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8 Secrets to Sending Holiday Cards

(MS) - The December holiday season is one of the busiest for post offices around the world. That's because millions of holiday greeting cards will pass through them this month en route to recipients looking for some cheer.

Holiday cards are a familiar tradition come this time of year. They're often the only form of communication distant friends or relatives have over the entire year, and they bear the responsibility of conveying a welcoming and heart-felt message.

Since cards will be competing for mailbox space amongst the standard bills, magazines, junk mail, and packages that reside there any time, it's important to follow these tips for timely and low-stress delivery.

 

1. Take advantage of early season sales to purchase holiday cards. Some stores have them on display as early as October. Have a variety of cards on hand so that you keep in mind recipients' religious beliefs. Also, check your holiday decorations and wrapping bins. You may have been smart and purchased your cards on sale at the end of last season.

2. Update your address book by the end of November. This will make addressing the envelopes easier because you'll have all the current information at hand. Templated computer labels can also be handy, especially if the majority of the addresses remain consistent from year to year. Simply print out a sheet for your cards.

3. Allow extra time for delivery. Because the post office is so busy, it's reasonable for mail to take anywhere from 3 to 7 days to arrive. Mail your cards during the first week of December to absolutely ensure a timely delivery.

4. Space out card writing. It will seem like a much more manageable task if you do a few cards at a sitting, or fill them out during downtime, like waiting for an appointment. Or enlist other members of the household to help out.

5. Consider postage requirements. Some cards, depending upon shape, embellishment, or weight, may cost more to mail. Take a card to the post office to check the postage. Otherwise you could end up with returned cards, more work, and wasted time.

6. Keep an extra box of cards handy so you can reciprocate for cards you received from people who weren't on your original list.

7. While it's nice to affix a holiday themed stamp to the envelopes, many times people purchase extra stamps and then have them left over. Consider purchasing winter-themed or regular stamps so that you're not mailing out bills with Santa stamps come March.

8. If you'll be sending a photo card to family, make sure you take the picture in early November to allow for developing, printing and mailing time.

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