Chris Loves Julia has the secret to sending the coolest holiday cards this year

If you receive dozens of cards in the mail around the holidays, you know that they can start to feel a bit monotonous. Your holiday card is like a personal invite into your home and your family, so why not create something beautiful and unique? Skip the typical trends you see all over TikTok and opt for a limited-edition option from none other than Chris Loves Julia and Shutterfly.

The Shutterfly x Chris Loves Julia Holiday Collection is a moody-modern take on timeless tradition. From vintage fonts and classic Christmas motifs to cool color palettes and metallic accents, the new collab is designed to elevate your family photo into a keepsake-worthy moment. Below, Julia Marcum of Chris Loves Julia shares her favorite pick from the collection, her secret to choosing the best holiday photo and more.

With the campaign shot at the Marcum family’s home in late summer (yes, Christmas came early), the collection is deeply personal to the Chris Loves Julia duo. “We had our first Christmas at the end of August,” Julia Marcum laughs. “I decorated my house for the shoot, and I’ve been in the holiday spirit ever since.”

Julia describes the aesthetic as “moody modern meets timeless,” inspired by everything from vintage wallpaper to her own childhood Christmas dresses. “There’s a sophistication to it, but it’s still warm and nostalgic,” she says. “I wanted to create cards that people would be proud to send—and proud to display.”

Among the standout designs is one called Winter Drapes, which Julia says is her personal favorite. “It’s cream with this beautiful message on the front and a photo on the back. It feels like a welcome into your home—and into your family.”

For Julia, holiday cards are more than just a seasonal tradition—they’re a snapshot in time. “I keep one from every year and put them in a book,” she says. “It’s a way to see how we’ve grown, how our family has changed.”

The secret to sending a super chic holiday card with a photo

Sending a holiday card with a photo of your family can make it feel so much more personal and intimate. Whether it’s a candid from a family vacation or a snapshot from a random Tuesday, Julia encourages people to embrace the memories that matter most. And if the colors in your photo don’t quite match the card design? There’s a simple fix.

Julia's advice for those stressing over the perfect photo is to pick your favorite moment from the year and make a simple edit. "If the colors don’t match, turn it black and white." she suggests. “Shutterfly has this great feature where you can change your photo to sepia or black and white right on the site. It instantly makes everything feel more uniform and elevated.”

Julia even used this trick herself. “We had a photo from a cruise earlier this year—it wasn’t what I’d normally consider ‘Christmas card-worthy,’ but we were all smiling and having a great time. In black and white, it suddenly felt timeless.”

The collection also includes coordinating ornaments, envelope liners and even gift wrap-inspired designs. “I wanted it to feel like a full experience,” Julia says. “Something you’re excited to send and others are excited to receive.”

More: Save 25% with our exclusive offer on custom holiday cards and gifts at Shutterfly

How can you save money at Shutterfly?

Now through Friday, October 31, Shutterfly is offering 25% off any regularly-priced order over $40, and a free ornament when you use promo code USATODAY25 at checkout. Plus, get free economy shipping on orders of $89 or more (excludes free products) with code SHIP89.

Chris Loves Julia x Shutterfly