I am a procrastinator. So it is inevitable when I really need it, like at the last deadline minute, my old but worthy HP printer is running out of ink. Thank goodness I am also prepared so have at least one back up set of ink cartridges. Hope that will be enough to print my calendars for Christmas.
February photo from Death Valley National Park Super bloom 2-17-16
I haven’t exchanged Christmas presents in decades, cards even longer (isn’t that what social media is for). I remember sending out 70 Christmas cards to family, friends, and business acquaintances. I remember the frenzied shopping, wrapping, unwrapping, and putting it all away. That certainly slowed down after the kids were gone. I don’t miss it yet was happily surprised when attending Christmas with a house full of fun and well behaved kids last year.
January photo from Kelso Dunes Mojave National Preserve 2-20-16
Starting in childhood I made presents as I had little money. Potholders for Mom on one of those square looms. A cutout portrait silhouette for Dad placed under the glass on his dresser, a lanyard for my brother. Later, crafts and a larger gift list meant everybody received a macrame plant-holder, silk-screen greeting cards, stained-glass sun-catchers, dream-catchers, sweaters, jewelry… yes, I used to be that ambitious. But I always waited until the last minute and occasionally a package would be full of un-knitted yarn.
March photo from White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument 3-18-16
Last Christmas, with Bill’s help and encouragement, I supplied photos to a professional who printed in their calendar layout and I got them back with at least a week to spare.
April photo from Snow Canyon State Park 4-6-16
This year I’m putting together another calendar and printing it as well. Certainly not of the same quality, but from the heart. Going through literally 1000s of photos from 2016 to pick out 13 took way more time than expected. Thank goodness I rate the best with one or two stars. You’ve probably seen most of these here before.
I processed and printed each photo deciding I didn’t like some in the final print. Figuring out the template was interesting. Just think about your calendar and how March’s photo is actually on the September calendar page, printed both sides, and some upside down. That took a little planning. I did use a free online pre-made calendar to save myself making a template with a table, font and numbers. I chose to use standard size 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
I began setting up the calendar in Word but couldn’t move stuff around easily. Maybe it’s just me. I found PowerPoint to work well. After layout and photo insertion I printed the first draft on plain paper. With back-to-back printing the colors bled through on this thin 20 lb paper but I was able to make all kinds of notes for changes, which there were plenty of.
I considered card stock but it’s just too heavy. Then I got lucky at one of those office supply stores and found 32 lb presentation paper in matte. Plus it was on sale, two boxes for price of one, so I now have 200 sheets of paper.
Next draft printed on the heavier paper looked good except for, you guessed it, running out of ink. But I was prepared. Maybe I should have bought two sets so I don’t find myself running out of ink before I run out of printing.
June photo from Point Imperial North Rim Grand Canyon National Park 7-29-16
Now it may seem that printing only six 2017 calendars the first week in December for Christmas presents isn’t procrastinating too much. Unless you factor in that I won’t be near my printer or PC on a regular basis for possibly the next couple weeks. Berta goes in for a knee replacement tomorrow and I’ll be camping out in her yard to be close for help when she needs it. Plus there will be PT three days a week 30 miles away. And next week I’m taking another friend to Prescott for cataract surgery.
August photo from Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park 8-24-16
Weather permitting, I’ll drive to Kanab for Christmas with Bill and his family. Guess what they’re getting for Christmas?
October photo from Kirkland Arizona 10-29-16
Hopefully I won’t be running out of ink energy.
PS: Four calendars for Christmas and the printer is running out of ink. Maybe I should pay to have this done next time.
We stopped the gift exchange years ago and it was such a relief. I’m not a shopper so creating and buying gifts was never fun but a chore. So not exchanging gifts, instead enjoying being together was so much more relaxing. I do like the calendar idea, however. I may have to borrow your idea for next year since we have so many beautiful photos. And who doesn’t need a calendar:) Good luck getting them printed in time:)
I don’t like to shop but do like to create so it was fun to make gifts. But I’m out of ink, again.
I want one. Willing to send ink. The photos you showed are gorgeous!
Thanks Karen. I’m only getting about 3 calendars per ink set. Think it would have been cheaper to have them printed professionally. I’ll add calendar to your list but it may not happen until after Christmas.
You might try reducing the size of the photo before inserting into the calendar. The pics still come out great, just not so much ink used in printing. I think I am talking about resolution? Fewer pixels?
We stopped the gift giving years ago, too. So much less stress!
But I like your calendar idea, especially if you enjoy creating things.
I like the creating part just not the running out of ink. Used to be able to print so much more when they actually filled the ink cartridges, plus they cost more than a new printer.
I have written this 3 times now and Word Press keeps throwing it out. They then wanted a new password. Now typing it in word so I and try and copy and paste!! To add that Google keeps freezing on me!!!!!
We have not bought presents for years other than my FIL who likes to un-wrap things! I guess at almost 96 years old that Christmas has always been about gifts so!!! I made a calendar that went down well a couple of years back but the spiral binding was such a hassle to get done it has never happened again!
