You mail who matters most to you.
If you are a current ‘I don’t do cards’ kinda person, or someone who only ever has time for a few. Can I take a few minutes to convince you it’s one of the best things you can add to your Christmas traditions because they send so much more with them than just paper and ink.
A recent LinkedIn survey that I ran showed that over 65% of people plan to send Christmas cards, mostly to family, friends, and local heroes like bin collectors or window cleaners this year. It’s clear to me that when you want to wish those you care about a Merry Christmas, putting it in writing makes it special.
You take time to pick a nice or naughty card. You scribble a few words – even hurriedly in the car on route counts. You usually sign it with ‘love’ and you seal it with a kiss. It’s a small but nuanced ritual. It takes a little bit of time. It takes a little bit of money. But it sends so much more than the recyclable paper it’s printed on.
Are cards a bit out of fashion? Perhaps. But with traditions and nostalgia key themes of Christmas, it feels like it fits right in, and over half of you agree. But what stops you from sending them or more than a just a few at the last minute?
Is it because it takes too much time? They require a little effort that is undeniable. And with lots to do, do they really matter? To put it another way, what are your feelings towards a birthday Gif versus a hand-picked, cheeky card that only your nearest and dearest could get away with. The Goodwill Return on Investment (GROI!) on the time taken to post a card is vastly outweighed by the effort.
FYI – For your closest postbox – click here. I really do feel they’ve missed a trick not naming them like the Gritters across Scotland at Christmas.
Royal Mail has released vintage posters urging people to ‘Post Early for Christmas,’ continuing a tradition of working with leading graphic designers since the 1930s.
So, is it down to costs? At 85p for a second class stamp, it’s the cheapest delivery charge you’ll encounter this Christmas for sending anything the length of the UK.
Sustainability? When it comes to Christmas, cutting down trees, and dragging them into our front rooms, and turning on hundreds of tiny lights for hours doesn’t exactly sound like the most climate-friendly actions. But just like wrapping paper, cards are more recyclable than ever before. Even with a few fancy finishes, most cards you’ll find are at the very least printed on recycled paper.
Or is it down to the preplanning that’s involved? Ok. Let’s be honest, you can’t post a card late and still get the same reaction. Even a late birthday card loses a little shine. Timing in DM marketing is the same as cards, it matters. So instead of making it a last min job, how about making it the first thing you do to kick-off Christmas? Take a few moments early December, even getting a few gift-cards in with them, and get some ticks off your list early. I always use it as an excuse to treat myself to my fav chocolates and enjoy a treat with each name scored off the list! Just try it. It’s like that weird Christmas dish your in-laws make every year. Everyone has their own Christmas rituals; I invite you to adopt this one of mine.
Last posting dates for Christmas – click here.
My advice this Christmas would be; if you haven’t got loads of time, and you need to cut back on gifts, but you would still like to show you care, and be all about sustainability – my personal Christmas trinity if you will – then a card ticks all these boxes.
And with mail volumes low, you can almost guarantee, that at the very least, you will generate a smile on a loved one’s face as soon they see a handwritten envelope on their doormat.
Make a memorable moment for your friends, family, and customers this Christmas with simple, cost-effective, sustainable mail. Make an impression. Make Christmas a little extra merry. Gift yourself the feel-good factor of popping a pile of cards into a snow-topped post box.
And if you want to know where am getting mine this year I am delighted to be sending my first handmade school Christmas cards made by my son. The good folks at xmas4schools, do a great job in raising funds for schools by creating cards with your child’s artwork on them. An extra feel-good factor!
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year,
Jen
P.S. There is an actual national campaign for cards. The Greeting Card Association’s #Cardmitment campaign aims to encourage everyone to commit to send more greeting cards! More here.
And there is a great article and quick animation from Royal Mail about the goodwill of Christmas cards.
There’s still time to mail your customers this year – get in touch.
