Financial Advisor

Christmas Cards: So You Haven’t Even Thought of Them Yet, Eh?!

I always find myself a bit perturbed with those folks who have their Christmas and holiday shopping completed by, say, August. They’re the same people who never forget to send out a birthday card–in fact, they have them scheduled so they’re never late, either–and, of course, they’re all put together in the Christmas card list department, as well.

It takes a lot of organization to get Christmas cards out every year. There’s the list–same as last year?, check addresses . . . have some changed?, the budget–can it sustain the same number of cards you want to send?

Once you have your list all ironed out, you have to decide on what kind of card to send. Again, budget is a serious consideration, especially this year. It’s getting more and more expensive to carry on this tradition season after season. It’s supposed to be a time of love and giving, and that’s all well and good. However, if you truly are strapped for extra cash, probably one of the first things to go will be something as simple as cards. That is, unless you can find a better and more economical way to get around the cost crunch.

Using a reputable online printer for holiday cards can be the perfect marriage of quality, sentiment, and economics. It’s also good for time consideration issues . . . if you happen to be one of those that don’t have everything figured out and on the calendar by August. Online companies often have the set-up to accommodate time-sensitive projects and can produce and deliver faster than a brick-and-mortar print shop. It’s a sign of the times.

So how do you go about making those selections with an online printer? Obviously, you need to do some research on the best companies. Friends and family who have utilized an online printer are often your best way to quickly find the best company for you. And if it’s a website that offers many selections, options to pick and choose, or even create your own, you have everything you need at your fingertips . . . just create your design and select your inside sentiment (or write your own), put the product together, review it to make sure it fits your standards and you’re satisfied with your final card, and then go to the checkout and pay – most often, you can use your credit card or PayPal.

At that point, all you need do is wait for your cards to show up at your doorstep. During the creation and finishing process, you would have indicated how soon you need them. Usually in a week or less, you have your cards in hand. Pull out that list, get your writing hand ready, and start signing! Don’t forget to include a personal line along with your signature, “Hope Mary’s doing well after her operation,” or “We look forward to sharing time with you at our new cabin!” or even, “Let’s visit together more in the coming year.” The importance of that personal touch cannot be underestimated.

A good supply of stamps and a trip to the post office rounds out your Christmas card experience for this year. You can even shorten the process by going to the USPS online store and buying stamps! By using an online printer to supply your cards, you circumvented that trip to the store, the crowds, the lines, and the time it would take to get them in hand.

With a cup of hot chocolate at the ready, holiday music playing in the background, and maybe a Christmas cookie or two, you will start a new theme on an old tradition . . . one you’ll likely look forward to every year, rather than grumble over.

About the Author

Linda J. Alexander is a Maryland author and copywriter. Over the 20+ years she’s written for publication, she’s published many articles and 5 books, including her most recent, “Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism.” Linda uses www.123print.com for her marketing and promotional needs.

Christmas Cards: So You Haven’t Even Thought of Them Yet, Eh?! by Linda J. Alexander