Bring Cheer to Your Holiday Mailing List

October 31, 2019

It is that time of year, the holidays, and we meant to get all our family and friends addresses in order… in July. Now, here we are right around the corner from the holidays and still have not organized the long list of who we will bring our cheer to. Let’s be honest, the cards we send are oftentimes the only communication we have with some people all year. We love them just the same, but life is busy and organization takes a back seat when we have more pressing events happening in the front seat.

Read on for ideas and options for organization and planning of your holiday contact list and cards.

1. Choose what you will send out. A picture and a summary of life events over the last year? A postcard with your favorite family picture (pets included of course!)? Next, choose a date for when you want to send these holiday jewels to be sent out by. I always like to post mine a week before christmas, but all my relatives are in the states. Think further out if you need to send them across the water. Pro tip: If you don’t have a photo yet, contact Shannon Garbaccio, who does incredibly authentic family photography (and a few pets too, if you ask nicely!) If you want to stand out from the crowd, consider a custom designed holiday card from local graphic designer, Steve Ruttner at steveruttner@comcast.net. He’s fast, affordable, and has been in the business a long time!

2. Gather your contacts. This may seem like a difficult task, but just bring all your contacts together. I suggest you print everything out from your computer, notes section on your phone, email contact list and the envelopes you have saved from last year. Oh, and don’t forget to check if you have saved any addresses on Google Maps or another similar app. Get them all together, in one big pile. Or, if most are on your computer, make a folder and export everything to one folder. Usually there is an export option under File or Settings on programs/apps. Either way, gather!

3. Decide how you will print your labels or envelopes and where to compile your addresses. Would you like to use your own labels you can find at any office supply store and print from home? Or use an online company? Or would you like to hand write your recipient addresses? Whatever makes you feel good about the cards you are sending out. For these next options on how to print on your labels or envelopes, think about how you want to make a complete list of contacts. I always default to Excel, but a master handwritten list works just as good, as long as you can read your own handwriting 🙂

a. Printing from home using labels that you have purchased is an easy way to complete this project. A great way to accomplish this task, in a short period of time, is to start by inputting all your contacts on an Excel sheet.

- - - Open Excel and make the first row be your “Labeled” columns (ex: Name, Address 1, City State Zip)
    - Then add in each of your contacts below the appropriate column
    - Save this Excel sheet and close, you will come back to it in a moment
    - Next is to open a blank Word document
    - Go to Mailings
    - Start Mail Merge
    - Choose the label you have purchased. Usually on the lower left or right of the label package. (ex: Avery 18661)
    - Go to Select Recipient
    - Choose Use Existing List and choose your excel sheet that has the holiday card contacts
    - Click Insert Merge Fields: Name, Address 1, City State Zip, but be sure they are spaced out how you want them on your label or envelope
    - Click Update Labels and Edit Each Document
    - Voila! Be sure to follow the instructions on the backside of the labels and printer to ensure your contacts print on the correct side

b. Zazzle, Etsy or Envelopes.com do a wonderful job printing out labels or envelopes with holiday art. At Envelopes.com you can upload your Excel sheet and they will do the rest of the work. At Zazzle you do have to input each contact manually. Those are just some options, you can search for “Recipient Addressing” or “Guest Address Labels” in your browser to find a company that works for you.

c. If you want to handwrite your labels or envelopes, check out Pinterest for some amazing font ideas.

4. Finish your cards, postcards or family summary. Sit down and take a few hours to write your fun filled update about your family. Take a break with tea or coffee and order those cards online. It doesn’t take too long, just schedule an afternoon and do it! You will feel so accomplished once you have finished.

5. Pop them in the mail! Phew, you did it! You spread the holiday cheer and love to people all over the world! Enjoy the time it takes you to do all this, because it is all a labour of love.

6. Postage. Get that postage! Remember you can buy online, at the grocery store or actually go to the post office (yuck!). Either way, get that postage so you can… #6.

Or hire a Digital Organizer to do it all. I know someone 🙂

Do you have any tips or tricks that make sending out holiday cards easier? Join Sparkle Tribe on Facebook and share!

Image Credit: A-Journal Stationary