15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Email Holiday Cards, Do This Instead

15 Reasons not to Email Holiday Cards

15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Email Holiday Cards, Do This Instead

We get it. Email is convenient. Most people fire off an email without thinking about whether they should. In most cases that's fine. But during the holiday season it's not the best course of action. Sure, email makes it easy to deliver holiday messages to your friends and family. Beyond securing an email address, there's very little you need to plan ahead. In truth, you could wait until the holidays are right around the corner and still get your messages delivered on time ... instantly! 

 But, at what cost? Free holiday ecards just aren't the same as personalized holiday cards. And email is even worse. The gains you make in simplicity are more than eclipsed by the losses your suffer to the emotional impact of your message. This article will discuss 15 reasons why holiday greeting cards, particularly handwritten cards, are worth their weight in gold while online holiday cards and holiday emails fall flat.

Woman upset about getting an emailed holiday message.

Reasons You Should Never Send Holiday Greetings Cards Through Email

1. Emailing holiday cards is not as good as sending real cards

When you send a card in the mail, the person can feel it and see your handwriting. It's more personal. Holiday photo cards paired with a warm handwritten message feel more immediate; you're sending a little piece of yourself along with your holiday wishes.

2. Emailed holiday cards often get lost in the shuffle

An email inbox is a constantly moving target. New messages are constantly coming in and old messages are pushed down and out of sight. It's easy to miss an email, especially if it's not from someone you're expecting to hear from. When you order holiday cards online, be sure to get something handwritten.

3. You can't put an email on the mantle

When you send a holiday card in the mail, the recipient can display it on their mantle or refrigerator. It's a physical representation of your relationship that lasts long after the holidays are over. It's a tangible memory that brings to mind happy holidays each time it's seen.

4. Emailed holiday cards often get caught in spam filters

It's not uncommon for automated systems to mistake holiday emails for spam. This means your message may never be seen by the intended recipient. Imagine taking the time to add your own photo to electronic holiday cards only to never have them seen.

Man staring bewildered at his computer.

5. Emailed holiday cards can be difficult to open

Many email providers now automatically block images from unknown senders. Custom holiday cards from lesser known providers can fare even worse. That means the recipient has to go through the hassle of unblocking images just to see your card. And, even then, it may not display correctly.

6. It's easy to accidentally delete an email

Email is supposed to be convenient, but it's also easy to make mistakes. It's easy to accidentally delete an email, especially if you're trying to clear out your inbox before the holidays. Your emailed Christmas cards aren't reliable because you're at the mercy of software.

7. Emailed holiday cards can be impersonal

When you send a holiday card in the mail, you can include a handwritten note. This personal touch is often lost when sending cards via email. Just like classic American greetings of old, handwriting adds a personal flair lacking in digital communications. When you want to make a connection with someone, email can't compete.

8. Emailed holiday cards can be perceived as less sincere

A handwritten card shows that you took the time to sit down and write out a message. An emailed card can feel like you just hit the send button without giving it much thought.

9. Emailed holiday cards can be disruptive

When you're trying to get through a busy day, the last thing you want is for your inbox to ding with a new message. And, if you're working, it can be disruptive to have a holiday card pop up on your screen. We'll grant this one is unlikely, but given all of the other good reasons not to schedule delivery from some free account "happy holidays cards" e-card service. And certainly no reason to trade the written word for email.

A person upset about not being able to save emails.

10. You can't save emailed holiday cards

If you want to save a holiday card, you have to download it and find a place to store it on your computer. Or, you can take a screenshot, but that's not the same as having the physical card. If you take the time to create your own design to send to your entire address book, you want your friends to have a tangible copy to hold on to.

11. Emailed holiday cards can be forgotten

It's easy to forget about an email, especially if you don't have it saved in your inbox. And, even if you do save it, it's easy to forget where you put it. When you start customizing your cards to personalize your cards for loved ones, you want them to be memorable. Handwritten cards made an impression.

12. Emailed holiday cards can be misplaced

It's easy to misplace an email, especially if you have a lot of messages in your inbox. And, even if you do find it, it's easy to forget which email it was. With a physical card, you can put it in a special place and know right where it is.

