Category: Holiday Cards and Tidbits

Dark Stock or Light Stock Christmas Cards?

Finally making a choice between going with a dark or light stock Christmas cards this year can depend on many factors. What look are you going for and who are the recipients? Depending on the card and printing color, could you be sacrificing readability?

The Gallery Collection carries both types of card stocks in a wide array of styles. Light Christmas cards could be white or buff while dark stock cards can be black, dark brown, dark green, navy blue or a deep red. Additionally, many designs are offered in both light and dark stock options. So, how do you choose?

Think ahead—if you opt for a dark stock card know that your color printing options become limited to select foils only. If you plan to sign or write anything on the Holiday Cards you will need to purchase gel pens, which The Gallery Collection offers in gold and silver.

If you choose a light stock card, be wary of color conflicts there as well. Some might find silver on white card stock or the gold on buff card stock slightly harder to read. Ask for a complimentary sample of your printing color on your card stock choice to see if you like the way it looks together.

Holiday Cards: A Sound Marketing Strategy for all Businesses

Mid to Late October is time to seriously think about sending Holiday cards to your clients to let them know how much you appreciate them for their loyalty. There is no question that sending greeting cards is a must, Holiday cards let your clients know that they are important to you and is the most cost effective way to thank them for their patronage.

Holiday cards for business are everywhere; some nicer and more appropriate than others, so research is a crucial. Keep in mind that we live in a melting pot in which people have different religious beliefs. Choose a non-denominational design with “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” on the front of the greeting card.   The things you are looking for are of course fine quality paper, classic design and a touch of foil makes a greeting card come to life.  The envelope should also be of the finest quality paper and preferably be foil lined; this way you can start impressing as soon as the envelope flap is opened!

Once you have your selection you should have them personalized with your company name, after all it is a corporate holiday card; you can and should also hand sign. When sending personalized Holiday cards it is incredibly important to send the highest quality cards your budget will allow. The quality of your Holiday cards reflects your business so only choose the best. You promote your business by getting the word out so know that cards can be printed with your company name and your logo making a great impression with your clients you can even include a business card. Imagine your card being displayed in an office that has many visitors; you never know who will see your greeting card and make a decision about your company without meeting you.

Kick off the Holiday Season By Sending Thanksgiving Cards!

Sending Holiday Cards in general is a smart business move – reminding your customers and associates of your very existence as well as your appreciation of the relationship you share. 

Starting off the Holidays by sending Thanksgiving Cards early in the season is an excellent way to be a step ahead of everyone else.  It affords you the opportunity to show your “Thanks” for their business as well as sending your “Best Wishes” for the upcoming season and the year ahead.

Let them know that you are thinking of them and that you value their business.  You can do it with a traditional, festive design or a more casual, light hearted selection.  Send your message by adding a thoughtful, formal greeting or writing a custom one expressing your gratitude. 

Even when you intend to send corporate Holiday Cards a bit later in the season to most of your clients and friends, Thanksgiving Cards can be sent to those who may not celebrate religious holidays.

We have been celebrating Thanksgiving for almost four hundred years.  It reminds us that we all have much to be grateful for & lets others know that they have an importance in our lives – both business and personal.  Sending cards at this time of year is a warm and thoughtful way of sharing our appreciation.

How to Pick This Year’s Company Holiday Card

You want to impress your boss, but boy is it a lot of pressure to make a decision for the whole company. Sure, it’s only a card. A card that will be given to every client, personal contact of your boss, as well as the whole company’s staff!

When you are faced with a decision that involves so many people, it can be daunting to try and figure out what single thing is going to please everyone. First thing’s first: Keep your priorities in check. Make sure you are solid on your budget (and make sure you are positive on the quantity!), time frame to get and deliver the cards, and always keep in mind the audience. While your boss’ opinion might take precedence over your own here, do not overlook the recipients. Who is the card addressing and therefore what should the right message be? Do they all celebrate the same holiday? Be considerate of these sensitivities but realize that ultimately if you know your boss wants a Christmas card sent out—despite any conflicts that could arise—the card you order better be Holly Jolly.

If you’re really not sure what your boss will like—ask! Come with specific questions that are not extremely limiting so you’re not screwed into trying to find a unicorn card. The idea is to get your boss’ input without annoying them or allowing them to form an ideal card (therefore bolstering their expectations). Ask things like if they wanted a certain theme or color scheme. This could be heavily revealing to the type of card they expect. Or ask whoever chose the company holiday card last year to gain some insight.

