We get it. There’s a lot to keep track of as we head into the holiday season. You might be organizing gatherings, planning menus, making travel plans, and, of course, buying a ton of gifts. Wedging in your Christmas cards — organizing addresses, ordering cards, filling them out, and getting them in the mail — can feel like too much.  

 Allow us to keep you on track. It’s easier to plan when you know your deadlines. This article will discuss ideal times for ordering your Christmas cards to ensure you have time to complete them and deliver them on schedule. You don’t have to risk being late as long as you have a plan.

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GENERAL CHRISTMAS CARD ORDERING ADVICE

As you’ll see in the next section, 2021 could pose additional challenges that require extra time, but we want to give general advice first. These ordering times have worked well for years and should continue to once the global shipping/snail mail system has returned to normal.

When Do You Want to Mail Your Cards?

You first need to know when you want to mail your cards to determine the best time to get them ordered. If you plan on writing your cards yourself, be sure to leave an ample window between when you purchase and when they need to go out in the mail. 

 There’s some debate on when Christmas cards should arrive. Some prefer they arrive close to the holiday. We’re in the other camp. We like to send our Christmas cards within the first week of December. Early Christmas cards help to extend our recipients’ holiday cheer. 

 If you tend to put things off, know that Christmas cards should arrive in your recipients’ mailboxes no later than a week before Christmas. Any later than that, and any unexpected snags could ruin your chances of on-time delivery.

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So When Should You Order?

Assuming you’re mailing within the first week of December, you should order your Christmas cards at least three weeks earlier. This allows you about a week to fill out your cards and get them in the mail. Depending on the size of your mailing list and the amount of time you have to devote to the process, you could add a week or two to allow extra time. 

 To be safe, order your cards around the first or second week of November. Make sure you check shipping times with your supplier. If the design you choose is in high demand, it might take longer to receive it.

Simply Noted Gives You Extra Time

It’s worth mentioning that the advice we’ve given so far assumes you’ll have blank cards shipped to you so that you can fill them out by hand. If you automate your Christmas cards, you’ll need considerably less time. 

 When you order from Simply Noted, you get more than a card. Our handwriting machines pen write your message inside and then drop them in the mail. Thanks to our AI-powered smart fonts, your recipients will receive handwritten, hand-addressed cards that are indistinguishable from the real thing. 

 We can fulfill stock orders as early as the same day and no longer than three days for custom orders. That means you could have your Christmas cards ordered, written, and in the mail in less than a week. Best of all, your contribution will take about as much time as sending an email.

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SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2021

As of October, the post office is advising people to send their Christmas gifts and cards earlier than normal this year. Shipping delays, supply chain disruptions, and the slow pandemic recovery are conspiring to make the mail’s job more difficult than usual.  

 This year it’s wise to order your Christmas cards at least two weeks earlier than you would otherwise. This allows extra time for the cards to get to you and grants a longer window to get them to your recipient. It’s not clear yet the possible extent of the delay, so it’s good to air on the side of caution. 

 Remember, it’s better for your Christmas cards to arrive early rather than late. As we get closer to the holiday season, it will be worth checking with your local USPS to get updated mailing advice.

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WHAT ABOUT OTHER HOLIDAYS?

Are you looking to send something other than Christmas cards? We have you covered. Here’s when you should order cards for a few other major holidays.

New Years

It’s customary for New Years cards to arrive the week before or the week after the first. Backtiming three weeks tells us you should order your cards the first week of December.

Hanukkah

In 2021, Hanukkah begins the evening of November 28th. Unlike Christmas cards, which can benefit from an early arrival, Hanukkah cards should land closer to the holiday. Arrival anytime within the eight day celebration is also fine. As a result, you’re safe to wait until the middle of November to place an order.

Thanksgiving

We celebrate Turkey Day on the fourth Thursday in November, which lands on the 25th this year. Thanksgiving cards require a timely delivery. The wind gets knocked from their sails a bit if they arrive after the big day. Ensure that you send them at least a week before, though no more than three. You’ll be safe if you order the first or second week in November.

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Happy Holidays

While some enjoy sending individual cards for each season, others prefer a holistic approach. For them, holiday cards are the most common choice. They allow senders to honor every holiday tradition with a single, inclusive card. 

 To compute when you should order your happy holidays cards, decide which holidays you’re including and then find the one that arrives earliest. Back time your order three to four weeks from then. That way you’re certain to arrive on-time for everyone on your list, regardless of their holiday choice.

Check out our updated holiday catalog!

For 2021, Simply Noted has added  over 200 new holiday cards across a range of celebrations. For have a design for every holiday and every taste. Request our new Holiday Catalog here!