Over the years I have noticed that there are two types of people when it comes to holiday cards: those who cannot wait to get their cards mailed and those who dread sending cards or don’t send them at all. If you are a holiday card lover, you are probably well into the planning process and are counting down the days until you drop your envelopes of joy in the mail. If you see sending cards as more of an obligation or you skip sending cards, it may be because you are believing some of the myths out there about sending holiday cards. Here are 5 holiday card myths busted!
Myth 1: I need to have a perfect, professional photo to send holiday cards.
This is simply not true. There is no such thing as a perfect photo. Just sharing a special moment or smiling faces taken with your smartphone is certainly holiday card worthy. Your holiday card should represent your family exactly how your family is right now. You don’t need $300 professional photos to do that. One of my favorite designs for families that incorporates smartphone photos is my “Best Year Ever” design. This card uses a collage of your favorite photos from the whole year. It is like sending the best of your instagram feed to everyone, including Grandma and Great Aunt Emily who are not on social media.
This “Modern Christmas Card” is another great collage style design.
I love the unexpected colors of the “Photo collage holiday card”. If you want the black and white look for your photos but don’t have black and white photos, send me the color ones and I will convert them when I add them to the card design for you.
Your friends and family don’t want perfect. They want real and you can give them real with a holiday card that lets your family shine.
Myth 2: Sending holiday cards is too expensive.
There is a holiday card for every budget. You can go all out and have a designer create a custom card and print in on the fanciest paper and pay someone to address the envelopes in gorgeous calligraphy. You do you! However, you can also pick a sweet and simple design, buy the printable and print it out yourself on paper that fits your budget. Most of my printable files are only $15! You don’t have to send out hundreds of cards. You can send out twenty. Save postage by hand delivering cards to local friends and family. Only mail to those far away. I love to send out my photo cards in the mail and then right before Christmas, I share the card on my social media as well. You might share your card digitally exclusively. If you buy a digital download, you can do just that. Then your cost to share a holiday message is only the cost of the design you choose. Share on social media or email the card to friends and family and you have sent a holiday card that is memorable without busting your budget.
Myth 3: I have never sent a card or haven’t sent one in years. It would be weird to send one now.
There is no rule that says you have to send a holiday card every single year. Your friends and family will love the holiday wishes from you whether you faithfully send a card every holiday season or send one twice a decade! Don’t feel pressure to send a card annually.
Myth 4: My family doesn’t celebrate Christmas so I should not send a card.
The holiday season is all about love and love is for everyone. It doesn’t matter what you celebrate. You can always express love and joy through a holiday card. There are lots of gorgeous options that are not religious in nature. Here are some of my favorites that are not religious.
The Counting our Blessings card could be sent around Thanksgiving, throughout December or even into January. I have lots of New Year cards available. Send holiday cards when you want to send holiday cards and know that it will bring smiles to the recipients no matter what. Who wouldn’t love to get a fun card like this “Cheers” card in the mail after the holidays have wrapped up?
Myth 5: Sending holiday cards will take way too long and I don’t have the time.
If you order and send cards the right way, it does not have to be time consuming. Skip the printing process and choose to have your holiday card printed and shipped directly to you. All my holiday cards include free overnight shipping. How’s that for fast? You choose the type of paper for the printing, complete the order and your cards will be in your hands in no time. While you are waiting for your cards to arrive (and you won’t wait long), input your addresses into your computer. White envelopes are included in your order. You can print the recipient addresses on the envelopes instead of hand addressing for hours. For you return address, use a custom return address stamp and all your mail, whether holiday cards or bills, will look cute from now on! Bribe your kids to put the stamps on the envelopes and your cards are ready to mail with minimal time spent!
As you can see, these myths about sending holiday cards are just myths. Don’t seek perfection, don’t think you have to spend hundreds of dollars and hours of your time. If you want to send out holiday cards this year, send them in the way that fits your life.
what do you think?