Yahoo Finance The 15 Best Places to Buy Custom Christmas Cards Online in 2022 — Including Last-Minute Options
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
On This Page
Rifle Paper Co.
Minted
Zazzle
Walgreens
Artifact Uprising
Lovepop
Paper Culture
Etsy
Tiny Prints
Shutterfly
Vistaprint
Papier
Hallmark
American Greeting
Greenvelope
What to Look For Before Buying a Custom Christmas Card
Frequently Asked Questions
Take Our Word For It
There's a seasonal magic that happens when Christmas cards start arriving in the mail — a feeling of anticipation as you open the mailbox to see if any bright red or crisp white envelopes are waiting to be opened. They might contain greetings, photographs, or updates on loved ones, both near and far. "Even in today's modern world, with instant communication at the touch of a button, there is still something so special about receiving a holiday card in the mail," etiquette expert Jodi Smith tells PEOPLE. "Knowing that someone took the time to think about you and send greetings from afar…it is like a little hug in an envelope."
Perhaps you'll send a photo card covered in memories from the past year, or a goofy message signed by the dog to get some laughs. Maybe there's a vintage card that reminds your older family members of simpler times, or a pop-up card, which brings the holidays to life in a three-dimensional fashion.
"Some best practices with selecting the type of card is to allow the card to reflect your personality or your family's personality," etiquette expert Elaine Swann tells PEOPLE. She suggests sending different cards for various groups in your life to best fit those relationships — one for work colleagues, close family and friends, etc. "If you look at it from that perspective, you can have a lot of fun picking out different types of cards, and sharing the same holiday cheer," Swann says.
No matter what you love most about Christmas cards, companies like Rifle Paper Co., Minted, and Zazzle can help you design a card that will bring a smile to someone's face this holiday season.
Top 15 Best Places to Buy Custom Christmas Cards Online
Rifle Paper Co.
Pros:
Beautiful, artistic designs
Christmas and holiday cards
Available as sets or individual cards
Cons:
Not entirely customizable
Shipping not super clear
Imagine opening a holiday card and finding an ornate painting inside. That's what Rifle Paper Co. specializes in — beautiful Christmas cards with artistic images that some may argue belong at The Met. Examples of the imagery you'll find include a wintry city street, a gingerbread house, and a letter to Santa.
There's even wrapping paper available with the same creative prints. A single card costs $6, but if you have a long list of recipients, you might consider buying sets of eight for $24 each to reduce the overall price. Share a spirited greeting with gorgeous art to match through Rifle Paper Co.
Price at time of publish: $3–$6 (per card)
Shipping: 1-10 days or up to six weeks, depending on order | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: No
Minted
Pros:
Personalization
Free recipient address printing
Variety of creative templates
Quick shipping
Recyclable packaging
Cons:
Can't buy single cards (or less than a set of 25)
While classic Christmas cards often look best on a mantle, it's the funny ones that people tend to remember. Minted has an entire collection of Christmas and holiday cards that can be completely customized for a traditional or contemporary (and humorous) vibe. Swann says it's fun to "send something that's custom made," like a photograph with your greeting card.
The cards from Minted are completely customizable, especially the photo cards. Whether you're in the market for a lovely flannel bordered card, something with seasonal greenery, or an ornament style card, Minted has something for all festive appetites. Prices range from $1.26 to $3.64 per card, depending on the type of card, size, and quantity you choose.
Price at time of publish: $1.26–$3.64 (per card)
Shipping: 4 - 7 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Zazzle
Pros:
Variety of card categories and styles
Options for multiple holidays
Quick shipping options
Cons:
No recipient addressing option
Take a step back into a different time with Zazzle's retro Christmas cards, featuring scenes like a vintage red truck hauling a Christmas tree and Santa climbing out of a chimney into his waiting sleigh. If you want something more contemporary, perhaps offer a modern take with a greeting like "Making Spirits Bright." The artistic style, colors, and genre of characters all add to the whimsical nature of these timeless cards.
