Christmas is almost is here!

As usual Christmas this year has come around so quickly and once again it is time to get those Christmas cards all written up and sent out to your family, friends and business associates.

Never before have there been so many options for Christmas Greeting Cards. The Internet has made the task of choosing, buying and personalizing holiday cards so much easier.

This is great because with so many other things to get organised during the busy festive season at least taking care of the Christmas card side of things is easier and faster.

Just look at all these choices when it comes to holiday cards.

You can:

• Choose and purchase ready made cards from many online stores.
• Have personalized Christmas cards printed up with your photos and message.
• Purchase craft items to make your own Christmas cards.
• Browse online card catalogues and order large print runs for
  corporate and business needs.
• Design your own cards using special software.
• Send Christmas e cards
• Download and print free printable Christmas cards.

This website is here to be a helpful resource during the Christmas holiday season. Use it to assist you with finding the perfect Christmas cards for your needs.

Whether you want religious Christmas cards or funny Christmas cards, photo cards, themed cards or to design and make your own holiday cards you will find loads of information here.

If you are looking for information about choosing, writing and sending business Christmas cards to corporate colleagues then you will find lots of information about these types of greeting cards in our Corporate Christmas Cards section.

Remember to enjoy the season and have a Merry Christmas!!!

This quote has been taken from the publication:

St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877

“There is a beautiful custom in England which is to be hoped will yet become general in America of sending around Christmas cards, dainty things with lovely pictures and hearty verses upon them. Friends and lovers send them to one another, children send them to their parents, parents to their children, and the postman, as he flies from house to house, fairly glows with loving messages.

And now ST. NICHOLAS presents to one and all the sweet little card (pictured here), which was drawn by Miss L. Greenaway, a London artist, who has drawn many beautiful pictures of child-life.”

* Dutch: Prettige kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuwjaar
* Finnish: Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
* English: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
* French: Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année
* German: Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches/gutes Neues Jahr
* Greek (Ελληνικά): Καλά Χριστούγεννα και ευτυχισμένος ο Καινούριος Χρόνος
* Irish: Nollaig Shona Duit
* Italian: Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
* Portuguese: Boas Festas e um feliz Ano novo
* Russian: С Новым Годом и Рождеством
* Spanish: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
* Swedish: God Jul och Gott Nytt Ã…r

Printed in London in 1843 the first Christmas Card design featured a picture of a family drinking wine together. The total number of cards printed was 2050. The cards were sold for a shilling each. The illustration was done by John Callcott Horsely.

Source: Wikipedia – Christmas card

The tradition of sending corporate Christmas cards to business associates and customers goes back to the 18th century when companies printed trade cards. The trade cards where “business cards” of the early days. This card is an example of an early commercial Christmas card. It is from the Royal Typewriter Company and was produced in 1909.

Source: Wikipedia – Christmas card

A Christmas Card survey by the UK’s Daily Mail in 2006 revealed that only 1 card in every 100 Christmas cards sold in Britain contained religious imagery or message. Religious groups voiced their concerns about the card industry losing sight of the real reason for celebrating the Christmas season. It appears that images such as the Nativity, angels , Baby Jesus and the three wise men are dying out and there are complaints that it is difficult to find cards conveying the true meaning of Christmas. Are some of the shops, greeting card designers and manufacturers forgetting the true meaning of Christmas or are they fearful of offending other faiths? Come on Christians – let’s all keep the true meaning of Christmas alive by buying and sending cards with the true Christmas message!

Source: Daily Mail Online – Christmas cards are losing their religious message

Sending out business holiday cards at Christmas time has become a tradition in the corporate world. Yes, they are a good idea because Christmas cards give you the opportunity to strengthen your business relationships, get involved in the season and spread holiday wishes to people you work with.

Say Thank You with Christmas Holiday Cards for your Customers

Show your appreciation to your customers by sending them a Christmas card. Let them know that they are special. The holiday card will allow you to convey a personal message. Your clients will know that they are important to you and this will also help in maintaining customer loyalty.

Strengthen Relationships with Your Business Suppliers and Associates

Christmas cards are a great way to strengthen and build the business relationships you have with your company suppliers. It is a good opportunity to acknowledge your working relationship and extend a friendly gesture.

Christmas Cards for Client Prospects

Business holiday cards can be used for marketing your business to prospective clients. They enable you to put your business name out there. Sending cards to prospective clients shows them that you are willing to go the extra mile by taking the time to send them a personal greeting during the busy Christmas season. The card will also remind them that your business is there.

Personally Thank Your Employees

Show your appreciation to employees and co-workers by giving them a greeting card with a personal message. Acknowledgement of employee effort is good for morale and in maintaining good communication and work productivity. Christmas time is a good opportunity to do this. Thank them for their good work during the year and wish them well for the following New Year.

