Christmas cards are a long-standing tradition in my family. I grew up watching my mother dressing my three siblings and I up in our Sunday best for a festive photo and accompanying it with her personalized note. In this fast-paced world, proper etiquette is sadly losing its appeal. Over the years, Christmas cards have seen a few changes. Thanks to Costco, Target and Shutterfly, families can make their own cards with photos for relatively cheap.  

In my opinion, Christmas is once a year, so you might as well make it count.
10 Tips for Christmas Card Etiquette

1. When to send them: The time frame between the day after Thanksgiving to a few days before Christmas is the official Christmas card-sending period. You want to make sure your recipients receive their cards before Christmas, especially if they didn't send you one already. They might want to return the favor and would love to have the opportunity to get it out before Christmas.

2. The holiday update: Not everyone sends along a letter updating us on their family, but if you do, send it to everyone you send a card to. I have heard that you are only supposed to send it to a few family and friends, but then who doesn't want to read about a fun family?

3. Card type: If you are sending out Christmas cards with a space for a handwritten message, it is always essential to personally sign them. If it is a pre-made card, like at Costco, it would be nice to inscribe a personal message with a signature on the back, but not essential.

4. Return style: Against popular belief, you cannot not send an e-mailed card in place of a mailed one. This is the most popular form of dismissive etiquette. Just because you have technology doesn't mean you don't have time to stamp a letter.

5. Addresses: Handwriting the recipients address is another form of essential etiquette. Again, it's the extra bit of effort that goes a long way. Also make sure you have your return address listed on the envelope in case they want to send you one.

6. Postage cost: With the increase in sending out cards this year, it is no small expenditure. I would recommend mailing out Christmas cards to close family and friends, or better yet, hand deliver them to the people you see along the holiday.

7. Double check addresses: Before you send the cards out, double check the addresses. I have sent out plenty of cards that have gotten returned from improper postage. Save the cost of rewriting the address and do it right the first time.

8. Holiday-themed postage: The adorable Christmas postage is not a must, but definitely cute. If you are looking for more bang for you buck , Costco does have them for $44 for a pack of 100 stamps. You just have to buy 100 of them.

9. The purchase: When you are nailing down the amount of cards you need, always get a few over. You never know what friends you will meet along the way or who will send you a Christmas card that you may have forgotten about.

10. The send-out: Definitely drive to the Post Office if you have over 20 cards. It is just a hassle to squeeze any more into your mail box.
The Aftermath

So what do you do once you have sent out your cards and begun to receive others? My family likes to display them along a ribbon on our windows or cover them over a back wall that seems bare.

And once the season is over, I like to keep mine for memories. Much of the pictures are of family and loved ones, most likely looking their best, so I save them and use them in picture frames around the house or for a scrapbook page later.

Christmas cards started as way to connect loved ones through the holidays, and that is what it is about. Share the warmth of your family this year with a Christmas card. Merry Christmas!