13. Emailed holiday cards can be deleted

Once an email is deleted, it's gone forever. There's no way to recover it. With a physical card, you can always go back and look at it.

14. Emailed holiday cards can be forwarded without your permission

If you send an email to someone, they can easily forward it to anyone else without your knowledge or consent. That means your holiday greeting could end up in the hands of people you don't know or people you don't want to see it.

15. Emailed holiday cards can be turned into spam

If you send an email to too many people, or if you use the wrong keywords, your message can be flagged as spam. This means it may never be seen by the intended recipient. And, even if it is seen, it could be marked as spam and automatically deleted. 

 Emailing holiday cards may seem like a good idea, but there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn't do it. If you want your holiday greetings to be personal, sincere, and memorable, send them the old-fashioned way - through the mail.

A nice blue handwritten card.

Why Handwritten Cards are the Most Touching Way to Say "Happy Holidays"

It's clear why email is a bad choice for sending holiday cards, but what is the proper replacement? Handwritten cards are the best choice for holiday greeting cards. Photo cards are more common, but without a handwritten message, they're less impactful than they could be. Here are fifteen reasons why handwritten cards are the best option. 

 1. They're more personal. Physical cards are more personal because you can include a handwritten note. This personal touch is often lost when sending cards via email. 

 2. They're more sincere. A handwritten card shows that you took the time to sit down and write out a message. An emailed card can feel like you just hit the send button without giving it much thought. 

 3. They're more thoughtful. A well-crafted handwritten holiday message demonstrates that you care about the recipient and took the time to think about what you wanted to say. This is a level of thoughtfulness that's hard to match with an email. 

 4. They're more unique. Most people don't bother sending handwritten cards anymore, so your card will definitely stand out. 

 5. They can be saved and cherished. Unlike an email, a card can be saved and treasured for years to come. It's a physical reminder of your thoughtfulness that the recipient can hold onto. 

 6. They show you care. Sending a handwritten card is a thoughtful gesture that shows you care about the recipient. It's a simple way to make someone feel special during the holiday season. 

 7. They're more personal than an email. When you send a handwritten card, you can include a personal note or message. This extra touch makes the card more special and meaningful. 

A person handwriting something.

 8. They take more time and effort. Handwriting a card takes more time and effort than sending an email, which shows that you really care about the recipient. 

 9. They can be sent to anyone. You can send a handwritten card to anyone, regardless of their relationship to you. It's a nice way to show your holiday cheer to everyone in your life. 

 10. Handwriting adds a personal flair. When you handwrite a card, it adds a personal touch that an email can't match. Your unique handwriting is a special way to sign your holiday greetings. 

 11. They're less likely to be forgotten. Handwritten cards are less likely to be forgotten than email holiday cards. They'll stay in the recipient's mind (and maybe even on their mantle) long after the holidays are over. 

 12. They're more intimate. Handwritten cards are more intimate than email because they show that you took the time to sit down and write out a message. This extra effort makes the card more special. 

 13. They make a good impression. Handwritten cards make a good impression because they show that you're willing to take the time to write out a message. This makes you look thoughtful and considerate. 

 14. They can be used as décor. Handwritten cards can be used as decorations, which is a nice way to add a personal touch to your holiday décor. 

 15. They're a thoughtful gesture. Handwritten cards are a thoughtful gesture that shows you care about the recipient. It's a simple way to make someone feel special during the holiday season.

Close up on a group of people toasting the holidays.

SIMPLY NOTED AUTOMATES YOUR HANDWRITTEN HOLIDAY GREETINGS

With Simply Noted, you can automate your handwritten holiday greetings. Send a physical card with a personal message without lifting a pen. It's the perfect way to show you care this holiday season! Businesses can link their CRM software directly to our servers, creating instant handwritten cards hand-addressed to everyone their address books. 

 We've developed the next generation of handwriting robots, capable of recreating the subtle nuances that separate real handwriting from standard handwriting fonts. Our Infinity fonts can represent the full range of human expression for more realistic, more impactful holiday cards without any of the hassle. 

 Visit www.simplynoted.com to learn more!