Christmas Cards

Those who know me will quite correctly guess that I have been busy writing my Christmas cards, private and business, 75 in all and each with a personal message (the British average!). You may think I am crazy but I actually enjoy this very British tradition of writing and also hanging up cards on festive ribbon around the house. I know it would be easier to just send an email but most people appreciate the extra effort of writing and mailing ‘real’ cards. I was shocked that a dear friend of mine didn’t want any cards this year as she was going to the US for three weeks over Christmas – wouldn’t it be nice to open them when she got back 😊. Of course, with sustainability in mind, I try and send charity cards made of recycled card and the cards from the previous year are always cut up to make labels for Christmas gifts.

This tradition was started in the UK by Sir Henry Cole who had helped to set up the new ‘Public Record Office’ (now the Post Office) and wondered how it could be used by more ordinary people. The initial print run was for 1000 cards. Now it is estimated that about 150 million cards are posted during the Christmas period with many more sold and delivered by hand.

I am asked each year for suitable texts for cards. Here is a selection with the inclusive ‘Season’s greetings’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas’:With Season’s greetings and all good wishes for the New Year (to you all)!

Season’s greetings and all good wishes for your health and happiness in the coming year!

Holiday/Seasons greetings and best wishes for a New Year of happiness.

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year.

And for business wishes …

I would like you wish you and your team/staff Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for all your support this year and best wishes for 2023.

It’s been a pleasure doing business with you this year and I look forward to a successful 2023.

It has been a pleasure to work with you this year. We wish you Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year!

Your support during this difficult/challenging year has been invaluable.

Happy New Year from XXX and best wishes for a successful year with good ideas and interesting projects.

The XXX Team wishes all our guests, friends, colleagues, sponsors and business partners a Happy New Year!

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a successful year, and to thank you for your support and continued custom.

I don’t like the use of ‘cooperation’ in Christmas cards as it sounds stiff and could mean ‘thank you for not making any trouble and doing what we wanted’.