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December 6, 2013

Best Christmas Card Messages for Small Businesses

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 2:44 pm

Snowy Day Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirectChristmas is almost here, and with it, a rush of holiday greetings. As a business leader, it’s in your best interest to send a brief note to any important contacts, including clients, vendors and industry associates.

When crafted correctly, Christmas correspondence offers these contacts a great reminder of your presence in the business community, while also bolstering their impression of your company. However, a poorly-written business Christmas card can have the exact opposite effect, which is why you want to put your best effort into writing an interesting and relevant Christmas letter.

Write A Touching, But Succinct Message

Your typical business leader wades through dozens of Christmas cards, at minimum. Going through these can be exhausting, particularly if each sender chooses to include a lengthy recap of every single happening from the past year. Here are some simple messages to start you off:

your family (1)

your family

christmas-message

 

Keep your business Christmas card messages on point by highlighting one or two significant developments, before moving on to the reason for the season. Ultimately, your business talk should be sandwiched with holiday language, beginning with a Christmas-related greeting and ending with your best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Feel free to add a personalized note if you’re on close speaking terms with the client — this can reinforce the notion that, yes, you really do care, and no, this is not a mere form letter.

Choosing The Right CardShimmering Votives Holiday NoteCards by PaperDirect

What tone are you hoping to infuse into your Christmas message? Are you looking to joke around in a light-hearted manner? Or is a more religious overtone more appropriate in your situation?

Either way, the card you choose can make or break the overall message, no matter how well you craft the written content.

As you browse through the vast selection of Christmas note cards from PaperDirect, be sure to choose an exterior that actually reflects the overarching concept. Thus, a jokey note will work nicely with a Santa card, while images of candles or ornaments better reflect a more serious message.

Don’t ever make the mistake of underestimating the power of a well-crafted Christmas card. Whether you’re reconnecting with old clients or hoping to strengthen a more recent connections, the perfect business card will set you on a straight course towards success in the new year. Take your time as you draft an appropriate holiday message, for the ensuing impression could make or break your client relations.

November 29, 2013

5 Steps to a Genuine End of the Year Thank You Letter

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 10:38 am
Snowy Splendor Specialty Border Papers by PaperDirect

As another year draws to a close, it’s time to look back and think about the role your clients and customers played in supporting your business over the past 12 months.

An end of the year thank you letter sent to customers will let them know how much you appreciated working with them over the last year and how much you look forward to working with them in the future.

You want your company’s thank you notes to come off as sincere and genuine, not forced. Here’s how to do exactly that.

1. Hand Write Your Notes

Pick out festive Christmas thank you notes and fill them with handwritten sentiments.

Enchanted Christmas Specialty Note Cards by PaperDirect

Writing your thank you letters by hand shows your clients that you really do appreciate their business and that you’re taking the time to let them know. Who knows, they might be impressed enough that you took the time to actually write the note that they tell their friends.

2. Address Each Client by Name

You’re taking the time to hand write the notes. You should also take the time to write out individual customer names on them.

Instead of a simple “Hello” or “Dear Customer,” write “Dear Mr. X.”

3. Say Thanks

The whole point of a thank you letter, of course, is saying thanks to your client. Say “thank you” first thing in the letter, before you move on to discuss the reasons why or to write about the highlights of your company’s year in business.

4. Give a Reason for Thanks

Address each client individually in your thank you notes. For example, if a customer has been buying from your company for five years, write “Thank you for choosing us as your supplier for five years.” You can also list other reasons for saying “thank you.” If the client referred other customers to you over the past year, state that in the letter and say thanks.

Tiffany Personalized Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirect

5. Talk About the Future

Close the letter by briefly mentioning your company’s plans for the coming year. Mention that you hope your customer or client will decide to continue to work with your business in the years to come.

Remember to sign the letter with your name before sending it off to your client.

Taking the time to write thank you letters might seem like a big task, but it is one that will pay off in terms of continued customer or client loyalty.

Shop for Thank You cards at PaperDirect.

November 27, 2013

How to Write Warm Christmas Greetings for Your Valued Clients

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 2:51 pm

Star Tree Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirectWhen you’re the one put in charge of writing the Christmas cards for the holiday season, it may seem to be a bit of an overwhelming task. You want to write warm Christmas greetings for clients and you don’t want to come off as sounding phony or impersonal. The best way to handle it is to start off with a great, high-quality card, such as the ones we offer, and then personalize it.

