With Thanksgiving drawing near, Christmas card season is also upon us. Typically, the best prices on Christmas cards are seen Black Friday – Cyber Monday.
Needless to say, I have been thinking a lot about Christmas cards — and I know many of you are as well. Here is what I am doing (or have been doing) to get ready to order and mail Christmas cards.
1. The Photo: This is obviously one of the most important things you need to do – select a photo, or take your photos! I like to take special photos for our Christmas card every year. This weekend I am planning to take some photos of the kids and selected the one I am going to use for our card. That way, when the sales happen, I am ready!
2. Your address book: Are your addresses up to date? Go through your address book now to prevent you from scrambling to obtain family and friends' new addresses when it is time to address/order you cards. I keep my addresses in a google drive excel file. Each year I make a new tab, copy my list form last year and make necessary corrections, changes to my list, etc. By having the addresses digital I also know exactly how many cards to order and can import them to Minted when I order my cards. (They print addresses for free on your envelopes, which saves a ton of time!)
3. Return address labels/stamps: If you are not ordering cards from a shop that prints return addresses on your envelopes, then be sure you have your address labels printed/ordered, or order a return address stamp.
4. Stamps: Consider buying some or all of your stamps now. Because we send out more than 200 cards every year, I like to spread my stamp spending and buy a few each week.
5. The letter: I know, most people don't do letters anymore. But I LOVE them. Usually we scramble and begin writing the letter last minute, but not this year. I already have begun outlining our letter. (I have a dedicated scrapbook just for our annual Christmas cards + letters. I like to think that 20 years from now, it will be a special family treasure to look through and read.)
6. Select your card vendor: You can choose from many online retailers to make your custom photo card. Here are a few favorites:
Bonus tip: If you are a blogger, create and send Christmas cards to the brands and agencies you work with during the year. It's an easy way to show your appreciation!
Thanks for your useful words on this subject! I actually start writing notes and hand-addressing my Christmas Cards on the first day of October… but the catch is… I only do 5 cards per day. I, too, send out over 200 cards, and I like to write a personal message on each card, even if only a line or two. Our family has been writing a Christmas Newsletter to include with our Holiday Greetings at Christmas for 14 years! I have a Christmas Scrapbook (actually, I have 3 now) documenting every Christmas since my son was born (he is 12 now). I love your posts, and I think you can tell that we have some things in common! Let’s keep on motivating each other to make this Season a very Bright one!
With gratitude to you for all you bring into my life~ Blue
Honestly family letters are a subject on their own. Some people write letters that are wonderful and sweet others cringeworthy and bragging. Tips for a good family letter could really help some.