7 Tips for Sending Christmas Cards
It’s never too early to think about sending Christmas cards. During the holiday season, nothing spreads cheer faster than Christmas cards. Choosing the perfect Christmas card idea requires little creativity and is always appreciated.
Sending Christmas and other holiday cards is a simple task, but there are some specific things you should keep in mind. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that you put your best foot forward as you send a little bit of seasonal joy to everyone on your Christmas card list.
Who should you send Christmas cards to?
Short answer: anyone you want! Family members, close friends, and coworkers often make the list. Don’t forget to send a Christmas card to the older people on your list, or even those who aren’t normally on your list who might not receive much mail. They’ll be delighted to receive your card.
When it comes to crafting your holiday card list, don’t procrastinate. You’re more likely to forget someone from your Christmas card list when you make it last minute. Save yourself the stress and set aside time to work on your list before starting to send. Make updates to your list throughout the year, and by the time holiday rolls around, your list will always be ready to go.
When to send them out.
It’s a great idea to get your cards in the mail as early as you’re able. However, it is best to wait until after the Thanksgiving holiday. The ideal time for your cards to arrive at their destination is around the second week of December. Try not to wait too long, keeping in mind that the post office is extremely busy during the holidays if you prefer your cards not to arrive after Christmas Day.
If you missed the order window for printed Christmas cards, send digital! Unlike printed Christmas cards, digital Christmas cards require a lot less planning. You don’t have to wait for your printed order to arrive, or address the envelope, or pay for postage — so the only deadline on your mind should be when to send. You can start sending digital Christmas cards anytime after Thanksgiving at the start of the Christmas season, up to Christmas Eve.
If, however, the holidays pass you by, don’t sweat it. You can always send a New Year’s card wishing loved ones a “Happy New Year.”
Removing 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. If you feel like sending your season’s greetings to a smaller group, go right ahead.
If you’re going to see someone between Thanksgiving and New Year’s at a holiday party, you can wish them a “Happy Holiday” in person. If you don’t have a friend’s new address, it’s okay to remove them from your printed Card Christmas list. Or, better yet, send them an online Christmas card if you have their email.
Include your return address.
The return address is a very helpful piece of information on any written correspondence. When your card is received, the addressee will know right away who sent the card. The return address also ensures that they have your current and correct address for mailing out their own cards in return.
The Plural Rule.
When making your last name plural, you don’t need to add an apostrophe. The apostrophe makes the name possessive. The last letter of your last name will determine if you add an “s” or an “es”. If your last name ends in s, z, ch, sh, or x, you add “es” to your last name to make it plural.
For example: if your last name is Nelson, you would sign, “The Nelsons.” If your last name is Jones, you would sign, “The Joneses.”
How to sign a Christmas card.
If you’re 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 drop a longer Christmas letter into the envelope for the cards you’re sending to close friends and family. If you’re sending a photo card design, add your personal note or sign on the back.
How to address Christmas cards.
How you address each Christmas card relies on what type of household it is. Addressing Christmas cards for a family will differ from how you’ll address a card to a single person or couple. As a general rule of thumb, once kids leave the house, it’s time for their own card. Send and address their card individually.
For example: The Clark Family vs. Scott and Jessica Clark
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