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How to Send your Christmas Cards on Time…and Avoid the Naughty List
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Article by Ericka of Little Apple Styles
The fact that I am writing this post makes me giggle. If you know me in real life you know that I work best under pressure (the Oh No, this is due today kind of pressure). Last year I had an epiphany. How wonderful and refreshing it is to mail your Christmas Cards on time and at no extra cost. They are an investment after all! I was so happy they finally would arrive BEFORE December 24th. Unlike past years, I did not have to pay a rush fee to the card printing company or upgrade the shipping for them to arrive faster.
I am sharing with you some tips for you to become a Christmas-Card-Genius this year!
- It is never too early to start planning: Clothing with holiday colors and fun accessories go on sale towards the end of the season. For example I stocked up with Christmas pajamas in January. I am so excited to use them for my Christmas Photo Session this year!
- Keep your address list updated: I keep my family & friends address list in an excel spreadsheet on my computer. I update it as I receive information on them moving, getting married, having kids. Since I have little ones – I also add/edit my list as I receive Birthday Cards and/or Classrooms Lists. This way I know where to send my cards and I also have a good idea on how many cards I am going to need to order.
- Take your photos early (Please hear me out on this one!) Avoid scrambling around during photographer’s busiest season. Contact your photographer to make sure you are on the schedule. Do not forget to double check their current turnaround time. Starting in September, most photographers will also start communicating their holiday schedule and information for their mini-sessions! They will fill up fast, so make sure you sign up as soon as you possibly can. I am so super excited to be styling Becky’s Holiday Minis – some dates are fully booked but there is still some availability. If you are interested in any of them contact us ASAP
- Order your Christmas Cards! Off season prices are cheaper AND you will not have to upgrade shipping options if you have plenty of time. Several companies, like Minted, also offer a free recipient address printing. I used it last year and it was just the cherry on top. It saved me time addressing them myself and they looked so much more presentable! You can click over to Minted to see their gorgeous Foil-Pressed Holiday Cards, too! (sooo pretty!)
- Order your Holiday-Themed stamps early: These stamps are normally available by the beginning of October. They can be pre-ordered here. Last year I had my heart set on the ornament set stamps and it was sold out at my closest USPS offices. I will be pre-ordering this year for sure! I personally think that having your cards addressed, sealed and stamped by November 30th is ideal. You can drop off them in the mail December 1st. What a great way to start the month! You can then sit back and wait on receiving your family and friends cards…and stress about parties and gifts…but that is a subject for a completely different post!
A few images from last year’s minis (and this year’s are going to be sooo cute, too!) and of course, my Christmas card!
Ericka Jimmerson is a busy mom of two who runs Little Apple Styles, photography + event styling. Contact her at littleapplestyles@gmail.com if you need help making your event picture perfect!
Rebecca Keller is a Raleigh Newborn and Maternity Photographer featured in People Magazine and on several blogs including The Bump and Let the Kids Dress Themselves. Because we chat a lot about our personal lives on the blog, we may receive commissions on affiliate links in articles.