When to Send Holiday Cards in 2026 — Your Complete Calendar
Featured Holiday Cards: Business Holiday Cards
Make your 2026 greeting card schedule strategic, effective, and timely. Use our month-by-month holiday and occasions guide to pinpoint optimal send windows that help your cards arrive on time to make the most impact.
What Greeting Cards Should I Send in January 2026?
New Year’s Day — January 1, 2026
Start the year with warm wishes for your professional and personal relationships. New Year’s in a great time to inspire someone’s prosperous journey for 2026 and beyond. Mail cards in late December to arrive before New Year’s Day.
Featured New Year's card: Blue Fireworks New Year Card
Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 19, 2026
For MLK Day, send respectful greetings celebrating the sacrifice of this beautiful humanitarian the week of Jan. 12–16.
What Are Appropriate Holidays to Send Greetings During February and March?
Valentine’s Day — February 14, 2026
Aim for first week of February delivery. It’s a great sometimes unexpected opportunity to show appreciation to customers, employees, and loved ones.
Featured Valentine's Day card: Pink Puzzle Appreciation Card
Presidents’ Day — February 16, 2026
Consider themed, patriotic cards for mid-February. Mail your greetings between Feb. 9–13.
St. Patrick’s Day — March 17, 2026
Pass along the luck of the Irish to your recipients for St. Patty’s Day in early March.
Featured St. Patrick's Day card: Floating Clovers of Luck - St Patricks Day Card
What Are Some Spring Holidays Throughout April, May, and June?
Easter — April 5, 2026
From religious cards to warm wishes from the Easter bunny, remember to send in late March. For a card that simply welcomes spring, send in early April. Whether you’re promoting your brand, offering a client discount, or reaching out to an old friend, spring is a great time to start fresh and say hello.
Featured Easter Greeting card: Egg Hunt Easter Card
May – June
Mother’s Day — May 10, 2026
Celebrate the moms in your life, but remember to do it by late April or the first week of May.
Featured Mother's Day card: Flower Bouquet Mother's Day Card
Memorial Day — May 25, 2026
Send your heartfelt remembrances and respect by mid-May.
Juneteenth — June 19, 2026
Commemorate the end of slavery by mailing your cards in early to mid-June.
Father’s Day — June 21, 2026
Target first half of June so cards arrive by the weekend.
Featured card: Father's Day Gifts Card
Summer & Fall
Independence Day — July 4, 2026
Since July 4 falls on a Saturday, consider mailing late June for a timely delivery.
Featured 4th of July card: Leading Lady - Independence Day Card
Labor Day — September 7, 2026
Late August mailings work best.
Featured greeting card: Custom Standard Horizontal Card
Columbus Day — October 12, 2026
Send seasonal cards in early October.
Halloween — October 31, 2026
Mail cards mid-October for fun fall greetings.
Featured Halloween card: Harvest Moon Halloween Card
November and December Holidays
Veterans Day — November 11, 2026
Mail first week of November for timely delivery.
Thanksgiving — November 26, 2026
Send cards early to mid-November to avoid peak postal volume.
Featured Thanksgiving card: Perfect Pumpkin Thanksgiving Card
Hanukkah — December 4 – December 12, 2026
Make sure to mail your Hanukkah Cards in late November to celebrate the Festival of Lights!
Christmas Day — December 25, 2026
For domestic delivery, USPS traditionally recommends mailing your Christmas and holiday cards in early to mid-December to ensure arrival before Christmas. For international cards, begin mailing even earlier.
Featured Christmas card: Classic Ornaments Holiday Card
Kwanzaa — December 26 – Jan 1, 2027
Mail your Kwanzaa cards 1–2 weeks before December 26 so they can arrive by the first day of the celebration and enjoyed throughout the week.
New Year’s Eve — December 31, 2026
Let the ball drop and toast to another successful year! Aim for sending your cards the week of Dec. 21–28.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to send holiday cards in 2026?
The best time to send holiday cards in 2026 is 1–3 weeks before the holiday. This helps ensure on-time delivery and avoids postal delays, especially during peak mailing seasons like November and December.
When should I mail Christmas cards in 2026?
For domestic delivery, Christmas cards should be mailed early to mid-December 2026. International cards should be sent earlier, typically late November, to allow for longer transit times.
How early should businesses send holiday greeting cards?
Businesses should send holiday greeting cards earlier than personal cards, ideally 2–3 weeks before the holiday. Early delivery ensures your message stands out and avoids competition during peak mail volume.
What holidays are most popular for sending greeting cards?
The most popular holidays for sending greeting cards include Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Independence Day. Many businesses also send cards for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving.
Is it better to send holiday cards before or after a holiday?
It’s generally better to send holiday cards before the holiday so your message arrives in time to be enjoyed. However, New Year’s cards are an exception and are often sent in late December or early January.
How far in advance should I order holiday cards?
To avoid rush fees and limited inventory, order holiday cards 4–6 weeks before you plan to mail them. This allows time for personalization, proofing, and addressing.
Do mailing deadlines change during the holidays?
Yes. Mailing deadlines often shift during the holidays due to increased postal volume. Sending cards earlier than usual in November and December helps reduce the risk of delays.
Can I send holiday cards for non-traditional or seasonal occasions?
Absolutely. Many people and businesses send cards for seasonal greetings, winter wishes, fall thank-yous, or year-end appreciation, which can be mailed anytime throughout the season.
To select and personalize your holiday cards for each of the abovementioned occasions, please browse and personalize holiday cards.
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