Tips for sending Christmas cards efficiently

Sending Christmas cards may seem elementary. Still, there are things that will make the process quicker, easier and less costly. If this is your first time sending Christmas cards there are strategies you may want to keep in mind. Why not add your personal touch to Christmas cards as well? Here's how you can save time, money and stress when sending Christmas cards.

E-cards

Sending e-cards saves postage and time. Pick a design for each recipient or send the same one to everyone on your list. Animated e-cards are especially fun for both sender and recipient. Sending Christmas e-cards is a great option for procrastinators. They arrive almost instantly. They can even be sent Christmas morning if you wish.

Picture message cards

Everyone has a cell phone these days. Grandma and Grandpa might prefer you sending traditional Christmas cards. Friends might be just as happy with a picture text message. Take a nice or silly picture of you and the family in Santa hats. Send it to all your friends with a Merry Christmas message below. If your cell phone plan is all inclusive, it's free.

Snail mail for rookies

It used to be that people needed technology directions. Now we're more likely to need snail mail directions. The stamp goes in the upper right hand corner. The sender's name and address goes in the upper left corner. The name and address of the person you are sending it to goes centered at the bottom. Don't laugh, I have actually had people ask me these things.

Purchasing cards

Smart folks who are in the habit of sending Christmas cards every year know this trick. Christmas comes every year. Buy Christmas cards for pennies on the dollar at end of season sales. Send them next Christmas. It's one less thing on your Christmas shopping list. Save even more time by purchasing several years worth at once and/or buying Christmas cards at the dollar store.

Sending money

Here are some tips to remember when sending monetary gifts in Christmas cards. Avoid sending cash if at all possible. Checks are no good either. Why? Thieves can steal checking account info from them. The postal service is reliable but there are thieves in any organization. Opt for sending Visa gift cards. They can often be canceled if lost or stolen. Check refund and replacement policies when you buy them.

Making cards

Making and sending Christmas cards may not be efficient. Still, it's so much fun! Whether you are two or eighty two, people appreciate you going to the trouble of making and sending your own cards. It doesn't really matter how they turn out either. You can make your own cards even if you're not a professional scrapbooker. Get messy, have a finger glue peeling time and most of all, have fun.

Timing

Sending Christmas cards too early is better than not sending them at all. If you plan to take a picture for inserting in cards do it in November. That way your card is not sitting there waiting for the picture that never gets taken. Sending Christmas cards on December 1st means no waiting at the post office and no getting bogged down with other Christmas mail. Forget to buy stamps? Just bring the addressed cards to the post office. They'll stamp and mail them for you.

Nobody's perfect

I know my sisters are reading this and thinking about all the times when my cards arrived late or not at all. Sending Christmas cards doesn't have to be a perfect science. The idea is to try your best and hope it works out. If you have friends and relatives like mine, you know they'll love you even if your cards are late or you forget to send them entirely. It's all about love. If the love is there, the cards aren't all that important.