If you’re sending Christmas cards to a large family, a long list of friends, or dozens of households each holiday season, you may be wondering whether it’s better to place one large order or several smaller ones. The answer is simple: Christmas cards are typically priced by quantity, meaning the cost per card decreases as your order size increases.
For families with extensive holiday mailing lists, ordering all of your Christmas cards at once can be one of the easiest ways to get better value while ensuring everyone receives the same card design.
How Does Christmas Card Quantity Pricing Work?
Christmas card pricing is based on the number of cards ordered. As quantity increases, the price per card generally decreases.
For example, someone ordering a small batch of cards may pay more per card than someone ordering enough cards for a large family mailing list. While exact pricing varies depending on the card design, paper type, trim, and available promotions, larger orders typically offer a lower per-card cost than smaller quantities.
This pricing structure makes it easier for families with long recipient lists to send personalized Christmas cards without the per-card cost increasing at the same rate as the order size.
When Does It Make Sense to Order Christmas Cards in Larger Quantities?
Larger Christmas card orders are common for families who send cards to:
- Immediate and extended family
- Friends across multiple cities or states
- Neighbors and community members
- Coworkers and professional contacts
- Teachers, coaches, and mentors
- Holiday card exchange groups
What starts as a list of close relatives can quickly grow into 75, 100, or more households. Ordering all of your cards at once ensures you have enough for everyone while taking advantage of quantity-based pricing.
Why Ordering All at Once Can Save Money
Many families underestimate how quickly additional orders can add up. If you order too few cards and need to place a second order later, you may miss out on the lower per-card pricing available at higher quantities.
Planning ahead and placing a single order for your full mailing list can help you:
- Take advantage of lower per-card pricing
- Avoid multiple purchases throughout the season
- Keep your card design consistent
- Have extra cards available for unexpected recipients
For households with larger Christmas card traditions, ordering once is often the simplest and most cost-effective approach.
How Many Extra Christmas Cards Should You Order?
Even after finalizing your mailing list, it is a good idea to order a few additional cards.
Extra cards can be useful for:
- Last-minute additions
- Newly updated addresses
- Neighbors or coworkers you decide to include later
- Personal keepsakes
- Holiday gatherings and exchanges
Many families order slightly more cards than their final household count so they have flexibility throughout the season.
Get More Value From Large Christmas Card Orders
If you’re sending Christmas cards to a large family mailing list, Shutterfly can help you save more than just money. Free address printing on custom envelopes, a free digital address book, and Mail for Me® Service can reduce the time it takes to prepare and mail dozens of cards. Combined with quantity-based pricing that lowers the per-card cost as order sizes increase, these services make it easier to manage large holiday card orders from start to finish.
Plan Your Christmas Card Order With Confidence
If you’re sending Christmas cards to a large family mailing list, ordering all of your cards together is typically the best way to maximize value. Because pricing is based on quantity, larger orders generally offer a lower cost per card than smaller orders.
Whether you’re mailing cards to 50 households or 150, planning ahead, finalizing your recipient list, and ordering the full quantity at once can help you save time, stay organized, and get the most out of your Christmas card budget.
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