While holiday photo cards are a nice way to celebrate the season, they’re not without their drawbacks. You’re faced with the arduous task of finding the perfect photo to use and then are forced to pay a bundle to print and mail them. Create a holiday video card instead. It’s a free, totally DIY way to celebrate the season — and it might just bring your family closer together. And while it may be too late to send a paper card to Uncle Bill in time for Christmas, you still have plenty of time to send a video card.

Sound good? Andrea Allen, Community Manager at Vimeo, has a few tips on how to make a holiday video card that will knock your loved ones’ snowflake socks right off.

Plan your shoot

Before you start rolling, get the family together to brainstorm and map out the scenes. You might act out a scene from a holiday movie, throw a winter dance party, or capture the family decorating the house (or each other).

Get the basics right

Make sure you have enough light and think of how you’ll frame your shots. Your video will be less mirthful and joyous if it’s too dark to see what’s happening, or if you cut off grandma’s head.

Three legs are better than two

If you have a tripod, break it out. Not only will it allow whoever is behind the camera to join the fun in front, but it will also result in steady shots and make you look like a complete pro.

‘Tis the season to be tuneful

What’s a holiday video card without holiday music? Boring, that’s what. Head to the Vimeo Music Store to create a soundtrack for your video card. Vimeo makes it easy for anyone to search, download, and license holiday-themed music.

The gift that keeps on giving

When you’re done putting the final edits on your holiday video card, simply upload it to a video-sharing site like Vimeo. You can protect your video with a password so only special people can see it, or create a private group so others in your family can share their holiday video cards.

Family holiday video cards are easy and fun to put together. For additional tips and lessons, head over to the Video Vimeo School.