How to Send Christmas Cards: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Sending Christmas cards is a simple way to connect with family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones during the holiday season. Whether you're sending a handful of cards or dozens, the process is easy once you know what to do.
If you're wondering how to send Christmas cards, you'll need to choose your cards, write your messages, address the envelopes, add the correct postage, and mail them at the right time.
This guide walks you through each step, from choosing the right Christmas card to making sure it arrives before Christmas.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards?
Timing is one of the most important parts of sending Christmas cards.
In general, aim to mail your Christmas cards a few weeks before Christmas. This gives the postal service enough time to deliver them and gives recipients plenty of time to enjoy them during the holiday season.
If you're sending cards internationally, consider mailing them earlier because international delivery can take longer.
A useful general timeline is:
Type of deliveryWhen to consider sendingLocal Christmas cardsEarly to mid-DecemberDomestic cardsEarly DecemberInternational cardsLate November to early DecemberCards to military personnel or remote locationsAs early as possibleDigital Christmas cardsA few days to a couple of weeks before Christmas
Postal deadlines vary by country and year, so check your postal service's current holiday recommendations if you're sending physical cards close to Christmas.
Step 1: Make a Christmas Card List
Before you start writing, make a list of everyone you'd like to send a card to.
Your list might include:
Parents
Grandparents
Siblings
Extended family
Friends
Neighbors
Coworkers
Teachers
Clients
Business contacts
Creating your list first helps you avoid forgetting someone and makes it easier to keep track of addresses.
You can divide your list into categories such as family, friends, work, and business contacts.
Step 2: Choose Your Christmas Cards
Choose cards that match the people you're sending them to.
Traditional Christmas cards might feature:
Christmas trees
Snowflakes
Santa Claus
Reindeer
Christmas ornaments
Winter scenes
Festive patterns
You can also choose more personal options, including:
Family photo cards
Handmade Christmas cards
Personalized cards
Religious Christmas cards
Funny Christmas cards
Minimalist cards
For business contacts, a simple and professional design is usually appropriate.
Step 3: Write a Personal Christmas Message
Once you've chosen your cards, write a message inside each one.
You can keep the message short or make it more personal depending on your relationship with the recipient.
For a friend:
Merry Christmas! Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with laughter, good food, and great memories. Here's to an amazing New Year!
For family:
Merry Christmas! I'm so grateful for all the love, laughter, and memories we share. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a happy New Year.
For a coworker:
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Hope you have a wonderful and relaxing holiday.
Adding the recipient's name and a personal sentence can make even a simple Christmas card feel much more thoughtful.
Step 4: Address the Christmas Card Envelope
Write the recipient's complete mailing address clearly on the front of the envelope.
Depending on the country, the exact address format will vary. Generally, you'll need:
Recipient's name
Street address
Apartment, unit, or house number if applicable
City or town
Postal or ZIP code
State, province, or region when applicable
Country for international mail
For example:
Jane Smith
123 Main Street
Boston, MA 02110
USA
If you're sending the card internationally, write the destination country clearly on the final line.
Step 5: Add Your Return Address
It's a good idea to include your return address on the envelope.
The return address allows the postal service to return the card if there is a delivery problem.
It can usually be placed in the upper-left corner of the envelope, although placement conventions vary by postal system.
For Christmas cards, a return address is particularly useful if you're sending a large batch of cards because even a small address mistake can prevent delivery.
Step 6: Check the Address
Before mailing your Christmas cards, double-check every address.
Pay particular attention to:
Spelling of names
House or apartment numbers
Street names
Postal codes
ZIP codes
City names
International country names
If you've moved recently or haven't contacted someone in a long time, confirm that you have their current address.
Step 7: Put the Card in the Envelope
Place the Christmas card inside the envelope carefully.
If you're including additional items, make sure the envelope can accommodate them without becoming damaged or excessively bulky.
