In the past, custom stationery and cards were out of reach for most people. Whether you were choosing a style to be embellished with your monogram or having something completely new created to your specifications, the cost was often exorbitant and the process was time consuming. A lot has changed since then, with the advent of digital cameras and printing services on the Web.

Now, if you want to create your own photo cards or personal correspondence, it just takes a few clicks of the mouse. On sites like Vistaprint.com, your options are essentially unlimited. If you’re the creative type, you can upload your own design that will adorn your cards, or you can upload a photo and choose from hundreds of stylish, professionally designed motifs. Not only can you create exactly what you want, you can do it at a great price. Once you’ve designed your cards and paid for them, they’ll arrive at your door in a matter of days — nothing like the months it used to take for custom stationery and cards.

Here are some ideas for creating cards of your own:

* Christmas cards: The holidays are right around the corner, and you don’t want to get caught mailing your greetings out on December 23. Gather up some family photos and upload them into a design for a quick and easy solution. One creative approach to a holiday greeting is to arrange chronologically a number of photos from trips that you took throughout the year. Whether it’s a trip to Grandma’s house or a Mexican beach vacation, the places you’ve visited say a lot about what’s been happening in your life over the past year.

* Moving announcements: Get a little more creative than the old fill-in-the-blanks cards when you’re telling friends and family your new address. Show off your new digs by adding some photos of the interior and exterior of the house. It’s a great way to give people, who will certainly be curious about your new place, a sneak peek before you hold your housewarming party.

* Save the date cards: Young couples are increasingly including save the date cards in their wedding stationery plans. One chic, simple (and inexpensive) way to get the word out well ahead of time is to add an engagement photo to a custom postcard that is designed using your wedding colors. Sending out save the date cards will give guests a welcome heads-up that can help them start planning, and it will also give them some idea of how many people will attend.

* Birth announcements: When a new baby arrives, friends and family start clamoring to see the new addition as soon as possible. By sending out photo birth announcements, not only can you let everyone know the spelling of your baby’s name and when he or she arrived, but you’ll also be giving them exactly what they want: a first look at your new bundle of joy.

It only takes a few minutes to get your custom photo cards designed and ordered. When you consider the convenience, quality and prices of cards on the Web, you’ll wish you’d been able to purchase online years ago.