When Should You Send Out Christmas Cards?
Christmas cards are one of the simplest ways to let friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones know you're thinking about them during the holiday season.
But when should you actually send them?
Send them too early, and your card may arrive before the recipient is in the Christmas spirit. Send them too late, and it might arrive after Christmas.
So, when should you send out Christmas cards?
For most people, the ideal time is early to mid-December. This gives your cards plenty of time to arrive while still keeping them firmly within the holiday season.
However, the best timing depends on where you're sending the cards, whether you're mailing internationally, and how busy the postal system is during the holidays.
When Is the Best Time to Send Christmas Cards?
A good general rule is to send Christmas cards 2–3 weeks before Christmas.
That usually means mailing them in early or mid-December.
For example, if Christmas is December 25, you could aim to mail your cards around the first or second week of December.
This gives you enough time for:
Normal postal delays
Holiday mailing congestion
Recipients who are traveling
International delivery
Unexpected weather or transportation delays
It also gives the recipient plenty of time to enjoy your card before Christmas.
Should You Send Christmas Cards in November?
Yes, you can send Christmas cards in November, particularly if you're mailing a large number of cards or sending them internationally.
Sending early can be helpful if:
You have a long mailing list
You're traveling before Christmas
You're sending cards overseas
You want to avoid the holiday postal rush
You're sending handmade cards that require extra preparation
However, very early cards may arrive before other holiday decorations and celebrations have started.
For most domestic Christmas cards, early December is a comfortable middle ground.
When Should You Mail Christmas Cards in December?
If you're sending cards domestically, the first half of December is generally a good target.
A simple schedule might look like this:
Late November
Finish writing and addressing your cards.
Early December
Mail your first batch.
Mid-December
Mail any cards that aren't ready yet.
Late December
Send remaining cards as soon as possible, preferably using a faster mailing service if necessary.
The earlier you mail your cards, the more flexibility you have if something goes wrong.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards Internationally?
International Christmas cards should generally be sent earlier than domestic cards.
International mail can take significantly longer and may be affected by customs, transportation delays, weather, and holiday congestion.
If you're sending cards overseas, consider mailing them in November or very early December.
Check the postal service's current recommended holiday mailing dates for the specific destination.
This is particularly important if you're sending a card to someone on another continent.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards to Friends?
For friends, early to mid-December is usually ideal.
You want the card to arrive during the holiday season rather than so early that Christmas still feels far away.
A good target is:
Around 2–3 weeks before Christmas.
If your friend is traveling during December, consider sending the card earlier so it doesn't arrive while they're away.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards to Family?
Family cards can also be sent in early or mid-December.
If your relatives live far away, mailing them earlier is a good idea.
You may want to send cards to nearby family members slightly later if you know you'll see them before Christmas.
For relatives who live overseas, allow significantly more time.
When Should You Send Business Christmas Cards?
Business Christmas cards can be sent a little earlier than personal cards.
Consider sending them in early December so clients, suppliers, and professional contacts receive them before the final rush of the year.
If you're sending a large number of business cards, prepare your mailing list and envelopes well in advance.
You may also want to avoid leaving them until the final week before Christmas, when many businesses are operating on reduced schedules or closing for the holidays.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards to Coworkers?
If you're handing cards to coworkers in person, timing is very flexible.
You can give them cards:
During the first half of December
At a holiday gathering
During the final week before Christmas
On your last working day before the holidays
If you're mailing the card to a coworker's home, treat it like any other domestic Christmas card and allow enough time for delivery.
When Is It Too Early to Send Christmas Cards?
There's no strict rule, but sending Christmas cards several months before Christmas can feel unusually early.
If you're sending cards in October or very early November, the recipient may appreciate the thought but may not yet be thinking about Christmas.
That said, there are situations where early mailing makes sense, particularly for international cards or people who travel extensively.
The important thing is making sure the card arrives at an appropriate time.
When Is It Too Late to Send Christmas Cards?
Ideally, you want your card to arrive before Christmas.
However, don't assume you've missed your chance just because December is well underway.
If you're late, send the card anyway.
A Christmas card that arrives a little late is usually better than a card that never gets sent.
If it's already very close to Christmas, consider using a faster mailing option if available.
What If My Christmas Card Arrives After Christmas?
Don't panic.
Holiday mail can be unpredictable, especially during busy periods.
If your card arrives shortly after Christmas, the recipient will still appreciate the thought behind it.
You can also make the message slightly more general if you're sending a card late:
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!
This works even if the card arrives after December 25.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards to Someone Who Is Traveling?
If you know someone will be away during December, find out where they'll be when the card is most likely to arrive.
If they're leaving home for several weeks, sending the card earlier may be better.
Alternatively, you can wait until they return and send a holiday greeting that focuses on the season and New Year.
For example:
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you an amazing New Year!
Should You Send Christmas Cards Before Thanksgiving?
You can, but you generally don't need to unless there's a specific reason.
If you're sending a large number of cards, sending some early can help you avoid the December rush.
International cards are another exception.
For most personal domestic cards, waiting until late November or early December is perfectly reasonable.
When Should You Start Preparing Christmas Cards?
Don't wait until December to start everything.
A simple timeline can make the process much easier.
October
Start thinking about your Christmas card list.
Update addresses and decide whether you're sending traditional cards, photo cards, or handmade cards.
November
Buy or make your cards.
Write your messages and prepare the envelopes.
If you're sending cards internationally, consider mailing them during this period.
Early December
Mail your domestic Christmas cards.
Mid-December
Finish and mail any remaining cards.
