When Should You Send Christmas Cards?

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Sending Christmas Cards is a lovely way to spread holiday cheer to the people in your life. As you're choosing designs and writing festive messages, you may run into a common quandary—​determining when to send out Christmas Cards so they arrive on time. As with many holiday situations, the answer is rooted in both etiquette and practicality. The right mailing date depends on who the recipients are and where they live. If you're ordering custom Christmas Cards, you'll also need to factor processing times into the equation.

Whether you're sending out a family card or a business greeting, we've got you covered—​in this post, we'll lay out the recommended dates for ordering and sending Christmas Cards, so you can stay on top of your holiday schedule.

Why Send Christmas Cards?

Christmas Cards are a beloved holiday tradition, but they're also a wonderful way to connect with family and friends. A personalized card reminds your loved ones that you're thinking about them during the holidays, even if you can't be together in person. It's also an opportunity to share exciting family news, send an encouraging message, or remind recipients that you care. You can even tuck in a Christmas letter to keep friends in the loop.

Christmas Photo Cards, in particular, are a welcome treat. Sure, you can like each other's family photos on social media, but a physical card feels more meaningful—​whether it's on the fridge or the mantel, the picture will make the recipient smile every time they pass. You can use a formal posed photo, a funny shot that shows your personality, or even a collage that highlights special moments from the year.

You might also consider sending a Christmas Card to:

• Express appreciation for the recipient's kindness or service

• Bring joy to someone who lives far away from friends and family

• Reinforce relationships with people in your community

• Accompany a gift for a loved one

• Rekindle relationships with old friends

Of course, Christmas Cards aren't only for close family and friends. Sending a beautiful card is a way to touch base with your professional contacts and send good wishes after a busy year. If you own a business, you might send holiday cards as part of a brand-building marketing campaign. The card doesn't need to promote anything—​it simply serves to increase awareness and keep your company's name at the forefront of clients' minds. And if you don't have a specific motive, it never hurts to send positive energy to your partners, clients, and vendors.

When Should You Order Your Christmas Cards?

The ideal time to order your Christmas Cards is two or three weeks before Thanksgiving. By getting your order in weeks in advance, you can beat the holiday rush and avoid expensive last-minute shipping fees.

Here at Truly Engaging, it typically takes three weeks from the order date to receive your cards. This time frame accounts for processing, production, and shipping. As you're planning when to order Christmas Cards, remember that your location can also affect delivery times; we offer multiple shipping options at checkout, so you can always choose an expedited service if needed.

Using the three-week timeline as a guide, it's a good rule of thumb to order your Christmas Cards during the first week of November. Even with holiday closures, your cards should arrive in time for an early December mailing date.

Keep in mind that every company has a different timeline for processing, printing, and shipping. Some products take longer to print than others, especially when it comes to custom cards. As the holidays draw nearer, the high volume of orders can affect processing times, so the earlier you can order, the better.

When Should You Send Christmas Cards?

Aim to get your Christmas Cards in the mail by December 1. This allows plenty of flex time to account for inevitable mailing delays during the Postal Service's peak season. If there's a bit of a slowdown due to increased mail volume, the cards should still arrive by Christmas.

Technically, you can send out your cards any time during the first week of December and rest assured that they'll arrive on time. The closer you are to the beginning of the month, however, the longer your friends and family have to integrate your card into their festive decor. Cut it too close, and your carefully designed card may only be on display for a day or two!

As a reference, here are the standard delivery times for cards sent through the U.S. Postal Service:

• First-Class Mail (envelopes): 1-5 business days

• First-Class Mail (small packages): 2-5 business days

• Priority Mail: 1-3 business days

• Priority Mail Express: Next-day or 2 business days

For 2022, the Postal Service recommends that you send out First-Class Mail packages no later than December 17 for a pre-Christmas delivery. For Priority Mail, the cutoff is December 19, and for Priority Mail Express, you can push it all the way to December 23. When you're sending a Christmas card with a gift, it can affect delivery times.

If you're feeling extra-prepared for the festive season, it can be tempting to get your Christmas Cards in the mail before the Thanksgiving festivities start. We understand the urge, but it's usually best to wait until the turkey coma has passed; this prevents your card from getting lost in the end-of-fall chaos. Plus, an early December mailing date is sure to please the Christmas purists on your list—​the people who avoid all things Christmas until Thanksgiving is over.

Not sure when to mail Christmas Cards to friends in remote areas? If your recipients live in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, it's a good idea to get their cards in the mail the week after Thanksgiving. It often takes longer for mail to reach these areas, so a few extra days can help ensure they arrive in a timely fashion.

When Should You Send Business Holiday Cards?

