how would i take pictures for an upcoming holiday card...?

Question

my photo teacher said the pictures have to be shot before november 1st and have to be about the holidays?
only... they're being sent out in december.. and most people don't even have any "winter holiday" stuff out yet.
it can't have anything religious or anything set on one holiday.
we can't even use candycanes...
any suggestions would be great!
i will choose the best answer :]!

Answer 1

I think winter branches/bark/trees are beautiful. They would work by themselves with great morning or afternoon lighting. Pine cones are also evocative of the holiday season, or plants with berries.

If you can use a ribbon, tie some branches or cones together and shoot closeup with a very narrow DOF.

Practically any good landscape could be a holiday card. Or hang a wreath on an old barn door and shoot it. (I used the same idea for my Solstice card one year.) Or just shoot an evergreen tree in the middle of the field, like a tree waiting for its turn in the spotlight.

What about the sun shining through the branches. With a small aperture, the sun rays will form a "star".

Whatever you do, good luck with it. It sounds like fun!

Answer 2

I don't know about where you live, but many places where I live are lit up with those pretty white lights year round, and not just over the holidays. Perhaps, you could photograph a local landmark at night, if it is illuminated.

Or maybe visit your local craft store and buy a few sprigs of artifical holly, and decorate a cute pet.

I think you may be surprised to find just how many stores are already stocking holiday related decorations, etc.