You can order just one or up to 1,000 cards depending on the length of your list. One card costs $2.66, but with larger orders, the price drops to $1.33 a piece. While there aren't recipient addressing options, the cards ship quickly, so you should have plenty of time to address the cards before sending.
Price at time of publish: $1.33–$2.66 (per card)
Shipping: 4–7 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: No
Walgreens
Pros:
Variety of card types & paper
Quick shipping
Personalization options
Cons:
No addressing option
Only sold in sets
Whether you want to send out a funny, generic, or religious card this holiday season, Walgreens has got you covered. With options for text color, trim design, card type (glossy, matte, cardstock, or magnet), photo templates, and added details like foil, this collection offers complete personalization. You can also write your own signature to include each family member, like on this Merry Christmas card dressed with holly and pine cones for seasonal whimsy. Plus your photo can be the background of the card like this Happy Holidays card, or it can be neatly framed like the Elegant Foliage card.
While these cards only come in sets, you can order between 20 and 500 cards — and the higher the number, the lower the price per card. There is not an option for recipient addressing, but the shipping is quick, which helps in a time crunch. There are also cards available for multiple holidays so no matter what you're celebrating this season, there's a card that can spread your greetings to loved ones near and far.
Price at time of publish: $0.99–$1.14 (per card)
Shipping: 3–5 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: No
Artifact Uprising
Pros:
Clean, minimalist designs
Great photo templates
Personalization options
Recipient addressing options
Made with recycled paper
Cons:
A little pricey
Like a gallery in card form, Artifact Uprising Christmas cards have stunning photography templates to display your best photos and memories from the past year. With a minimalist approach to design, these cards are mainly in a neutral color scheme with white backgrounds to better highlight your photos. With photo grids, film strip designs, full portraits, and more, these cards will beautifully show off your favorite photos, whether you're highlighting one image or 10.
One of our favorite cards is the Ornamental Foil Holiday card for its geometric design and gold foil accents. And the Feel the Fa La La card presents your year end memories as a film strip in a fun display. Choose between 10 and 300 cards, with prices ranging from $1.45 per card for larger orders to $2.40 for smaller quantities. Add a little personal flair with your choice of greeting, printing style, and envelope colors. These minimalist cards let your photos do the talking, so all you have to decide is which images to feature.
Price at time of publish: $1.45–$2.40 (per card)
Shipping: 3–10 days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Lovepop
Pros:
3-D cards for extra pizazz
Recipient addressing option
Some personalization options
Ships quickly
Cons:
Pricey compared to other options
Bring your holiday cards to life with three-dimensional pop-up cards from Lovepop. With creative designs like Santa decorating a tree, a Christmas wreath, and even a Hogwarts card for Harry Potter fans, these cards stand (literally) in a league of their own. That's why they cost more than others on this list — $13–$15 for one card or $50 for a set of five. As Swann suggests, sometimes it's nice to send different cards to acquaintances versus close friends. Given the price of these cards, Lovepop might be best used for your inner circle seasonal greetings.
Each pop-up card comes with a blank notecard insert where you can write a personal message. However, for an extra $5, you can submit a message and photo to be included in the card, which is then shipped directly from Lovepop to your intended recipient. With quick shipping and delivery (3–5 business days), these unique and festive cards can add an extra touch of magic to an already whimsical season.
Price at time of publish: $10–$15 (per card)
Shipping: 4–8 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Paper Culture
Pros:
Options for all holidays
Creative and sleek templates
100% recycled paper
Personalization options
Free address printing
Cons:
Shipping time frame isn't 100% clear
Paper Culture has a wide array of creative and sophisticated templates to help you design the perfect Christmas card this year. For instance, the Looking Back card provides the perfect template to highlight memories on the back with a "Year in Review" section. Comparatively, the Sign of Joy card creates photo moments on both sides with less messaging, letting the photos speak for themselves.
