When Should You Order Christmas Cards? A 2026 Holiday Printing Timeline

Every December our phone gets busier by the day with the same question: "Is it too late for Christmas cards?" Usually it isn't — but the earlier you order, the more choices you have for paper, design time and mailing. Here's the timeline we give customers for 2026, whether you're sending 40 family photo cards or 1,500 cards to clients. Compare photo cards, business greetings, envelopes and addressing options on our Christmas and holiday card printing page.

When should Christmas cards be in the mail?

Most people aim for cards to land in mailboxes between early and mid-December. A good target is to drop cards in the mail by about December 10–15 for addresses in the U.S. Cards going overseas, or to military addresses, need to go out earlier — often in late November or the first days of December. Work backward from your mailing date: allow time for proofing, printing, and addressing and stuffing envelopes.

How long does holiday card printing take?

Once your proof is approved, most jobs ship in 1–3 business days. The part that usually takes longer is everything before printing: choosing photos, writing the greeting, gathering an address list and going back and forth on a proof. Same-day printing is available on many items — call or email us for rush options on your specific order. Customers can pick up free at our Kingston shop, or we ship UPS anywhere in the U.S.

Business holiday cards: start earliest

Corporate cards usually involve more people — someone approves the design, someone signs off on the greeting, someone exports the client list. That's why we recommend businesses start planning in October and order in early November. You'll get the widest choice of designs and stocks, and plenty of time to add logos, signatures, return-address printing and mailing.

Planning cards, sale flyers and storefront signs? See our holiday printing checklist for small businesses.

Family photo cards: finalize the photo first

For families, the photo is the bottleneck. If you're planning a fall photo shoot, book it in October so you can pick a favorite by mid-November. Our photo Christmas cards are easiest to plan around if you order by late November, and no later than the first week of December, for comfortable mailing time.

Already designed your card?

If you bought a template on Etsy or designed your card in Canva, you can skip the design step entirely. We'll check your file for bleed, resolution and color, then print it on real card stock with matching envelopes — see print my Etsy or Canva holiday card for details. Prefer to browse ready-made designs? Our online holiday card catalog has hundreds of styles you can personalize.

Addressing and mailing options

Addressing is where December weekends disappear. You have three options:

• Blank envelopes — you address and mail them yourself.
• Printed return address — your name and address printed on every envelope flap or front.
• Full addressing and mailing — send us your list as Excel, CSV or Google Sheet; we print recipient addresses, apply postage and take the cards to the post office.

If you want us to address and mail, add a few days to your plan so we can clean up the list and confirm postage.

How many cards should you order?

• Count your address list, then add 10–15% extra for people you forgot, cards you hand out in person and a keepsake or two.
• For businesses, include clients, vendors, referral partners and staff — and decide early whether cards will be signed by hand.
• Ordering a few extra up front almost always costs less per card than a small reprint in mid-December.

Local on the South Shore?

Customers from Plymouth, Duxbury, Marshfield, Pembroke and nearby towns often stop by our Kingston shop to see paper samples and pick up their finished cards. If you're searching for Christmas cards near me, we're at 66 Summer Street in Kingston — walk-ins welcome Monday through Friday, 8:30–5:30.

What if it's already mid-December?

Call us at 781-585-6021. Depending on the card, paper and quantity, rush printing is often still possible, and a flat card on a stock we have in the shop is usually the fastest route. We'll tell you honestly what can be done in time.

For tips on picking photos, stocks and sizes, read our guide on how to create the perfect Christmas card for your family or business.