Even though it’s only the middle of October, this is the year we swear (swear!) we’ll get a head start on the craziness of holidays by getting our holiday cards ready. Now, we have tons of incentive with a great offer and super limited time discount from Minted.

(above design by Kelli Hall of Georgia)

As if Minted hasn’t always made the entire entire holiday photo card process easy from start to finish, they’ve come up with really smart free holiday card sample kits this year.

Sign up and get a totally free set of a variety of Minted cards so you can see the various designs, paper stocks, shapes and general quality, all to help you make your decision easier. Which, trust us, you’ll need.

You’ll find no shortage of gorgeously designed holiday cards that are wildly customizable with colors, shapes and even whether it wishes you a happy holiday, Christmas, New Year or Hanukkah. And this year, there are more than 50 new swanky foil pressed cards; new letterpress holiday cards; minibooks for those longer stories and bigger broods; and even really tasteful, modern non-photo cards.

Here, just a few of our very favorites from this year’s selection. A very few.

FOIL CARDS
The beautiful handpress gold and silver foil add such a luxe touch to holiday cards and are a lovely change from the traditional red and green. Plus? No glitter to get all over the rug. Yay.

by Lauren Chisam of Dallas

by Paper Dahlia of San Francisco

by Paper Dahlia of San Francisco

CARDS WITH MORE TO SAY
Skip the holiday letter and get your friends and family up to date of all your year’s best in a sleekly designed card or one of the modern minibook designs.

by Susan Asbill of Texas

by J.Bartyn of New York 

MODERN PHOTO CARDS
A traditional photo card is anything but with these customizable, modern designs. Select a card that features one favorite photo or choose a design that accomodates two, three, or a ton of photos. We know–it’s hard to pick!

by Paper Loves Jane of Utah

by Kelly Nasuta of Florida

by Morgan Newnham of Colorado

By J.Bartyn of NYC

HOLIDAY POSTCARDS
Instead of a traditional card you can send a flat card as a holiday postcard with or without a photo. The beautiful designs will stand up on Grandma’s mantle even next to folded photo cards. Plus, you’re saving paper and postage which is always a plus.

by Jess Taich of San Francisco

by Jennifer Wick of Pittsburgh

by Oscar and Emma of Ohio

NON-PHOTO CARDS
Maybe you just prefer to skip the holiday photo card and enclose your own photo that friends and family can save long after the season is over. These modern designs make a statement all on their own.

by Chocomocacino of Indonesia

by Geekink Design of LA

by Olivia Kanaley of San Francsico

Special Offer: Order a free holiday sample kit from our sponsor Minted to see just how beautiful the cards are. [Edited to add: Unfortunately, Minted is currently out of the free holiday card sample kits. They will restock ASAP!]

AND today only get 15% off all holiday cards with code EARLY2013. Order today, and you can upload photos and finish your cards later. Thank you sooooo much on behalf of busy parents everywhere!