Some personalization options include changing the card from a Christmas card to a generic holiday card should you want to select one set for one group of friends and another for a different group. The sets range from 10 to 1000 cards with the price per card decreasing with higher orders. Paper Culture also offers free address printing so you can save your penmanship for other things, and they offer free designer assistance to help spark some creative ideas should you find yourself undecided between various design options.
Price at time of publish: $1.19–$3.94 (per card)
Shipping: Approximately 3-6 days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Etsy
Pros:
Lots of unique and creative options
Free shipping for many of the cards
Some personalization options
Cons:
Inconsistent shipping & prices depending on seller
Etsy offers a huge selection of Christmas cards from different sellers across the platform. This can be ideal when you're price hunting for the best deal and are interested in many types of Christmas cards, because this platform has them all — flat cards, folded cards, sets, generic cards, personalized cards like the Photo Christmas Card Template card, and more. Whether you're looking for a comical card from the pet like the Peace, Joy, & Wags card or a card that wraps the religious and commercial sides of Christmas into one card such as this We Saw That card, there are endless options on Etsy.
The flip side of that benefit is that there isn't a locked in price or shipping estimate. It all depends on the seller, so if you're based in the U.S. and your seller is abroad, the shipping for one set of cards might take significantly longer to arrive than one purchased from a local seller. The same concept applies to price — cost will vary depending on the Etsy store you purchase from. But regardless of that, it's a great platform with a massive assortment of options so you can find the perfect card to send out this season.
Price at time of publish: Varies by seller
Shipping: Varies by seller | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Varies by seller
Tiny Prints
Pros:
Lots of traditional and unique cards
Personalization options
Option to address & mail cards for you
Cons:
Little to no non-photo templates
Sometimes classic greetings like "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas" can feel a little dry. Spice up your Christmas cards this year with Tiny Prints's unique greetings collection. Featuring phrases like "all is chaos, all is bright" and "we've been nice (enough) all year," or a simple "XO," these cards allow your personality to shine through. I you do prefer a traditional greeting, try a non-traditional design like the Elegant Gold Leaf Happy Holidays card.
You can further personalize your holiday greeting with photo templates and details like trim design and paper quality. Card prices range from $1.38 to $4.19 each, based on the quantity in your order (one to 1,000). Plus, you can get pre-printed addresses and Tiny Prints has mail options to ship directly to you or mail the cards out for you.
Price at time of publish: $1.38–$4.19 (per card)
Shipping: 1–10 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Shutterfly
Pros:
Personalization options
Fairly quick shipping
Variety of card templates and styles
Recipient addressing options
Cons:
Little to no non-photo templates
Featuring geometric shapes and a wide variety of photo templates, the contemporary Christmas cards from Shutterfly have a little something for everyone. Customization options include foil color, card color, trim design, and cardstock quality. If you want something that speaks to the winter season in a subtle way, consider this sophisticated Plaid Pairing Holiday card. Or perhaps you might lean toward a more contemporary option like this Boldly Wrapped Holiday card.
Regardless, each card is available as a single card or a set of up to 1,000 cards, so no matter how long or short your list is, you can find the best card for your crowd. Prices range from $.98 to $2.79 per card, and shipping is fairly quick, so it's safe to assume Shutterfly is committed to helping you get your cards sent out on time.
Price at time of publish: $.98–$2.79 (per card)
Shipping: 1–10 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Vistaprint
Pros:
Vast selection of cards
Personalization options
Recipient addressing available
Fairly quick shipping
Cons:
No single card options, only sets
Foil cards from Vistaprint provide enough sparkle to compete with the Christmas lights adorning your home (OK, maybe they're not that bright). Available in gold as well as silver and glitter, this brand's collection of foil cards, as well as other Christmas cards, offers a series of templates with eye-catching script that jumps off the page. For instance,this geometric design has a sleek font that balances with the unique shapes of the photos. "When you are partial to photos, Vistaprint, Shutterfly, and your local pharmacy (CVS/Walgreens) will do," says Smith, noting that she does not have any paid or professional relationships with these companies, and that these are her personal preferences.
