Painless Holiday Cards

This year is different! I have a holiday card plan! And it's so simple, I wonder why I've never thought of it before. Specifically:

Think about why you send holiday cards.
Believe it or not, taking a moment to think about why you send holiday cards (beyond annual habit) can save you time and work. Are your cards a way to keep your family and friends up to date on your life? A simple way to share an annual photo? A professional networking tool? (Don't laugh...I get a Christmas card from my favorite plumber every year. Why, yes. I have a favorite plumber.)

Identifying why you send cards will help you whittle down the job and the list of recipients, making the entire process more manageable.

Get creative about personalization.
I used to cling to the idea that, for a card to be personal, it had to be hand-addressed and signed. On some level, I still feel that way; I wonder what a generic card preprinted with "Sincerely, The Smiths" is supposed to accomplish. But if that card comes with a photo...it feels warmer. Cards that come inside labeled envelopes -- but are signed by hand -- feel more personal.

A few years ago I ditched the card altogether in favor of a family newsletter. I taped a collage of photos and memorabilia onto a piece of paper, then hand wrote the text into the empty spaces on the page. I then photocopied the entire thing. It was a big time saver as there were no envelopes to stuff or seal, and I photocopied my return address onto the back. The personal effort was obvious to everyone who got one, and they loved it.

Photo cards have a similar appeal. Order your cards from a photo printing company such as Shutterfly or one of the many talented artists at Etsy, and the need for handwritten personalization goes way down.

Remember: the purpose of a holiday card is to make a connection. Focus on the personalization, and automate the stuff that doesn't matter.

Use address labels.
Speaking of automation, if you've never attempted to print address labels, this is the year to start. Using labels for your recipients' addresses will save more time than any other part of the process.

Most of us have our mailing addresses stored in a contact application such as Outlook or Mac Address Book, both of which can automatically print labels. Take a few minutes  to poke around your contact app -- you might be surprised by how easy the process can be.

If you've got your addresses stored in a spreadsheet or database, you can merge that data with an address label template in your word processing program. Another option: use an online service such as Avery.com. You can import contacts and design labels online, or you can download free software that works with Microsoft Office.

For an added personal touch, both Avery and Microsoft Office have holiday-themed label templates which add a little color to bland white labels.

Oh, and if you don't have your addresses stored in your computer? Grit your teeth and do the data entry this year. Automation is a one-time job. You'll thank me in December 2010.

Use a return address label or self-inking stamp.
Another perfect opportunity for automation: your return address. You can either run your envelopes through your printer, or you can use custom labels or a self-inking stamp. Save the handwriting for a personal note or signature on each card.

Get the kids involved.
Kids love stickers. And what's a mailing label if it's not a big, fat, sticker? Put the kids to work labeling envelopes or stamping return addresses. If they've got steady hands, give them the job of postage stamping. The few mangled stamps and envelopes will be well worth the time you save.

Even more importantly, your kids will get a refresher course in the names of all of their relatives. Many a tale of family hijinks has started while at the table addressing holiday card envelopes.

Do a little bit each day, starting today.
The job of sending holiday cards need not overwhelm: it can be dispatched in 10-15 minute chunks. Sign, address, stamp and send  5-10 cards each day. Do the no-brainer work of labeling and stamping while watching TV. Keep all of your supplies -- cards, envelopes, pens, stamps, labels, stickers --  in a sturdy bag to take with you on errands. If you've got a few extra minutes in a waiting room or at an after-school activity, get to work, and swing by the post office on your way home.

Just a little bit of planning will transform sending cards from chore into cheer. I'm sure you've got plenty more good ideas: how do you streamline your holiday card operation?

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Asha Dornfest is the founder of Parent Hacks -- where savvy parents swap clever, often unconventional, parenting tips. Here's the practical, real-world stuff you'll never find in an "expert" book. Featured in Real Simple, Parents, and PC Magazine.