Christmas card timing etiquette
- Send your Christmas card 2-3 weeks before Christmas Day, in the first full week of December.
- If you’re sending your card abroad play it safe and take some extra time. 4-6 weeks before Christmas Day should be enough.
- If you’re sending out business holiday cards – any time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s will do.
Christmas card address etiquette
- Hand-address your envelopes! It’s the classy thing to do, ads a personal touch and shows your really care.
- When addressing the card to a married couple the man’s name will appear first.
- If the couple is unmarried – it is considered the proper thing to put their names one over the other separately, in alphabetical order.
Sending a Christmas card to the bereaved
- In the past the rules deemed it insensitive to send Christmas cards to a family within one year of them losing a loved one. This is still applicable in some cases, know your crowd.
- In general, today it is appropriate to send a card but a blank card or one with very few decorations is used, and the wording should be sensitive and considerate – acknowledging the family’s grief, but still wishing them happy holidays.
Hanukah card etiquette
- It is important not to pick out a card with obvious Christian or Christmas imagery. If you can’t find a Hanukah-themed card, use something generic.
- In the same manner, if you’re not too sure about the rules – just go with Happy Holidays. This is a perfectly proper greeting for Hanukah.
Create Christmas cards with Smilebox
Using Smilebox to send out your online Christmas cards can help you save time and minimize the margin of error. You won’t believe how easy and fun it is to create Christmas cards with Smilebox. Simply browse through our huge selection of eCards, pick your favorite design, personalize with your own text, photos and music – then share via email, text message or social media.