Organise Your Business Christmas Cards Step by Step

Are you planning on sending out business christmas cards to your business associates and work colleagues? Read all about this traditional gesture, how to do it correctly and learn how Christmas cards can benefit your business in the following related articles on this website.

If you have a large company and many associates then this can be a very big task. Most businesses these days are able to print out a client and supplier list from their computer systems. These lists are helpful but they may not always be accurate and up to date. It is important to keep your database up-to-date with the correct names and addresses during the year to make things easier for you during the busy Christmas season.

Who to include on your Corporate Holiday Card List

There are many benefits to sending business Christmas cards. It is up to you who you want to include on your Christmas cards list. Following is a checklist on who you may need to send cards to:

• Customers
• Suppliers
• Prospective Clients
• Other Associates and Affiliates
• Employees and Co-workers

Things to remember when putting together your Christmas Card List:

Spelling

This is very important. Ensure that you have the correct spelling of names and addresses. It is very disappointing to receive something addressed to you with the incorrect spelling especially if it is your name that has been spelt wrong.

Double-Check Your List

After you have your list ready get someone else to have a look over it and double-check it for any spelling errors and to ensure that everyone has been included on the list.

Personal Cards

Depending on how strong or personal your relationship is with certain business associates it may be a good idea to send individual cards to some contacts rather than just one single card from your company to theirs. This will depend on your budget as well because you will need more cards. Keep this in mind when you determine the required corporate holiday card total quantity to order.

Order Extra Cards

Make sure you order extra cards to allow for errors and also just in case you have left someone on your list or get a last minute addition.

Quality Business Christmas Cards Are a Must Have

Dont skimp on quality when choosing your cards. You should choose the best cards you can afford. Sending a cheap business holiday greeting card makes you look cheap and may appear to your clients and business associates that they arent important enough to you. Ensure you choose cards printed on good thick cardstock with excellent printing. Added extras can be embossing, foil embellishments and lined envelopes. Ask to see a sample before you place your order.

Handmade or Not Handmade?

There seems to be a difference of opinion of whether it is appropriate to send business greeting cards that have been handmade. Some say that handmade cards make your business look cheap while others claim that it is trendy to send them. Personally I think that it is fine to send good quality handmade cards as long as they are made from good quality products and dont look tacky. I think that these types of business Christmas cards can actually make your business stand out from the rest if they are designed in a way to compliment your business and fit in with your industry or line of work. Keep in mind that good quality handmade cards are more expensive than the standard printed cards.

Business Holiday Greeting Card Design Considerations

This is another area where it will depend on your business, your beliefs and your clients on which design would be appropriate to choose.

• Generic Designs
  You may prefer to choose a card design with a generic message such as Seasons Greetings. This is a safe option if you are concerned about offending anyone who may not celebrate Christmas.
• Religious Designs
  If you are a Christian and want to express this in your Christmas cards then selecting religious cards is an option. This will also depend on your business industry as to whether these cards are appropriate for all your clients. Some may be offended if they dont have the same religious beliefs as you and you may need to consider ordering some generic cards as well to send to those clients.
• Other Considerations
  Choose a design that will reflect well on your company.
  Do not choose distasteful designs you do not want to offend anyone.
  If you want to be safe then choose traditional Christmas designs and messages.

Personalization of your Cards

It is a good idea to have your cards professionally printed with your companys name and, or business logo. If you decide to do this then ensure that you or your assistant also sign the cards before they are sent out otherwise they will appear insincere. It is also proper to personally write a short message to the recipient.

First of all start by double checking your list of associates to ensure that you have the correct spelling of names and addresses. This point cannot be over emphasized. Using incorrect spelling especially of names is unprofessional.

Inside the Business Christmas Cards

Even if you have already had your logo, business name or message pre-printed on the card you should still handwrite a short message and sign your name on the inside of the card. Depending on the size of your company and the amount of cards that need signing, you may need to get help from other staff members for this task.

Some businesses like to have all their staff sign each card. This adds a special touch.

Addressing the Envelope

Your corporate holiday greeting card should be sent to the business address.

The address on the outside of the envelope should be handwritten. Once again, depending on the size of your company and the amount of cards that need signing, you may need to get help from other staff members for this task but it is worthwhile doing this to ensure that your cards do not look mass mailed and impersonal.

When writing the recipients names on the envelope use titles such as Mr, Mrs or Ms.

What Else to Include

If your holiday cards have not been pre-printed with your business name you can include a business card inside the Christmas card.

When to Send Out Your Corporate Holiday Greeting Card Mailing

Get organized early to keep on top of the Christmas rush. Have your cards in the mail by mid December to ensure delivery by Christmas.

If you need to send cards internationally it will take longer. You will need to check with your local postal service for international delivery times and plan accordingly.

If you havent yet purchased your cards you will need to consider the time it takes for the printer to process your card order.