When to Send Out Christmas Cards + Etiquette 2026

Christmas cards are one of the most meaningful holiday traditions, helping friends and family stay connected no matter the distance. While sending holiday cards is meant to be fun and personal, it’s natural to have questions about timing, wording, who to send them to, and what’s considered proper etiquette. Whether you’re mailing Christmas cards for the first time or updating your annual tradition, here’s what to know for the 2026 holiday season.

When Should You Send Christmas Cards?

The best time to send Christmas cards is between late November and the first two weeks of December. Mailing your cards during the first week of December gives friends and family plenty of time to receive and display them before Christmas. If you’re sending cards internationally, plan to mail them earlier to account for longer delivery times.

You can start designing and ordering your Christmas cards in October or November so they’re ready to mail when the holiday season begins. If you’re running behind, don’t worry. Cards sent later in December are still appreciated, and New Year’s cards are a thoughtful alternative after Christmas.

How Early Should You Send Christmas Cards to Guarantee Holiday Delivery?

To give your Christmas cards the best chance of arriving before December 25, plan to mail them by the first week of December and order custom photo cards in mid-to-late November. This allows time for printing, shipping, addressing, and USPS delivery, especially during the busy holiday season.

When ordering Christmas cards from Shutterfly, remember that the date your cards arrive at your home is different from the date your friends and family receive them. You’ll need to account for both Shutterfly’s production and shipping time and the additional time it takes to mail individual cards to recipients.

2026 Shutterfly Christmas Card Shipping Deadlines

If you’re ordering cards later in December, Shutterfly offers several shipping options to help you receive your order before Christmas. Our 2026 holiday order-by dates are:

Shipping Method	Order By
Economy	December 12, 4 PM PT
Standard	December 14, 4 PM PT
Expedited	December 18, midnight PT
Rush	December 19, 4 PM PT
Super Rush	December 21, 4 PM PT

These deadlines apply to receiving your Shutterfly order, not to the additional time needed to address, stamp, and mail your Christmas cards to individual recipients. If you’re mailing cards yourself, order well before these dates so you have enough time to send them.

Some Economy and Standard orders placed after their initial deadlines may still qualify for Christmas delivery through December 16. For the most accurate delivery date, check your cart before placing your order. You can also review our 2026 holiday shipping guide for the latest details.

Can Shutterfly Mail Christmas Cards Directly to Recipients?

Yes! With our Mail for Me® service, you can skip addressing, stamping, and mailing your Christmas cards yourself. Simply select Mail for Me® when ordering, provide your recipients’ addresses, and we’ll print, address, stamp, and mail your cards directly to them in plain white envelopes.

Mail for Me® typically takes 5–10 business days for production and mailing, depending on USPS delivery times. We recommend ordering early in the holiday season to give your greetings plenty of time to reach friends and family.

For customers mailing cards themselves, Shutterfly also offers FREE recipient address printing on custom envelopes, making it easier to get your cards ready for the mailbox as soon as they arrive.

How Early Is Too Early to Send Christmas Cards?

There’s no strict rule about sending Christmas cards too early, but mailing them before Thanksgiving is generally considered earlier than expected. Cards arriving in late November usually feel timely as people begin decorating for the holidays, while cards arriving in October may feel premature.

If you’re traveling during December or sending cards internationally, mailing them earlier makes sense. Most recipients won’t mind receiving a thoughtful Christmas greeting ahead of schedule, especially if it means hearing from you during the holiday season.

Is It Okay to Send Christmas Cards to Friends of Other Faiths?

Yes, in most cases.

The purpose of a holiday card is to show someone you’re thinking of them, and many people appreciate receiving a thoughtful greeting regardless of their religious beliefs. If you’re unsure what a recipient celebrates, consider choosing a winter-themed design or using a greeting such as “Happy Holidays,” “Season’s Greetings,” or “Warm Wishes.”

If you know someone celebrates another holiday, you can also acknowledge that holiday directly. The most important etiquette rule is simply being respectful and thoughtful of the recipient.

Do You Need to Send a Christmas Card to Everyone?

No.

Your Christmas card list can change from year to year based on your relationships, budget, and personal preferences. Some people send cards to dozens of friends, relatives, neighbors, and coworkers, while others focus only on close family and friends.

Rather than worrying about who “should” receive a card, focus on the people you’d like to stay connected with during the holiday season.

Should You Send a Christmas Card If Someone Sent You One?

Not necessarily.

Receiving an unexpected Christmas card doesn’t automatically create an obligation to send one in return.

That said, many people choose to reciprocate, especially if they expect to stay in touch with that person moving forward. Keeping a few extra cards on hand can make it easy to send a thoughtful greeting if a surprise card arrives in your mailbox.

Is It Okay to Send Christmas Cards After Christmas?

Yes.

Life gets busy during the holidays, and late cards are far more common than most people realize. If your cards won’t arrive until after Christmas, you can still send them with a warm holiday message or update your greeting to wish recipients a Happy New Year.

Most people are simply happy to hear from friends and family, regardless of the exact date the card arrives.

Should You Handwrite a Christmas Card Message?

Not necessarily, but it’s often appreciated.

Even a short personal message can make your card feel more meaningful. A sentence or two referencing a shared memory, expressing gratitude, or wishing someone well in the coming year can help your card stand out.

For larger mailing lists, it’s perfectly acceptable to use a printed greeting and add handwritten notes only to close friends and family.

Is It Okay to Send Photo Christmas Cards?

Yes.

Photo Christmas cards have become one of the most popular holiday card styles because they allow recipients to see how your family has grown and changed throughout the year. Family portraits, candid moments, travel photos, pictures of children, and even pet photos are all common choices.

When selecting photos, choose images that feel authentic and appropriate for the audience receiving the card.

Should You Include a Family Update on Christmas Cards?

Yes, if you’d like to share highlights from the year.

Family updates can be a wonderful addition to Christmas and holiday cards, especially when you’re sending cards to relatives or friends you don’t see often.

The best updates are brief, warm, and focused on meaningful moments from the year. Major milestones, new family members, travels, accomplishments, and life changes are all common topics.

Try to keep the tone conversational and avoid turning your update into a lengthy list of achievements. A short recap often feels more personal and enjoyable to read.

Can You Send Christmas Cards to Coworkers or Professional Contacts?

Yes, as long as you keep the message appropriate for the relationship.

Many people send holiday cards to coworkers, clients, mentors, and professional connections as a way to express appreciation and maintain relationships. For professional recipients, a simple holiday greeting or New Year’s wish is often the safest approach.

If you’re unsure whether a religious greeting is appropriate, a general holiday message is usually a good choice.

Christmas Card Etiquette Tips

A few simple guidelines can help make holiday card season easier:

Double-check addresses before mailing.
Include a return address on your envelopes.
Order a few extra cards in case you forget someone.
Personalize your cards when possible.
Send cards early if you’re mailing internationally.
Focus on thoughtfulness rather than perfection.

Most etiquette questions have the same answer: people appreciate being remembered. A sincere holiday greeting matters far more than following every rule perfectly.

Wrapping Up on Christmas Card Etiquette

Holiday cards are about connection, not perfection. Whether you’re sending photo Christmas cards, sharing a family update, mailing cards to friends of different faiths, or sending greetings a little later than planned, the gesture itself is what matters most. By focusing on kindness, thoughtfulness, and authenticity, you can create holiday cards that are warmly received and remembered long after the season ends.

Additional Resources:

When to Send Christmas Cards & Etiquette 2026