It’s the holiday season and there are plenty of things to check off on your to do list. Sending and receiving holiday cards is a time honored tradition. Regardless if it’s from a friend, family member, or even your dentist office, there’s a simple joy in opening up your mailbox and finding a little envelope with holiday spirit waiting. Whether you’re sending out holiday cards this year for business or personal, there are certain rules to keep in mind.

Holiday Card Etiquette

Timing Is Everything

Mailing holiday cards should be timed appropriately. Sending cards out before Thanksgiving can be seen as a little overzealous, whereas sending out cards that arrive after Christmas may miss their mark. Typically the best time to drop your holiday cards in the mail is usually a week or two after Thanksgiving.

Know Your Audience

Whether you’re a business sending out holiday cards to your clients and patrons, or you’re spreading holiday joy to your friends and family one envelope at a time, it’s important to know who you’re sending it to. As a business it’s usually best to keep your cards broad. A simple “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” as your main message is often recommended to be as inclusive as possible. If you’re sending cards to friends and loved ones, a more personal greeting and message is usually welcomed and preferred.

Personalize, Not Personal

When writing personal cards it’s common to want to share your life with those you may not have talked to as much as you wanted to the past year, but that may be better left for a phone call. A holiday card is intended to show a little holiday spirit. If your family has a new addition this year, feel free to share it. Won the lottery and want to gloat? Probably not such a good idea. Along the same lines, giving friends and family bad news in a holiday card doesn’t exactly make them feel all warm and fuzzy. Keep personalized messages positive without bragging, and stay humble this holiday season.

Check, Check and Check Again

Mistakes happen, but you should proofread all of your cards and envelopes to ensure proper spelling and grammar. Check that the names and addresses are correct to ensure your holiday spirit reaches its intended destination.

Holiday Card Printing with New York Marketing

Here at New York Marketing, our print and design experts have more than enough holiday spirit to go around, we enjoy helping others spread joy. Whether it’s custom holiday cards, new signs and banners for the holiday season, or holiday flyers or postcards, our elves are hard at work. Give us a call today at (716) 632-7200 and let us help.