You might include:
A family photograph
A small printed letter
A Christmas newsletter
A handwritten note
Avoid adding objects that could damage the envelope or make the card unsuitable for standard postage.
Step 8: Seal the Envelope
Close the envelope securely.
If you're sending a large number of Christmas cards, consider using envelopes that are easy to seal. You can also use a small amount of additional adhesive if necessary, particularly if the envelope doesn't seem secure.
Make sure the envelope is completely closed before applying postage.
Step 9: Add the Correct Postage
The amount of postage required depends on several factors, including:
Destination
Weight
Envelope size
Thickness
Shape
Special contents
A standard Christmas card in a standard envelope may qualify for ordinary letter postage, but oversized, unusually shaped, rigid, or heavy cards may require additional postage.
If you're unsure, take the card to your local post office and ask them to check it before mailing.
Do Christmas Cards Need a Stamp?
Yes. Physical Christmas cards sent through the postal system generally require postage unless you're using a prepaid mailing service.
The exact postage depends on the destination and the postal service you're using.
Don't assume that every Christmas card requires the same postage. Decorative or unusually shaped cards may have different requirements.
Step 10: Mail Your Christmas Cards
Once the cards are addressed, sealed, and stamped, you can send them through your postal service.
Depending on your location, you may be able to:
Put them in a postal mailbox
Take them to a post office
Give them to a postal carrier
Use a collection point
If you're mailing a large number of cards, taking them to a post office can be useful because you can have the postage and envelopes checked before sending them.
How to Send Christmas Cards Internationally
International Christmas cards require a little more planning.
Start by checking:
International postage rates
Size and weight restrictions
Address formatting requirements
Recommended mailing deadlines
Any restrictions on enclosed items
Mail international cards earlier than domestic cards whenever possible.
It's also important to write the destination country clearly on the envelope.
For example:
Maria Rossi
Via Roma 25
00100 Rome
ITALY
Always check the destination country's postal addressing conventions if you're unsure.
How to Send Christmas Cards to Someone Who Has Moved
If you don't know someone's current address, don't guess.
Try contacting them through:
Phone
Text message
Social media
A mutual friend
A family member
You can simply ask:
I'd love to send you a Christmas card. What's your current mailing address?
This is much better than sending a card to an outdated address and hoping it gets forwarded.
How to Send Christmas Cards to a Large Number of People
If you're sending 20, 50, or even 100 Christmas cards, organization becomes important.
Create a simple spreadsheet containing:
NameAddressCard WrittenAddressedMailedPerson 1✓✓✓✓Person 2✓✓✓ Person 3✓✓
This helps you keep track of your cards and prevents duplicate or missed mailings.
You can also prepare the cards in batches:
Make your list.
Gather addresses.
Write messages.
Address envelopes.
Add return addresses.
Apply postage.
Mail everything.
Doing one step at a time can make sending a large number of cards much faster.
Should You Send Christmas Cards With a Family Photo?
Absolutely. Family photo Christmas cards are popular because they combine a holiday greeting with a personal update.
You can include:
A recent family photograph
A wedding photo
A photo of children
A pet
A favorite family moment from the year
Add a short message such as:
Wishing you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
If you're sending the card to someone who doesn't see your family regularly, a photograph can make the card especially meaningful.
How to Send Handmade Christmas Cards
Handmade Christmas cards can be sent through the mail just like commercially produced cards, provided they meet your postal service's requirements.
Before mailing one, check:
Its size
Its thickness
Its weight
Whether decorations make it rigid
Whether anything can fall off
Whether it fits securely inside the envelope
Glitter, ribbons, buttons, and other decorations can sometimes make a card thicker or less suitable for standard automated mail processing.
If you're unsure, have the post office check it before sending.
How to Send Christmas Cards Safely
A few simple precautions can reduce the chance of cards being damaged or lost.
Use Good-Quality Envelopes
A sturdy envelope protects the card during transportation.
Write Clearly
Make sure addresses are easy to read and don't use decorative handwriting for the mailing address.
