Neat and simple checklist to simplify and organize the sending of holiday cards.

Here’s a step-by-step checklist to make it simple and easy to send those holiday cards on time.

1. SIMPLIFY / REDUCE YOUR LIST

The most important reason to send a card is how it will make people feel. With that in mind, go ahead and make some cuts. For example, keep only the following people on your card list:

1. Family and friends who send you cards would be hurt if you didn’t send them a card.
2. People who exchange updates with you every year.
3. The older people you know don’t get many cards, they don’t have computers, and for whom getting a card means a lot to them. As you get older, you begin to lose friends and family. Receiving cards during the holidays can be a great comfort.

2. START EARLY AND PREPARE THE “INGREDIENTS”

If you can, start a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. Divide your tasks into manageable chunks as shown below. During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, live to do 2 or 4 of these tasks.

1. Update your address book and mailing label lists and print the labels (I recommend using a Word template for address labels from Avery)
2. Print or collect your return address labels.
3. Buy Christmas stamps from the post office online. They are usually available for Thanksgiving. If you order early, you never have to worry about your local office running out.
4. Make sure you have the correct number of cards. Buy cards immediately after the holidays when they are on sale.
5. If you send photo cards, choose your photo and order them.
6. If you send out a holiday newsletter, start outlining the things you want to include.
7. If you send images within a card, choose one and duplicate it.
8. Write the first draft of your Newsletter.

3. GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS AND MAIL THEM. In week 1 after Thanksgiving, do the following. You can do most of these while watching your favorite TV shows.

1. Put return address labels on all your envelopes. Try to make 20 to 50 cards at a time.
2. Put stamps on all your envelopes.

In week 2 after Thanksgiving, take the following steps.

1. Place recipient address labels on cards
2. Make your final edit, then print and fold your holiday newsletters (if you have one) and place them inside the cards.
3. Place each card with its sealed envelope and address.
4. Divide your stamped address cards into sets of 5 to 10 cards each.
5. Write personal notes and sign your cards. Every day he works on a card game. Get a plastic bag to carry the cards. Whenever you have to wait somewhere, like in a doctor’s office. If you really don’t want to spend time on personal notes, you can order pre-printed cards. If you do, you can skip this step.
6. Send the set of cards.

Make a series every day or two and even if you have 100 cards, you will have them all personalized and shipped in 7-10 days. If you have more than 100 cards, go back to Step One and Simplify. Or start a week or two earlier. I wish you a happy and healthy vacation!

© 2006 Ariane Benefit, MSEd