How Should I Mail My Christmas Cards

So here I am in November, preparing to order my Christmas Cards to send to our clients. I’ve chosen the beautiful Glowing Holiday Forest Card (shown above) with customizations to include our logo in a luxurious Gold Foil.

While very satisfied with the choice of card and personalization, the final challenge I face is how to manage a timely, cost effective approach to mailing my Christmas cards! I just don’t have the spare time nor do I have staff with spare time to address, stuff, seal and apply postage to 1,550 greeting cards. What other alternatives are available to mail my Christmas cards?

My first thought is that I could perhaps hire a temporary from an agency to handle this but that’s costly and seems a bit ludicrous for what should be a one, max two day project! I then notice that the company I’m purchasing the greeting cards from gallerycollection.com offers a full mailing service to their customers at a very reasonable rate. They will address, fold, stuff, seal and mail all of my cards. I simply need to submit my list of client addresses. Well this certainly seems something worth considering.

Instructions were easy to follow, ordering has always been easy with Gallery Collection (have ordered from them before) and Voila! My Christmas cards were personalized, in envelopes, sealed and mailed in a timely fashion for all of our clients to have for the holidays. At one point, I did call customer service with a question and was assisted by one of the most courteous and helpful representatives I have ever dealt with.

How should I (or anyone!) mail their Christmas cards? Without a doubt, take advantage of ordering with a company that has beautiful greeting cards, great service and will manage “the whole package” for you!

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.

What Should I Write On My Christmas Cards?

If you are overwhelmed by the idea of picking your Christmas cards, let alone what to say in them, you’ve come to the right place. Here are tips to help get you Ho-Ho-Holiday ready in no time.

You want to send out a card that is appropriate for your intended audience but that also matches your personality. The best place to find a huge range of high-quality Christmas cards is at The Gallery Collection. There hundreds of designs to choose from, so you are bound to find one – or a couple dozen – cards you really love. A helpful hint is that you can use the heart icon to save any designs you’re interested in. This way you can revisit the site days later and have them all saved in one place, making it easy to compare.

Now that you have your card’s cover figured out, you can select one of the dozens of greetings featured on The Gallery Collection. All of them are included and some even have snowflakes or a snowman! This makes figuring out what to say easy but still genuine and tailored to your tastes. If none of the many varying fonts and sentiments catch your eye – but all that browsing has you thinking up your own greeting – you always have the option of crafting your own words and choosing your own font (for an additional charge). You also must decide if you’d like ink (included) or foil (extra).

One to two lines of text come included under the greeting as well, making it easy to personalize your card and impress your recipients, without a hefty price-tag. If you’d rather use signatures instead of hand-signing your cards, you may also add this personal touch with ease (and a nominal fee).

There are so many ways to customize your Christmas cards on The Gallery Collection – you could even add text to the front of many cards or incorporate personal photos! So get looking and surprise yourself with how hassle-free and heartfelt your Christmas cards can be.

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.

New For 2018 Christmas Cards

 

Every year I look for something new when purchasing our Company’s Christmas cards. It can be quite challenging to find something unique especially when we want our cards to say Merry Christmas on the front, but I think I found a few great examples for this year.

This Opulent Ornaments Christmas Card is definitely unique. I love the idea of having all that gold on a black card stock. It has an elegant touch. It is a glossy color photo that is mounted and framed in gold. The photo is a zoomed in section of a Christmas tree with different shades of gold ornaments and crystal beading dangling down from the branches. The added touch of Merry Christmas below the photo makes this a perfect choice for us.

 

 

Another that I find totally out of the ordinary is this Burst of Blue Christmas card. It is stamped with reflective silver foil with the matching framed border. The snowflake is done in an ornate fashion. Without going for the typical red and green and holiday symbols, this card still sends wishes for a Merry Christmas.

 

You may look at this Picturesque Setting Christmas Card on the left and think it is a run of the mill Christmas photo. However, you’d be wrong! I look at this one and see a beautiful, homely Christmas scene with a burning fire and gorgeous tree with all the trimmings. Also, let’s not forget those presents! What makes this Christmas card truly stand out though is the navy card stock. The photo really jumps and so does the gold “Merry Christmas” below it.

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!

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.

The Best Time To Mail Your Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are an essential part of getting the full Christmas experience. Unlike gifts under the tree, cards are not only relevant on Christmas day but are also part of the buildup and excitement for the Christmas Season. Receiving lovely cards from our relatives, friends, and loved ones always is a welcoming surprise in the mail. So rightly, you want to send some nice cards back their way. The Gallery Collection has so many different designs to choose from including the Ornamental Ornament Christmas Card that features a beautiful photo of an ornament on the front. The Wintergreen Christmas Card, for the businesses out there sending holiday cards, is a heartwarming simple card that shows you care. Knowing when to send them out so they can be received on time for the full effect is crucial for anyone, maybe even more for businesses.

A good rule of thumb for delivery dates is any time after Thanksgiving but preferably within the first ten days of December. This way even if there are any problems with the postal service, like mail getting lost or mixed up,etc. you’ve sent it out early enough to avoid being late. Of course this all depends on where you are sending them and taking that into consideration by researching shipping times for that address. If the shipping time for example is 3 weeks or over, giving a 5-7 day buffer with delivery is a good countermeasure to take to ensure delivery on time. Here’s hoping you all send and receive your lovely Christmas cards from The Galley Collection this holiday season and Merry Christmas!

Tips on Ordering Holiday Cards Online

With the advancement of modern technology, many of us are doing more and more of our daily tasks online. From paying bills, managing our checking account and shopping using the worldwide web has become the norm for everyday jobs. It has definitely made life a bit easier to complete errands.

This year I was given the responsibility of ordering our company holiday cards. I was so excited but a little anxious. It is a big responsibility and I wanted to make sure everything was just right. The first step I took was to investigate the different greeting card companies. This made my choice easy. I simply chose the company that had the best customer service ratings.

I found that when using The Gallery Collection, I was able to preview my greeting, custom imprint, and logo which allowed me to check and double check all my spelling and punctuation. It was also great to be able to play around with the different colors. Review you’re the inside of your card with all your color choices to make sure you pick just the right one. With this card I chose, I checked out the greeting in gold, red and green.

My next tip is to make sure you take your time and read all the small print when ordering your holiday cards online. You don’t want to miss any details. I saw that I was able to change the envelope style to laser which works best for us as we use a finicky laser printer to imprint our envelopes. I also took my time reading the small print when ordering my holiday cards and found these great gold foil seals to use in helping to close my envelopes.

It is great to have the convenience of ordering your holiday cards online. Be sure to follow these basic tips to help you along your way.