Featured Post
(This post is the first in a series of six where we highlight and define your options for choosing your holiday cards.)
There are a lot of holiday card options out there. We are often asked how we choose what type of card we send.
Rules of Thumb
- Timing: Acceptable sends start the day after Thanksgiving up to December 20th for domestic to guarantee delivery by December 25th. For a full list of dates and international cutoff dates, see the USPS Shipping Cutoff Dates.
- Quantity: Everyone loves a card, so if you’re wavering put them on your list. If there’s one occasion all year to extend your list, holiday is the time.
- Add-ons: Family update letter, hand-written notes, loose photos, gift cards. But consider a kind sentiment gift enough.
Which to Choose?
When it comes to holiday cards, there are really five options. Below is a grid that defines each type and weighs them across various criteria.
| Cost | Time Involved | Shows Personality | Business Appropriate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxed Cards A set of the same styled card. Usually packaged in groups of 6, 8, 10 or 12. |
••• | •••• | •• | •••• |
| Photo Cards Want to show off your accomplishments and loved ones? Consider having your photo printed directly on the card or adding your own printed photo. |
•••• | ••••• | •••• | •• |
| Personalized Cards Take a professional design and customize it to your specification. Great for large lists and big impact. |
•••• | •• | ••• | ••••• |
| Individual Cards The most flexible and tailored option. Mix and match. Send as many or as few as you wish. |
• | ••••• | •••• | ••• |
| Illustrated Cards Take personalization to the next level. Render a photo into a piece of art. Huge WOW factor. |
••••• | ••• | ••••• | • |
Also...
How to Choose the Right Holiday Card: Boxed Cards
One of our most popular offerings, many people love boxed cards as they offer a reasonable price in return for a stylish, pre-printed design. Boxed cards are most often bundled in sets of 6, 8, 10 or 12.
RedStamp tip :: Make your cards more personal by penning a handwritten note and/or signature. Or tuck in a photo or some other fun little momento from your fabulous year.
Luxe Boxed Cards
With an air of sophistication, these cards make a statement. Featuring letterpress printing, ornate design, fine paper, and/or hand-crafted details.
Top Designers: Snow & Graham, Anna Griffin, Elum, Unique Artistry, Waste Not Paper,
Funny Boxed Cards
There is a lot to laugh about during the holidays. These cards bring about the very best in sassy + sophisticated humor.
Top Designers: Anne Taintor and Seltzer
Eco-Friendly Boxed Cards
Good for the environment AND good for the season. Today’s eco-friendly cards are printed with soy-based inks, made with sustainable energy, and/or printed on luxe recycled materials like fine paper + wood.
Top Designers: Caroline Gardner, Smudge Ink, Night Owl Paper Goods, Anne Taintor
Business Appropriate Boxed Cards
Suitable for the workplace, show your appreciation with greetings that can be enjoyed by people of all faiths + beliefs.
Top Designers: KOKO NY, Thomas Paul, George Stanley, Prentiss Douthit, Snow & Graham, Smudge Ink
Photo Boxed Cards
Most often sent by families with children {pets count!} or people who have celebrated big life events {wedding, graduation, retirement, travel}. Photo cards are a great way of visually keeping in touch with long-distance friends + relatives.
Top Designers: Page Stationery, paper*ink studio, Prentiss Douthit, Roger la Borde
Last Days of Fall
Our back loading dock.
Envelopes: To Label or Not to Label
When it comes to addressing your envelopes, there are three options:
- Computer produced adhesive labels
- Printed envelopes
- Handwritten
Technically, computer produced adhesive labels are acceptable for large mailings but printed envelopes are a little more elegant. When possible, handwritten addresses are the most personal and polite. Let the situation dictate the route you take.
How to Insert a Card or Letter into an Envelope
Insert a card or letter into an envelope so that when it’s removed, the writing is right side up and ready to be read. When inserting a card that’s folded along the side, the fold should be on the bottom of the envelope. When inserting a letter that’s folded in thirds, always fold up the bottom first, then fold the top over it and insert right side up.
Which ink color and which pen to use?
We get a lot of questions about the protocol for addressing envelopes and appropriate ink color. Here are some quick and simple rules of thumb when it comes to handwritten correspondence and envelopes.
Ink Color
Formal Uses (condolences and invitations, for example)
You can never go wrong with black ink. Technically, dark blue is okay, but black always works. Just look at your wardrobe, if you need proof.
Fun and Informal Correspondence
Colored ink is great.
Envelopes
Color just gets in the way. Blue and black ink are best because these colors don’t hamper the automated mailing equipment at your post office.
Pens
We may obsess about stationery, but we’re not snobs—you don’t need a Mont Blanc pen. Just avoid ballpoint pens.
Welcome to the RedStamp.com Blog
Stylish correspondence. That is what we do + love. This is our way to thoughtfully correspond with you, our fellow fans of graceful living made simple.
