Picture this: It’s the holiday season. Your inbox is overflowing with digital Christmas cards, discount offers, and—dare we say it—the dreaded company-wide holiday memo. Amongst the flurry of virtual tinsel, you see a festive eCard. But… it’s January. Awkward.
Timing, as they say, is everything—especially when it comes to sending digital holiday cards. Send it too early, and it gets buried before December even starts. Send it too late, and it might as well wish them a Happy New Year (if it hasn’t already ended up in the deleted pile). So, what’s the secret to making sure your business Christmas cards don’t just make an appearance but leave a lasting impression? Let’s dive in.
Avoiding the Early Bird Syndrome
The holiday season is notorious for inbox clutter. Everyone from your favourite pizza chain to that random app you downloaded two years ago is sending you their best wishes. But before you get too excited and click ‘send’ on your corporate Christmas card in early November, slow down! Just because the first tree went up in the local mall doesn’t mean it’s time to start spreading digital cheer.
The optimal window to send animated Christmas cards is mid-December. This is when the festive spirit is in full swing, but the real rush hasn’t quite hit. You want your card to land in that magical period where people are both feeling festive and not yet overwhelmed by 100 other holiday greetings.
Timing for Global Reach
Sending out digital Christmas cards gets a little more complicated when you’re dealing with international clients. The holidays differ around the world, and while the “Merry Christmas” card works in most Western cultures, be mindful of other traditions and dates that might come earlier or later. If you’re dealing with clients in multiple countries, it might be worth adjusting the timing so your eCard isn’t hitting inboxes too far off from their own celebrations.
And don’t forget about time zones! If you’re going for that 9 AM inbox surprise, make sure you’re sending the card when it will actually be 9 AM in their part of the world—not 2 AM when it’s more likely to be met with a delete button.
The Goldilocks Moment: Not Too Late, Not Too Early
There’s also the opposite end of the spectrum: being late to the holiday party. No one wants to be the company that’s still sending out Christmas wishes as people are preparing for New Year’s resolutions. You’re aiming for a fun, festive tone, not a “sorry we forgot to send this” vibe.
The sweet spot for Christmas eCards? Ideally, you’ll want to send an eCard between December 10th and 18th. It’s festive enough to be relevant, but far enough from the chaos of last-minute Christmas shopping and year-end wrap-ups.
Standing Out Amid the Noise
Let’s be real—your business Christmas card will likely not be the only one in your client’s inbox. The key to standing out (other than perfect timing) is through creativity and personalization. We’re talking animated Christmas cards, customised messages, and designs that scream, “We put thought into this!” You can even make an eCard interactive, with clickable elements that engage your recipient beyond a simple glance.
A pro tip? Use data wisely. Personalising your digital Christmas cards to include the recipient’s name or referencing a milestone your company achieved together can make a massive difference. The more relevant the card, the more likely it is to be remembered—and appreciated.
Don’t Get Spammed
One of the worst things that can happen to your beautifully crafted digital holiday card is for it to get sucked into the black hole that is the spam folder. To avoid this, make sure your subject line doesn’t look too clickbait-y. Something simple like “Holiday Wishes from [Your Company]” or “Sending Season’s Greetings Your Way” is more likely to get opened.
And finally, ensure your eCard provider uses reputable servers so your email doesn’t get flagged. After all, you want your corporate Christmas card to be a hit, not an email ghost.
Wrapping It All Up
The right eCard, sent at the right time, is a festive cherry on top of your year-round client relationships. In an ocean of seasonal greetings, perfectly timed digital Christmas cards will ensure your message lands when it counts—and that it’s opened with a smile rather than a sigh.
So, as the holiday season rolls around, make sure to send an eCard that shines. Timing isn’t just everything—it’s the thing. Happy sending!