend chalkboard style with this Year in Review trifold card ($2-$4 each, depending on quantity ordered) that offers plenty of space for both photos and text.

Yes'm Creative Custom Silhouette Postcard

Yes'm Creative Custom Silhouette Postcard

Vintage and modern tastes merge for this clean and cool custom silhouette design ($100 for digital file) — an unexpected way to show off your growing family.

Paper Culture 3D Glasses Card

Paper Culture 3D Glasses Card

Because just one dimension doesn't do your family justice, Paper Culture's circular 3D glasses cards ($129 for 50 cards) ensure their recipients are in for a wild ride!