Holiday cards

Published 9:00 pm Monday, December 8, 2003

Here are some simple tips for getting those holiday greetings out in a timely way that isn’t a burden, along with a few points of etiquette:

Buy your cards early and write a few at a time.

Turn card-writing into a holiday custom. Let kids help with addressing, stamping and signing.

Save a trip to the post office by purchasing stamps at a grocery store or online at shop.usps.com.

Order printed cards from a stationer or online – but add a hand-written signature.

Keep it casual; there’s no need to include a last name on the signature.

Address envelopes to each individual in a household if they have different last names.

Business greetings should be secular, brief and more formal.

Sign only your name on a card to a business associate unless your spouse has met the recipient.

Do not send family holiday letters to co-workers unless there is a close personal relationship.

Choose secular cards for non-Christians.

Cards should be placed in the envelope with the design facing the flap.

Mail early; after Thanksgiving and before New Year’s Day is traditional.

Always include a return address. Cards sent first class are forwarded or returned if the addressee cannot be located.

Tanya Sampson