Why Holiday Cards are Still Smart for Small Business
Let’s address the elephant in the room first:
a first-class stamp is now 78 cents.
I get it. That alone can make a small business owner hesitate. But I’m here to tell you — sending a holiday card (whether it’s Thanksgiving, December holidays, or the New Year) is still one of the smartest, most human marketing moves you can make.
Here’s why.
1. The cost is actually minimal (for marketing)
When you break it down, printing and mailing cards to your client list is a relatively small investment compared to ads, boosts, or campaigns that disappear into the algorithm abyss. A card shows up. Physically. In someone’s hands.
2. It reminds people you’re human
This is huge. A holiday card isn’t about selling — it’s about connection. Include a personal photo if you can:
• you and your team
• your dog
• your kids
(the faces behind the business)
People remember people.
3. Fewer cards = more impact
Here’s the irony: because fewer businesses send cards now, the ones that do stand out more. Your card doesn’t blend in — it becomes memorable simply because you took the time.
4. Handwritten goes a long way (but there’s wiggle room)
If your list is small enough and your hand can handle it, hand-addressing envelopes is gold. I have stated this statistic before — handwritten mail boasts an eye-popping 99% open rate — because people are curious, nosy, and human.
That said — I’ll give you a pass during the holidays. I have no statistic to back this up, but I truly believe people are more eager to open mail this time of year. They’re looking for smiles, good news, and something warm. Printed labels can still work here. (Don’t tell my handwriting heart I said that.)
5. Old-school matters — and it’s worth supporting
Full disclosure: I work 9–5 as a designer for a nearly 100 year old greeting card company that still values letterpress, engraving, and foil stamping. These are crafts. They’re art forms. And supporting them means keeping something meaningful alive in a very digital world. Support the arts!
So yes — send the card.
Be remembered.
Be human. (See a theme here??)
Give people something they’ll smile about before recycling.
