According to the American Greetings Company, Americans will send two billion cards this holiday season. Three out of four consumers will buy several styles of cards, reflecting our multicultural society.

Holidays are both fun and stressful. Between attending parties, taking trips, and shopping for gifts, the following guidelines for sending holiday cards can help ease the stress and let you enjoy the experience.

Mailing Lists

• Update your names and addresses. You should do this yourself, even if you have a secretary or assistant. You can safely delete the names of people on your list if you have not received cards from them in the last two years.
• When adding new names, confirm that they are correctly spelled and that the addresses are correct. Mutual friends and business associates — and the Internet — are good resources for this information.
• NOTE: It is not de rigueur to send cards to friends and family with whom you’ll be spending the holidays.

Purchasing Cards

• Avoid the rush. Buy your cards in early November, or sooner. Get your envelopes ready by Thanksgiving. You may send your domestic cards during the first week of December. Allow at least three weeks for your international cards.
• NOTE: Sending e-cards is not yet considered appropriate.
• Buy cards online to save yourself wear and tear. You may customize your cards for different groups of recipients, and have your return address preprinted.
• You may also order your domestic and international stamps online, to avoid standing in a long line at the post office.

Addressing Cards

• Sign your cards, even if you’ve had them printed. Add a personalized note to show that you cared enough to take the time.
• Assistants and secretaries can come in handy. You may use them to address your cards by hand, which is proper etiquette, but you need to sign the cards in your own handwriting.

Holiday Newsletters

In one of my articles for the Miami Herald on etiquette, “Confessions of Serial Christmas Letter Writers,” I mentioned the two mistakes that holiday letter-writers make. First, most holiday letters are too long. Second, the letters dwell too much on the negative. Do continue sending holiday letters, but please keep the following pointers in mind.

• Include only newsworthy events in your life to make your letter interesting.
• You may brag about your children, but keep it to a minimum.
• If you mention health problems, keep it light. “Yes, my husband had heart surgery, but he is doing very well now.” Eliminate the details.
• Keep your letter to one page, and send it only to your faraway relatives and dearest friends.
• Write a letter that will make the recipient happy to read it. Keep your news upbeat. “Tis the season to be jolly!

Business Holiday Cards

Sending business holiday cards to clients and associates enhances your professional relationships and shows appreciation for your business dealings. Here are some tips for maintaining that refined and professional image that you want to project.

• Buy the best quality holiday cards you can afford.
• Be sensitive to associates and clients of different religions or ethnic backgrounds.
• Do not include your business card or personal newsletters with business holiday cards.
• If you have business partners, decide whether everyone will sign the cards. If you’re the only partner signing a card, use just your first name and write a personalized note.
• The timetable for purchasing and sending business holiday cards is the same as that for personal holiday cards.
• Use a title when addressing envelopes, such as Mr. George Smith on the first line, and include the company name on the second line.

Enjoy the holidays!

SA