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Holiday cards and photo books: when to order and where to get them
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Order your holiday cards by the end of November and mail them in the first week of December. USPS says to mail First-Class cards by December 17 for delivery before Christmas. Photo books take longer to make and ship than cards, so start those now. Running late? Pick same-day photo cards at Walgreens, send a digital card, or send a New Year’s card instead.
Getting every kid to look at the camera at the same time is the hardest part of holiday cards. The rest is a schedule. Here it is.
The holiday card timeline for 2026
Christmas falls on a Friday this year.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| By mid-November | Take the photo. Pick the one where most eyes are open. |
| November 23 to 29 | Order your cards. Shutterfly’s holiday planner puts card orders in this week. |
| November 30 to December 6 | Address and mail your cards. |
| December 3 | Hanukkah cards arrive by now. Hanukkah starts at sundown on December 4. |
| December 17 | Last day USPS recommends mailing First-Class cards for delivery before Christmas. |
| After December 17 | Send a New Year’s card instead. |
Cards that land in the first two weeks of December get the most time on the fridge. Shutterfly calls December 1 to 10 the best time to send them. A card that arrives later still counts. Nobody sends a card back.
How much postage a holiday card needs
A standard card in a standard envelope needs one Forever stamp. The price went up to 82 cents on July 12, 2026.
Square envelopes cost more. So do cards with ribbon, glitter, or anything lumpy. USPS adds a surcharge for mail its machines cannot sort. Check the weight and shape at the post office before you buy 80 stamps.
Want to skip the stamps and the addressing? Shutterfly has a Mail For Me service that addresses, stamps, and mails your cards. Shutterfly says it takes 5 to 10 business days, so order early if you use it. Minted prints your recipient addresses on the envelopes for free.
Where to order holiday cards
Minted. Cards designed by independent artists, with envelopes included and free recipient address printing. A good pick if you want something that does not look like every other card on the fridge.
Shutterfly. Lots of sizes and styles, with white envelopes included. Upgrade to colored or foil-lined envelopes, or use Mail For Me.
Walgreens Photo. Photo cards with free same-day pickup at many stores. The best choice when it is December 15 and you have just remembered cards exist.
Paperless Post or Greenvelope. Digital cards you can send by email, even on Christmas Eve. No stamps, no envelopes, and no addressing.
Photo books
A photo book gets the year’s best photos out of your phone and onto the coffee table. Grandparents love them. Kids love them more, since they are the stars.
Photo books take longer than cards. You pick the photos, lay out the pages, and wait for printing. For Christmas, start in November. Last year, Shutterfly’s last day to order with economy shipping for Christmas delivery was December 16. Check the 2026 date in your cart before you count on it.
Where to make one:
Shutterfly and Mixbook let you design each page. More work, more control.
Chatbooks builds a book from your phone photos with less fuss. Good for a busy parent who will never design 40 pages.
Walgreens Photo offers same-day pickup on some photo books. The fast option.
How to make a photo book in one evening
Pick one photo per week. That gives you 52, which fills most books.
Or do one page per month. Twelve pages, done.
Let the app place the photos for you. Then fix the pages you do not like.
Add the year to the cover. “Our 2026” is plenty.
Order two. One for your house and one for the grandparents.
For a first-year book, see my baby’s first Christmas gift guide and what to write in a baby book.
What to write in a holiday card
Keep it short. The photo does the talking. Copy one of these and change the name:
Merry Christmas from our house to yours. Love, the [last name] family.
Wishing you a calm, cozy, and happy new year.
Peace, love, and a little extra sleep in the new year.
From our noisy house to your home, happy holidays.
Happy holidays from all of us, including the dog who refused to sit still.
Holiday card supplies that save time
A self-inking return address stamp. Stamp 80 envelopes in five minutes. You will use it all year.
Envelope seals. No licking 80 envelopes. Kids can help with this part.
White or gold gel pens. Make a dark envelope look nice.
A card display. A ribbon or clip display for all the cards you get back.
Shop it: return address stamps, envelope seals, or a card display.
Frequently asked questions
When should I order Christmas cards for 2026?
Order by the end of November. Shutterfly’s holiday planner puts card orders in the week of November 23 to 29, so you have time to address and mail them in early December.
What is the last day to mail Christmas cards in 2026?
USPS recommends mailing First-Class Mail by Thursday, December 17, for delivery before Christmas in the lower 48 states.
How much postage do I need for a Christmas card?
One Forever stamp, which is 82 cents in 2026, for a standard card in a standard envelope. Square envelopes and lumpy cards need extra postage.
Is it OK to send Christmas cards late?
Yes. A late card is better than no card. If you miss the mailing date, send a New Year’s card in late December or early January.
Can I get Christmas cards printed the same day?
Yes. Walgreens Photo offers same-day pickup on photo cards at many stores. Digital cards from Paperless Post or Greenvelope can go out the same day, too.
More holiday help: last-minute gifts you can still get before Christmas and holiday traditions.
