Holiday Card or Christmas Card - Which should you Send?

Greeting cards sent in business to business situations during the holidays are great for promoting new contacts and for maintaining established ones as well. Staying connected with customers, business associates, friends and family now is more important than ever in these tough economic times. Since the 1700’s, the tradition of sending greeting cards has continued and is certain to thrive this year.

With very real cultural and religious differences, it is extremely important to consider the recipients on your greeting cards list when making your card design selection. Not everyone celebrates the holidays in the same manner. Even when sent with the best intentions, an inappropriate greeting card can possibly do more harm than good if the design or sentiment is inconsistent with the recipient’s beliefs. Consider the following points of business etiquette before you send your seasonal greeting this year.

Christmas Cards often display religious artwork such as the Madonna and child or a nativity scene. Perfect for friends and family when you know their religious affiliation, these designs are not a good choice for most business contacts. If you do not know or are at all unsure about a person or companies religious affiliation, Christmas cards are not appropriate and you may risk offending someone, damaging your business relationship. Choose a "Season’s Greetings" or "Happy Holiday" greeting instead.

Holiday Cards are more generic in message and can be enjoyed by most. It is more acceptable to send best wishes for the holiday season with heartfelt greetings that do not speak directly to Christ or a religious event, especially in a business environment.

Conduct a bit of research on specific cultures and events to familiarize yourself with particular celebrations of the season. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate any special holidays while Kwanzaa is celebrated by many African-Americans from December 26 to January 1 each year. Hindus celebrate Diwali during the winter months of October or November while Muslims participate in two feast holidays during November and December.

Designed to celebrate and send best wishes for the season, holiday cards offer a great opportunity to stay connected to businesses and clients you don’t regularly come in contact with during the rest of the year. And don’t forget your international business partners. Businesses overseas are often closed for several weeks over the holiday period. Send their greeting card in advance of closings so they will know you respect their schedules and value their business.

Thanksgiving Cards are gaining in popularity and can be sent instead of the regular holiday cards or Christmas greeting card. A popular alternative, Thanksgiving cards are a nice surprise and send a message of thanks for past and future business while remaining on display far longer than cards sent later in the season.

Regardless of which greeting card you send this year, be sure and sign each in your own handwriting, adding a short note if possible, even if the card includes a printed personalization. The small extra effort and thoughtful gesture is certain to strengthen business relationships and customer loyalty for years to come.