Holiday Card Etiquette: Essential Tips For Sending Christmas Cards
The sending and receiving of Christmas cards is one tradition that continues in spite of today's leanings toward speed and abbreviation
. Opening a mailbox to discover a foil lined envelope filled with goodwill toward mankind, joyful greetings, and a thoughtful note will never go out of style. They adorn walls, mantels, and even Christmas trees, adding their measure of holiday cheer to wreaths, egg nog, and gift wrap.
Instead of sending mass produced correspondence that look like everyone else's, many people are discovering the affordable ease and convenience of designing unique photo holiday cards online, using personal photographs, personalized messages, and customized color schemes to send seasonal cheer to loved ones, as well as business associates, all from the comfort of home. Some simple rules of etiquette can help ensure that the recipients of your custom designed Christmas cards will be delighted, once again, with your thoughtfulness this winter season.
Family & Friends
When sending Christmas cards to loved ones, a personal note should always be included, even if your name is preprinted. There is no need to use titles or last names. Traditionally, signatures start with the father, followed by the mother, ending with the children. When sending a card to a couple who have two different last names, simply address the card to 'Mary Jones and John Smith.' If the couple has children, write 'Mary Jones, John Smith and Family.'
There is no need to write extensive notes in holiday cards, but many families have discovered the use of newsletters as a means of reconnecting with family and friends around the globe. Newsletters can be plenty of fun to put together, too. Each member of the family can contribute their own message, or the family can work together to create a unique communication.
Business Associates
Holiday cards mailed to business associates should only be sent to their office unless you have met their family, in which case they can be sent to the home. As with any other business correspondence, these should maintain a level of formality. They should be brief and are generally secular. If the co-worker is married, the envelope should be addressed to 'Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jones' If the business associate is a woman that uses her maiden name at work and her married name in private life, the envelope should be addressed to 'Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jones.' If she uses her maiden name at all times, the envelope should be addressed to, 'Mr. Fred Jones and Mrs. Sally Brown.'
Business holiday cards should only be signed by you, unless your spouse has actually met the recipient. If your family uses holiday newsletters to reconnect with family and friends, these should not be included in business Christmas cards unless there is a personal relationship between your family and the business associate.
Mailing Tips
Instead of leaving everything to the last minute, you can save time and accomplish far more by ordering your Christmas cards early and writing out a few every day during October and November. This way, once the season is in full swing and time is at a premium, your cards will have already been written. This is also an excellent time to enlist the assistance of everyone in the family. Older children can help with addressing envelopes while the younger children affix stamps and envelope seals. This brings the family together and teaches valuable lessons in correspondence and maintaining contact with loved ones, both near and far. Also, instead of making a separate trip to the post office for stamps, simply add them to your shopping list for your next trip to the grocery store.
It is appropriate to mail holiday cards any time between Thanksgiving and New Years, although earlier is often better to avoid the holiday rush. Lost mail can be prevented and time saved by ordering envelopes with preprinted return addresses and sending cards via first class mail. When a card is returned to you undeliverable, you can contact other family and friends who may have current information on your missing recipient.
The nicest thing about going online and creating unique Christmas cards from family photos, with personalized messages, and other special touches chosen by you, aside from the obvious convenience, is the fact that those who receive your holiday cards will feel that much more special to you because you took the time to create something for them that no one else could. What better message of peace and goodwill could anyone ask for? A few simple steps, a generous dose of common courtesy and just a little bit of creativity on your part can help you to create this year's favorite winter correspondence among both business associates and loved ones.
by: Chris Harmen
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