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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.
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Writing Christmas Cards Tips
- Start early to ensure you don't get overwhelmed.
- Prepare your Christmas card list well in advance.
- Double check that everyone's name and address is correct.
- Send a more formal card to business associates than to friends.
- You should always include a personal note and sign the card.
- 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.Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips 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
- Before you do anything, you should compile a list of your Christmas card recipients. This naturally includes family and friends, but you don't want to forget neighbors, business associates and coworkers.Tiny*Prints: Holiday Card Etiquette Christmas cards can also be a great way to attract new customers while showing appreciation to current customers.The Sideroad: Greeting Card Etiquette by Lydia Ramsey
- Creating your list first will help you know how many Christmas cards you need.MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I However, you should always order or purchase a few extra cards.
- Make sure you have the correct address for everyone on your list.Australia Post: Christmas Cards in the Post Is What We Like the Most If necessary, contact the person directly to update it.
- When sending cards to business associates, mail the cards to their office and not their home.MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I
- Double check to make sure everyone's name on your list is correctly spelled.About.com: Business Christmas Cards Are Good Business
- 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.America Supports You: Letters and Messages
Step 2: Find the Right Christmas Card
- Choosing the right Christmas card can be difficult, especially with so many out on the market. For that reason, you may want to choose two cards to send: a formal one that can be sent to co-workers, vendors, clients, employers, or other business associates and a more personal one that you can send to friends and family members.Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I
- Business cards should be high quality and tasteful.About.com: Business Christmas Cards Dos and Don'ts
- 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.MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I FOXNews.com: Supporting 'The War on Christmas' (November 16, 2005)
- For more information on handmade cards, check out Mahalo's How to Make Christmas Cards.
Step 3: Gather Your Materials
- {{Img|MonkeyChristmasCard_JB_111108.jpg||right}} Once you have your cards and your list, you are almost ready to get started. Find a place where you can spread everything out and won't be disturbed. Do not feel you have to accomplish everything at one time.Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips For example, you could spend one day addressing envelopes and another day writing the cards. But before you do, you will want to gather a few other materials including:
- Your Christmas cards and envelopes
- Your Christmas card list
- Return address labelsClarksville Online: Holiday Cards and the Lost Art of Letters
- Several pens of the same type and color (preferably blue or black)Clarksville Online: Holiday Cards and the Lost Art of Letters
- Holiday photos (if including)
- Holiday stampsUSPS: Holiday Stamps
- Check out Mahalo's How to Make Photo Stamps, How to Take Christmas Card Photos and How to Take a Portrait Photo for additional inspiration.
Step 4: Write and Sign the Card
- You should always write a brief message and sign your Christmas cards, even if your name is already printed on the card.About.com: Business Christmas Cards Are Good Business The Sideroad: Greeting Card Etiquette by Lydia Ramsey
- The tone of your message should be appropriate for the recipient.Tiny*Prints: How To Ensure Your Holiday Greeting Cards Have A Formal Style
- While it can be tempting to just write "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas," it is better to personalize the message.About.com: Business Christmas Cards Dos and Don'ts
- Keep your signature informal (no titles).Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips
- Don't sign your last name on cards to close friends and relatives.Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips
- If the card is from more than one person, write your name last.Hallmark Corporate Information: Christmas Card-Sending Tips
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."
- If you are looking for ideas on what to write, check out the following links:
- TechniX: Christmas Cards Verses (December 12, 2007)
- Card Poems: Christmas Quotes
- IPV - Christmas Cards: Christmas Verse
- The Phrase Finder: Christmas Card Saying and Phrases
- You can also include a favorite quote such as those found on these pages:
- Fun Facts & Quotes: Funny Christmas Quotes
- Poem of Quotes.com: Funny Christmas Quotes
- About.com: Christmas Card Quotes | Christmas Poems
- Denny's Poems and Quotes: Christmas Poems
Step 5: Address the Envelope
- The most important thing to remember when addressing the envelope is that it must be clearly written.
- If you are sending a card to a business associate, send it to their office unless you know them socially.MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I The Sideroad: Greeting Card Etiquette by Lydia Ramsey
- If you are sending a card to a co-worker, send it to their home address. Avoid passing cards out at the office.MyExpression: Christmas Card Etiquette, Part I
- Handwrite the address. Avoid using computer generated labels.The Sideroad: Greeting Card Etiquette by Lydia Ramsey
- Use the person's title when addressing the envelope. It should be Mr. Santa Claus, not Santa Claus.The Sideroad: Greeting Card Etiquette by Lydia Ramsey
- Don't forget to include your return address.Australia Post: Christmas Cards in the Post Is What We Like the Most
- For more information on proper envelope etiquette, check out:
- Artistic Addressing: Envelope Addressing Etiquette
- Calligraphy-Experts.com: Addressing Envelope Etiquette
- PrettyWriting.com: Envelope Etiquette
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