| Believe it or not, when you send out a greeting card, | | | | you know enough about the recipient to avoid |
| there are certain rules of etiquette to follow. Sure, your | | | | accidentally being offensive. This can be tricky when |
| close friends and family won't begrudge you if you | | | | sending out greeting cards to business associates, and |
| don't follow every single etiquette rule. Nonetheless, if | | | | the time you spend to ensure that the greeting is |
| you want to impress the recipient, or if you are sending | | | | appropriate is very important. For example, you may |
| out a greeting card to a business associate, there are | | | | offend a client if you send a Christmas card to one |
| certain rules of etiquette to keep in mind. | | | | who is of a religion that does not celebrate the holiday. |
| Keep It Personal | | | | Therefore, you can individualize your greetings or you |
| Although technology has made it easier to print off | | | | can send out greeting cards that would not be |
| mailing labels in a matter of minutes, it really is best to | | | | offensive to any particular group. In the case of |
| handwrite the addresses on your envelope. If you use | | | | Christmas cards, for example, you might send out |
| mailing labels, it takes out the personal touch | | | | cards that simply wish "Happy Holidays" rather than |
| associated with greeting cards and makes it look like | | | | specifying one religion. |
| you sent out hundreds of impersonal greetings to | | | | Address the Envelope Properly |
| everyone you know. While this may not be far from | | | | Ideally, you should send your greeting cards to the |
| the truth -- particularly if you are sending out greeting | | | | home of the recipient, even if the person is a business |
| cards to business associates -- you certainly don't | | | | associate. If you don't have the home address, sending |
| want to send this message along with your greetings. | | | | the greeting to the place of business is acceptable; just |
| If you have more greeting cards than you can handle | | | | be certain to keep it as personal as possible. |
| personally, you might want to consider hiring someone | | | | When sending a greeting card to a business |
| to personally handwrite them for you. | | | | associate's home, the spouse of the associate should |
| The personalization of your greetings also extends to | | | | also be mentioned. It's okay if you don't know the |
| the card itself. While you may have your business | | | | name of the wife if your business associate is male, |
| information printed on the inside of your card, you | | | | because you can address the envelope with a "Mr. |
| definitely should sign the card yourself. Writing a short | | | | and Mrs. John Doe." If the business associate is female, |
| message inside will also further the impact of your | | | | however, you will need to find out the name of her |
| greeting card. Just a few words is enough; something | | | | husband so you can address the greeting card |
| as simple as, "Wishing you the very best," will suffice. | | | | properly. |
| You will be amazed at just how far a short message | | | | If one or both of the recipients is a doctor, there are |
| such as this can go toward strengthening relationships | | | | additional rules of etiquette to follow. If both are |
| -- whether it's a personal or business relationship. | | | | doctors, the envelope should be addressed with "The |
| Finally, be mindful of e-greetings, as these have too | | | | Doctors Doe." If they have different last names, |
| little personal impact, if at all. This is particularly true with | | | | however, the proper way to start the address is with |
| business associates. E-greetings simply do not make | | | | "Dr. John Doe and Dr. Jane Smith." If only the husband |
| the same impact as paper greetings and, in fact, may | | | | is a doctor, the envelope is addressed with "Dr. and |
| even be offensive to some clients. Although | | | | Mrs. John Doe." If the wife is a doctor and the husband |
| e-greetings can be fun and are simple to send, these | | | | is not, the proper label is "Mr. John Doe and Dr. Jane |
| greetings should be used only with your closest friends | | | | Doe." |
| and family. Even then, proper etiquette dictates sending | | | | Following proper greeting card etiquette can seem |
| a paper greeting for major events, such as holidays, | | | | confusing at first, but adhering to a few simple rules will |
| birthdays, and anniversaries. | | | | help you make your recipients feel truly special every |
| Know the Recipient | | | | time one of your greeting cards arrives in the mail. |
| When sending out greeting cards, it is important that | | | | |