Tips for Getting Your Christmas Cards out on Time

Does your family send out electronic Christmas cards? 

A few handwritten cards?

Christmas cards with a newsletter? 

Or....are you like me, and a glutton for punishment?! I choose to send out custom Christmas cards each year, complete with a few family photos. Getting these cards out is quite the process, and I'm here to give you tips on how to do it in a timely fashion.

First of all, the key is to start NOW!!! Find a photographer or family friend with a nice camera and good eye. My family usually gets their pictures taken at the end of October or beginning of November.

Next, find outfits for your family that coordinate well together. Schedule hair appointments, nail appointments, or whatever you need to look your best.

The day of your photo shoot, pray for no rain if you will be outdoors! And it always helps if your kids are well-behaved and smile when needed. (Tip: Bribe them! Mine got hot chocolate with extra marshmallows this year! :)

Once you get the pictures back, it's time to create your custom card on a website like Snapfish, Shutterfly, Target, Minted, or Walgreen's.

Order your cards. Aim to do this around early December.

Email friends & family for updated addresses.

Create mailing labels in Microsoft Word. (This takes a bit of time the first year, but once you have it set up, you can reuse it year after year! I promise it's worth it.) Go to New Document > Mailings > Labels > Select your label type (mine is Avery 8160) > New Document. 

Print labels and stuff envelopes. Aim to have your cards in the mail by mid-December!