1. Incomplete To-do List

Get it all written out, so you don't forget all the steps! You may want to have professional photos taken and that means choosing and booking a photographer ahead of time. You could want coordinating outfits for your whole crew, too. If these details are important to you then they're worth the time and effort. It shows in the photos of the Christmas Cards you send out. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into when you decide to send out holiday cards!

Some people forget to include time and effort of inserting the cards in envelopes, let alone addressing! Everything takes time and the holiday season goes so fast. Think ahead about how and when you'll get it all done. Or perhaps order your envelopes pre-addressed to save time!

2. Proofing Errors

Who spells their own name wrong? It happens, and it's embarrassing. It’s easier than you think to overlook a misspelled name or common greeting. By taking your time and maybe having a detail-oriented friend take a peek, you can avoid those slip ups. You'll thank yourself later. Double check your photos too, make sure no one has anything between their teeth that you'll see on your cards later!

If you're including a longer Christmas letter, it's even more important to have help with the text. Maybe your explanation of the year is a little biased, or you may not be using the exactly right description of that event. It wasn't "enjoyable" it was more "entertaining" when your daughter rode that horse ... or maybe it was "terrible"!

3. Ordering Late

If you're intending to send out your cards by Christmas, you must be on the ball. Not only can production time take longer than normally expected, but shipping can be delayed with all the holiday gifts being ordered! Plus, there is also time that your local post office will need to send out your cards. You can't be mailing the night before Christmas and expect Santa to deliver them with all his presents.

If you're going to be a stickler about getting your card to your loved ones by Christmas Day, take into account that everyone else will be doing the same. When in doubt, order early!
Christmas Card Timeline

If you are worried about timing, consider sending out a Happy New Year card. New Year's greetings feel appropriate through the first week of January and it might just take the pressure off.
Shop Happy New Year Cards

4. Quality issues

There's nothing worse than being dissatisfied with your order. Since you're sending your Christmas Cards to everyone you know, you want them to be both beautiful and high quality. Choose a printer that is trusted and has a reputation for quality printing capabilities. Check the reviews of any company you'd like to work with, it's the best indicator of quality work and service.
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Once you have a printer, you can select a design that is perfect. There are many options out there, so you will find one that works well with your photo and personal style.

5. Photo issues

You get your cards, and the photo looks awful. What went wrong?
Most often, it's the resolution of your image. Phones and computers are designed to show low-res images but if you print them, they can look blurry. You're going to want to use the highest resolution image that you can. Which might mean you need to download it from your photographer and get permission to use it. Otherwise, you risk being unhappy with the result!

Be careful when choosing your photo as well. Does the whole photo look good? Is there something undesirable in the background? Is there something in someone's teeth? It can be a huge bummer to see something after your order has already been produced!

Also consider how your photo works with the design you like. Is "Merry Christmas" both in your sign and on the card? Consider putting in a special request to address this issue. Many elements of the design can be adjusted for your order so that you're pleased with the result.

6. Address List Problems

Do not leave your address list to the last minute! Tracking down everyone's new address will be time consuming even with the whole internet at your fingertips. Asking everyone on social media will help, but that means you need to get the responses back! Pretend you're Santa and check that list twice!

Then, you need to get those addresses on the envelopes. Consider your mental state once your order is delivered ... and maybe purchase envelopes with your recipients addresses already on it! You'll still need to stuff, seal, and stamp the envelopes, but perhaps your hand won't cramp up writing all those addresses.

Invariably there will be one or two that you will miss, so keep a few extra cards handy to quickly add their address and pop it in the mailbox. If you get any envelopes returned, make a note of it on your address list for next year!

7. Forgetting Postage

You're all set, envelopes addressed and stuffed ... and then you realize you have no stamps. One extra trip to the post office for you, where you have to be content with whatever stamps are left. Or even worse, you throw the envelopes into the mailbox with no stamps at all!

If you're considering adding anything to your envelope, be sure to get it weighed. While the cards and magnets mail out at the 1oz rate, anything else might put you over the limit.

Did you know you can order your stamps online? That way you get to choose the design that you love!