For each of the past several years I have mailed over 100 Christmas cards – or holiday greeting cards – to family and friends. You could say I am a Christmas card fanatic. Starting around December 8, I begin to anticipate the daily arrival of my mail. I have even been known to rush to the mailbox so fast that the exhaust of the mail truck is still lingering in the air. Oddly enough, I am not the only one who takes the Christmas card tradition so seriously. In weak moments when I have confessed my obsession, I have been shocked to find out there are others out there like me, to whom this subtle exchange is so sacred. For those out there who are not so enlightened, let me lend some valued wisdom regarding holiday card etiquette.
E-Cards – As a lover of the earth, I acknowledge that e-cards are a much greener option than sending paper cards through the mail. However, even though I have made countless sacrifices to reduce my carbon footprint, sending paper Christmas cards is not something I am willing to give up. E-cards are NOT the same.
Message – There are an endless number of choices for holiday cards, and it is important to be conscious of what message you are sending to whom. I purchase a minimum of two styles each year, sometimes more. I send religious Christmas greetings to those on my list who openly express their Christianity. If they are not Christian, or if I am not absolutely sure of their religious affiliation, I send them a non-religious holiday card. For those I know well, I may even send a humorous holiday greeting.
Timing – In my opinion, holiday cards should be mailed between December 5 and 17. Mailing them any earlier will not have sufficient impact, and mailing them later may result in them not arriving on time. I’m always a little saddened when those few cards trickle in after the 25th – it’s like they got lost and missed the party.
Reciprocation – I have been challenged on this by other card fanatics like myself, but I am a firm believer in reciprocation. If I receive a card from someone to whom I did not already send one, I’m at the mailbox in a flash to get one right back out to them.
The Holiday Letter – This is another area of some controversy. There are purists out there who stand firm in their resolve that holiday card messages should be handwritten and personalized. I used to be one of those, but in recent years have come to appreciate the letter insert – printed on nice holiday paper, of course. It provides a way to catch up with everyone without having to take a week’s vacation just to get your cards out.
If you’re mulling over whether or not you’ll send holiday cards this year, remember that to a lot of people, they are very important. I don’t know where else you can pack that much joy into such a small package. Happy Holidays!