How to Write a Christmas Card

Guide Note Sending out good Christmas cards means doing more then adding your name to a preprinted card. If you want to know how to write a great Christmas card this year, then this page will give you some helpful tips.

Table of Contents

Writing Christmas Cards Tips

  1. Start early to ensure you don't get overwhelmed.
  2. Prepare your Christmas card list well in advance.
  3. Double check that everyone's name and address is correct.
  4. Send a more formal card to business associates than to friends.
  5. You should always include a personal note and sign the card.
  6. Don't forget to include your return address.

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Introduction

  • Christmas cards are a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as to strengthen business relationships. Unfortunately, there is more to writing a card then signing your name to a preprinted one. A good Christmas card is aimed at the person it is sent to, otherwise you are just sending out impersonal form letters with little meaning.1 If you want to know how to make the most out of your cards this Christmas, then this page will help guide you.

Step 1: Make out Your Christmas Card List

  1. (Creative Commons photo by Patrick Fitzgerald)
    (Creative Commons photo by Patrick Fitzgerald)
    Creating your list first will help you know how many Christmas cards you need.4 However, you should always order or purchase a few extra cards.
  2. Make sure you have the correct address for everyone on your list.5 If necessary, contact the person directly to update it.
  3. When sending cards to business associates, mail the cards to their office and not their home.4
  4. Double check to make sure everyone's name on your list is correctly spelled.6
  5. Don't forget our soldiers! There are a number of methods you can send cards and care packages to U.S. soldiers overseas or that have been wounded. Check out any of the links listed on America Supports You: Letters and Messages page.7

Step 2: Find the Right Christmas Card

  • One thing to remember when choosing a card is that your Christmas card should be as much about the other person as it is about you, so it may not be a great idea to send an overly-religious card to someone who does not share your views. While some have viewed replacing "Merry Christmas" with "Seasons Greetings" as an attack on Christmas, it is simply ensuring that you are respecting the other person's beliefs.4 9

Step 3: Gather Your Materials

Step 4: Write and Sign the Card

  1. The tone of your message should be appropriate for the recipient.13
    1. Write a more formal message for business associates than for friends and family.4
    2. The message needs to be secular or match the person's denomination.3
  2. While it can be tempting to just write "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas," it is better to personalize the message.8
  3. Keep your signature informal (no titles).1
  4. Don't sign your last name on cards to close friends and relatives.1
  5. If the card is from more than one person, write your name last.1

What to Write

  • One of the hardest things is to decide what to write. Here are a few examples of what you can use. Remember, you can always replace "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings."

Step 5: Address the Envelope

  • The most important thing to remember when addressing the envelope is that it must be clearly written.
  1. (Creative Commons photo by Richard Kelland)
    (Creative Commons photo by Richard Kelland)
    If you are sending a card to a business associate, send it to their office unless you know them socially.4 3
  2. If you are sending a card to a co-worker, send it to their home address. Avoid passing cards out at the office.4
  3. Handwrite the address. Avoid using computer generated labels.3
  4. Use the person's title when addressing the envelope. It should be Mr. Santa Claus, not Santa Claus.3
  5. Don't forget to include your return address.5
  6. For more information on proper envelope etiquette, check out:

Step 6: Mail Your Christmas Cards

  • Before you mail your Christmas cards, you will want to affix the current postage. As of May 12, 2008, this meant $0.42 for a 1 ounce card. For current rates, or for cards that weigh over 1 ounce, you will want to check out the United States Postal Service official website.14

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References for How to Write a Christmas Card

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips
  2. ↑ Tiny*Prints: Holiday Card Etiquette
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 The Sideroad: Greeting Card Etiquette by Lydia Ramsey
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Australia Post: Christmas Cards in the Post Is What We Like the Most
  6. ↑ About.com: Business Christmas Cards Are Good Business  WARNING: Pop-ups
  7. ↑ America Supports You: Letters and Messages
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 About.com: Business Christmas Cards Dos and Don'ts  WARNING: Pop-ups
  9. ↑ FOXNews.com: Supporting 'The War on Christmas' (November 16, 2005)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Clarksville Online: Holiday Cards and the Lost Art of Letters
  11. ↑ USPS: Holiday Stamps
  12. ↑ About.com: Business Christmas Cards Are Good Business  WARNING: Pop-ups
  13. ↑ Tiny*Prints: How To Ensure Your Holiday Greeting Cards Have A Formal Style
  14. ↑ USPS: Prices (Effective May 12, 2008)
  15. ↑ USPS: Frequently Asked Questions - 2008 Holiday Shipping Deadlines


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