  • Pick a design that works with your holiday message, whether it’s religious or more neutral
  • Keep your language natural
    • If you sound stilted or too formal your message becomes impersonal
    • Write to your customers in the same way that you would speak to them
  • Thank your customers for their business over the past yearCrimson Thank You Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirect
    • Tell your customers clearly how important their business is to you
    • Express your desire to continue working with them
  • Take some time to talk a bit about your company
    • Let customers know what you’ve done during the year
    • Give them some information on what you hope to accomplish in the new year
    • Point out any big changes or improvements you may have made during the past year
  • Include a separate sheet on Christmas paper with cards that are too thick to work in your printer
  • If your business is small, mention customers by name
    • If you name some customers you should name them all
    • If you have too many customers to mention individually, don’t name anybody
  • Offer customers your wishes to them for a wonderful holiday season and a great new year
  • Use cards that are either professionally printed with your company name or signed by hand
  • Place your cards in high-quality envelopes – foil-lined envelopes usually impress customers
  • Cards can be heavier than regular letters, so check the postage before you send them
  • Get your cards to the post office in plenty of time to get to your customers before Christmas

Snowy Day Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirectRemember that while you may not have time to write an individual Christmas greetings for clients, to keep things warm and friendly your greeting should be relevant to all of them. Avoid focusing on events that many of your customers won’t know about and instead talk about those things that impact most, if not all, of your customers. Don’t forget that your customers’ very first impression is the card that you use; make it a great one.

November 20, 2013

The 12 Days of Business: Christmas Card Messages for Clients and Colleagues

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , , , , , — PDWriter @ 12:27 pm
Radiant Merriment Postcards by PaperDirect

Connecting with your customers during the Holidays helps to spreads good cheer, shows appreciation, and creates goodwill. It’s also an excellent integrated marketing opportunity.

Christmas messages for clients can convey your gratitude for their patronage and make them more likely to remember you in the year ahead.

Whether you send out a letter, traditional cards or Christmas postcards, a warm and heartfelt message is the key to success.

12 Christmas Messages for Clients:

Snowflake Thank You Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirect

1. Here at _________ we love the Holidays because we get the chance to express our sincere gratitude for you, our client. Best wishes for the year ahead!

2. A Merry Christmas to you, our cherished partner. We’re sending you and your family heartfelt wishes for peace, joy and abundance this Holiday Season.

3. A joyous Christmas greeting to you and yours — thank you for your trust and belief in us. We look forward to serving you in the coming year.

4. Merry Christmas! We appreciate your business and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship for many Holiday Seasons to come.

5. Because of you, every Christmas at __________ is nicer than the last. You help make us a better company. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

6. Our business would not be able to grow and thrive without your support. Thank you for choosing __________ — we look forward to partnering with you in the year ahead.

7. We would like to take this opportunity during the Holiday season to express our sincere gratitude for you as our cherished customer.

8. Here at _________, we appreciate our clients and want to take this opportunity during the Holidays to express our sincere thanks. Merry Christmas!

9. We work hard every day to provide you with the best service possible, and we will work even harder this New Year. Merry Christmas!

10. The Christmas spirit is inside each and every one of us. Wishing you warm Holiday Greetings this Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

11. Thank you for choosing _________. We’re wishing you all of the joys of the Holiday Season and look forward to serving you in the coming New Year.

Winter Forest Specialty Postcards by PaperDirect

12. Providing our customers with excellent service is something we strive to do all year round. We appreciate your business and wish you and yours a festive Holiday Season.

Whether in a letter, a traditional card, or on Christmas postcards, heartfelt printed Christmas messages for clients can help you effectively express appreciation for your partners.

Done well, you’ll set the tone for their continued patronage in the New Year.

Shop for postcards now!

November 19, 2013

Sample Business Christmas Letters for Your First Go Around

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 12:31 pm
Red Ribbon And Pine Border Papers by PaperDirect

As Christmas approaches, your business may have a certain obligation to greet, and maintain connections with, a wide array of clients and fellow industry leaders. One of the easiest ways to fulfill this necessity is with the creation and distribution of an annual Christmas letter.

