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4 Christmas Card Dos and Don’ts

November 28, 2022

It doesn’t matter if you send out funny Christmas cards or prefer your holiday cards chock-full of Bible verses: Christmas card etiquette matters.

A little bit.

Here are four Christmas card dos and don'ts to keep in mind down the holiday stretch as you dash off those season’s greetings.

1. Do Send Out Your Christmas Cards Early If You’ve Moved

Did you switch addresses since last Christmas? Save everybody involved some clerical headaches and get your cards out early-ish. This gives your nearest and dearest and Chris from accounting a chance to update their address books.

Even better, it means you’ll actually get the cards headed your way before March since they won’t have to go through the labyrinthine USPS mail forwarding system.

2. Don’t Send a Digital Card Unless You Absolutely Have To

There was a time, 15-20 years ago, that digital cards were all the rage. Now? Not so much. What was once seen as a fun novelty communiqué, especially by great aunts and uncles around the globe, now imparts more of a “this was a last-minute idea” vibe.

If cost is an issue, I hear you. Consider sending just a few cards to closer friends and family instead of hitting a wider swath with online Christmas cards.

They don’t have to be anything fancy, either. We make some rad holiday cards that are only $6 a pop, but seriously? You don’t even have to go the store-bought route.

College age Beth looking skeptical and thinking about funny cards christmas Statements like that are why I've never been good at sales, aren’t they?

Thoughtfulness and charm can go a long way. Even with the Jib-Jab crowd.

3. Do Remove People From Your Christmas Card List

I don’t mean, like, as a penalty or anything, but you do you, Heat Miser.

For real, though: Friends, co-workers, loan sharks and even family members come and go. Regularly pruning your list of people who snag one of your funny Christmas cards saves you time and makes it easy to stay organized. Plus, it’s not like you can’t put them back on again later.

A young woman with a braid looks deranged. funny christmas card ideas Not you, Brendon From Indoor Soccer’s Mom. You’re done for good.

4. Don’t Address Your Envelopes Like a Misogynist

Until the day she died, my lovely and amazing mother addressed her Christmas cards to “The Bob Smith Family” instead of “The Smith Family.” This practice drove me insane.

It’s the 21st century. Address your card to “The Smith Family.” Bob’s not the star.

What if it’s a couple, not a family?

Great question. I’m glad I just forced you to ask. Address it to “The Smiths” then, NOT to “Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith.”

A stock headshot of a young man we're calling Bob. funny christmas cards ideas Seriously. Bob’s really not that great.

While receiving funny Christmas cards in the mail from friends far, far away will never be as satisfying as going through the stack of holiday cards at your parents’ house — hello, ghosts of Christmas past! — it comes pretty damn close. Wanna sail through the holiday season and still stay in touch? Keep your list of Christmas card recipients short, sweet and updated.