22 Days ’Til Christmas – It’s Time to Mail Christmas Cards

This post is part of the 100 Days ’til Christmas Challenge — one small step each day to make the holiday season less stressful and a lot more fun.

Today’s task is wonderfully simple: mail your Christmas cards. Whether you’re right on schedule or you’re realizing this is your “last-minute Christmas cards” moment, you still have time to get everything out the door without stress.

You don’t need elaborate photos or long handwritten notes. You just need a straightforward plan that gets your cards in the mail on time — and that’s exactly what we’re doing today.

Catch Up on Every Christmas Card Step So Far

If you’re jumping in late or want to double-check your progress, here are all the earlier posts that led us to this point:

• 82 Days ’Til Christmas — Prep Your Holiday Card List
• 80 Days ’Til Christmas — Gather Mailing Addresses
• 78 Days ’Til Christmas — Plan for Holiday Photos
• 42 Days ’Til Christmas — Your Christmas Card Checklist

With these pieces in place, you’re more prepared than you think. And if you’re just starting? You can still pull this together today.

How to Mail Christmas Cards When You’re Short on Time

There’s a belief that holiday cards require weeks of preparation. Not true. You can still mail Christmas cards on time with one of these simple approaches — no overwhelm required.

Option 1: Use a 1-Hour Photo Service

If traditional ordering timelines slipped by you, this is the perfect solution.

Upload a favorite photo, choose a ready-made template, and pick up your cards later today. Add a quick handwritten line inside, slip them into envelopes, and you’re ready to mail.

This is the fastest way to send photo cards without sacrificing the personal touch.

Option 2: Grab a Box of Store-Bought Cards

One of the most underrated — and stress-free — ways to mail Christmas cards quickly is to buy a beautiful boxed set and send them the same day.

Add a short, warm message:

• “Thinking of you this holiday season.”
• “Wishing you a peaceful December.”
• “Sending love from our family to yours.”

Simple, heartfelt, and done.

Option 3: Switch to New Year Cards

If today is feeling too tight, New Year cards are a lifesaver.

They stand out in the mailbox, give you extra breathing room, and still let you connect with the people you care about. And because you’re mailing them after the rush, they often feel even more thoughtful.

This is an especially good option if you want to avoid the last-minute card scramble altogether.

Keep Your Addresses Organized

If your contact list is scattered across your planner, phone, and a few old envelopes, today is the perfect moment to pull everything together before you mail your cards. I’ve put two simple printables inside the Holiday Hub to make this part easy:

🎄 Christmas Card List Printable

A clean place to track:

• Names
• Addresses
• Cards sent/received
• Notes for next year

Once you start using this, future Decembers get a whole lot easier.

📬 Mailing Address Printable

A simple page you can use all season (and all year) to keep your mailing contacts in one tidy spot.

Both printables are free when you sign up for my newsletter. You’ll get instant access to these pages plus the full collection of holiday printables we’ve shared throughout the season.

A Simple One-Hour Plan to Mail Christmas Cards Today

When I need to get my cards out quickly, here’s my easy go-to plan:

1. Gather your cards, envelopes, stamps, and pen.
2. Choose your method: photo cards, boxed cards, or New Year cards.
3. Write a short note inside (even one sentence counts).
4. Address everything using your printable list.
5. Drop them in the mailbox or at the post office before the end of the day.

This process works whether you’re aiming to mail Christmas cards today or simply want to finish this task without stress.

Daily To-Dos

Here’s what to focus on today:

• Mail your Christmas cards (even if you choose a simple, last-minute option).
• Update your Christmas Card List printable and address list for next year.
• Check your calendar for any upcoming school events, work parties, or kid activities that may need prep this week.