My brother, who owns a successful printing and publishing company in Central NY, had all of his employees bring in their dogs for pictures. He hired a professional photographer for the occasion and had Xmas props (antlers, scarves, etc.) for those who wanted them. The pictures were done on an individual basis, but put into a company card together (with the owners' names). It was SOOOO cute. On the inside of the card, Bob informed the recipients (his many clients) that a donation was being made in their name to the Wounded Warriers organization. Rather than receiving a ham or gift basket, his clients loved the card and the donation enormously.

No, these are bought by the companies in bulk, so they get a discount. It is like taking a coupon in, but it is a giftcard instead.

I have sent photo cards since my oldest was a baby. I love receiving photo cards...I had no idea that there are people who don't like them! In my demographic, which is families in the midst of raising children...photo cards are the norm. People do some amazing layouts and really creative cards... It is so fun to see what everyone has come up with. I love them all. Makes getting the mail so much more exciting in December. One of my best friends and her husband are incredibly funny and creative and come up with the most amazing cards each year. Last year they did a Downton Abbey theme, but changed the name to Downton "Their street name." They and each child dressed as a character (photo shop was involved) and the whole group was photoshopped in front of the real Downton Abbey house! It was awesome! i have another friend who is so smart and wickedly funny, besides being an incredible writer. Her Christmas letter has had me literally laughing out loud with tears streaming down my face it was so funny! Who wouldn't love getting that in the mail? I love Christmas letters, even the ones that might be construed as a bit braggy....who cares? It it interesting to hear what everyone is up to! last thing...I try to put a little note on most of my friends' cards that live far away, but I never judge people who don't! We are all busy and who knows what might be going on right then. Getting a Christmas greeting in the mail is just a fun tradition, and I hope it never goes away entirely!

There is a quirk in the law in most areas that once you put your garbage to the curb, it's in the public domain and you technically can't stop someone from going through it. If it bothers you so much, wait for the truck and bring it out then instead of leaving it on public property. Ones who really want to know will go through the landfills. Here, there's no problem putting out some extra recycling. Most garbage haulers don't mind an extra bag or two but some, like mine, will charge extra if I put out extra bags. No need to call them unless it's something like an appliance or mattress. They'll pick it up and charge you for it on the next bill. The owner told me to go ahead and put out extra bags to get my business and I just call them up and they credit the extra charge. He told me specifically DO NOT just set it on the top because his drivers are so lazy they won't get out and toss the bags like they're supposed to. By putting the bags on the side, they have to get out. Otherwise they try to balance it into the truck and often it falls and makes a mess. Some small towns I know use a special bag you buy to put it in the City dumpsters. Don't get caught not using the bags. And most businesses around here now have put their dumpsters into locked buildings or behind walls because of too many people thinking its a free dumping site. It's a criminal charge (theft of service) and they do enforce it around here, as they should.