Late December
Send any cards that are still outstanding as soon as possible.
How Early Should You Address Christmas Cards?
Ideally, address your cards before you're ready to mail them.
If you're sending dozens of cards, consider addressing the envelopes in batches.
Check:
Full name
Street address
Apartment or unit number
City
State or province
ZIP or postal code
Country for international mail
Double-check addresses before sealing the envelopes.
An incorrect address can cause a card to be delayed or returned.
How Early Should You Buy Christmas Stamps?
If you know you'll be sending Christmas cards, buying postage ahead of time can make the December mailing process easier.
You don't necessarily need to wait until December.
Buying stamps or arranging postage in advance means one less thing to worry about when you're ready to mail the cards.
How Many Christmas Cards Should You Send?
There's no required number.
Your Christmas card list might include:
Immediate family
Extended family
Close friends
Neighbors
Coworkers
Clients
Teachers
Former coworkers
Long-distance friends
The important thing is to send cards to people you genuinely want to connect with.
You don't have to send a card to everyone you know.
Should You Send a Christmas Card to Someone Who Doesn't Send You One?
Absolutely.
Christmas cards aren't supposed to be a strict exchange.
If you want to send someone a card, send one.
The purpose is to share a holiday greeting, not to keep score of who sent one first.
What Should You Write in a Christmas Card?
Once you've decided when to send your card, the next question is what to write inside.
A simple message can be enough:
Merry Christmas! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with happiness, laughter, and beautiful memories.
For a close friend:
Merry Christmas! I'm so grateful for another year of friendship and all the great memories we've made. Here's to an amazing New Year!
For family:
Wishing our wonderful family a Christmas filled with love, laughter, and plenty of time together. Hope the New Year brings everyone happiness and good health!
For a coworker:
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. Hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season!
Should You Send Christmas Cards Before or After Christmas?
If the purpose is to wish someone a Merry Christmas, before Christmas is preferable.
Early or mid-December is generally a good target.
After Christmas, you can still send a card, particularly if you're combining your Christmas wishes with a New Year greeting.
For example:
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!
What About New Year's Cards?
If you're sending a card very late in December, you can make it more about the New Year.
For example:
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic year ahead!
This gives the card a longer seasonal window and makes late delivery less awkward.
Tips for Sending Christmas Cards on Time
A little planning can make the process much easier.
Make a Christmas card list
Write down everyone you want to send a card to.
Update addresses
Check that you have current addresses for everyone.
Buy cards early
Don't wait until the busiest part of December.
Write messages in batches
Set aside an hour or two and write several cards at once.
Address envelopes early
This makes mailing much faster.
Separate international cards
Keep overseas cards separate so you remember to mail them earlier.
Check postal deadlines
Holiday delivery schedules can vary from year to year.
Don't wait until the last minute
Even if the official postal deadline hasn't arrived, earlier is safer.
Christmas Card Mailing Timeline
Here's a simple timeline to follow:
TimeWhat to doOctoberMake your card list and update addressesNovemberBuy or make cards and start writingLate NovemberMail international cardsEarly DecemberMail most domestic cardsMid-DecemberFinish remaining cardsLate DecemberSend late cards as quickly as possible
These are planning guidelines rather than guaranteed delivery dates. Postal deadlines vary by destination and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you send out Christmas cards?
For most domestic Christmas cards, early to mid-December is a good time. Aim for roughly two to three weeks before Christmas so the cards have time to arrive.
Is it okay to send Christmas cards in November?
Yes. November can be a good time to send cards, especially internationally or if you have a large mailing list.
Is early December too early for Christmas cards?
No. Early December is generally a good time to send Christmas cards. It gives recipients plenty of time to enjoy them before Christmas.
When should I send Christmas cards internationally?
Send international Christmas cards earlier than domestic ones, often in November or very early December. Check the current recommended mailing time for the destination country.
When is it too late to send a Christmas card?
Ideally, the card should arrive before Christmas. However, if you're late, send it anyway. A late card is usually better than not sending one at all.
Should I send Christmas cards before or after Thanksgiving?
Either can work. For most domestic cards, late November or early December is a convenient time. International cards may need to go earlier.
When should I send business Christmas cards?
Early December is a good general target for business Christmas cards. This gives clients and professional contacts time to receive them before the holiday period becomes especially busy.
What if my Christmas card arrives after Christmas?
Don't worry. The recipient will still appreciate the gesture. If you're mailing late, consider using a message that includes both holiday and New Year wishes.
Should I send a Christmas card to someone who doesn't send me one?
Yes. You don't need to receive a card in return to make your own holiday gesture.
How early should I start preparing Christmas cards?
Starting in November gives you plenty of time. If you're making homemade cards or sending a large number of cards, starting in October can make the process less stressful.
Final Thoughts
So, when should you send out Christmas cards?
For most people, early to mid-December is the sweet spot. It gives your cards enough time to arrive without making them feel excessively early.
If you're sending cards internationally, mailing a large batch, or know the recipient will be traveling, consider sending them earlier.
And if you find yourself running late, don't skip the card altogether. Send it as soon as you can and consider including a New Year wish.
Ultimately, Christmas cards aren't about hitting a perfect mailing date. They're about taking a moment to let someone know you're thinking of them during the holiday season.
Related Christmas Card Ideas
Looking for more Christmas card inspiration? You might also enjoy:
How to Send Christmas Cards
How to Address Christmas Cards
How to Sign a Christmas Card
What to Write in a Christmas Card
What to Write in Holiday Cards to Friends
What to Write in a Christmas Card for a Family
How to Display Christmas Cards
How to Make Homemade Christmas Cards