Tame Your Christmas Card Anxiety...

It's never too late for a meaningful connection.

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Is Christmas Card Anxiety (CCA) a real thing?

Yes, indeed!

It’s the sense of overwhelm we often feel at this time of year when faced with the task of sending Christmas or holiday cards to family, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. I think there are four main culprits:

1. A long list of recipients: Feeling obligated to send cards to everyone you know.

2. Perfectionism: Worrying that your message, photo, or card design isn’t “good enough.”

3. Time pressure: Feeling rushed to get them done before Christmas, especially if other holiday tasks are piling up.

4. Fear of judgment: Stressing about whether the recipients will notice or care if your card arrives late or not at all.

At its heart, Christmas Card Anxiety comes from wanting to show love and connection through a thoughtful gesture, but feeling bogged down by unrealistic expectations or the weight of tradition.

There’s a treatment for CCA

Who says Christmas cards must be sent before December 25th? In my church tradition, that’s the first day of Christmas, and the season’s not over until Epiphany on January 6 (remember the 12 Days of Christmas?). Many people would love to hear from you just as much after Christmas, whether it’s a New Year’s note, a Valentine’s card, or even a thoughtful message on a random day. Heck, at my age, people are just glad to know I’m still alive (at least, I hope they are)!

Connection is always more important than timing!

So let’s reframe this and have a little fun with a poem written just for you, with a little help from my brainstorming buddy, ChatGPT:

Twas two weeks before Christmas, and all through her mind,
A flurry of worries was easy to find.
Her list stretched for miles—so many to write!
Her cards sat untouched as she sighed late at night.

The pens were all gathered, the stamps neatly stacked,
But the joy of the season was something she lacked.
“What’s wrong with me?” whispered her voice full of dread,
As visions of deadlines danced round in her head.

“The cousins, the colleagues, the neighbors, the friends—
When will this list ever come to its end?
I want to bring cheer, but I’m drowning in guilt;
This card-writing season’s not how it was built!”

She stared at the tree with its glittering glow,
And wished for a way to let everyone know,
That her love for them sparkled, as bright as the star,
But this yearly tradition felt harder by far.

When out of her thoughts there arose a soft chime,
A voice from within whispered, “Take back your time.
Cards aren’t about dates or a ticking clock’s chime—
Connection can happen at any old time.”

She smiled at the thought of New Year’s gold cheer,
Or pink Valentine’s hearts to spread love sincere.
A green St. Pat’s card, or an Eastertime bloom,
Could brighten a mailbox and lighten the gloom.

So she gathered her paper, her ink, and her stamps,
And snuggled in close by the fire’s cozy lamps.
“I’ll write when I’m ready, with love in my pen,
And they’ll treasure my note—be it now or till then.”

And so, to her list she gave a new twist,
No pressure, no rushing, no joy to be missed.
For cards sent with care are a heartspoken treasure,
Their timing a gift, not a chore to be measured.

So to you, Christmas worrier, hear this refrain:
Your kindness and thoughtfulness aren’t on a train.
Send cards when it suits you, and know this is true—
The message, not timing, is what will shine through.

It’s not too late…but almost!

If you want your mailed packages and cards to arrive before December 25, the US Postal service recommends the following mail dates: (excluding Alaska and Hawaii which require 1-2 additional days):

• USPS Ground Advantage^® Service, mail by Dec. 18

• First-Class Mail^® Service, mail by Dec. 18

• Priority Mail^® Service, mail by Dec. 19

• Priority Mail Express^® Service^2, mail by Dec. 21

For other destinations: https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm

Some terrific gift ideas

Don’t miss my Gift Guide for Note and Letter Writers! Of course it includes my book and services, but also lots of other fun ideas.

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Next week

My Christmas treat for you is a wonderful story—worthy of Hallmark—from my friend Lisa Mills who answered an ad to buy an antique vanity and found some handwritten letters inside that were over 70 years old! Could she track down the writer or their family? Subscribe now so you don’t miss it:

Coming in 2025: Join the Heartspoken Ambassadors

Many of you have asked how you could support the Heartspoken Movement and my writing. I’ll continue delivering this absolutely free, weekly support to inspire and enrich your note and letter-writing life, but starting in January, I plan to roll out some subscription options, including a group called Heartspoken Ambassadors. There will be accompanying benefit levels that include discounts, monthly action plans, and access to a library of resources to transform and energize their writing. Stay tuned for details. Make 2025 the year you become a master note writer.

Before You Go

If you enjoyed this post, please hit the heart button, leave a comment, and share it with a friend who loves notes and letter-writing and wants to do it well. If you’re a Substack author, recommendations and restacks are greatly appreciated!

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Have a great week, and always remember: whether written or spoken,
words from the heart will never fail you!