Send the Right Message with Personalized Christmas Cards
The large majority of us love to receive Christmas greetings in our mailboxes once the holidays roll around. This is why so many people will take time out of the hustle and bustle of the season to send out their own personalized Christmas cards. This tradition has become a popular way to keep in touch with friends and family members that you might not otherwise converse with very often throughout the year. It is an effective way to track who has gotten married, who has had a new baby, and where those folks have moved to. However, when it comes to sending out those personalized Christmas cards, there are a few etiquette rules that you should follow.
For Family
If you are sending your personalized Christmas cards to family and close friends, you will want to sign your greetings with your first names only. It is also a good idea to take the time to actually sign each of your cards, even if you have your names printed directly on them. It is also a nice touch to put a personal note next to your signature. Some people also like to add a holiday letter that will give a brief synopsis of the news of the year for the family. These can be printed off on the computer, preferably onto a Christmas stationary that will be fun and festive for your recipient. It is also common for families to include current photos of the kids for everyone to see.
When you are addressing personalized Christmas cards from your entire family, you can sign the first name of the parents first, followed by the name of each child or simply, "and family." When addressing the cards to the people that you are sending to, it is proper to include the children's names with families that you are close to. Many people also like to address cards to "The Smith Family," which is also considered proper. It is always preferred to write out the addresses of your family and friends by hand as well, since computer printed greetings tend to look less personal.
For Business Associates
If you are going to send personalized Christmas cards to business associates, make sure that you purchase a high quality card that will let your client know that you "care enough to send the very best." Sign your name and include a short, handwritten message, even if your name is printed directly on the cards. It is not appropriate to sign your spouse's or children's names to the cards, unless your client has met or knows them. In the case of personalized Christmas cards for business associates, it is considered okay to run the envelopes through the printer if you have a large number to send out. Otherwise, a handwritten address is always nicer to receive.
Personalized Christmas cards are the perfect way to send your holiday greetings and news to friends, family and business associates. With a few tips, you will ensure that your greetings go out the proper way.
