7 Holiday Snail Mail Tips

Are you sending out holiday cards this year? Maybe a party invitation or a thank you card for a fantastic gift you received? ‘Tis the season of snail mail, and if you’re staring down a stack of holiday cards with no idea where to start, I’ve got some tips that might help.

Find your holiday cards early! Stores have the best selection of holiday cards in early November, so don’t wait to buy your cards. My favorites are from The Good Twin and Small Adventure.

Don’t forget thank you cards, too! You know you’re going to be receiving a gift or two this season, why not stock up on some thank you cards now, so you’ll have them ready to send?

Buy stamps online. Unlike individual post offices, USPS stocks all their stamp options online. Waiting in line at the post office during the holiday season is the worst, so save some time by having them shipped to your door.

Make note of USPS shipping deadlines. If you live in the US, the last day to ship Christmas cards to US destinations is Dec. 20 (although I’d send everything out earlier than that, in case of inclement weather). Keep in mind that the post office is extremely busy this time of year and you don’t want your cards to arrive after Christmas day, so err on the side of being a little early.

Short and sweet is A-OK! Don’t stress yourself out or feel like you need to write a novel to everyone you’re sending a holiday greeting. Sending best wishes for the year to come will always be appreciated, no matter how simple the gesture.

Consider sending a photo to family members. You don’t need to spend hours staging the perfect holiday photo to send to your loved ones. Find a photo from earlier in the year to send along with your holiday card – grandma will love having a simple 5×7 of you to put on the fridge.

Always include your return address on the envelope. Including your address ensures that the recipient has your current address every year – they can use it to send a card back to you!