It’s the same every year: Merry Christmas card time

Christmas cards belong to Advent like candles on the Christmas tree. We read them, and we’re either pleased or we shrug our shoulders.

However, by giving the text a personal touch, we can ensure a lasting impression. One thing’s for sure: platitudes and empty phrases won’t get you anywhere – they’re a waste of the card they’re written on. Finding the right tone for Christmas cards sent to business partners is significantly harder than penning one to a friend. To make matters worse, business-related Christmas greetings are usually sent out en masse: after all, who can compose or even handwrite hundreds of cards?

Merry Christmas card time

That said, companies can set themselves apart from run-of-the-mill formulae by eschewing the usual Christmas greetings and coming up with a few unique ideas of their own. It’s worth doing that, because originality suggests that you’re expressing your appreciation for the addressee.

Instead of “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”, how about something a little more creative? Try using alternative words and expressions that spark emotion, and wish something meaningful. Maybe something like:

We wish you a sparkling celebration and a New Year brimful of pleasant surprises.

We join with the Christ Child in wishing you a wonderful celebration. May the New Year bring you happiness, peace and prosperity.

We are grateful to you for your continued support and custom and wish you every success for the coming year.

Here are more ingredients for our Christmas card recipe:

1. Appreciation, not blah-blah
As mentioned earlier, steer away from stock phrases and empty words. Try thinking about the special things that happened during the year that’s drawing to an end and what connects you with your business partners. Use heartfelt language to arouse emotions. You’ll also find tips on an attractive writing style here. At the same time, you need to be nuanced: wishing a new customer you don’t know very well a happy Christmas with their loved ones might be inappropriate.

 

2. Creativity is also on the Christmas wish list

Make your card stand out by doing things differently. After all, you want the recipient to read your card with pleasure and not put it straight in the bin. Think about the choice of paper and/or the shape of the card – maybe a star? – or an original photo as a motif. Cards like that are more likely to be remembered than a folded A5 with the traditional Christmas tree on the front. Whatever you choose, opt for high quality paper and images. Amateur photos are counterproductive, so hire a professional if necessary.

 

3. No advertising under the Christmas tree!

Check that you don’t come across as too pushy. The best advertising for your company is a Christmas card to which you’ve given some thought: it shows that your customers are important and that they mean a lot to you.

4. Design not kitsch

Adhere to your company’s corporate design and stay true to yourself – it’ll ensure your brand recognition. However, don’t make your logo too obtrusive. Refrain from using ornate and kitschy fonts that are hard to read and look old-fashioned. Hand-signed cards are appreciated more than those with impersonal pre-printed signatures. Set time aside to sign a few cards each day by making this task a pre-Christmas ritual. Doing that also helps keep your mind fresh.

 

5. One or multiple versions?

Think about producing different variations of Christmas card for the various target groups. You might, for instance, want to address recipients in different ways. But fundamentally, compelling ideas and friendly texts are key to creating a good card that’s relevant to everyone. That’s why it’s worth investing time and effort here.

 

6. Planning and sending

Plan your Christmas cards well in advance and allow time for any translations. It’s best to send them at the beginning of Advent – that way, they’re sure to be read before Christmas and won’t end up unopened in the New Year’s recycling.

 

7. A concept avoids the annual headache

Developing a concept will save you having to “reinvent the wheel” every year in terms of the card’s design and text. One idea is to define a Christmas theme for implementation by an annually changing roster of creatives, artists and copywriters. This approach will ease your workload and ensure that what you’re sending is special and unique.

 

With this in mind, we wish you a happy  wonderfully creative Advent

Do you have any questions or are you interested in working with us?

I would be happy to answer your questions or introduce you to Apostroph Group and our services in a personal meeting.
Nadia Gaille
Head of Customer Success

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