• Christmas Cardschristmas cards image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
  
  Christmas cards are a huge part of the holidays. Thousands of dollars are spent developing new ways to display them, including over-the-door hangers, baskets and more. You can create beautiful cards that your friends will proudly display all season. All you need is your camera and your imagination.
  
  

Black and White Photos

• Snowy Landscapessnow image by NataV from Fotolia.com
  
  Black-and-white landscape pictures make the perfect Christmas cards. Trees after the first snow invoke awe, as does a photo of a tree-lined road covered in snow. Attach your black-and-white photos to red or silver card stock.
  
  

People Playing

• Snowball fightsnowball boy image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  With a high-speed camera, you can catch fast-paced action for your Christmas cards. Capture shots of friends participating in a fun-filled snowball fight. Use just one snapshot for your cards or use several frames to create unique cards for everyone on your mailing list.
  
  Another heartwarming photo idea is to take pictures of a parent and child simultaneously forming snow angels in the snow. Enlist the help of a photographer to photograph your entire family making angels.
  
  

Objects in the Snow

• Snowy cardinallooking for food image by Cinderella Morff from Fotolia.com
  
  Photograph a snowman to display vertically on your Christmas card. You can also make a family of snowmen for your card. With some patience you may be able to snap a picture of a bright red cardinal in a snow-covered tree with your zoom lens for a delightful card.
  
  

Food

• Gingerbread housegingerbread house image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  What would Christmas be without those delectable treats we've all come to expect during that time of year? Use those in your Christmas cards this year. Photograph gingerbread houses on white table cloths, fruit cakes on red chargers or a Christmas ham with all the trimmings. A plate of cookies and milk with a note for Santa on the side makes a childlike card that young and old can enjoy.
  
  

Gifts and Trees

• christmas tree image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
  
  Beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts brighten any room. Photograph pictures of a single gift box or of several clustered together under the tree. A tree with colored lights and a plethora of ornaments make for a picture-perfect holiday card. Add a twist to the traditional Christmas tree photo by zooming in on a favorite ornament.
  
  

Traditional Portraits

• Consider setting the timer on your camera and posing with your family in front of the stocking-laden fireplace. Dress in your Sunday best or pose in your pajamas, each of you holding a gift that you appear to be opening. These types of photos chronicle your growing children every year for distant relatives and friends. They can even be framed later as keepsakes.