When Should I Send Christmas Cards?
Between December 1st and December 20th. For most people, mailing them in the first two weeks of December is the sweet spot.
A card mailed in November goes on a fridge, gets covered with a pizza coupon, and is gone by the time anyone would've thought of you. Timing is the whole point of a card. It's supposed to show up when people are in a mood to be reminded you exist.
Mail too late and you've got a different problem. After December 20th, there's a real chance it won't land before the 25th, especially across the country. Mail it now and it's a New Year's card. That's what you're going with. That's fine, actually. Nobody's ever been upset to get one, and you get to skip the rush.
Overseas cards need a lot more lead time, often a few weeks, so send those around the start of the month and check the postal service's holiday deadlines for the exact dates. Order photo cards by mid-November so you're not paying for rush printing. That's allowed. Ordering's only planning, and it's the mailing the Court cares about.
Start with your address list before you've bought stamps. Someone has moved. Someone always has.
The letter inside can run as long as you want. Nobody's read that far. If you're going to mention your kids' achievements, go ahead. Everyone's kids got taller.
The Ruling: Allowed from December 1 through December 20.
This ruling comes from a joke website. There is no court. The dates are our opinion, and the practical tips are ordinary common sense, so use your own judgment.