A holiday card is one of the few pieces of business mail people are happy to get. It's a thank-you to your customers, your vendors, and the people who sent work your way this year, and it often ends up on a desk or a fridge for weeks.
But a card that arrives on December 28 says something different than one that arrives on December 15. The key to getting it right is working backward from the mailbox.
The Post Office Deadlines
The U.S. Postal Service has published its recommended send-by dates for delivery before December 25, 2026, within the contiguous U.S.:
- First-Class Mail (the stamp on most greeting cards): Thursday, December 17
- USPS Ground Advantage: Thursday, December 17
- Priority Mail: Friday, December 18
- Priority Mail Express: Saturday, December 19
Those are the last safe days to drop cards in the mail. They aren't the days to order them.
Work Backward From December 17
Between your order and the mailbox, there are several steps:
- Design. Choosing a photo or design, writing your message, and adding your logo.
- Proofing. Reviewing a proof and making any changes before anything prints.
- Printing and shipping to you. Your cards need to be printed, boxed, and delivered to your door.
- Signing, addressing, and stamping. This takes longer than anyone expects. A stack of 100 cards with a personal note in each is an evening or two of work.
Add it all up and the safest plan is to place your order by mid-November. That leaves room for a proof revision, delivery, and a relaxed weekend of signing and addressing, rather than a late-night scramble the week before the mail deadline.
Ordering Late? You Still Have Options
If December sneaks up on you, there are a few ways to still make it work:
- Send New Year's cards instead. "Wishing you a great 2027" works well for business cards and buys you a couple of extra weeks.
- Hand-deliver locally. For nearby clients, dropping off a card in person makes an even stronger impression.
- Pay for faster mail. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express give you a day or two of extra room, at a higher cost per card.
Choosing Your Cards
Our greeting cards come in three sizes (8.5" x 5.5", 10" x 7", and 8.5" x 11"), printed in full color on one or both sides, scored, and boxed. A few options to think about:
Writable inside. If you plan to write a personal note in each card, choose a writable stock. Options include fully uncoated cards or cards with a glossy or satin outside and a writable inside, so you get a rich photo on the front and a surface that takes ink on the inside.
Matte or high gloss. Matte is clean and soft. High gloss makes photos and bright colors pop.
Something special. Raised metallic foil in gold or silver, spot UV gloss, rustic kraft paper, or shimmering pearl stock. Specialty finishes make a card feel like a gift.
Envelopes. Matching white envelopes are available for standard sizes, and printed envelopes with your return address are available on request.
Who Should You Send Cards To?
- Your best customers, especially the ones who came back again and again this year
- Referral sources who sent new business your way
- Vendors and suppliers who helped you out of a jam
- Your team, with a personal note from you
- Community partners, like your Chamber of Commerce or a nonprofit you support
Don't Have a Design Yet?
We can help with layout, photos, and getting your logo and message to look right on the card. Send us what you have, even if it's just an idea, and we'll take it from there.
Request a free quote today, or call Rex directly at (866) 407-7468.