People send cards at Christmastime for all sorts of reasons. Some send them out of good practice because their mother taught them too, while others send them to friends and family who have supported them as a little thank-you. Whatever your reason, sending a holiday card is bound to get appreciation.
Think about taking time to send your family a festive yet personal greeting. Many people take family for granted so this Christmas, go that distance and surprise those great aunts and uncles with holiday cards. With the onset of email it is so easy to send someone a digital image, it makes a nice change and a little more effort to print out your photo and send it in the post.
What about people who have helped you along the way personally or within your career? These are people who have taken time out of their schedules to help you out and yet might not normally be on your holiday list. This year, take the time to thank them personally with a holiday card. This is a personal and appreciative way to keep in touch with colleagues and peers and they will appreciate the thanks when it drops on their doormat.
Businesses send cards for a similar reason although they are a little less personal and a little more along the lines of a marketing tool. Either way, they ensure that suppliers and clients know that the firm is looking after them and is thankful for their custom. I say these are not as personal but if you are a business and can manage to write some cards to your most important clients with a personal message, you are sure to score brownie points on loyalty.
Other people send cards to the same list of people year in year out as an annual catch up. Although many keep in touch with email and Skype, some still enjoy writing a letter telling friends about news that has taken place in the year before.
We all send cards for different reasons, sometimes it is simply because it is expected or looks good, other times the message is more sincere.