Most of these templates, such as the "Peace + Joy" card, include photo backgrounds, which add a nice contrast against the text (especially foil text)., For many of the cards, there are also personalization options, with a full design suite to help you pick each customization. Prices per card depend on the quantity of cards in your order (10 to 10,000) — the more you buy, the lower the cost per card. "Now (fall) is a great time to start shopping as Vistaprint has early-bird specials for those who are able to plan ahead," Smith says. Put a twinkle in the eyes of your loved ones with one of these delightful designs.
Price at time of publish: $.91–$2.39 (per card)
Shipping: 3–8 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Papier
Pros:
Vast card selection
Creative, whimsical designs
Personalization available
Good mix of custom and standard cards
Cons:
No single cards
If you have a short list of friends and family you want to touch base with this Christmas, consider buying a set of boxed cards to treat everyone to a higher quality card for less. Papier has gorgeous boxed sets adorned with ornate and playful designs like a tunnel of star-lit trees, a snow tiger, and an ice-skating scene set in Central Park.
Customize these premium cards by choosing a flat or folded format. You can also add photos and a message on the back. Most sets of 10 cards are $28, with the option to order up to 1,000 cards. Shipping is fairly quick with most cards, even personalized ones, arriving about a week after purchase. Everyone who receives a Papier Christmas card will be treated to a beautiful holiday greeting.
Price at time of publish: $1.50–$2.80 (per card)
Shipping: 7-10 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Hallmark
Pros:
Personalization available
Recipient addressing & mailing option
Many different kinds of cards
Cons:
Fewer personalized card options
Whether you're a fan of Hallmark movies or perusing the physical stores, Hallmark definitely has a grip on the holiday season. Its card selection, featuring personalized photo cards, pop-up cards, and flat cards — like this one referencing the iconic movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation — all offer a little something different for varying tastes.
If you're open to many types of cards, Hallmark has a huge selection, but if you're only looking for custom cards, its inventory is more limited. That said, you can still play around with images, text, and they will even address and mail the cards for you with the "Sign & Send" feature, which you can select before checkout. "When you have the time to add handwritten notes, boxed sets from Hallmark are ideal," says Smith. "With options from religious to fancifully silly, they will have something to suit you."
Price at time of publish: $0.99–$15.99 (per card)
Shipping: 2–8 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
American Greeting
Pros:
Diverse collection of cards
Quick shipping
Some personalization options
Cons:
Must have a membership to access personalization
American Greetings has an interesting setup because it has a collection of standard greeting cards available for regular purchase, as well as creatable cards which are held behind a membership. The creatable cards are fully customizable, with options for adding photos, personalizing text, and more, but the membership costs anywhere from $1.67 and $6.99 a month, depending on the length of your plan.
Swann says when choosing her holiday cards, "It varies from year to year. Of course Hallmark always has some great options, but American Greetings is also great too," she says. She particularly loves the collections they have, especially those designed for people of color. "I'm such a church girl, so I love the religious cards too," she adds. So whether you want a simple greeting card like this Ornaments Christmas card, or a custom card like one celebrating Dolly Parton, American Greetings has a card for you.
Price at time of publish: Varies for standard cards; $1.66-$6.99 per month (for membership)
Shipping: 2–5 business days | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes (with membership) | Addressing option: Yes (with membership)
Greenvelope
Pros:
Eco-conscious
No shipping costs/wait times
Huge selection
Personalization options
Cons:
Online/digital cards only
Partnered with the National Forest Foundation, Greenvelope is a completely eco-conscious brand that offers digital cards to send out to all of your loved ones this holiday via email. It offers all the same customizations as other brands (if not more) like envelope design, card design, text, photos, music, and so many other features. There are playful designs like a gingerbread city and even a houseplants Christmas card where the succulents form the tree.
When designing each card, you'll first have to sign up for an account, but it's not a membership so there aren't any fees. You can also create a contacts list that you can modify every year for easy sending when the season rolls. For an even further customized experience, you can work with a Greenvelope designer to create a custom card that's designed especially for you. No duplicate Christmas cards this year — yours will literally be one-of-a-kind.
