Sending a family holiday card is one of those small seasonal joys that feels magical both for you and the people you send it to. But if you’ve ever scrambled at the last minute to get cards out the door, you know how stressful it can be. The secret to a polished, stress-free holiday card? Thoughtful timing—from your Christmas family photoshoot prep to sending off your cards in the mailbox. Here’s how to plan ahead so your card arrives beautifully and on time.

Start Planning Early!

Before you book your photographer, start planning what you want your holiday cards to look like this year. Will it match your home decor? Are there any Christmas trends you want to play into for the year? Maybe you have a life event you can celebrate through your holiday cards this year (like a big move or new baby!). Once you have a general idea, use that as inspiration for your family’s outfits, photoshoot location, or poses you want to be sure to capture.

Schedule Your Christmas Family Photoshoot by October

Most photographers get booked months in advance during fall and early winter, and natural lighting windows, like golden hour, fill up fast. To avoid the last-minute rush, aim to schedule your Christmas family photoshoot by early to mid-October (September, if you can!). Planning this far ahead means your photos will be delivered far before you’re ready to pick out your final holiday card design, giving you ample time to choose one that pairs well with your final photos.

Leave Time for Printing and Shipping

Printing can take longer than expected, especially during the holiday season. Many companies recommend placing your order at least 3–4 weeks before you plan to mail. Don’t forget to factor in shipping time, both from the printer to your home and from your home to recipients (the post office gets busy too!) so you don’t end up sending cards after December 25 (been there… oops).

Curate Your Mailing List in Advance

Compiling and double-checking your mailing list ahead of time saves a lot of stress at the last minute. Gather addresses from family and friends, update any recent changes, and consider keeping a running list year to year (I keep mine in Notion). This way, when your cards arrive, you’re ready to send them without scrambling.

Consider a Timeline Backwards from Your Ideal Mail Date

A simple trick for stress-free planning is to start with your ideal mailbox date and work backward. For example, if you want your cards in homes by the first week of December:

• Mail by: late November
• Printing finished: mid-November
• Design completed: early November
• Photoshoot: mid-October
• Pre-planning: late-September to early-October

This backward approach ensures each step has enough time to be done thoughtfully, leaving you calm and organized rather than rushed! And remember, holiday cards are meant to be a fun tradition. Try not to sweat the small stuff. And if you’d rather let the pros handle it, I’m always here to help you create a magical, custom Christmas card! Or shop my collection on Minted.