Now that you’ve selected the perfect business holiday cards to send to your valued customers, business associates and friends, you will want to pay special attention to the way these are addressed.

1. Sign. Your professionally printed and personalized holiday greetings express your custom imprinted verse in style. Although your company name is printed in ink or foil it is always a good idea to add your own personal signature. An even more personal touch is to add a quick handwritten note as well. You may only contact many of these valued people once a year so just a bit of extra effort will go a long way towards making them feel special.

2. Hand address. A hand addressed envelope stands apart from the usual junk mail. Many will open this envelope first. The recipient will appreciate the extra time and effort it took to hand-address their card. There is no need for one person’s handwriting on all of them so use several helpers if you need to. Just make sure their hand writing is acceptable! If budget allows, a hired calligrapher really adds a touch of elegance to your holiday mailing.

3. Accurate mailing list. Make certain your mailing list has the names spelled correctly. Avoid adding the person’s title as this may have changed and is not really necessary. Do spell out the company name and street address and use the more formal name such as Mr. Robert Hall, Jr. instead of Bob Hall.

4. Return address. Go ahead and order your envelopes with your return address already printed on the back flap. This will insure that undeliverable cards find their way back to you so that you can update your mailing list. Pre-printed envelopes also save you time and look more professional.

5. Quick-stick envelopes. You may also want to purchase quick-stick envelopes. It is a time saver and a more professional presentation and you’ll not need sponge and water which can get messy.

6. Use postage stamps. Although metered mail is easy, use postage stamps for your holiday cards. Select holiday stamps that suit your company’s image.

Holiday cards are warmly appreciated and let your recipients know that they are valued. Displayed throughout the season, your thoughtfulness is sure to be returned in kind.

Holiday cards are a great way to strengthen existing business partnerships and encourage new ones. Holiday cards help you stay connected with friends and family too. Whether for business or pleasure, here are some points of etiquette to be considered before this year’s cards go in the mail.

1. Consider the recipient. With so many attractive holiday cards to choose from, what should you look for when selecting the perfect card to send? You first need to consider the recipients. A card that says, “Merry Christmas” may not be appropriate for business as not everyone on your list may celebrate this religious holiday. A “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” sentiment may be the better choice so as not to offend anyone.

2. Choose quality cards. The cards you send are an extension of your business and professional image. Very nice looking card designs with matching envelopes on top quality card stock are available at affordable prices. Personalization and custom imprinted verses add a touch of elegance as well. If unsure, work with a vendor who will furnish a sample so that you can confirm the quality before you make your purchase. From a high end unique layered card design embossed and stamped in foil to value cards that are thoughtfully designed and personalized, choose the best option for you and your budget.

3. Personalize. Nothing is more professional or of a higher perceived value than a personalized holiday greeting. Printed in ink or foil, many card designs also allow your company logo to be included as well or feature die cut windows through which your imprinted company name can be seen. You might also want your actual signatures printed as well.

4. Customize your message. Put thought into your sentiment or verse. At cardsdirect.com you have the ability to print whatever you want so make the most of this feature by targeting your message to your recipients.

5. Show off. Holiday cards are generally displayed throughout the holidays. Front imprint cards will easily show off your company name. Even better, Calendar Cards are displayed the whole year long!

Take advantage of this marketing opportunity and send professional best wishes for the holiday season in style. The minimal expense and effort is certain to be rewarded throughout the year ahead.

I admit I sincerely enjoyed receiving Christmas cards each year as I was growing up. I knew Santa was coming soon by the sudden influx of colorful holiday cards brought by the mailman. I remember fondly my mother allowing me to go ahead and open the cards that included the words “and family” or “and girls” (I had a sister) or “Dear Occupant” as part of the address. And, of course, I got to also open those that actually included my very own name too. An even bigger thrill was receiving a card addressed just to me!

So don’t forget to remember the entire family when addressing those envelopes and remember these pointers:

If you know the individuals by name on an informal basis, go ahead and list them all. For example:
Bob and Mary Jones
Bobby, Barbara and Ben

The more formal treatment would be:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones
and family

For something in between you could use:
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jones
and family (or) and children

Another source of mystery to me was wondering why my last name seemed to change from card to card. My maiden name was Cress and I remember receiving holiday cards addressed to The Cresses, The Cress’s, The Cress Family, and so on. We even got them addressed to The Crest Family but that is an entirely different story.

Rules of thumb:
If the family name ends in O or Y, add an S—The Romanos , The Sandys
If the family name ends in S, X, Z, CH or ES, add an ES—The Joneses, The Foxes, The Cortezes, The Bunches, The Marshes
If in doubt, just add the word “Family” as in—The Jones Family
The use of an apostrophe indicates possession or ownership like The Jones’s House so doesn’t really apply for holiday cards. Of course, if you are sending holiday party invitations you may want to indicate that the party is at the Jones’s House.

Party, did someone mention a party?! Count me “and Family” in!

The holiday season offers unique opportunities to position and grow your business, not to mention thanking those who have been loyal customers you have depended on throughout the year. Consider these tips for taking advantage of opportunities presented during the holiday season.

1. Offer special discounts and promotions. Everyone is looking for ways to save this year and you may be able to capitalize on volume sales by offering a promo code or gift with purchase that will actually generate profits.

2. Send Holiday Cards. Keep your company name in front of your customers and business associates by sending personalized and custom imprinted holiday cards. Front imprint cards are great for a unique visual presentation and staying connected with current and past customers is vital. Maybe you would even like to consider including a promo code or special offer printed right on the card itself as a special added bonus.

3. Relate to your customers. Not everyone celebrates Christmas during this time of year. Be sensitive to your customers by relating to their differences. Perhaps Kwanzaa or Hanukkah Cards are more appropriate. For business it may be better to send Season’s Greetings Cards or Happy Holiday Cards instead of Merry Christmas Cards just in case your customer doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

4. Appreciate your employees. Take this opportunity to let your employees know how much they mean to your business. A holiday office party doesn’t have to be an expensive extravaganza. A potluck can be just as fun. And don’t forget to add each employee to your holiday cards list.


5. Network. Take advantage of all the holiday party invitations you will be receiving by attending as many events as possible. You never know when you might meet your next major customer!

Enjoy the holiday season while remaining thankful and positive. The holidays can be stressful for some but if approached with a positive attitude and viewed as an opportunity for personal improvement and business growth, you are certain to reap rewards for your efforts throughout the coming New Year!

Dear Ms. Cards Etiquette,
When signing a card (i.e. birthday card) whose name should go first? Is etiquette to put the man’s name then follow with the wife and then the kids, or does it matter which name goes first?
Lisa

First Lisa, I think it is great that you are sending greeting cards and are concerned about signing them properly. There is nothing quite as nice as receiving a thoughtful greeting card that is hand signed and sent as a lovely surprise.

When it comes to signing the card, the rules are not quite as formal as they once were. Conventional etiquette dictates that the man’s name goes first, then the wife and then the children, from oldest to youngest. However, it is perfectly acceptable to put the woman’s name first, especially if she is the one most closely connected to the recipient. For example, if a woman was to send a birthday card to her mother, she could sign it … Love, Mary, David, Katie and Sam.

For business purposes, when the recipient knows the family, the first name should be that of the business associate, then the spouse. Include the children if appropriate. A business greeting should be more formal so often does not include the extended family, depending on the level of professionalism you are attempting to portray.

Of course the nicest greetings are those that are individually hand signed by all who know the recipient. And, a short note added with each signature makes the recipient feel just that much more special.

There is really no absolute right or wrong way to sign a greeting. It is the effort and thoughtfulness in sending it that will be noticed and appreciated.