Holiday Card Etiquette

Formal vs. Informal Guidelines for Sending Seasonal Greetings

The holiday season is not only a time for joy and celebration but also a time for thoughtful gestures, such as sending holiday cards to friends, family, and colleagues. While it’s a common tradition, understanding the nuances of holiday card etiquette can ensure that your cards are received in the spirit of goodwill and respect. Whether you're sending a card to your boss, a close friend, or a distant relative, there are both formal and informal guidelines that can help make your holiday greeting more meaningful.

This guide breaks down the various aspects of Christmas card etiquette, from choosing the appropriate style to understanding the dos and don’ts of signing your cards. Whether you’re crafting a formal message for business associates or a casual greeting for close friends, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about etiquette for Christmas cards.

1. Choosing Between Formal and Informal Holiday Cards
The first decision you’ll need to make is whether your holiday card will have a formal or informal tone. This choice largely depends on your relationship with the recipient and the context in which the card is being sent.

Formal Holiday Cards
Formal holiday cards are typically sent to business associates, colleagues, or acquaintances with whom you want to maintain a professional relationship. These cards often feature elegant designs, formal language, and a more polished tone.

• Holiday card etiquette for formal greetings usually includes more traditional messaging, such as “Season’s Greetings,” “Wishing You Joy and Peace,” or “Happy Holidays.”
• When sending formal cards, choose high-quality card stock and ensure that the design reflects professionalism. Avoid overly playful or whimsical imagery in favor of elegant designs, such as minimalist or classic holiday themes.
• The language used in formal cards should be neutral and appropriate for all recipients, especially if you are unsure of their holiday celebrations. Keeping the message inclusive, like “Best wishes for the holiday season,” helps ensure your card is well-received by everyone.

Informal Holiday Cards - For friends, family, and close colleagues, an informal approach may feel more authentic and personal. Christmas card etiquette for informal greetings allows for more freedom in both design and language.

• Informal cards can be fun, lighthearted, or humorous. They often feature playful designs or personal family photos, making them ideal for sending a warm, relatable message.
• The language in informal cards can also be more personalized. For example, you might opt for “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” or include an inside joke shared with the recipient.
• Signing holiday cards etiquette for informal cards can include more casual closings, such as “Love, The Smith Family” or “Wishing you all the best, Jake and Sarah.”

2. Addressing Your Holiday Cards
Properly addressing your cards is an important aspect of holiday card etiquette. It’s important to ensure that you use the correct titles and names, especially for formal or business cards.

• For formal cards, use titles such as “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe” or “Dr. Jane Smith.” If you’re unsure of the recipient’s preferred title, it’s best to err on the side of formality.
  For informal cards, addressing the recipient by their first name or nickname is usually appropriate, especially if you’re sending the card to close friends or family.
• When sending holiday cards to families, etiquette for Christmas cards suggests addressing the entire household. For example, “The Johnson Family” or “Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Family” are widely accepted formats.

3. Signing Your Holiday Cards
The way you sign your holiday card is just as important as the message inside. Signing holiday cards etiquette varies depending on the formality of the card, but in general, the signature should reflect your relationship with the recipient.

• Formal Holiday Card Signatures
  
  • For business cards or formal holiday cards, a more professional closing is typically used. Examples include:
    
    • “Sincerely,”
    • “Best Regards,”
    • “Warmest Wishes,”
    • “Wishing you peace and joy,”
  • The key here is to keep the tone professional but warm. Christmas card signing etiquette also emphasizes the importance of using the recipient’s full name and title when addressing the card.
• Informal Holiday Card Signatures
  
  • Informal holiday cards allow for more creativity and personal expression. Signing Christmas cards etiquette in this context may include more casual closings like:
    
    • “Love,”
    • “With Warmth,”
    • “Wishing you all the best,”
  • Etiquette for signing Christmas cards for close friends and family often includes signing with the names of all family members. For example, “Love, John, Sarah, and the kids” is a common way to sign an informal family card.

4. Personalizing Your Message
No matter the type of holiday card you send, adding a personalized message is always a thoughtful touch. Holiday card etiquette suggests that you avoid generic phrases whenever possible, as personal messages tend to resonate more with the recipient.

Formal Messages

• For business associates, clients, or acquaintances, it’s best to keep your message polite, professional, and brief. Formal messages might include:
• “Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.”
• “Thank you for your continued partnership. Wishing you all the best in the coming year.”
• Christmas card etiquette for formal cards emphasizes inclusivity, so it’s important to use language that respects diverse traditions and holidays. Opt for non-denominational greetings unless you’re certain of the recipient’s religious affiliation.

Informal Messages

• Informal messages can be more conversational and personal. You might choose to reflect on a memorable moment from the year or include a lighthearted holiday joke. Some examples include:
• “Hope your holidays are filled with lots of laughter, good food, and cheer!”
• “Wishing you all the love and joy of the season. Looking forward to seeing you in the New Year!”
• Christmas card signing etiquette for informal cards encourages adding a handwritten note to make the message feel more personal and less mass-produced.

5. Timing and Sending Your Holiday Cards
Holiday card etiquette isn’t just about what’s written in the card—it’s also about when you send it. The holiday season can be busy for everyone, so it’s important to ensure that your card arrives in a timely manner.

• Christmas card etiquette suggests sending cards between Thanksgiving and mid-December. This ensures that the recipient receives your greeting before the peak of the holiday season. Sending cards too early can make them feel out of place, while sending them too late risks missing the holiday entirely.
• If you’re sending cards internationally, be sure to factor in additional mailing time. Etiquette for Christmas cards sent overseas typically requires mailing them in early November to allow for possible delays.

6. Holiday Card Etiquette for Businesses
For businesses, sending holiday cards to clients, customers, or employees is a great way to strengthen relationships and express gratitude. However, business Christmas card etiquette is slightly different from personal cards.

• Keep the design of corporate Christmas cards or business Christmas cards neutral and professional. Avoid overly religious imagery or humor, which may not resonate with all recipients.
• Personalize each card with the recipient’s name and a brief message. Even in a corporate setting, adding a personal touch is appreciated.
• For employees, consider acknowledging their contributions over the year and wishing them success in the coming year. A note of appreciation goes a long way in making employees feel valued.

7. The Role of Technology in Holiday Cards
In today’s digital age, some people opt for electronic holiday cards or even social media greetings. While these can be a fun and quick way to send holiday wishes, they do not carry the same weight as traditional paper cards.

• Holiday card etiquette generally favors physical cards for formal or important relationships. Sending a paper card shows that you took the time to think about the recipient and adds a personal touch that digital greetings often lack.
• However, for informal settings or acquaintances, an electronic card may be sufficient. Just be sure to choose an appropriate design and personalize the message to avoid appearing impersonal.

Conclusion: The Right Card for the Right Occasion
Understanding holiday card etiquette is key to ensuring that your seasonal greetings are well-received and appreciated. Whether you’re sending a formal message to a business associate or a lighthearted note to a close friend, keeping in mind the distinctions between formal and informal cards will help you navigate the holiday card tradition with ease.

When it comes to Christmas card signing etiquette, the most important thing is to be thoughtful and genuine. Personalizing your message, addressing the recipient correctly, and sending your card on time all contribute to spreading warmth and joy during the holiday season.

No matter the tone of your holiday card, Christmas card, or style of your DIY card, the effort you put into your holiday greetings will be felt by the recipient. As you prepare your holiday cards this year, remember that a little attention to holiday card etiquette can go a long way in making your season's greetings extra special.