Tips and Advice Center

It's that time of year again: time for toasting, time for roasting, and time for giving. Although you might be accustomed to shopping for Christmas cards in a greeting cards store, there are a number of reasons to consider an online Christmas card retailer:

• Convenience is key. Nothing beats shopping from home, saving hours otherwise spent driving to the store and dealing with crowds.
• Online Christmas card retailers have the ability to offer a wide range of options, including patriotic Christmas cards, traditional Christmas cards, wildlife Christmas cards, golf Christmas cards, and other categories that appeal to different personalities and preferences.
• The professionals behind online Christmas card stores understand the desire for quality and value as well as the need for customization. Many offer custom imprinting for those looking to craft a truly personal message.

When surrounded by trees at Christmas time, it is easy to think about being more environmentally sensitive. While some people may praise the green tactic of sending electronic cards, you don’t have to forego the personal touch of sending paper cards.

The majority of card manufacturers are turning to recycled paper and environmentally sensitive inks for their Christmas cards. Recycled paper cards are just as colorful and festive as other Christmas cards. Web sites, such as HolidayCardsUnlimited.com, offer a wide range of Christmas cards for the eco-friendly card lover. These environmentally friendly Christmas cards will coordinate well with other recycled products on the market, including gift-wrap paper and gift bags.

You can also consider some other environmentally friendly options for Christmas cards, including sending a family card rather than numerous individual cards. You might also consider hand delivering Christmas cards to coworkers or others you see on a regular basis rather than mailing them. This reduces the overall carbon footprint involved in the process.

When the holidays roll around, you have a long list to check twice and check off. There are presents to buy, parties to plan, and decorations to put up. Balancing all of these activities can be difficult, especially when you add buying and sending Christmas greeting cards to the list. If you wait until the last minute, you may never get them done or they may not arrive on time. Follow these few tips to help ensure holiday card success:

• Purchase your cards as early as September or October, but definitely by Thanksgiving. That means one less item to buy during the pre-Christmas/Hanukah rush.
• Send an email a couple months in advance to all of your loved ones to confirm their addresses. In that email, suggest a return-by date.
• Print address labels as soon as you finalize your address list.
• Personalize your special Christmas cards incrementally, such as on the weekends or after work. The key is to chip away at the task and not tackle all the Christmas greeting cards all at once.

The holidays can be a sensitive subject with some. Here are some tips to help you respect everyone’s feelings and beliefs while still expressing your thoughts during the holiday season.

• If you are not sure about a person’s religious faith or tradition, then send them a “neutral card” such as nature Christmas cards, season’s greetings cards, and peace on earth cards. Avoid nativity Christmas cards or other cards featuring religious imagery.
• Write the recipient's name inside the card.
• Even if your name is imprinted on the card, add your signature.
• Send cards out in time for the recipient to receive before Christmas.
• Send personal holiday letters to close friends and family. Think twice about sending them to colleagues and coworkers.
• Write or imprint your return address on the envelope.
• Send a card to everyone who sends you one.
• Stick to paper Christmas cards. These are more personal than email Christmas greeting cards.

When choosing Christmas cards to pass out to coworkers, it's important to consider the types of cards that may be appropriate. Think of the card theme, symbol and word choice. After all, you don’t want to offend your coworkers, even if you meant well in giving them holiday Christmas cards.

An especially sensitive area involves giving funny Christmas cards, as everyone’s sense of humor is different. Save humorous Christmas cards for personal friends and family.

If you are familiar with coworkers in terms of which celebrate Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa, then you should consider looking for cards that reflect individual traditions and pay homage to their beliefs. If you are not sure about certain coworkers, then stick to mainstream themes like snowflake Christmas cards.

You can also consider certain traditional Christmas cards that feature iconic images; think of snowy country or city scenes or wildlife Christmas cards. Professional Christmas cards that feature your niche, such as the accounting profession or legal profession, may also be appropriate.

The tradition of exchanging Christmas cards dates back to the mid-1800s when Christmas cards were first commissioned and sold. However, this was done on a one-to-one level, with individuals working with an artist for a greeting to send to friends and family.

It was Louis Prang who created the first “modern” commercial Christmas card in 1873. Prang was already established as a cutting-edge lithograph producer. Inspired by the holidays, he began producing and selling the first printed Christmas cards in England. These cards rarely depicted winter or Christmas imagery, opting instead to remind people of the coming spring with drawings of flowers and fairies.

After much early success, he introduced his wares in America the following year. As the seasons passed, Prang began to feature traditional Christmas imagery, including Christmas trees and children playing with toys. For this, he is often called the "Father of the American Christmas Card."

Not much has changed since then except for the increased Christmas card options and diverse choices that we now enjoy, including a wide array of designs, themes and inscriptions.

A trip down the card aisle reveals cards with sound chips and flashing lights. While these Christmas cards are fun, nothing can truly replace the beauty and artistry of traditional Christmas cards.

