Holiday and Christmas cards: 10 best places to order online and everything to know about the tradition
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The holidays are filled with simple pleasures. From trimming the tree and hanging lights to singing carols and baking treats, the holiday season presents endless opportunities to recognize joy in the little things and celebrate with friends and family.
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One of the easiest and most thoughtful ways to share the joy of the season is by sending Christmas or holiday cards to loved ones. Sending Christmas or holiday cards through the mail has been used to connect with friends and family since the 1800s. And in a digitized world, the delight of receiving and opening a holiday card provides a certain feeling of nostalgia that can’t be undervalued. Although most of communication is now done online, handwriting and mailing cards to friends and family is a more personal and thoughtful way to show people they’re in your thoughts and that you care.
When should you order holiday cards?
Early to mid November is the perfect time to order holiday cards to ensure they arrive on time for you to address and mail.
A good rule to follow is to order your cards before the end of November (American Thanksgiving), since there is generally an influx of mail or online orders which could delay shipping.
When should you send your holiday cards?
In general, cards should be mailed 2-3 weeks in advance of the holiday you’re celebrating. If you celebrate Christmas or Kwanza, you should have your cards addressed and mailed by the first full week of December.
This year, Hanukkah begins on Dec. 10 — making the third week of November the ideal time to mail your cards to assure they arrive in time.
Where should you order your holiday cards online?
This is the fun part! There are more options than ever to order or customize a holiday card that captures your family’s personality.
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Below, we’ve gathered some of our favourite places to order holiday and Christmas cards online so that you can send a little holiday cheer this year!
Minted
From holiday cards to wedding invitations, Minted is a popular choice when it comes to stationary of any kind. Choose from hundreds of different holiday designs or customize your own holiday card using your family photo. As an added bonus, Minted offers free recipient and address printing on envelopes, so all you have to do is add postage and find the nearest mailbox when your order arrives.
Shutterfly
Shutterfly is an affordable option to order or create customized cards for friends and family in time for the holiday season. Choose from a wide variety of styles and shapes and personalize your cards with your own message, custom envelopes and free address printing.
Indigo
Indigo offers affordable holiday boxed cards you can order quickly and easily online.
Snapfish
Snapfish is another go-to for ordering holiday cards online at an affordable price. Whether you’re looking to order an existing design or customize your own, Snapfish offers shoppers the chance to have their return address printed to envelopes to make addressing your cards easier than ever.
Etsy
It’s no surprise that Etsy is one of the best places to find affordable and unique holiday cards. The international marketplace offers tons of fun and festive designs that you can customize to your liking. Looking to save? Lots of Etsy sellers offer free shipping on holiday orders!
Hallmark
That’s right - you can order Hallmark boxed cards online without having to head to the mall! Choose from hundreds of designs and themes to suit your liking.
Vistaprint
Like Shutterfly, Vistaprint is an invaluable resource for ordering holiday cards including personalized cards featuring family photos. While you’re there, create personalized holiday gifts like mugs and calendars to send to family and friends for the holidays.
Paper Source
If you’re looking to order boxes of creative and festive holiday cards, look no further than Paper Source. We love their wide variety of cards - especially their vintage-inspired designs that conjure memories of Christmases long, long ago.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s online gift shop offers holiday cards inspired by famous works of art. Perfect for the art lover or for anyone looking for something unique this holiday season.
Amazon
You can buy pretty much anything on Amazon, including holiday cards. With thousands of options to choose from, you can find the perfect cards to send to your loved ones at incredibly affordable prices. Plus, thanks to express shipping, you can order certain cards online and have them delivered within 24 hours.
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