Unfortunately, developing a Christmas letter that is informative, interesting, and relevant is easier said than done. For a unique but practical business Christmas letter, keep the following tips in mind.

Formal Business Christmas Letter Example:

*Note you may need to edit this letter to apply more directly to your clients, customers or partnerships.

December 12th, 2022

Greetings Charles,

Very Warm Wishes from your Partners at [Company Name]. We hope this letter finds you, your employees, and your family well.

We wanted to take a moment and share with you how much we value our partnership. It means the world that you have continued to trust and rely on us through the past 5 years and we are confident that our business would not be the same with your presence.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays- we hope the new year brings you great joy and prosperity.

Sincerely,

  • Your Name
  • Your Business
  • Your Website
  • Your Phone Number

 

Casual Business Christmas Letter Example:

Happy Holiday Charles!

I wanted to take a few minutes out of my day and personally thank you for your business. It means a lot to us down here at [Company Name] and we certainly look forward to all the good times we’re going to have in 2022!

Ring in the new year with your friends and family, and we’ll see you next year. Merry Christmas!

Best,

  • Your Name
  • Your Business
  • Your Website
  • Your Phone Number

Other Tips for Letting Writing: 

Keep It Succinct

Glee Tree Border Papers by PaperDirect

Details are great when you’re writing a Christmas letter, but you don’t want it to be too dry or read like a stream-of-consciousness novel.

Highlight one or two important happenings from the past year before continuing to the usual Christmas greetings. A colorful story that ultimately connects to the Christmas season is ideal; this will help to better organize your letter, while keeping the focus on this all-too-important time of year.

Be sure to begin and end each letter with a mention of Christmas — and utilize the letter’s body for company updates.

Don’t Be Afraid To Follow In The Footsteps Of Great Writers!

Do you know of a client or vendor who never fails to send excellent Christmas letters? Why not look to this individual or organization as inspiration for your own letter writing process?

Make a point of hanging on to the best Christmas correspondence each year and then using it as a starting point for your future writings. These sample business Christmas letters should prove especially useful if you find yourself stuck with an annoyingly persistent case of writer’s block.

Reflect The Spirit Of The Season With Your Border

Obviously, you want to distinguish yourself with a letter filled with intriguing content. But if all else fails, you can always redeem yourself through the selection of a cheery border that is in keeping with the spirit of the Christmas season.

Botanical Joy Border Papers by PaperDirect

Look for Christmas border papers with familiar holiday concepts, such as mistletoe, holly, candles, ornaments, or for a religiously significant touch, angels. Your border should reflect the tone of the letter; if the content is not cutesy, a border with adorable dancing snowmen might not be the most appropriate.

Writing a business-oriented Christmas letter can be nerve wracking, especially as the implications for this year-end communication are so significant.

But with a little care, you can easily craft a meaningful letter that will get your business off to a great start come January! For more tips on Christmas letter writing, view last year’s post.

Or shop now for stunning Christmas paper.

November 13, 2013

How to Write a Personalized Christmas Message on Behalf of the Boss

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , , , , , — PDWriter @ 12:31 pm
Carefree Christmas Border Papers by PaperDirect

Christmastime is just around the corner and, on top of everything else you must do, your boss has assigned you the task of writing a personalized Christmas message. To add to the challenge, you’ve never even met the recipient. This scenario might be a holiday nightmare to some, but with a little bit of creativity and genuine effort, you can write a personalized message that your boss and the recipient will love. Earn a little extra praise and spread Christmas cheer with these tips for writing a personalized Christmas message on behalf of your boss.

  • Find Out the Particulars. In order to write a personalized message that sounds sincere and leaves the recipient feeling that your boss wrote it, you need to know a few things about the person receiving it. Is it a customer, vendor, or personal acquaintance? Do your boss and the recipient golf together or meet each week for lunch? Knowing a few particulars allows you to mention them in the message.

  • Consider Your Boss’s Style and Personality. 
    Noel Collage Border Papers by PaperDirect
    Keep your boss’s personality and style in mind throughout the writing process. Remember, you want the letter to sound as if it was written by your boss, not you. Imagine how your boss would say things, as well as whether his or her style is serious or humorous.

  • Know Your Boss’s Intention. In addition to sending out a Christmas greeting, it’s likely your boss has other intentions. Find out if the message will include customer incentives, a “thank you” for business, or anything else pertaining directly to future business.

