that time of year: Christmas card picture prep

This post sponsored by OshKosh B'gosh.  All opinions are my own.  Thanks for reading! xoxo

Christmas card pictures are like bedtime to me.

Stick with me here.

It has to be done.
I look forward to it. {some days more than others!}
The end result is great.
But the process...
it can be painful at times.

Bedtime around here goes one of two ways:
Everyone is exhausted, brushes their teeth, listens to a story, snuggles in, and drifts peacefully off to sleep.
Or b.) I feel like I'm herding cats for 45 minutes.

Christmas card pictures seem to follow the same pattern.  
My littles are all into it, they smile, they laugh, they look like they actually like each other and we're done lickety split.
Or...I end up with a bunch of awkward smiles, blurred, moving bodies, and screaming babies. {Although I'll confess I love crying baby pictures!}

This year {thanks to the kick in the pants and a partnership with OshKosh B'gosh}, I'm planning, I'm starting early, and I'm going to be ready to get a good {but I'll settle for decent! Ha!} Christmas card pic.

So I started today by putting together outfits for them.
{I know people have entire pinterest boards dedicated to outfit combos for family photos...that's too much for me.  I just pick what I like.  So there pinterest!}
Of course I want outfits that will look good on camera and that are festive, but over the years I've realized that family photos in comfortable pieces that my littles will actually love to wear every day...those are the smarter choices.
They're happier.  They're more relaxed.  And I'm happy that I bought something that they can wear beyond a few occasions in December!

If you're interested in my outfit choices: 
     button front plaid shirts for the boys, mock neck sweaters for the boys, paired with jeans
     long sleeve striped jersey dress for sister, paired with grey leggings

All items c/o OshKosh B'gosh.

A few other things I've learned over the years about prepping for pictures:
     Make sure everyone is well rested and has a full tummy.
     Make them laugh.  Giggling pictures are always more fun and natural than weird, posed little kid smiles.
     Bribes.  It's probably against every parenting book rule, but hey, it works.  I am not above a treat/a toy/a      trip to McDonald's for a little extra motivation to cooperate.

As the next portion of my partnership, I'm going to be putting together some photo backdrops and props that will {hopefully!} make for some fun photos.  Look for that next week!  

And now for a little love {and a $50 giftcard giveaway!} from OshKosh B'gosh...

Create picture perfect looks for your family photos with OshKosh B’gosh's adorable skirts, cable-knit vests, sweaters, and dresses as well as baby winter clothes and kids' winter clothes!


for the girls...
...embellished tees are perfect for playtime and all-day wear.  Sequins, bling, and bows make tees super stylish!
...darling dresses are soft and easy-to wear...and pair them with a cardigan to keep cozy!
...it's easy to dress up outfits with sparkly ballet flats with comfy tights.
...OshKosh B’gosh has a collection of bangles, ribbon necklaces and headbands galore. 

and for the boys...
...button-front plaid shirts are perfect paired with corduroys, khakis or jeans for an easy outfit.
...the combo of fleece-lined jeans and a denim shirt is always so handsome!
...and {of course!} a cable knit sweater vest is perfect for dressing up holiday outfits. 


For a chance to win a $50 OshKosh B'gosh gift card, leave a comment below answering:

What is your favorite item in the OshKosh B’gosh Holiday Shop?

You can shop their entire winter shop online here or search for a local store here.

Giveaway will close Wednesday at midnight.

 

Don't forget you can “like” OshKosh B’gosh on Facebook, mention  @OshKoshBgosh on Twitter, and follow them on Pinterest for outfitting ideas, vintage ads, deals and special events! 

xoxo
OshKosh B’gosh partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote the OshKosh B’gosh Holiday Network.  As part of the program, I received product or gift cards.  OshKosh B’gosh believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words, and therefore did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products I used. OshKosh B’gosh policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaway in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

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