Check the Seal
Make sure the envelope is properly sealed before mailing.
Don't Overstuff the Envelope
An overly full envelope can tear or become damaged.
Use Extra Protection for Special Cards
If you're mailing a particularly delicate or valuable keepsake, consider using additional protective packaging rather than a standard letter envelope.
Should You Send Christmas Cards to Coworkers?
You can, especially if you have a friendly relationship with your coworkers.
A simple message works well:
Merry Christmas! Wishing you a relaxing holiday and a fantastic New Year. It's been great working with you this year!
For a professional environment, keep the message friendly and inclusive.
Should You Send Christmas Cards to Clients?
Christmas cards can also be appropriate for clients and business contacts.
A professional message might say:
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you for your support and partnership throughout the year.
Keep business Christmas cards professional and avoid overly personal language unless you know the recipient well.
What If You Miss the Christmas Mailing Deadline?
Don't assume you have to skip the card.
If it's too late for traditional Christmas delivery, you could:
Send the card anyway
Send a New Year's card
Deliver the card in person
Send a digital Christmas card
Send a Christmas message by email
A late Christmas card is often better than no card at all.
How to Send Digital Christmas Cards
If you don't want to use physical mail, digital Christmas cards are another option.
You can:
Choose an e-card design.
Personalize the message.
Add a photograph if desired.
Enter the recipient's email address.
Choose whether to send immediately or schedule delivery.
Send the card.
Digital cards are especially useful for friends and family who live far away or when you're sending greetings close to Christmas.
Physical Christmas Cards vs. Digital Cards
Both options have advantages.
Physical cardsDigital cardsTangible keepsakeInstant deliveryCan be displayedEasy to personalizeTraditionalConvenientWorks without internet access after deliveryEasy to send internationallyCan include photographs and handwritten notesOften less expensive
Choose whichever option best suits the recipient and your relationship.
You can also combine both approaches—for example, send physical cards to close family and digital cards to friends who live overseas.
What Should You Write on the Back of a Christmas Card?
You don't need to add anything to the back, but you can include:
Your family name
The year
A short quote
A website
A photograph
A small holiday design
For a family photo card, you might write:
Love, the Johnson Family
Christmas 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you send Christmas cards by mail?
Choose a card, write your message, place it in an appropriately sized envelope, write the recipient's address, add your return address, apply the correct postage, and mail it through your postal service.
When should you send Christmas cards?
Generally, mailing Christmas cards in early or mid-December gives them plenty of time to arrive before Christmas. International cards should usually be sent earlier.
Do Christmas cards need stamps?
Yes. Physical Christmas cards normally require postage. The amount depends on the card's size, weight, shape, and destination.
Can I put a Christmas card in a mailbox?
If the card has the correct postage and meets your postal service's requirements, you can generally place it in an appropriate postal collection box. Check your local postal service for specific rules.
How early is too early to send Christmas cards?
There's no strict rule. Sending cards in late November or early December is perfectly reasonable, particularly for international recipients.
Can I send handmade Christmas cards through the mail?
Yes, provided the card meets the postal service's size, weight, thickness, and format requirements. Bulky or unusually decorated cards may require additional postage.
What if I don't know someone's address?
Contact them and ask for their current mailing address rather than guessing. You can also send a digital Christmas card if obtaining a physical address isn't practical.
Is it okay to send Christmas cards after Christmas?
Yes. If you've missed the Christmas deadline, you can still send your card, or you can turn the message into a New Year's greeting.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to send Christmas cards is simple: choose your cards, personalize your messages, address the envelopes carefully, add the correct postage, and send them early enough to arrive during the holiday season.
The practical details matter, but the most important part is the thought behind the card. A handwritten message, family photograph, or personal memory can make a simple Christmas card something the recipient wants to keep.
Whether you're sending one card to a loved one or dozens to friends, family, and coworkers, taking the time to send a Christmas greeting is a wonderful way to stay connected during the holidays.
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