Sending Holiday Cards Early

[NYGirl100]

Is it rude to send holiday cards early?  On another thread a poster mentions that you always give gifts to people in the office very close to Christmas, so that it doesn't look as if you're expecting something back.  Is this true for holiday cards in general? 

I usually send mine pretty early because things get a lot busier closer to Christmas, and in some years (like this year), I send the Hanukkah cards early anyway because of when Hanukkah starts.  I never thought of receiving anything back - I just think it's fun to send holiday cards. 

[Shoo]

Anytime after Thanksgiving is fair game, IMO.

[rashea]

I make a distinction between cards and gifts. Cards can go out early. Gifts, it depends. If it is someone that you exchange gifts with every year then go for it. If it is someone you might not exchange gifts with, last minute seems best. It keeps them from feeling that they should go out and get something. For a card, it isn't that much money or effort to add one more card to their list if it is really that big a deal. But wait until after Thanksgiving!

[Jenzilla]

The other thread was specifically about office gifts, that wouldn't apply to cards at all. I think cards fall into a correspondence category as opposed to being a gift. So you can do that whenever you want.

[Bibliophile]

We send ours early.  This way we catch people before they leave for the holidays.  Lots of people leave early and go out of town so I say anytime after Thanksgiving is fair game. 

[MameDennis]

I agree with Shoo--as long as it's after Thanksgiving, go for it!

I usually distribute my office cards on the last day before vacation, but that's mainly because the atmosphere is quite festive around here that day .

[bopper]

There are two relatives I have that are super organized and always send their cards out early.  I expect it and realize it is because of their personalities.

I did send out some presents that I have to send via mail early...but that is because I bought all of the presents from the same online store and one of the people is Jewish and Hanukkah has started..and one of those people is the super organized one who already sent the kids gifts. (and yes, they already sent out their thank you notes!).  The third person will have ample time to send us a gift if they wish.

[Hijinks]

I just mailed out half of my Christmas cards.  I would have mailed out all of them if I hadn't grossly underestimated my address book (darn MIL's neighbors that all seem to have to get a stupid card, even though they won't send me one!  Grr!)

[Brentwood]

Anyone who would find it "rude" that you sent them a card "too early" should be scratched off your list.

[nrb80]

I have a girlfriend who always sends her cards out such that they arrive the day after Thanksgiving (so she sends then Wed or Tues).  This year we got ours on *Saturday* - DH's only comment was that Beth was late this year :-)

[supotco]

I tend to try to have them out by a week before the last posting date. I think before December is a bit on the early side, but I certainly wouldn't complain to the sender about it.

[NYGirl100]

Thanks for all the replies!  I send mine after Thanksgiving, so I'm glad to know I'm safe.   

[MelJill]

Cards can go early.  Most people I know would rather get them early (and display/look at from time received until holiday is over) than later. Plus, the closer to the holiday, the more likely it seems to end up caught in some postal snafu.

[Bluenomi]

I got mine from my parents yesterday, it reminded me I need to do mind  So no, I don't mind getting them early. As long as it is December it's fine.

Scary note is H2B was talking to his mum last night and she was saying she got one from my parents complete with a letter. I really hope it didn't say anything embarassing 

[oogyda]

I normally wait until around the 12th to send out cards (I do have a reason for choosing that date).  This year, I sent them out on the first because we've moved and I wanted to let people know our new address before they sent theirs (if they're sending one).