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Holiday Cards are Simple When You Plan Ahead

10/1/2018 | sgaines@alphagraphics.com

Read the 2021 Holiday Blog Here!

The holiday season is fast approaching; before you panic about getting those holiday cards and gifts out to your customers, let AlphaGraphics Downtown Kansas City show you the way! Adopting a holiday timeline to your marketing strategy early on can help reduce the stress and chaos that inevitably comes along with the holiday season. Businesses have many reasons for sending out annual holiday cards and gifts; maybe you are trying to show appreciation for your most supportive clients, or you would like to attract new customers. Whatever your reason may be, your AlphaGraphics Kansas City team is on standby to help you get the most out of your holiday marketing budget.

Holiday Card Timeline Breakdown

September: Now is the time to finalize your holiday card budget, gather your mailing list, and start working on your card’s design and message. When planning your design and message, it is important to personalize them as much as possible. Consider using a team photo or a scan of your staff’s signatures to increase personalization. Your goal is to remind your faithful customers that you appreciate their continuous support. *Pro Tip: Make sure to include a few extra cards in your printing budget for those inevitable, last-minute new clients that are sure to arrive in the remaining months of the year.

October: Now for the fun part! Stop by your AlphaGraphics Kansas City office to see samples, review paper options, and get your cards and envelopes ordered. If you are short on time, provide your AlphaGraphics KC team with an excel file of your mailing list and we will print your mailing and return addresses directly on your envelopes. *Pro Tip: Request a hard copy proof at the time of ordering and your team will produce a short run of your cards and envelopes for you to review before we proceed with full production. November: Once your cards are delivered to you, it's vital to keep personalizing them as much as possible. Consider handwritten signatures, short notes, or hand delivery to grab your customer's attention during the busy holiday season. Also, make sure to get your holiday gifts ordered no later than early November to beat the rush of holiday ordering. *Pro Tip: Use a physical stamp instead of printing an indicia. Research shows that your customer is far more likely to open a piece of mail if it has a “real” stamp on it. December: You’re almost done! After your cards are signed, sealed, and ready to go, deliver them to your local post office based on when you would like them to arrive. If they are mailing within the U.S., deliver them 2-3 weeks before the holiday to ensure they arrive before New Years. If you are sending them internationally, have them to the Post Office by the beginning of December. *Pro Tip: Post Office volumes increase substantially between Thanksgiving and New Years. Therefore, deliver your mail early to beat the rush or consider an alternative delivery method like hand delivery.