Once you have your criteria in mind, actually choosing a card should be much easier. You’ve already narrowed it down substantially from answering those few questions. So stay focused. It can be easy to be wowed by all the cards available to you. Keep checking in with what you know you need to buy and make the best decision you can. Don’t search with fear that you’ll get the wrong one. Search with the intention of finding the best Christmas card you can.

Ring in The New Year With Greeting Cards!

What better way to celebrate another year with friends, family, coworkers, and clients than with a New Year’s card! No matter the distance, this new tradition could be a way to keep close to the ones you care about most. The Gallery Collection offers a multitude of New Year’s themed cards — some even combining the Holidays with the coming New Year. Also, keep in mind that you could opt to send one of our Calendar Cards instead for a similar effect.

New Year’s cards are a fabulous way to keep in touch, guaranteed to make the people you care about most smile. This time of year people are often resolving to try something new. Who knows, one of their resolutions could be to better keep in contact with family and friends! Sending a card shows you genuinely care, even after the Holiday-Hubbub.

The following are a couple of customer favorites:

Peace and Prosperity Holiday Card (Design# 1023742): This card is bright, colorful, and has an editable cover! This card is all about the new year ahead with words wishing recipients the very best.

Prism New Year Card (Design# 302485). This card is a timeless New Year’s card. It’s bright, reminiscent of fireworks, and has foil accents!

How to Select a Christmas Card That Represents Your Business

Sending Christmas cards is always a good idea. When you send a business Christmas card it lets your clients and customers know that they are important to you. This could be a way of helping the relationship grow. But following the right etiquette for business holiday cards is important so your cards remain professional and thoughtful.

Sending business greeting cards should be about appreciation and the value placed on customer and clients. They improve the perception of your company in the eyes of your customer and clients. They increase the probability that one of your customers will select your company over a company they didn’t receive a holiday card from.

When selecting a business Christmas card always choose one that expressed a level of formality consistent with your company. It should be a mirror of your business that your clients have come to know. Send your greeting cards to as many people as you can. The paper you use for your business greeting card should be of good quality. The greeting card is a direct reflection of your company. If your clientele differs in religious backgrounds or cultural groups, it’s probably best to stick to non denominational winter or nature imagery cards. By choosing a holiday card with other seasonal greetings, it shows your company is mindful of people from all different walks of life.

5 Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid on Your Christmas Cards

1. Season’s Greetings or Seasons Greetings or Seasons’ Greetings?

The correct version is “Season’s Greetings” because they are the greetings of/for the season—the apostrophe shows possession. Without the apostrophe, or with it after the ‘s’, it indicates multiple seasons. Another common error is to write “seasonings greetings.” Don’t be that guy.

2. Misspelling Christmas.

It seems so silly, but often people misspell the word Christmas. Pay attention to every letter on your cards so you don’t make an avoidable, cringe-worthy mistake. And please spell everyone’s names right.

3. Afraid of the Oxford comma?

When you have a list of things, don’t overthink the grammar and attempt an awkward or confusing way of saying the same thing to avoid the chance of being wrong. In the following example, both are correct: “We wish you happiness, health, and prosperity this Christmas.” or “We wish you happiness, health and prosperity this Christmas.” Whichever you choose is your preference, however, I will say that in some instances the comma makes your intent clearer. I would suggest making use of the Oxford comma on your Christmas cards this year.

4. Happy New Year or Happy New Years?

If your Christmas card goes on to send warm wishes for the coming year, make sure you are using the correct form of the sentiment. It should not be plural. If you were referring to a New Year’s card, then there is an ‘s’ but it is still not to indicate multiple years that are new.

5. Winter or winter?

When you are mentioning the season, it can be a little tricky to know how. Whether you capitalize depends on where it is in the sentence and how it is used. If the word is at the beginning of the sentence, it will always be capitalized. Other than that, it is a generic noun (not a proper noun) and does not need to be capitalized. An exception is if it is a title, like the Winter Olympics.

Is it Necessary to Send Business Christmas Cards?

When it comes to the Holidays, one of the first things we think about as consumers in our personal lives is mailing out Christmas cards to our family and friends. When it comes to our professional lives however, some people question whether to send their customers and colleagues a Holiday card. Some companies do and some don’t, which leaves the question: is it necessary to send Business Christmas cards? My opinion is YES absolutely!

