How to Choose the Perfect Holiday Card
Choosing a holiday card sounds simple—until you start looking at all the possibilities.
Do you want a photo card? A traditional Christmas design? Something modern? Something elegant? Should you say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”?
The good news is that there really isn’t one perfect holiday card.
The perfect card is the one that feels right for you and the people who will receive it.
Ready to create your own holiday photo cards? Visit our Holiday Cards collection at Create-A-Design.
Here are some simple ways to narrow down your choices.
Start With Your Holiday Card List
Before choosing your design, think about who will receive your cards.
Your list might include:
Family
Close friends
Neighbors
Children’s teachers
Coworkers
Clients
Former colleagues
Long-distance friends
You may decide to use one design for everyone, or choose different designs for personal and professional relationships.
Choose Your Overall Style
The easiest way to narrow your choices is to decide what style you want.
Traditional
Choose classic holiday colors and familiar seasonal details if you love timeless Christmas style.
Modern
Look for clean typography, simple layouts, and contemporary details.
Elegant
Choose refined fonts, subtle embellishments, metallic accents, or sophisticated color combinations.
Fun and Family-Friendly
Bright colors, playful illustrations, and family photographs can make a cheerful holiday greeting.
Photo-Focused
If sharing your favorite family photograph is the most important part, choose a layout that gives the photograph plenty of room.
Decide Whether You Want a Photo
Photo holiday cards are wonderful for families who want to share a favorite moment from the year.
Your photograph doesn’t need to be a formal family portrait.
Some of the best options are candid photographs from:
Family vacations
Birthday celebrations
Outdoor adventures
Family gatherings
Sporting events
Everyday family moments
Choose a photograph that makes you smile.
Think About Your Greeting
Your greeting should match both your design and your recipients.
For a traditional Christmas card, you might choose:
Merry Christmas
For a broader audience:
Happy Holidays
Or consider:
Season’s Greetings
Warm Holiday Wishes
Wishing You Peace and Joy
There is no requirement to use the same greeting every year.
Personalize the Details
Small personal details can make a big difference.
Depending on your card design, you might include:
Your family name
Individual family members’ names
The year
A personal message
A favorite photograph
A short family update
You don’t have to write a long letter. Even one personal sentence can make a printed greeting feel much warmer.
Consider Who Will Receive the Card
A message that works perfectly for family may not be appropriate for a business contact.
For personal cards, you can be warm and informal.
For professional cards, a simple greeting such as “Warm Holiday Wishes” or “Season’s Greetings” is often a good choice.
When you’re unsure, keep the message positive, warm, and inclusive.
Don’t Overthink the Design
One common mistake is trying to combine too many ideas.
If your card already has a beautiful photograph, you may not need a complicated background.
If the design has elaborate artwork, a simple greeting may work best.
Think about balance.
The goal is for the card to feel special—not crowded.
Order a Few Extra Cards
This is one of the easiest holiday-card tips to overlook.
Keep several extra cards available for:
Someone you accidentally left off your list
A new neighbor
A new friend
A colleague
Someone who sends you a card unexpectedly
Having a few extras can save you from a last-minute scramble.
Choose a Card That Feels Like You
Ultimately, choosing the perfect holiday card comes down to one question:
Does this card feel like us?
If your family loves traditional Christmas style, choose it.
If you’re drawn to modern design, go modern.
If your favorite photograph is the star of the show, choose a photo card.
Your holiday card is a small way of sharing your personality and your year with the people you care about.
Find Your Perfect Holiday Card
Explore our collection of beautiful personalized holiday cards and find the design that’s just right for your family, friends, and loved ones.
Ready to start?
Explore Create A Design’s collection of personalized Holiday Cards and choose a style that makes your holiday greetings uniquely yours.
A beautiful card doesn’t have to be complicated. It simply needs to feel personal, thoughtful, and genuine.