While the number can differ for everyone, knowing the trends behind Christmas card-sending can help you plan your holiday stationery and make sure you have enough cards to spread the joy.
How Many Christmas Cards Does the Average Person Send Out?
On average, most people send out 20 to 50 Christmas cards each holiday season. According to surveys, many individuals fall within this range, though there’s a wide spectrum of habits. Some people might only send cards to close family, while others include friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. The number of cards you send largely depends on your personal network and how far you’d like your holiday wishes to extend.
For smaller families or individuals, sending around 15 to 20 cards might be typical, covering immediate family and a few close friends. On the other hand, larger families or those with a broader social circle may send 50 or more Christmas cards, especially if they want to reach extended family, distant friends, coworkers, and even professional contacts.
What Factors Influence How Many Christmas Cards You Send?
Several factors influence how many Christmas cards a person sends, and these considerations can help you determine your own holiday card list:
- Family Size: Larger families may have more relatives to send cards to, which can naturally increase the number of cards sent. Many families also enjoy sending cards on behalf of their household, featuring family photos or a personal holiday message.
- Social Circles: The size of your social network will also play a role. If you maintain connections with old friends, college roommates, neighbors, and colleagues, you may find yourself sending more cards than someone with a smaller circle.
- Workplace Connections: Some people send Christmas cards to coworkers, bosses, or professional contacts as a way of extending holiday wishes in a professional setting. For individuals in certain fields, like sales or client services, sending cards to a wide network of professional contacts can be part of a seasonal tradition.
- Traditions and Preferences: The holiday card tradition is important to some families, while others may send fewer cards, focusing only on immediate loved ones. Additionally, some people enjoy making handmade cards or personalized photo cards, which can affect how many they choose to create and send.
- Mailing Costs: Postage fees and the cost of cards can also play a role. While sending holiday cards is a wonderful way to spread cheer, the number of cards you send may depend on your holiday budget. For a limited time, Shutterfly is providing free address printing on Christmas card envelopes to make sending your holiday greetings a quick and seamless process.
Deciding How Many Christmas Cards to Send
When deciding how many Christmas cards to send, consider who you want to include on your holiday card list. Start by making a list of immediate family members, close friends, and anyone you want to reach out to. From there, you can add coworkers, neighbors, extended family, and more casual acquaintances. It’s also helpful to keep an organized address book or use an online tool like Shutterfly’s free online address book, which can streamline your holiday card process and ensure you don’t miss anyone on your list.
Tips for Streamlining Your Holiday Card List
If you’re unsure about how many Christmas cards to send this year, here are some tips to help you manage your holiday card list:
- Prioritize your closest connections: Start by listing the people who matter most to you, and then add others as you see fit.
- Use a holiday card checklist: Staying organized with a checklist or spreadsheet can help you track who you’ve sent cards to and who you still need to write.
- Order in bulk: When using a service like Shutterfly to create custom holiday cards, consider ordering more than you think you’ll need, especially if new names get added to your list last minute.
Custom Christmas Cards for Every Style
Whether you’re sending a handful of cards or a large batch, Shutterfly offers a wide selection of customizable Christmas cards to suit every style. Choose from elegant photo cards, classic holiday designs, or unique custom creations that perfectly capture the spirit of the season. Our easy-to-use templates make it simple to add your favorite family photos, heartfelt messages, and festive greetings. No matter how many cards you need, Shutterfly ensures that your holiday wishes will be beautifully personalized and leave a lasting impression on everyone who receives them.
Related Resources
In a nutshell, most people send around 20 to 50 Christmas cards each year—though it really depends on your family, friends, and festive traditions. Whether you’re mailing out a small stack or a mountain of cards, Shutterfly has everything you need to create personalized, eye-catching designs that will make your holiday greetings shine. So, get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer and make this season extra special with cards that are as unique as you are!
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