Traditional Christmas cards with photos of natural scenery or reproductions of classic paintings may be old-fashioned, but their timeless qualities make them one of the best option for Xmas cards. Holiday Christmas cards that feature creative designs with multiple artistic mediums and materials are often seen as sophisticated by recipients, so much so that many people are inclined to use their Christmas cards as holiday decorations, either displayed on a shelf or mantle, or hanging from the wall.

While you generally should tailor your Christmas card design and style to your recipients taste (for example, sending humorous Christmas cards to those you may share an occasional joke with), Christmas cards featuring timeless artistic imagery can be enjoyed by all, making them an ideal Christmas card choice.

Everyone loves finding Christmas cards in their mailbox. It shows that someone cares and is thinking about them during the special holiday season. Here are a few ideas to make merry Christmas cards even merrier.

• Make sure each recipient knows that the message was crafted with him or her in mind. Be sure to include their first name or a personal nickname.
• Add a handwritten note that states something simple and from the heart.
• Include a special photo, including school pictures of the kids, to a family member or close friend. Consider photo Christmas cards as an alternative.
• Embellish the card with some special artistic design with ink-stamping, stickers, or a child’s drawing.
• If you have children, include a holiday letter that updates your recipients on all the good family news.

Proper organization makes selecting, personalizing, and sending merry Christmas cards a snap, really simplifying the process. In fact, it is a necessity if you’re fortunate enough to have a long list of friends and family receiving your Christmas greetings. Here are a few tips to help you stay on top of things:

• Pick a spot to prepare your Xmas cards that will be conducive to working on them each day over a period of time. A desk or table is an excellent place to store your cards, envelopes, stamps and address labels. Just think of it as an assembly line.
• Shop early for your Xmas cards so that you can spend more time picking out a design you like or one that has a deeper or personal meaning.
• Get your list in order early so you know how many cards to buy. Also, double-check each address. You don’t want to send Christmas greetings to the wrong address.
• Save money by purchasing boxed Christmas cards in bulk.

By simplifying the Christmas card personalizing and sending process, you help ensure two things: first, you can better meet any personal target dates for getting the cards out into the mail; and second, you keep the process both manageable and fun. After all, sending and personalizing Christmas cards should remind you of all your family and friends, and how fortunate you are to have them in your life.

Here are a few ways to keep it simple:

• Shop online with a quality Christmas card provider, like Holiday Cards Unlimited, that can help you with a wide variety of options, convenient imprinting, and efficient ordering and delivery.
• Get your stamps early to ensure you have enough.
• Do a few personalized Christmas cards every day so you don’t get overwhelmed with a large batch at the last minute.
• Enlist the help of your family or spouse for stuffing envelopes. This is a great way to get children involved.

Those who send out many Xmas cards know that questions sometimes occur about proper etiquette when addressing the card. Here are a few tips for following address etiquette:

• Keep your signature informal when dealing with family and friends. If it’s not a professional acquaintance, there is no need for courtesy titles or last names.
• If you are sending Xmas cards from the family, the signature line traditionally starts with the father’s name followed by the mother’s name, then the children. An alternative is to put both parents’ name followed by “and family.”
• If a card is from more than one person, the person who signs the Christmas cards should write their name last.
• When you are sending Christmas cards to couples with different last names, list their first and last names to acknowledge this difference.
• When addressing cards to family and close friends, include any applicable children’s names. For a bit of fun, you may even want to include your pet’s name.

At its roots, Christmas is a religious holiday of blessings in celebration of the birth of Jesus, and many Christmas card options are available that honor the holiday’s Christian foundation.

Specialty Christmas cards that focus on the blessings of the holidays might include nativity Christmas cards featuring beautiful images of Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph, or other scenes that depict Jesus’ birth, such as the Madonna and Child.

A nice thought to include in these customized Christmas cards is an actual blessing from your minister or priest, often done in exchange for a small donation to the church. The blessing serves as a way to send good wishes for the card recipient. Another idea is to have a common prayer or personalized prayer imprinted in the holiday Christmas cards. Include messages of holiday encouragement as the holidays are a time of celebration and appreciation for all.

One prime religious Christmas image that represents the holiday season is a picture of Mary, or the Madonna and Child. This is a very important image to religious Christians, especially during the holiday season. There are numerous handcrafted or printed designs that depict the Madonna and Child.

Other Christmas cards that illustrate the spiritual messages of Christmas are specialty religious Christmas cards with angels. This may include images of doves, trumpets, and guardian angels serving as a reminder of a special person watching over us during the holiday season.

There are so many stunning angel Christmas cards to select from, including embossed angel Christian Christmas cards. For a special touch to these personalized holiday cards, insert or imprint a note with religious overtones, or even a simple note of appreciation and joy.

Patriotic Christmas cards are an ideal choice for many, including those with loved ones in the military and those in the military looking for a Christmas card and message that specifically reflects their values.