Now don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a “must” or your business will fail if you choose not to, but it definitely is smart. You see, the meaning behind a Business Christmas card is really more than just saying simply, Merry Christmas. To your customers, that card signifies many things…when your recipient gets it in the mail, it shows you are thinking of them. You are taking time out during the busy end of year season and saying, hello… I’m just not thinking of you when I need your business, I am thinking of you now to wish you all the best as well.

Sending out a Business Christmas card not only is a “thinking of you” during the Holidays, but is also the perfect opportunity to allow your clients, vendors, patrons etc. to remember you and your company. Almost like an indirect form of advertisement for your company. That card will most likely stay on the recipients’ desk, and will be looked at by them and others throughout the season. It’s like a little reminder that you exist in their world, at a time you may not necessarily be working with them.

Last but certainly not least, that Christmas card can also act as a double sentiment, if you will. … that sentiment being a thank you card. Take the time to write a personal message, thanking the receiver for their business and allows you to wish them well in the new year. That in turn can start a connection for a future venture together, too! So sending a Business Christmas card in my opinion is a total…consider it a small investment to showing your colleagues a token of appreciation, as well as a creative way of keeping your company on their minds, which will leave the door open for more work together in the future!

What is a Die-Cut Holiday Card?

During the Holiday season, it is important to let the people you love and care about know that you are thinking of them. Whether it’s a family member or a good friend, or a reliable client or customer, be sure to show them how much you appreciate them.

This season, try something new when sending out holiday cards. Try choosing a die-cut holiday card! What is a die-cut card you ask? A die-cut card consists of an open cut-out window on the front of the card which allows for a personal message or a company name to be visible when the card is opened and closed. You can even go the extra mile and have your own personal signature printed to show through the window! Your recipients will know who that card is from while admiring the elegant design.

A die-cut holiday card will surely help your business or company stand out among the many other businesses who send out holiday cards to their customers. They catch your recipients’ eye and make the experience inter-active. The die-cut card is a fun yet professional way to change up the typical holidays cards that get sent out.

7 Reasons Why Christmas Isn’t the Same Without Christmas Cards

If you’re like me, then you love sending and receiving thoughtful Christmas cards around the holiday season. Here are seven reasons why it just wouldn’t be the same without them!

1. It gives you an excuse to get in touch with a lost connection.

Sending Christmas cards are a great way to reach out to someone you’ve lost touch with. It is a simple way to show someone that you are still thinking of them, and cards are much more thoughtful than a Facebook message or text. Your recipient will know that you put the time and effort into picking out a card, handwriting a message and stopping by the post office to mail it. Who doesn’t like to be surprised by a personally addressed letter? It doesn’t happen as often as it used to and will definitely make an impression.

2. Picking out holiday cards is part of the holiday fun.

One of the most fun parts about Christmas cards is picking them out! There are so many different options when it comes to the designs and greetings. And unlike Christmas presents, you don’t have the stress of worrying about getting the best deal, because they are so affordable. You also don’t have to worry if your recipient will like it because there are so many beautiful cards out there. So you can just relax and browse to your heart’s content!

3. They make your home look festive.

If you love receiving Christmas cards, I’m sure you also love displaying them on your fireplace, desk and end tables to get your home into the holiday spirit. Even the most beautifully decorated homes don’t feel the same without thoughtful cards from loved ones scattered throughout the living areas. They will also pique your guests’ interest, which brings me to my next point…

4. They’re a conversation starter.

Whenever I display my holiday cards, people always take notice of them. This is usually because Christmas cards tend to be very eye catching due to the glitter, foil or beautiful winter scenes. People love looking at them and asking about them. This could easily start up a conversation especially with new people during a holiday gathering.

5. You can remind people how much they mean to you.

People love hearing that they are admired, cared about, loved and thought of. Sending Christmas cards are a great way to show the people most important to you that they are in your thoughts and that you care. It also gives you a chance to express your feelings through handwriting, which is happening less and less with the advent of cellphones and social media. Your friends and family with be able to have a physical token of your meaningful relationship.

6. People will remind you how much you are appreciated.

Of course you will not only be writing and sending cards, but you will also be receiving them. What would the holiday season be without the people closest to you sending their thoughts and warm wishes?

7. Christmas cards remind us what the holiday season is about.

The holidays are a hectic time of year for most of us. We get so caught up in buying gifts, getting deals, going to holiday parties, and hoping we get what we asked for that it’s easy to forget we already have what’s most important to us. Christmas cards bring us together and remind us that it is our family and friends that make the holidays worth celebrating.