2024, pencil drawing for DWR card.

Is the tradition of sending Christmas cards lost or passe’? In an age of emails, texts, and the US Postal Service hemorrhaging $11 Billion in 2024, is snail mail a forgotten tradition?  Researching the dos and don’ts of Christmas Cards is tricky.  There is not enough written about sending cards.  And often what is said is antiquated.  This post explores the art of Christmas Cards and Christmas Card etiquette. 

I make my own cards and have for decades.  There were years when I would hand paint or draw every one of them.  In recent years I have made the image, designed the layout, and had the cards printed.  It is a lot of work. 

2024 Christmas Card, color pencil drawing.

I also make my own cards for my clients.  I find it is a nice gesture to thank them for business and to also keep my name handy. 

But every year I get fewer and fewer cards.  During Covid lockdown, when I people were shut in and missing each other, with lots of time on their hands to address envelopes, it happened to be the worst year.  Mailboxes were empty–well mine was anyway.  While retailers report a steady rise in card sales since 2020, my personal anecdotal evidence tells a different story. 

Here is the Christmas Card etiquette that I gleaned by various sources over the years.  I hope it helps. 

2023 Christmas Card composition, color pencils.

Hand-addressing cards, instead of using a printer, and hand-writing your return address instead of using address labels adds a very personal touch.  Sometimes the design of the labels matches the card and enhances the beauty of it, so that is ok.  The main thing is getting out your holiday greeting no matter how it’s ultimately done.  These days computers can print address labels, so cards don’t necessarily have to be hand addressed.  So, labor has been streamlined over time.  So wherein lies the problem? 

However, hand sign all cards.  Not doing so, unless for health reasons, is considered rude; it isn’t a truly personal greeting if it is not signed. 

As for email or digital cards, this is acceptable if the relationship with the recipient is a digital one.  It is ill-advised to send close family and friends e-cards. 

2023 card for business, penicil sketch, “Not a Creature was Stirring.”

Cards should arrive between December 1st to Christmas Eve.  The Christmas season doesn’t officially end until after the 12 Days of Christmas–just like the song.  The 12 Days begin on Christmas Day and end the evening of January 5th when Three Kings Day or the Epiphany is celebrated.  Keep in mind, many people like to incorporate Christmas Cards into their decor, so the sooner the better. 

In recent years, especially as people lose track of December time or celebrate other holidays besides Christmas, I see a trend toward New Year’s Cards.  That is always a special touch as well, in lieu of Christmas Cards. 

Cards received from business contacts do not warrant acknowledgement.  A business card is, as mentioned, also a Thank You note. 

2013 Christmas Card, pencil sketch, St. Mary Cathedral, Galveston.

However, personal cards do, which is a major part of Christmas Card etiquette.  It is appropriate to respond to the sender either in person, via call, text, email, or note to say that you received the card.  “Thank you for thinking of me.  It was nice to hear from you,” is as easy as it gets. There is no need to go into whether you send cards or not. 

If you do send cards, then no special gesture is required.  At that point it is an exchange.  But not every card received warrants a Christmas Card in return unless you want to start a yearly tradition with that person. \

Lastly, if you sent a card for the last two years and haven’t received one in return, you are fine to omit that person from future card lists. 

Now that you know, enjoy the holidays, reach out to those whom you only see at funerals, and enjoy.