Though those serving our country deserve thoughts of appreciation and thanks every season, the holiday season is an especially appropriate time to express gratitude. For those with loved ones serving during the holidays, patriotic Christmas cards provide a thoughtful way to send holiday sentiments. Conversely, for those in the military looking to reach out to friends and family during Christmas and the holiday, patriotic Christmas cards complete with red, white, and blue imagery could be an especially personal choice.

Patriotic Christmas cards are not just appropriate for those in the armed services. Patriotic cards are great for veterans, judges, police officers, attorneys, and really anyone who serves and/or loves their country.

Besides family, friends, and colleagues, there are other people you might want to think about sending Christmas cards to during the holidays, people who might appreciate your thoughts and best wishes.

That list might include your children’s teachers, particularly if you have young children still in preschool, kindergarten or elementary school. Along those lines, your day care providers or babysitter might also be on your list.

Other people you may consider include any service professionals who assist in your daily life, such as a gardener, housekeeper, or swimming pool technician. Don’t forget about your dentist, physician, accountant, and lawyer.

Be sure to keep your messages brief and centered on the positive and peaceful .Use a Christmas cards online retailer, such as HolidayCardsUnlimited.com, to order and imprint the cards so that you can share the holiday spirit with as many people as possible.

Make it a “green Christmas” this season by buying gift bags, wrapping paper, and Christmas cards made from recycled paper products. Most online greeting card retailers now offer recycled Christmas cards and other holiday greeting cards made with recycled material.

Taking it a step further, you can consider extending the life of your holiday Christmas cards. Take some of the Christmas cards you receive from friends and family and save the front part of the card, if left blank. Then, fold the front part of the card in half, filling out the inside, and using the old Christmas card as a gift tag that can be taped to a package. These “half cards” can also be used as place settings for holiday dinner parties.

Finally, before buying new ornaments for the Christmas tree or a hanging decoration for the front door, take some of the saved Christmas cards you have received from others and use these as a festive display.

Sure, many people have embraced e-cards and other digital greetings. However, there are still many reasons why paper Christmas cards, rather than their digital counterparts, are the best—and most thoughtful—way to share Christmas greetings.

Personalized holiday cards that the recipient can touch, hold, and display bring a much more emotional response than e-cards. Also, touching and feeling a card leaves a deeper impression than viewing one on a computer screen. A paper card shows the recipient that you took the time to choose, buy, personalize, and mail the item, while e-cards only require a few clicks to send, and may even end up in the recipient’s junk email folder. In addition, not everyone has a computer or regular Internet access.

Even thinking past the holiday season, many people keep paper Christmas cards in scrapbooks as treasured memories, especially when they are from children or other loved ones.

While most people must contend with cold weather during the holidays, some are able to relax poolside in a tropical paradise. Whether you are sending a card to someone who lives the tropical lifestyle or you already live in paradise and want to share the beauty, tropical Christmas cards are a nice way to bring warmth to the holiday season.

Tropical Christmas cards are also fun and light-hearted, featuring palm trees decorated with Christmas lights, complete with a focus on the beach and relaxation. It’s a good way to send a message of peace.

Tropical Christmas cards are a good choice for a wide range of recipients, including children, teenagers, friends, family members, and even colleagues. These types of Christmas cards may even be fun if you have friends and family that live in the southern hemisphere where December actually brings summer weather.

Although the holiday is bright, who couldn’t use a little bit more sunshine and sand in their Christmas celebration?

When you have many Christmas cards to send, thinking of appropriate, personal, and meaningful sentiments can be challenging.

Some people send personalized Christmas letters with their Christmas greeting cards. These breezy letters typically review the events of the year and may include photos. This is a fine idea. However, notes that are individually composed hold the most meaning for recipients of Christmas cards.

Select cards that have a nice saying preprinted or pick an overall holiday message that an online greeting card company can imprint. Then, handwrite a brief message that focuses on something specific. For example, these messages might be about receiving a card from the other person, thinking about the children growing up, reminiscing over the number of years as friends, or setting a date to catch up in person.

Also, don’t forget to use your best penmanship, taking care to keep your writing neat and legible. Reserve the same care for addressing the envelope or applying any address labels.

Add a bit of personalization to turn your holiday greetings into unique Christmas cards your loved ones will really enjoy. Here are a few suggestions:

• Try creating a personalized message that can be imprinted on the inside of the holiday Christmas cards. Recipients will be pleasantly surprised to recognize that the message came from you directly rather than a holiday greeting card writer.
• Another way to create unique Christmas cards is to purchase photo Christmas cards with insets for pictures. Include a dedicated picture of the family. Everyone loves to display photos of loved ones, whether framed on the mantle or secured on the refrigerator with a magnet.
• Inside the Christmas cards, add other personal touches, such as handwritten notes to complement any imprinted verse, or a special holiday recipe.