Holiday Cards

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100 cards.

I don't do address labels - I think they're tacky, sorry. I hand write each address.

Same here - same number, do by hand. Really it doesn't take me any longer that it would to fool with mail merges/labels, etc. We joke about cards we get that have pre printed signatures and printed mailing labels. They look like they were untouched by human hands. It sends the message that the sender was thinking about us...and 200 of their closest friends.

[Anonymous]

We actually keep a printout of the address labels we sent the year before, and make changes throughout the year (those who have moved, married, died, etc.) We modify the label list directly - don't bother with mail merge anymore.

We're up to 175 or so. It's a process, but we've been doing it for 10 years so we'll keep on going!

[Anonymous]

I send out 100-120 cards and have been doing so for years, long before I had a kid. If I haven't seen or talked to someone in a long time and don't receive cards from them, I do eventually cut them off the list. I have an Excel workbook with all the names and addresses and every year I take last year's list and add a few new names and cut off a few, then I spend a few days addressing the cards while I'm on the metro. (I need to get more tech savvy so I can start doing address labels or something.) I order the cards (photo cards of my daughter) around Thanksgiving and send out about a week before Christmas, and i usually buy a couple extra in case I've forgotten someone or someone unexpected sends me a card.

it's kind of a pain, but I enjoy writing my Xmas letter and I enjoy getting cards from other people, so I think it's worth my time/money.

[Anonymous]

We send out about 100. I handwrite them all. If you address for an hour a night while watching TV they will be done in 2-3 nights. Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We send out about 100. I handwrite them all. If you address for an hour a night while watching TV they will be done in 2-3 nights. Not a big deal.

We send about 50-60 or so each year, but same process.

[Anonymous]

We send as many as we get to, which can be 3 to 40. Lots of hand addressed never posted, stamp outdated ones sitting around here. ANd the hand painted ones from when the kids was 2... doesn't look like those will ever be going out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I keep an Excel spreadsheet and do a mail merge to create a Word document. In the document, I format the addresses (put a box around the address, use a nice font, whatever) and print them on regular (but nice) paper. I then cut them out and use a glue stick to affix them; not as nice as handwritten, but cleaner (print-wise) than printing directly on envelopes and looks marginally better than a sticker label (I think). "

LOL!!!!!!!! Some one has waaay too much free time on their hands.

Well, I was looking for an alternative to hand-writing them that didn't look totally terrible. (My handwriting gets bad quickly!)

After a couple of years of wedding invitations (hand-addressed) and thank you notes for wedding and baby, I may have the stamina to return to that approach. Of course, I also said that I am considering the Untouched By Human Hands option this year, so who knows.

[Anonymous]

I keep an Excel spreadsheet and do a mail merge to create a Word document. In the document, I format the addresses (put a box around the address, use a nice font, whatever) and print them on regular (but nice) paper. I then cut them out and use a glue stick to affix them; not as nice as handwritten, but cleaner (print-wise) than printing directly on envelopes and looks marginally better than a sticker label (I think).

I'm scared.

[Anonymous]

We do about 125. First year got married in December (sent nothing), second year sent to that list, third year kid #1, fifth year kid #2 ... I keep the list in excel and do the mail merge but print on address labels. I don't do a holiday letter but a photo card. I don't think a pre-printed label looks tacky but I also can't imagine hand writing or cutting people.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had any success with creating mailing labels with a mail merge directly from Outlook?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I keep an Excel spreadsheet and do a mail merge to create a Word document. In the document, I format the addresses (put a box around the address, use a nice font, whatever) and print them on regular (but nice) paper. I then cut them out and use a glue stick to affix them; not as nice as handwritten, but cleaner (print-wise) than printing directly on envelopes and looks marginally better than a sticker label (I think).

I'm scared.

Me, too.

[Anonymous]

"I don't do address labels - I think they're tacky, sorry. I hand write each address."

Oh, brother! Who gives a shit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100 cards.

I don't do address labels - I think they're tacky, sorry. I hand write each address.

Me too, I do not like printed labels. But, OP, if it is a nightmare to you, do not do it. Only send them if you enjy it. No one expects it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100 cards.

I don't do address labels - I think they're tacky, sorry. I hand write each address.

Same here - same number, do by hand. Really it doesn't take me any longer that it would to fool with mail merges/labels, etc. We joke about cards we get that have pre printed signatures and printed mailing labels. They look like they were untouched by human hands. It sends the message that the sender was thinking about us...and 200 of their closest friends.

Completely agree. It's a little like getting a thank you note that just reads, "Thank you for the gift. I'll really enjoy it." Only exception (in my mind) is the family photo holiday cards where there are young children. ( I figure the sender takes the time to fuss with/get the photo taken, and the photo itself kind of personalizes the card-- even though it's the same one for all recipients.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I keep an Excel spreadsheet and do a mail merge to create a Word document. In the document, I format the addresses (put a box around the address, use a nice font, whatever) and print them on regular (but nice) paper. I then cut them out and use a glue stick to affix them; not as nice as handwritten, but cleaner (print-wise) than printing directly on envelopes and looks marginally better than a sticker label (I think).

I'm scared.

Me, too.

Gee, you both scare easily!