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Christmas card timelines are more relaxed when it comes to business, so you can send your company's card out any time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. That's because many businesses opt for a general festive card that covers all the major end-of-year holidays. These blanket holiday wishes ensure that everyone feels included, regardless of their belief system; they also enable you to be more flexible with the mailing date.

There are a few situations that might affect when you send cards for business associates:

• The card is holiday-specific. If you're sending out specific Christmas Cards rather than general holiday cards, try to get them in the mail by December 1. As with personal cards, this deadline ensures that the card doesn't arrive after Christmas.

• You're including a promotion. When your Christmas Cards include a time-sensitive promotion, such as a discount code, send them out about one week before the code is active. If you send them any earlier, the card may get lost in the shuffle. Send the cards too late, and your customers may miss the promotion entirely.

• Recipients take time off for the holidays. Do your vendors and partners tend to shut down for a week or more around Christmas? If so, account for that seasonal closure when you're mailing holiday cards. Send them out early enough that they arrive before the break. That way, recipients have a chance to see them before they leave for the holiday.

When it comes to professional contacts, Christmas card etiquette dictates that you mail the cards to the recipient's business address. If you have a significant personal relationship, it's also appropriate to send a card to the person's home.

9 Tips for Sending Your Christmas Cards On Time

We've all been there—​you buy a beautiful set of Christmas Cards, but then, the holiday rush takes over, and you're swept up in a sea of decorating and parties. Suddenly, it's Christmas Eve, and your cards are still half-written.

Fortunately, this situation is easy to avoid. If you're serious about getting your cards out on time this year, preparation is key. Get started early, and tackle the project in small, manageable chunks. You'll feel great about the process, and you can enjoy Christmas with peace of mind.

Need a little help getting started? These tips can help you anticipate and schedule each step:

• Make your list: Take a cue from Santa: Make your mailing list, and check it twice. Are you missing any addresses? Have any of the recipients moved in the last year? It can take time to gather information from family and friends, so it's a good idea to get started on this step as early as possible. As a bonus, it's a great excuse to reorganize your address book.

• Choose or take photos in advance: In late summer or early fall, check your family's schedule and plan a holiday photo shoot. If you're working with a photographer for your family photo cards, you might want to set an appointment even earlier; the pros book up quickly. You might need to break out your Christmas sweaters in August or September—​especially if you're working around packed kids' schedules—​but you'll have a serious head start when it's time to order Christmas Cards online.

• Start looking at designs early: If you've scrolled through the Christmas Cards here at Truly Engaging, you know that there are hundreds of beautiful options to choose from. To get the most from the experience and ensure that your design is the right fit, start browsing well before the holidays begin. You never know when a classic Christmas card or a stunning envelope design will catch your eye. It might even inspire your Christmas decorating theme.

• Order cards in advance: Once you have a photo and a design in mind, there's nothing stopping you from ordering the actual cards—​even if it's October. When you have your cards in hand early, you can take more time writing personal messages and addressing envelopes. 

• Use custom address labels or envelopes: Save time when you're ready to send out your Christmas Cards by ordering or printing address labels in advance. With Truly Engaging, you can even order custom pre-printed envelopes to match your cards. You can choose to print your return address and/or the recipients' addresses to streamline the mailing process.

• Choose festive stamps: Start looking out for new Christmas stamps in early October; when you see one you like, buy a roll or a booklet. That way, you won't be stuck with whatever your local post office has on hand. This step is especially important if you want the stamp to match a custom envelope or coordinate with the card.

• Take your time writing messages: The best Christmas Cards are the ones with a personal message. Start gradually, working on a couple of cards per day. This enables you to feel fresh and come up with truly meaningful notes that brighten recipients' holiday seasons. Don't forget: If you're accustomed to typing and texting, writing out Christmas Cards can take time.

• Check off your list: Print off a list of recipients; as you complete each card, check it off your list. This quick reference makes it easy to track progress and ensures you don't leave anyone out. Keep the list on the refrigerator or in your desk drawer for easy access.

• Mail cards at once: Instead of mailing cards as you complete them, wait until they're all done; then, make a special trip to the post office. You won't need to worry about missing a card, and when you're done, you can relax and move on to the rest of your holiday preparations.

Order Christmas Cards Online with Truly Engaging

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Once you've determined card etiquette rules like when to send out Christmas Cards, the fun begins. At Truly Engaging, we're proud to offer a wide selection of beautifully designed Christmas Cards. Whether you need a fun family card for your loved ones or a formal card to send from your business, we have a wealth of options that fit the bill. You can even personalize each of our unique Christmas Card designs with a custom message, color, or text. Order today to get your cards in time for the holiday season.