Cards never get sent and the money goes to charity instead. I do send out an annual Christmas letter with Christmas greetings so be prepared 🙂 Have a good week. Diane
I’m sorry for the commenting problem and wish I could figure it out. Thanks for your persistence. I’m just folding regular paper in half to avoid any binding. Used to send out a Christmas letter but now I figure folks can just read the blog. Are you going to England for the holidays? Hi to Nigel.
Yes to a very chilly house and an uncomfortable bed, will be home the beginning of January. This is why I have been panicking about my back. Diane
Take orders for the calendar!, your pictures are awesome. Your readers might surprise you and cover the costs of having them printed, including the ones you want for family. I used to do a calendar for my mom, it is a lot of work! I did the printing and binding myself for a number of years, but soon learned it’s less expensive and stress to let the pros do it.
Thanks Jeff. I will keep that in mind for next year and research having them printed because it’s way too much work and expense doing it myself.
Hi Gaelyn –
I have been doing calendars for years. I started about 14 years ago, when I did all the printing and can relate to not getting the right month on the back of a photo, or having something upside down.
I now use Shutterfly, and keep the cost down by prepaying a lump sum which can be carried over for two years, I believe. This greatly reduces the cost. (50 for $500). Their templates are great, and you can personalize the dates as you wish. I now print about 30 calendars a year for family and friends. Some offer payment, others are gifts.
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So I should start planning my 2018 calendar now. Will definitely pay for printing in the future. And not wait until the last minute. This year, I will just buy more ink and hope for the best.
Beautiful calendars Gaelyn. Looks like a lot of work to set it up and print it. I know those lucky enough to be receiving them will be very appreciative. I too gave hand made gifts for years. I liked to do them but then I found that my in laws really didn’t appreciate the amount of work that went into them and would rather have cheap purchased crap so I bowed out of gift giving and was the family Scrooge for a few years until they all got tired of the hassle and expense. You are so right about less ink and ridiculous cost. When my current printer dies and I can hopefully get a smaller and lighter one that will do the same thing, I’ll choose it based on the cost of the cartridges. Pictures are the worst to print. So glad you got the paper on sale.
Thank you Sherry. I loved making gifts yet as you say many didn’t appreciate the love that went into them. Next time I’ll have them printed, plenty early, and maybe even offer them for sale. But this year, I need more ink, again.
Hi. Count me in for one!😀 Try Costco or Bartells I think they do a good job and aren’t too expensive. Much cheaper than cartridges for sure!😀
All my best to Berta for a speedy recovery!
Next year. And I will check into Costco. She goes in for surgery tomorrow.
I’m with you about the gift-giving, but do so only for my closest family, not with friends of mine, who don’t want any more ‘stuff’ anyway. Calendars, especially gorgeous ones like yours, make the best presents. If I were now in the US, I’d be making some, too. Miss you and the GC North Rim! (writing this courtesy of Internet Explorer….)
Nice to see IE is working. Just bought another $80 worth of ink. No more self printing.
I only buy gifts for the Grands (and the older ones are getting cash this year). Bob and I haven’t exchanged gifts in many years for any celebration. However, we do manage to spoil each other on many occasions. I always encouraged my kids to help make Christmas cards and handmade gifts when they were growing up. Now my Grands make us handmade gifts (although the D-i-L’s are heavily involved if it includes pottery or glassware). Your calendar sounds like a wonderful present. I’ve made them, but I’ve always used an on-line company for the printing. I’ve only ever made a few for family. Your photos are gorgeous – a fine gift! Your month sounds very busy with helping others – the best gift of all.
Thank you for the lovely compliment Barb. As the kids get older it’s easier to give them cash than guess what they want. Got more ink and have finished my printing calendars for this year. Next year I’ll have them printed, maybe even offer them for sale. Helping others doesn’t cost me money and gives great satisfaction.
We basically tell each other what to buy and the kid likes money. I’ve printed and framed photos for family and they seem to like them. A calendar seems like a great idea. I think people like the homemade stuff a lot.
Although I don’t do much gift exchange for Christmas I prefer the surprise. Bill has asked me countless times what I want. Sent a list that started with “World peace and $1million…” Bought more ink yesterday and today finished the printing. Next time it will be printed professionally.
I gave calendars to all my cousins one year for Christmas. Took weeks to go through all their Facebook photo albums and select some good ones. I only did it because I had the “plague” that year and just wasn’t up to shopping. They all loved them and said it was the perfect gift, but I wouldn’t do it again because they upload all sorts of crappy, blurry, low resolution photos and it was just too time consuming.
I saved their photos to my laptop & then uploaded them to Walmart’s website and created calendars. Seems like it was about $10-$15 each.
Your photos are beautiful – so, your calendars would be the perfect gift. I always go for the landscapes when I select a calendar each year.
That is Way ambitious! I’ve made calendars before but as the photos improve I want the finished product to look better. I won’t try to print them myself again. But I might offer them for sale, and get a Way earlier start.
Those are lucky people getting those beautiful photos on your calendar. What a great gift
Thanks Sallie.