Tip #1 for Less Stressful Holidays - Christmas Cards

The holidays can be a very stressful time for everyone. Fortunately, it does not have to be this way. This series will include tips on how to have more fun this holiday season and less stress. Each article will include tips for a certain topic. This one, for example, is all about cards. It will highlight tips on how to get your cards done quicker and easier, how to make sure your cards get to their proper destination and how you can save some money.

I love sending Christmas cards, but I usually run out of time before I am able to get them done. There are many people to which I would like to send cards and the thought of filling them out and addressing them is very daunting. Also, my address book is not organized when it comes time to send the cards. Every year, after I have disappointed myself, yet again, I determine I am going to sort my addresses so they will be easier to work with the following year. This year I have actually accomplished that feat. I have set up a database with every address that I would like to send a card. It was amazingly simple, so the chore of getting my cards out this year should be a breeze. Before you get started, make sure that you have correct and complete addresses, including apartment numbers or lots.

The simplest way to organize your address book so you can easily print labels for cards, is to use your word processing software. I use Office Word 2007. The newest versions have some really great features that we can put to use for us. In your software, look for the mailings tab. Click the start mail merge button. If you are unfamiliar with this process, use the step by step mail merge wizard. This will take you through the entire process and make it incredibly simple. All you need to do is read and follow the instructions. You can use an already created mailing list or you can create a new one fairly simply. It is also easy to do this at different times. Save your work if you need to take a break and resume it at a later time. Once this is done, you will be able to customize your labels with clip art and creative fonts. Print your labels and you will save yourself the headache of handwriting each one. This also helps the post office. Computers are used to read your mail and they can read computer printing much easier than handwriting. Be sure to print a few sheets of labels with your return address, too. Now, you will have all your addresses for cards saved in your computer for future years. Next year, all you have to do is click a few buttons and you have your labels.

Once your cards are filled out and addressed, you need to mail them and make sure that they make it to the recipient before the holidays. First, you need to make sure they can be read. If you have already printed your labels, then you are a step ahead. Computer generated labels are better and can be read more easily. Also, you need to make sure all your information is correct and complete. Incorrect or missing information will not help your cards get to where they are intended. Secondly, be sure to watch the date on the calendar. The post office usually sends out a postcard with information on the last day to mail cards so that they will be received by Christmas. If you do not follow these instructions, your cards may be late. Lastly, double check your postage. If your envelopes are larger, thicker or heavier that a standard envelope, you might need extra postage. You can always go to your local post office and have them double check. If you follow these recommendations, your cards should arrive on time.

If you have an extensive list of friends and family, this is a project that could get expensive. For the frugal, cards can be purchased at the dollar store. Some mass merchandisers have inexpensive cards that look nice. Those that are handy with the computer could print their cards, but, be careful, what you might save on cards, you could spend on printer cartridges and paper. If you enjoy doing family letters, dollar stores have some nice specialty paper. One year, I printed up some black and white cards using the coloring book option, and the kids colored them. That gave the cards a nice touch, since, usually, the kids have nothing to do with the Christmas cards. Finally, make sure your cards are a regular size. Postage is high enough without adding that little extra.

The next two months will be incredibly busy. Hopefully, these tips will help you get your cards out quickly. Perhaps, it will even tempt some of you who do not care for sending out cards to give it a shot. Here's to stress free Christmas card mailing!