During the holiday season, nothing spreads joy faster than holiday cards. Choosing the perfect holiday card idea takes a bit of creativity, but sending greetings is all about planning and following a few simple rules of etiquette. Whether it’s your first year sending personalized cards as a married couple, or you’re looking to change your routine, we’ll answer the most common questions about shipping, addressing holiday cards, and modern holiday card etiquette to prepare you for a merry new year. Christmas season.
Who should you send Christmas cards to?
Send Christmas cards to anyone you want to wish “Happy Holidays”. Family members, close friends, and co-workers (whom you also know socially) often make the list. but this year especially, don’t forget to send a holiday card to the seniors on your list, or even those who aren’t normally on your list and might not get a lot of mail. They will be delighted to receive a digital Christmas card with your family photos.
When it comes to putting together your Christmas card list, don’t delay. you’re more likely to forget someone on your Christmas card list when you do it at the last minute. save yourself the stress and set aside time to work on your list before you start sending. If you build your list using your paperless postal address book, you can not only get contacts from past events, but you’ll also have a list of mailing addresses ready to use year after year. update throughout the year, and when the holidays roll around, your list is always ready to go.
when to send printed Christmas cards
To ensure a timely arrival, you should order your printed Christmas cards four to six weeks before Thanksgiving, which ensures you won’t have to pay rush fees and allows for some padding for any unexpected delays. . Once your order of printed holiday cards arrives, plan to ship them the first week of December.
Deciding when to send Christmas cards depends on when you choose to order them. The sooner you order your holiday cards, the less stressful the experience will be. it pays to plan ahead if you want to be first to the mantle.
when to send digital christmas cards
If you missed the order window for print Christmas cards, send eCards! Unlike printed Christmas cards, digital Christmas cards require much less planning. You don’t have to wait for your paper order to arrive, address the envelope, or pay for postage, so the only deadline you need to keep in mind is when to send it. You can start sending digital Christmas cards anytime after Thanksgiving to the start of the holiday season, up until Christmas Eve.
Sending Christmas cards online is also great in case someone forgets or you want to reciprocate someone else’s Christmas card that wasn’t on your original list. no fuss; just send another card with a few clicks.
However, if the holidays slip by, don’t worry. You can always send a New Year’s card wishing your loved ones a “Happy New Year”. send between Christmas and the second week of January, and pretend it was part of your plan. we won’t tell.
Business holiday card etiquette
“shiny tartan” by email.
You have a little extra time to send company Christmas cards, since professional holiday greetings include a more neutral greeting like “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” For business and professional Christmas cards, you should plan to send your warm wishes between Thanksgiving and the new year.
Be sure to follow proper etiquette with professional holiday greeting cards as they reflect your business. use your client and associate’s office address instead of your home address, and use appropriate titles for business associates and acquaintances.
is it okay to remove someone from your christmas list?
The basic rule of Christmas card etiquette is that you can send Christmas cards to anyone, but you don’t have to send them to everyone. while we’d say this is the year we need holiday cheer the most, if you feel like sending your seasonal greetings to a smaller group, go ahead.
If you’re going to see someone between Thanksgiving and New Years at a party, you can wish them a “Happy Holidays” in person. If you don’t have a friend’s new address, you can remove them from your list of printed Christmas cards. Or better yet, send them a Christmas card online if you have their email.
how to sign a christmas card
If you are sending alone or as newlyweds, simply sign your Christmas cards with their names. but it can be tricky when you include children in the mix. You can list the names of the parents and then the names of the children, or list each member of the family in order. As a personal touch, include the ages of each child next to their name.
If you are sending printed cards, you can sign your name by hand below the printed names. For a dose of adorable, have your kids sign their name below for a sweet personal touch. what better way to warm their hearts?
You can add an extra personal note or put a longer holiday letter in the envelope for cards you send to family and close friends. If you’re sending photo cards, add your personal note or sign on the back. Get more inspiration on what to write in a holiday card with our guide.
Should I send printed or digital Christmas cards?
“very happy” via email.
When it comes to holiday card etiquette, there’s no right or wrong way to send holiday cards, and both print and digital cards can get loved ones in the holiday spirit. We’ll leave that decision up to you, but here’s the best of each:
printed Christmas cards
buying stamps supports the usps. your postal mail goes a long way!
you can display printed holiday cards on the refrigerator or on the shelf
includes decorations such as gold foil
digital Christmas cards
quick and easy: perfect for last minute shipments
environmentally friendly – send a holiday greeting and save a tree
the cheapest Christmas cards: send more for less
You don’t need to track everyone’s physical address; you just need their emails
how to address christmas cards
How each Christmas card is addressed depends on the type of household it belongs to. Addressing Christmas cards to a family will be different than addressing a card to a single person or couple. As a general rule, once the kids are out of the house, it’s time for their own card. send and address your card individually. here are some examples of how to approach christmas cards:
Christmas cards for families with children
use family titles like “the clark family” or include the parents on the first line and the children’s names on the second line.
the clark family
4596 maryland avenue,
pinellas, florida 34624
or
andres & Jessica
benji, luke & Sarah
4596 maryland avenue,
pinellas, florida 34624
address Christmas cards to family and close friends
use informal titles on holiday cards for family and close friends. If you’re sending printed cards, it’s also a good idea to include a return address, so recipients know your address. you can either address this on the envelope or invest in an ink stamp to save your wrist a few hours of work.
jane doe
4596 maryland avenue,
pinellas, florida 34624
paperless Christmas postcards
find Christmas cards
Are you ready to start sending your own Christmas cards online? Start with our selection of digital Christmas cards or printed paper Christmas cards. Feeling inspired to get into the Christmas spirit? we have a guide on how to throw your best holiday party that covers everything from when to host to how to send guests home.