How I did it: I always use the four day Thanksgiving weekend to get all my cards written, stamped, addressed. The preparation starts the weekend before that. I buy my cards every year immediately after Christmas/New Year because of the awesome deals on them. So I already have cards when I start.
I have my list of people to send cards to. I start by reviewing the list for additions/deletions. The list is categorized into family, friends, colleagues, etc. I also mark the ones which are going overseas.
Next, I check that I have enough stamps so that the cards can be ready to mail without spending too much time at the post office. I like to buy holiday stamps for my cards.
Last but not least, I check my inventory of address labels and envelope seals and ensure I have enough with a holiday theme. Most cards come with envelope seals with seasonal verbiage.
Once I have everything, I setup a place where I can work for the four days without having to pack up or move them. I start writing the cards in an orderly manner and create stacks as I go along.
I also keep a notepad handy to keep track of anything which needs to be followed up - e.g know someone who has moved but don't have their latest address or verify their last known address (common with students), etc.
Once all the cards are done, I plan to mail the international cards by Dec 11th and the domestic cards by Dec 20th to ensure they get where they are going in time.
Lessons & tips: If you plan for it and make sure you have everything before you get started, it is likely to go much smoother. Think about your list. Most people nowadays may say they prefer e-cards but are delighted when they receive an actual card. It is sad that getting actual mail has become such a novelty but it is still a great feeling to know someone remembered you.
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nawatramani Spring is in the air!
I mailed the last set today. Now I only have the ones I will give personally at work and they are all written. It feels great to at least get one thing done right and on time. :)
hey that really seems like a great plan! Just a quick question, how do you keep your list of addresses? do you use plain old word or excel or a contact manager tool? any suggestions will be very welcome for me, thanks a lot!
nawatramani Spring is in the air!
Any method is good as long as you are consistent about it and comfortable with it.
I adopted a dual strategy for the contact information and list making/keeping. I have found that I prefer a regular address book instead of an electronic version for the actual contact information. I searched for and found one which had a ring binder and blank pages in addition to the laphabet tabs. The blank pages could be added after any alphabet tab once that page was filled. This allows me to keep the address book organized (no searching for A’s, M’s, R’s, T’s, etc, towards the end of the book) and also allows me the flexibility of creating specialized tabs for groups like my book club, colleagues, music club, etc. I also use mechanical pencils for updating my address book so that if there is a change in address, I don’t have to create a new entry for people already in the book.
For my lists, I chose to go the electronic route. I use a spreadsheet on Google Docs for my lists.
Hope this helps!
Pili4 cheered this 16 months ago