Price at time of publish: $19–$3,799 (to send up to 20–25,000 people)
Shipping: N/A | Cards for Multiple Holidays: Yes | Personalization: Yes | Addressing option: Yes, but for email
What to Look For Before Buying a Custom Christmas Card
Design
When you're considering which Christmas card to buy, start with a design that speaks to your personality and audience. "So if your personality is joyful and jokey… then sure, choose a card that reflects that," says Swann. Smith agrees, adding, "Some people will choose the same style each year, while others choose their cards based on their current moods." She suggests including a photo or a note to update your loved ones on your life, and finding a card that best fits you (and your budget)!
Personalization
There are so many ways to personalize a card, so if custom is the route you're going, think about the elements you want to include in the card. Perhaps go with a foil accent, a photo template, or custom greeting message that's signature to your personality. Many brands have different levels of personalization, but even with pre-set cards, you can still find one that matches your personality and what you want to say this holiday season.
Greeting
A greeting might be the most important part of a Christmas card (in addition to photos, if you choose that option). As Elaine mentioned, it might behoove you to select different greetings for different groups in your life. A standard "Happy Holidays" might suffice and pay respect to varying beliefs in a professional setting, whereas "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" might be better suited for your immediate friends or family. Ultimately, it's up to you what message you want to send to spread holiday cheer.
Pricing
Many of the brands on this list offer individual cards and sets, so when you're looking at pricing make sure to check whether the price is per card or for the set. There are usually a range of options you can select (in terms of card quantity), but if you're sending to 100 people or more, it can quickly add up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to order and send out Christmas cards?
In short, the period after Thanksgiving to New Years is the best time to send out cards for the holidays." That's a really great time — that's why we refer to it as the holiday season," says Swann. "It is a seasonal thing. With people receiving cards during that time frame, it offers the opportunity for people to experience that surprise and delight of getting a card in the mail."
As an added tip, Smith says, "Just like your other holiday obligations, it is important to keep an updated list for your holiday cards. Personally, I prefer to keep the names and addresses in an excel file." She says this helps when it comes time to print or upload more addresses. "It also allows for quick sorting by state or country as needed," she says. "Mid-autumn, take a look at your list. Update for marriages, divorces, children, moves, and deaths. While it is rare for anyone to be dropped from my list, I do add a few recipients every year."
Should you send Christmas cards from the pet?
This is obviously a personal decision, and if you want the seasonal spotlight to fall on your pet, then by all means send a pet card. There are lots of great options from brands on our list with funny greetings referencing the fluffy members of the family. Swann has some suggestions for sending pet cards too — primarily "it should be sent to an individual who would actually enjoy it," she says. "As opposed to sending a card from the perspective of 'here's what I want the person to have,' select your cards based on how you think the person would receive it." In every crowd, there are people who might roll their eyes at a pet holiday card, and others who will frame it on their fridge. You know your people, so deliver accordingly.
What type of greeting should you send out during the holidays?
The market is saturated with many different greetings, and you want to be authentic to yourself while still being respectful of the recipient. "Remember to be inclusive in your holiday messaging for the wide range of holidays celebrated this time of year," says Smith. "When in doubt, "Seasons Greetings" and "Happy New Year" always work," she says.
"The way we communicate through our cards should be the same way we communicate in various groups," adds Swann. She recommends more general greetings for workplace cards, and getting more personal with those who share the same values as you. "That's where you can get into the more religious cards, if you want, whether it's Hanukkah, Christmas or what have you," she says.
RELATED: Still Christmas Shopping? Here Are 30 Holiday Gifts Under $30 That'll Arrive by December 25
Take Our Word For It
Madison Yauger is a staff writer for PEOPLE who's tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources. For this story, she spoke to etiquette experts Elaine Swann and Jodi Smith, and thoroughly researched each Christmas card brand and its products.
