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What Should I Know About Sending Christmas Cards?
The first thing to remember when sending Christmas cards via the U.S. Postal Service is that it is best to get an early start. Mail delivery tends to slow down during the holiday season because there is higher demand. It is better for your cards to arrive a little early than it is for them to arrive after Christmas, so don’t wait too long to mail them.
Also, keep in mind that you can send postcards in lieu of traditional cards in envelopes. They tend to cost less and the amount of postage needed for postcards is less as well. There are plenty of attractive options from which to choose, many that are just as nice as regular Christmas cards. If you plan to send cards to members of the military, postcards are a better option, since are less likely to require inspection.
Another nice touch is to apply holiday postage stamps instead of regular stamps. Ask about themed stamps and holiday designs at your local post office. Themed stamps add another dimension to your Christmas cards and they are generally available at the same the price as the regular ones.
Be sure you include enough postage to cover the delivery of your cards. If you’ve added a letter or photos inside, one stamp might not be adequate. If you are unsure, have the postmaster weigh each envelope to make sure the postage is sufficient.
When addressing Christmas cards, be sure to check each address to make sure it’s correct and include your return address. Another handy tip is to keep return address labels or cut hand written return addresses when you receive cards. This way, you can add them to your list. You’ll know who to send cards to next year and you’ll have their addresses handy.
While selecting cards especially for each person is nice if you have the time and money to do so, don’t let such an effort or expense keep you from sending Christmas cards. You can pick up boxes of cards that offer a variety of different images and messages and come complete with envelopes. Boxed cards are generally very reasonably priced.
If you find yourself running out of time or don’t feel like waiting in line at the post office, consider sending e-cards instead of your usual holiday greetings. Many websites offer beautiful electronic Christmas cards from simple salutations to animated or musical options. Sending e-cards is also a good choice if you find yourself short on cash, since many sites offer a variety of free e-cards.
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![Send Christmas cards early to make sure they arrive before the holiday.]()
By: cook_inspireSend Christmas cards early to make sure they arrive before the holiday. -
![If people find that they are running out of time, they might consider sending e-cards instead of the usual holiday greetings.]()
By: marilyn barboneIf people find that they are running out of time, they might consider sending e-cards instead of the usual holiday greetings. -
![Themed stamps can add another dimension to your Christmas cards.]()
By: gors4730Themed stamps can add another dimension to your Christmas cards. -
![Christmas cards may be homemade.]()
By: Gennadiy PoznyakovChristmas cards may be homemade. -
![Mail delivery tends to slow down during the holiday season because there is higher demand.]()
By: petert2Mail delivery tends to slow down during the holiday season because there is higher demand. -
![Christmas cards can be attached to presents.]()
By: DragonImagesChristmas cards can be attached to presents.
Discussion Comments
Please, please, please do not send ecards. Ever. I don't care how late it is, and I don't care how little money you have. If you can't be bothered to send the real thing, then don't add insult to injury by ineptly handing your 'friends' email addresses to spammers because you're too lazy/selfish/incompetent to send a card by post or deliver it by hand.
BrickBack-I know what you mean. I received a photo Christmas card from a person that I used to work with years ago. While I appreciate the card, it did make me feel bad getting rid of it after the holidays.
I usually buy the funny Christmas cards, but I know that some people just send the free Christmas cards online.
Christmas cards online are nice, but they do not take the place of a traditional Christmas card.
There is still something really special about a handwritten message on a card. It really makes the experience.
Somehow receiving a Christmas card online does not deliver the same effect because there is virtually no effort in sending an online Christmas card, but there is when sending a Christmas card through the mail.
These old fashion ways of communicating will never go out of style regardless of the advances in technology. On the contrary, they will only stand out more.
Cupcake15-Wow that sounds great. I know that many people love to give photo Christmas cards. I don’t mind receiving a photo Christmas card if it is from a close relative, but I just doesn’t know what to do with the card when it is from a casual acquaintance.
After the holidays, I feel bad throwing away the picture, but I don’t know what to do with it. I think that picture Christmas cards are best for the immediate family because it will be wasted otherwise.
SauteePan- I also know a company called Square One Art that allows your children to create their own custom Christmas cards.
They actually create an image and that image is reproduced as a box of greeting cards. They can also put the image on a canvas bag, a ceramic plate, a matted print, a pendent for a necklace, coasters, and even an apron.
This company does a lot of fund raisers for schools using the children’s art. It is really amazing to see the finished product.
I love giving charity Christmas cards. I usually get the Make a Wish Foundation or the UNICEF cards.
The nice thing about buying these cards is not only are you helping a charity but you are supporting the child’s artwork because most of these Christmas greeting cards involve children’s artwork.
This makes the cards extra special. I also sometimes get custom Christmas cards. I usually order them and have personalized Christmas cards with my family name on it.
It can be expensive, so I don’t do it every year and you do have to do it early enough to give enough time to finish the cards.
These types of cards are great for corporate Christmas cards because you can always use the name of the company when personalizing the cards instead of the name of the family and it looks very professional.
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