Christmas Cards...So Easy Everyone Should Do It

I was talking to a friend the other day about how no one sends Christmas cards anymore. I really only get about ten a year. It's sad because I remember as a kid taping them up everywhere, across the mantel, around the door frames in the living room, on top of the piano. It seemed like we never had room, there were sooo many. My dear friend said that our parents generation has stopped sending cards. Facebook allows you to keep up with everyone. Hmm...I don't know about that. Very few "friends" on Facebook receive any cards from me. Not everyone is on there, and I don't really keep up with many of those people anyway. I may be a part of the Facebook generation, but I'm not consumed by it. I like snail mail. I love stationary. And I really love the Christmas card tradition.

I'm getting my Christmas cards ready to mail this morning. They finally arrived yesterday afternoon. I'll admit I'm a little behind, but they normally arrive from the printer at the beginning of December. While sitting at my desk putting them together, I started thinking about how easy and efficient I've made this process. I know a lot of people dread stuffing and licking envelopes. Yuck! No wonder people don't take the time. But I actually enjoy and look forward to this because I've made it sooo easy. I like it so much that I love to send other cards throughout the year too!!

Here are my tricks:

1. Groupon rocks! Watch the sale sites like Groupon for great deals on super cute printed cards and announcements. I NEVER pay full price for my cards. This year the grand total was $20 for 75 holiday cards. Winner!! When we announced we were adopting, I worked the vistaprint website and got 350 double-side printed cards and printed envelopes for $30!!!!

2. Take cute pictures all year long. I'm guilty of failing on this front. We don't take many good pictures. Partially, because Mike is never here. Also, its just us. Babies are way cuter than grown ups. I do try, but we have terrible lighting and yucky tan walls in our house soo...maybe someday we'll have a great pic. I'm sure you can be much better at this than me.

3. Don't hand write all the addresses... Actually, don't write anything at all. Make sure you have everything you want to say printed so that you don't even have to sign the card. I mean unless you really like hand cramps and carpal tunnel.

Because we move so much, I order cute return address labels that I can use on everything. I got 200 labels for $4 on Vistaprint last year. I don't use them on bills (who mails in bills these days anyway) so they have lasted.  If we were not in the Army I would invest in a stamp. When its not an added cost, I have my return address printed. So fast!

Now for mailing addresses, I have my written address book (outdated), my excel file, and now my word file. In Microsoft word, I have created a file so I can print the address on cute, clear labels. The clear labels (Avery #18660 for template #5160) look great on any color envelope....except black. I know that this printing label thing is nothing new. My trick is that I have my addresses in a priority order. I began with my family and closest circle who would ALWAYS receive every card/announcement I send. Then, I worked my way to acquaintances and those that would only receive my mass announcements, like the adoption. This helps me to be able to print only the names that I need. Save the file on your external, keep forever, and update as needed. Could not be easier.

4. Equip yourself for the task. Make sure you have everything you need before you get started. Labels printed, envelopes ready, stamps purchased. I also love to use my little envelope glue moistener. You can pick one up from Wal-Mart or an office supply store for a couple bucks. If you don't have one, use the corner of a sponge or even an old wash cloth from the linen closet.

5. Line it up like an assembly line. Gathering everything only takes a moment and organizing it into a line takes about 30 seconds.

6. Turn on the TV. Oh yeah, put on your favorite show or better yet a Christmas movie. You've got everything organized so your hands can work and your brain doesn't have to.

When I set everything up like this, I can get it all done in about 30 minutes. Plenty of time left over for some popcorn or a glass of wine. Very little effort. Hardest thing is walking to the mailbox.