UNLOCK 10% OFF YOUR ORDER

  • Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
  • HOME
  • HOLIDAY 
    • 2025 Holiday Cards
    • Holiday Cards
    • Birth Announcement Holiday Cards
    • Holiday Tags
    • Holiday Invitations
  • BABIES & KIDS 
    • Note Cards
    • Enclosure Cards & Gift Tags
    • Milestone Cards
    • Nursery Signs + Prints
    • Bag Tags
    • Placemats
    • Labels
    • Scripture Cards
    • Tooth Fairy Kits
  • STATIONERY AND GIFTS 
    • Note Cards
    • Notepads
    • Luggage/Bag Tags
    • Enclosure Cards & Gift Tags
    • Wine Tags
    • Scripture Cards
  • INVITATIONS & PARTY 
    • Children's Birthday 
      • Birthday Invitations
      • Thank You/Favor Tags
      • Party Signs
      • Party Banners
    • Baby Shower Invitations
    • Birth Announcements
    • Baptism
    • Bridal Shower
    • Brunch & Luncheon
    • Rehearsal Dinner
    • SHOP BY THEME 
      • Party Animals
      • Camp
      • Be A Doll
      • Dinosaur
      • Pancakes & Pajamas
      • Derby
      • Golf
      • Rookie of the Year
      • Airplane
      • Ballet
      • 1st Birthday
      • Football
      • Cheerleader
      • Bluey
      • Taylor Swift
      • Bounce House
      • Some Bunny is One
      • Tea Party
  • SEASONAL 
    • Halloween/Fall 
      • Halloween Gift Tags
      • Halloween/Fall Invitations
    • Back to School 
      • First Day Signs
      • Back to School Bundles
      • Lunchbox Notes
      • Labels
      • Back to School Gift Tags
      • Teacher Notepads
      • Memory Books
      • Teacher Appreciation
    • Summer Camp Supplies
    • Graduation
  • HOME
  • HOLIDAY 
    • 2025 Holiday Cards
    • Holiday Cards
    • Birth Announcement Holiday Cards
    • Holiday Tags
    • Holiday Invitations
  • BABIES & KIDS 
    • Note Cards
    • Enclosure Cards & Gift Tags
    • Milestone Cards
    • Nursery Signs + Prints
    • Bag Tags
    • Placemats
    • Labels
    • Scripture Cards
    • Tooth Fairy Kits
  • STATIONERY AND GIFTS 
    • Note Cards
    • Notepads
    • Luggage/Bag Tags
    • Enclosure Cards & Gift Tags
    • Wine Tags
    • Scripture Cards
  • INVITATIONS & PARTY 
    • Children's Birthday 
      • Birthday Invitations
      • Thank You/Favor Tags
      • Party Signs
      • Party Banners
    • Baby Shower Invitations
    • Birth Announcements
    • Baptism
    • Bridal Shower
    • Brunch & Luncheon
    • Rehearsal Dinner
    • SHOP BY THEME 
      • Party Animals
      • Camp
      • Be A Doll
      • Dinosaur
      • Pancakes & Pajamas
      • Derby
      • Golf
      • Rookie of the Year
      • Airplane
      • Ballet
      • 1st Birthday
      • Football
      • Cheerleader
      • Bluey
      • Taylor Swift
      • Bounce House
      • Some Bunny is One
      • Tea Party
  • SEASONAL 
    • Halloween/Fall 
      • Halloween Gift Tags
      • Halloween/Fall Invitations
    • Back to School 
      • First Day Signs
      • Back to School Bundles
      • Lunchbox Notes
      • Labels
      • Back to School Gift Tags
      • Teacher Notepads
      • Memory Books
      • Teacher Appreciation
    • Summer Camp Supplies
    • Graduation
The Blog

All You Need to Know About Sending Holiday Cards—Timely & With Perfect Etiquette!

November 17, 2025

A holiday card is one of the season’s simplest yet most enduring courtesies. It extends warmth, expresses gratitude, and reminds others that they hold a place in your thoughts. Below is a refined guide, inspired by the classic principles of Emily Post, for sending your greetings with grace.

1. When to Order Your Cards

  • Early November is ideal—especially for personalized designs. Ordering early means. More time to address and mail cards and better chances of beating shipping delays.
  • Mid-November - still completely acceptable but you many run into Thanksgiving shipping delays.
  • Early December - You may be living on the edge a bit - but if you're a quick addresser or choose rush shipping and/or return and recipient addressing, you can still have your cards mailed in time. See below for the ideal time to mail cards.

2. When to Send Your Cards

  • Ideal Mail Window: Just before Thanksgiving through the second week of December.
  • For business or professional contacts: Earlier is preferable, as it avoids the holiday rush.
  • For international mail: Allow an additional two to three weeks.

Sending early is never impolite; it simply ensures your goodwill arrives without hurry.


3. What to Write Inside

  • A seasonal greeting
  • A line or two expressing good wishes

Remember:  simplicity, sincerity, and warmth are the benchmarks of good correspondence.


4. How to Sign Your Name

5. How to Address Your Envelopes

In traditional etiquette, the envelope is nearly as important as the card itself.

  • Double-check spellings—accuracy is a courtesy.
  • Ensure return addresses are clear and neatly placed.

6. Mailing Your Cards

Aim to drop cards in the mail no later than December 15th for domestic delivery.
Square envelopes or heavier cards may require additional postage—always check before mailing.


7. When You Receive a Card

If someone unexpected sends you a holiday card, reciprocate promptly. It is entirely proper to reply through New Year’s and even into early January.


8. Above All: Thoughtfulness

Emily Post’s guiding principle remains evergreen: kindness first.
A holiday card, however simple, becomes a gracious gesture when offered with sincerity.



Tweet Share Pin It Email

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up for exclusive offers, first dibs on our newest launches and special discounts!


  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • CUSTOM ORDER INQUIRY
  • SHIPPING
  • RETURN POLICY
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Van Papier Co..