Sending a personal, handwritten card is a powerful way to connect—or reconnect—with the people who have touched your life: family, friends, colleagues, former classmates and teachers. Receiving a card in the mail lets them know you are thinking about them and that they are appreciated. Whether you’re near or far from friends and family, holiday cards remind recipients that they’re always close to your heart. Now that you’re ready to drop a few cards in the mail, here are tips on how to make holiday card giving simple.
The Importance of Holiday Cards
Holiday cards are an important reminder of the bond that connects you with friends and family. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by PARADE (@parade.media) Think about the last time you got a card in the mail—the joy of thumbing through the mail and finding an envelope addressed to you, instead of another bill! You likely smiled at the thought that someone remembered you during the busy holiday season. And for just a moment, the stress of everyday life melted away. Now think about giving that same experience to your loved ones this holiday season. Cards can do wonders. They can rekindle relationships, mend hearts and bring us all closer together. With inspiring evergreen messages, you can reread your cards and experience the same warm memories anytime you need a boost whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall.
Who Should You Send a Holiday Card to?
Once your list is made, decide what kind of card you’d like to send to each group. For example, you may want to choose a different style for your business connections and colleagues than you would for friends and family. Also, think about the different holidays that people observe—Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and more.
How to Pick Out the Perfect Holiday Card
Technology makes it really easy to pick out the card—or cards—for everyone on your list. It’s as simple as going to Hallmark.com/card and filtering by card collection or recipient. You will likely find dozens and dozens of cards that are perfect for everyone on your list. You may also want to filter by language and culture when selecting cards for specific individuals. Consider looking at cards from Hallmark’s Vida or Mahogany collection that will show you put extra thought into finding the right card just for them. You can also browse collections based on the sentiment you want to share—a card that will give them the warm fuzzies, a card that will make them giggle or even a card they’ll want to keep at the center of the mantle for all to see.
How to Sign a Holiday Card
Now it’s time to sit down and write. Unless you are writing an annual update-on-your-family-type letter, you might struggle with where to start and what to write to make it personal and sincere. Don’t let the blank white space for your message intimidate you—writing holiday cards should bring you joy not stress. Start by getting in the spirit—find a cozy spot, grab a blanket, turn on some Christmas music or light a candle. Think about what each person or group of people enjoys. For example, if your friend is an avid fisherman, you could write “Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the chance to do lots more fishing in the new year!” Remember, you can take this sentiment and tweak it for other friends with different hobbies. Just swap out “chance to do lots more fishing in the new year” and replace it with their favorite pastime. Or, you can send a funny general greeting to a group who appreciates humor. Something like, “May your season be merry and your presents sock-free (unless you really need some!).” Need more one-line inspirations for the people on your list? Check out these thought-starters from Hallmark. Recently, Hallmark introduced a service that makes holiday card giving quick and convenient. Instead of ordering the cards, waiting for them to arrive and then stuffing, addressing and stamping the envelopes, you can hand off the assembly to professionals. Hallmark’s Sign & Send service lets you personalize a real Hallmark card with your handwritten message—and they even stamp and mail it for you. The process is easy. Simply visit Hallmark.com/card and shop for the same Hallmark cards you would find in stores. Write your note on a piece of paper, snap a photo of the message with your phone and upload your handwritten note to be included in your card. If it seems easier, you can type your personal message on the website. Either way Hallmark prints it inside your chosen card and mails it. And that’s it, your message goes from your phone to their mailbox—without a paper cut, a search for stamps or a trip to the post office.
When Should You Send a Holiday Card
Don’t stress about when you should send your holiday cards. As many tasks around the holidays, your best bet is to get your cards sent as early as you can. Here’s an easy rule of thumb: send cards by first class domestic mail at least two weeks before the holiday. For international deliveries, allow at least three weeks. You can check the U.S. Postal Service website for the latest information on when to send your holiday cards. But don’t stress. Early or late, everyone just loves receiving cards, no matter when they arrive.
What to Do With Your Cards After the Holidays
Some people save their cards—especially the ones with photos of their loved ones or those that have sentimental meaning to them. They may store them in a box or even organize them in a photo album. You forgot how fun it is to read cards saved from years past, especially from family who may no longer be with you. Or try getting creative and repurposing them into ornaments or gift tags for next year. Need a little more inspiration? Hallmark.com offers tons of ideas for fun Christmas crafts. Sending holiday cards is one of the most meaningful preparations for the festive season. Enjoy! Right now, all Hallmark Crown Rewards members can use the code SIGNANDSEND to send their first card for FREE. Next, Everything You Need to Know About Christmas Card Etiquette
