When Is the Right Time to Send Holiday Cards? (Hint: Not Before Thanksgiving)

大家好，我是你们的专属公共假期助理。最近有小伙伴咨询我关于 how early is too early to send out holiday cards现在我就把相关问题总结一下，希望能够帮助到想要了解的小伙伴们。

Okay, let’s get real here. Every year around mid-October, some folks start hitting the stores and seeing Christmas decorations, and that little voice in their head says, “Maybe I should get those holiday cards out now.” But hold up—before you raid the craft store for glittery snowmen and reindeer, let’s talk about what’s actually considered too early for sending out holiday cards. I’ve seen people mail them in November, and I’ve even heard of someone dropping cards in the mailbox in September (yep, that’s a thing). So let’s break down the unwritten rules of holiday card timing, because nobody wants to be 那 person who shows up with Christmas cheer before the turkey’s even carved.

First off, the general consensus among etiquette experts—and just regular folks who don’t want to annoy their relatives—is that sending holiday cards before Thanksgiving is a major no-no. Why? Because Thanksgiving is its own holiday, people! It’s about gratitude, turkey, and football, not mistletoe. If you send a Christmas card in early November, you’re basically skipping over a whole holiday, and that just feels rushed. Plus, your recipients might still be dealing with leftover Halloween candy—nobody wants to see a jolly Santa face when they’re still trying to remember if they bought cranberry sauce. So the earliest acceptable window is typically the day after Thanksgiving. That’s when the holiday season officially kicks off in the U.S., and it’s the perfect time to start spreading that cheer.

But here’s the thing: “too early” also depends on the type of card you’re sending. If it’s a generic “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings,” you can get away with mailing it a bit earlier, like the first week of December. But if your card specifically says “Merry Christmas,” you probably want to aim for mid-December so it arrives closer to the actual holiday. Nobody wants to open a Christmas card on November 20th and feel like they have to stare at it for a month before the holiday hits. And if you’re sending New Year’s cards? That’s a whole different ballgame—those can arrive any time between Christmas and mid-January.

Another factor to consider is the mail itself. The USPS gets slammed during the holiday season, so if you wait until the last minute (like December 20th), your card might not arrive until after Christmas. That’s too late, obviously. So the sweet spot is usually between the first week of December and December 15th. That gives your cards enough time to travel without arriving ridiculously early. Of course, if you’re sending cards internationally, you need to add at least two to three weeks, which means mailing them in mid-November at the latest. But even then, don’t do it before Thanksgiving—unless you want to be that person who sends a Christmas card to a friend in the UK right after they’ve had their Bonfire Night fireworks. Not cool.

Let’s also talk about the psychological aspect. Receiving a holiday card too early can feel a bit… pushy. Like, “Hey, I’m already in full holiday mode, what’s wrong with you?” That’s not a great vibe. People are busy, they’re still figuring out their own holiday plans, and the last thing they need is a card sitting on their counter reminding them they haven’t finished shopping yet. So be considerate. The goal of a holiday card is to spread warmth, not guilt. Sending it at a sensible time—like right after Thanksgiving or during the first half of December—shows you respect the rhythm of the season.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But what about Hanukkah? That moves around!” Great point. Hanukkah usually falls in December, but sometimes it starts in late November. If you’re sending Hanukkah cards, you want them to arrive before or during the holiday, not after. So check the calendar. For 2024, Hanukkah starts on the evening of December 25th, which is also Christmas Day—wild, right? So if you’re sending Hanukkah cards, mid-December is fine. But if Hanukkah starts earlier, say December 2nd (like in 2027), then you better mail them by late November. In that case, sending cards before Thanksgiving actually makes sense! But that’s an exception, not the rule.

Another exception is if you’re one of those super organized people who makes their own cards with family photos. Those take time to print, address, and stuff. So it’s fine to start the process in early November—just don’t mail them until after Thanksgiving. Or if you’re doing a photo card that says “Happy Holidays from our family,” you can even include a note that says “We’re sending early because of the photo deadline.” Most people will understand.

Questions related to how early is too early to send out holiday cards

Q: Is it okay to send holiday cards in November?
A: It’s okay, but only after Thanksgiving. Sending them before Thanksgiving is considered too early by most people. The exception is if you’re mailing to a different country or if your holiday (like Hanukkah) falls early in the calendar. Otherwise, wait until at least the last Friday of November.

Q: What about sending New Year’s cards?
A: New Year’s cards are more flexible. You can send them anytime between Christmas and mid-January. Actually, many people send “New Year’s” or “Happy New Year” cards to avoid the Christmas rush. That’s a smart move if you’re running late—or if you want to be different!

Q: Can I send holiday cards in early December?
A: Absolutely. Early December is the sweet spot. It’s not too early (since Thanksgiving has passed), and it’s not too late (since it’s before the mail rush). Aim for the first or second week of December for best results.

Q: What if I’m sending cards to a close friend or family member who loves getting cards early?
A: Then go for it! If you know someone who genuinely enjoys receiving holiday cards early, there’s no rule against it. Just be aware that most people prefer them later. But close relationships can handle a little early cheer. Just don’t do it to a random coworker.

Q: Is it rude to send holiday cards after Christmas?
A: Not necessarily. Cards that arrive after Christmas but before New Year’s are still fine—they’re considered “holiday” cards, not just Christmas cards. You can even send them in early January as “New Year’s” cards. But if you’re sending specifically “Merry Christmas” cards, try to have them arrive before December 25th.

So, to sum it all up: how early is too early to send out holiday cards? The magic rule is: wait until after Thanksgiving. That’s the unofficial start of the holiday card season in the U.S. If you mail them before the turkey has been eaten, your cards might feel like they jumped the gun. But if you hit that post-Thanksgiving window through mid-December, you’re in the golden zone. And if you miss the boat, don’t panic—late cards are better than no cards. Just make sure to send a heartfelt message, and your friends and family will appreciate the thought no matter when the postman knocks.

public holiday calendar.COM Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand the subtle art of holiday card timing. If you have more questions, like “Should I include a family photo?” or “Is it okay to send digital cards instead of paper ones?” please feel free to contact us. Happy mailing, and may your holidays be filled with warmth—and not too many glitter explosions from that envelope you’re sealing!