Who To Send Christmas Cards To (And Who To Skip)

The rules of who to send Christmas cards to and when to mail them.

Deciding who to send Christmas cards to can leave you feeling stumped. Do you or do you not include your best friends second cousin twice removed? With all of the additional Christmas tasks, sending out cards should not be stressful. In fact, using this list as a reference will make your life much easier come December.

Who To Send Christmas Cards To And When?

Why Do We Send Christmas Cards?

Mailing Christmas cards is an annual tradition that focuses on spreading good tidings and cheer during the holiday season.

It is a great way to show others you are thinking of them and to wish them much happiness in the new year. Many families also take the opportunity to send new family photos and share updates on their lives.

The act of sending Christmas cards can be traced back to the Victorian era. During this time, sending handwritten letters and cards was a popular form of communication. People would take great care in selecting beautiful cards and eloquently expressing their well wishes for the holiday season.

In today’s digital age, where communication often happens virtually, the act of mailing Christmas cards holds a special significance. It symbolizes a deliberate effort to communicate our love, appreciation, and well-wishes in a tangible way.

It is a reminder that amidst the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, the holiday season is also about slowing down, embracing traditions, and nurturing relationships.

Related post: {“121 SHORT CHRISTMAS CARD MESSAGES INSTEAD OF MERRY CHRISTMAS“}

Who To Send Christmas Cards To

1. Family – Of course family is at the top of the list of who to send Christmas cards to. Your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins. Although, we can narrow this list down even further and say as a rule of thumb only send Christmas cards to family who you regularly communicate with. This means you do not have to send a card to your husband’s half sisters’ niece (unless you really do talk to her!)
2. Friends – This includes childhood friends, college friends and friends from work or church. Again, the rule above applies that if you do not talk to them regularly they likely are not expecting a Christmas card from you. So you may go ahead and skip them.
3. Coworkers– If you have a favorite coworker you talk with everyday then it is a good idea to add them to the list. Receiving a nice card in the mail from you is sure to brighten up their day.
4. Clients – If you have your own business then it is a must to send out cards to your favorite clients. Not only is this a kind gesture but will also get them thinking about you and your business. This works great if you are a real-estate agent or own a small store.
5. Your child’s friends’ family – If you have children too young to mail out cards themselves then it is a good idea to add anyone they consider important. This includes the families of your child’s friends.
6. Neighbors – Consider yourself lucky if you have a close-knit group of neighbors. Or, if you recently moved into the neighborhood it is a kind idea to send a Christmas card as a way of introducing your family.

An Optional List Of Who To Send Christmas Cards To

1. Mailmen and delivery drivers – If you see the same mailman or delivery driver over and over again then you may have established a professional relationship. It is a kind gesture to send them a Christmas card as a thank you for everything they do.
2. Doctors/ nurses – Sending a card to your doctor is a kind gesture letting them know just how much you appreciate the work they do. Of course you may not have their home address on file, so try sending one to their office directly. You may even see your card displayed in the waiting room.
3. Hairstylist – December is often a busy month for hairstylists getting people glammed for the holidays. Sending a simple Christmas card will let them know you are thinking of them.
4. Garbage collectors – Often overlooked when thinking of who to send Christmas cards to are garbage collectors. We will often see the same team working each week. Therefore, it is a nice way to recognize their work.
5. Firefights and policemen – AKA the super heroes of our community. Have your children draw a handmade card which you can mail or deliver directly to the local station.
6. Teachers – Teachers do so much hard work and receiving a holiday card with a kind message will make their day.

Sending Christmas Cards To Soldiers

Sending Christmas cards to soldiers is an honorable tradition many families partake in. Deployed troops who cannot be home for Christmas will receive thousands of cards each year. It is an excellent way to give thanks and to show how much you appreciate their sacrifices. Plus, you can even get your children involved in writing the sweet messages.

1. Holiday cards for our military – The goal of the holiday card challenge is to connect the general public to our military personnel by delivering personalized greeting cards to our troops. Read the incredible story of how it all started with one woman who had a goal of showing appreciation to our service members. They also provide great tips on what to write and how to address your cards if you are new.
2. USASOA Operation Christmas cards for our troops – The United Soldiers and Sailors of America is a nonprofit whose mission is to support the wounded and ill veterans through charitable donations. They help to improve the quality of life for veterans through advocacy and service. Starting in early September you can begin sending Christmas cards to the address listed on their website. They please ask that you do not include any envelopes with your cards or add glitter that can fall off during transportation.
3. Red Cross Holidays for heroes – If you are looking for a local option for sending cards to our military and veterans check out Red Cross. Visit your local Red Cross office to determine the holiday card requirements.

When To Send Out Christmas Cards

According to Christmas card etiquette, it is best practice to send out all Christmas cards by the first week of December. This way, it will ensure that all of the cards are received well before Christmas Eve.

Since December is the busiest month of the year for the US postal office, it is not unlikely for mail to be delayed. By sending your Christmas cards 3-4 weeks early, you can rest assured they will arrive on time.

Although, if you are sending cards across state lines or overseas, it is imperative to mail them out early. You may want to consider mailing international cards before December 1st.

After making your list of who to send Christmas cards to, double-check that you have the most current addresses on file. This will ensure that you receive no return mail back.

Who To NOT Send Christmas Cards to

There are a variety of reasons why you may not want to send someone a Christmas card this year. Whether it’s for personal reasons, or you’re just not sure, here are my recommendations on who to skip this year.

1. Family members or friends you are no longer close with – If you haven’t seen or spoken to somebody in over a year, it is okay to not send them a holiday card. Especially if you no longer send your family Christmas cards either.
2. Someone who experienced a recent loss – Those who recently lost a loved one may find cheerful holiday greetings overwhelming or distasteful. I would pass on sending Merry Christmas cards and instead, send a heartful condolence.
3. Different religious beliefs – A friend who doesn’t celebrate Christmas probably doesn’t share the same sentiment in receiving a card. It’s still nice to make them feel included, so you may want to do a generic winter greeting card instead.
4. Uncertain professional boundaries – If you are a person who prefers to keep a separate work/ life balance, don’t feel obligated to send your coworkers cards.
5. Relationship changes – If two people are going through a separation, and you are closer to one than the other, feel free to pass on sending the other one a card. They likely aren’t expecting one from you anyway and probably wouldn’t reciprocate.

As always, each situation is different. There are other ways to reach out to someone if you decide not to send them a card this year.

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