Neat and Simple Checklist to Make Sending Christmas Cards Simple and Organized!

Here’s a step-by-step checklist to make getting those Christmas cards out on time simple and easy.

1. SIMPLIFY / REDUCTION ON YOUR LIST

The most important reason to send a card is how it will make people feel. With that in mind, go ahead and make some cuts. For example, keep only the following people on your card list:

1. Family members and friends who send you cards and would feel hurt if you didn’t send them a card.
2. People who exchange updates with you every year.
3. The seniors you know don’t get many cards, don’t have computers, and for whom getting a card means a lot to them. As you get older, you start to lose friends and family. Receiving cards during the holidays can be a wonderful comfort.

2. START EARLY AND PREPARE THE “INGREDIENTS”

Start a couple weeks before Thanksgiving if you can. Break your tasks into manageable chunks as shown below. During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, strive to complete 2-4 of these tasks.

1. Update your address book and mailing label lists and print the labels (I recommend using a Word template for Avery address labels)
2. Print or collect your return address labels.
3. Buy Christmas stamps at the post office online. They are usually available around Thanksgiving. If you order in advance, you never have to worry about your local office selling out.
4. Make sure you have the correct number of cards. Buy cards immediately after the holidays when they are on sale.
5. If you send photo cards, choose your photo and request them.
6. If you are sending out a holiday newsletter, start outlining the things you want to include.
7. If you send photos inside a card, choose one and have it duplicated.
8. Write the first draft of your Newsletter.

3. GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS AND MAIL THEM OFF. The 1 week after Thanksgiving, do the following steps. You can do most of these while watching your favorite TV shows.

1. Put return labels on all your envelopes. Try to make 20 to 50 cards at a time.
2. Put stamps on all your envelopes.

The 2 week after Thanksgiving, do the following steps.

1. Place recipient address labels on cards
2. Do your final editing, then print and fold your vacation newsletters (if you have one) and put them inside the cards.
3. Place each card with its sealed and addressed envelope.
4. Divide your stamped and addressed cards into groups of 5 to 10 cards each.
5. Write personal notes and sign your cards. Every day they work on a card game. Get a plastic bag to carry the cards with you. Anytime you have to wait somewhere, such as a doctor’s office. If you really don’t want to waste time on personal notes, you can order pre-printed cards. If you do, you can skip this step.
6. Send the card game.

Make a set every day or two and even if you have 100 cards, you’ll have them all personalized and shipped in 7-10 days. If you have more than 100 cards, go back to step one and simplify. Or start a week or two earlier. I wish you Happy and Healthy Holidays!

© 2006 Ariane Benefit, MSEd