  • Incorporate a Christmas Theme. There are many ways to give a personalized message a cheery, holiday look. One simple, yet effective, method is to use Christmas border paper to instantly add color, fun, and Christmas cheer to the message.

A New Office Christmas Tradition

Little St Nick Border Paper by PaperDirect

Your expertise at writing a personalized Christmas message might earn you the position of annual holiday letter writer. In addition to being a nice gesture, writing these messages on your boss’s behalf is an important part of acknowledging clients and vendors. A simple Christmas message can also prompt customers to call in with their next order or choose between your company and another due to the personal touches your boss sends. As stress-inducing as the task might be, your boss must trust you to help with company progress by writing his or her personalized holiday greetings.

November 12, 2013

Customer Christmas Messages That Show You Really DO Value Their Business

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 11:20 am

Customer Christmas Messages Cute Christmas cardsWhile the primary purpose of a Christmas message should always be to bring good tidings, whether those tidings are personal or professional, business Christmas cards and messages often serve a secondary purpose. The holidays are the perfect time of year to relay to customers how much you appreciate their business. Every other card your customers receive will wish them season’s greetings, goodwill, peace, love and joy, and most businesses will thank them for their business. When you want your customers to truly know how much you appreciate them choosing you for their business needs, stick to the basics.

Be sincere

Are your customers really the wind beneath your wings? While there is something to be said for waxing poetic on the interior of a Christmas card, there is no need to get carried away in over-the-top wording. Bigger isn’t always better when you really just want to say “thank you”. Sincerity rings truer than fancy words. Keep customer Christmas messages simple and to the point. If you “sincerely appreciate” your customers or have “deepest gratitude” for their loyalty, just say it. Don’t make them try to decipher what you mean. Try the simplistic –

“Without customers like you, we wouldn’t be in business. Our sincerest gratitude this Christmas season.”

Other phrases you might consider:

  • “Thank you for your loyalty and continued patronage…”
  • “We know our customers are the basis of our success…”

Be specificCustomer Christmas Messages Seasons Greeting Card

How have your customers helped you over the course of the year? Has your business grown? Has the company recovered from a difficult time? You don’t want to drop a load of unnecessary information on your customers during the holiday season, but it’s quite all right to provide customers with some insight into how exactly they have benefitted your company over the past year. As a new business that has had a successful first year, consider a message such as –

“With deepest appreciation for trusting us with your business, we look forward to serving you in the future.”

While greeting cards may be the most common means of conveying a business Christmas message, keep in mind that there are also plenty of options for sending holiday greetings. At PaperDirect, we have a wide variety of greeting cards, Christmas note cards, Christmas postcards, Christmas stationery, Christmas newsletters and more to help you capture your message in a distinctive, unforgettable way.

Invitation Wording for Business Christmas Parties

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 8:48 am
Golden Filigree Casual Invitations by PaperDirect

When you are creating invitations for a business Christmas party, you want something that is visually appealing and has business Christmas invitation wording that will encourage employees to attend. If you include only the date, time, and place, the invitations are not that “inviting” and employees may decide to skip out on your corporate party. The wording should entice employees to attend your Christmas party.

If you are giving away door prizes or having a raffle drawing, include that information on the invitation. If you are including a meal at the Christmas party, be sure to include information about the meal and any options they have. Some companies like to have their parties at restaurants; if the menu is limited, you may want to include the menu choices on the invitation.

Christmas Invitations by PaperDirect

Other information you should include on the invitation is whether dress is formal, business, or casual. If people know what to expect, they are more willing to attend. When you leave out that information, some may not attend because they are afraid to show up in formal wear when the setting is casual.

Before you choose your invitations, plan the entire Christmas party first. This way, you’ll know how much space you’ll need for your business Christmas invitation wording and can purchase great-looking Christmas invitations that have enough room for your wording. You can choose from several types; including flat, folded, casual, layered, and more. The type should depend on the type of party you are throwing in addition to how much space you need for wording.

holiday themed fold-up invites

Invitation Wording Example:

Depending on how formal an occasion you are planning, your wording may look something like this:

  • With the holiday season upon us
  • It’s that time of year
  • For some holiday cheer
  • You are cordially invited
  • To spend a festive evening
  • ‘Tis the season to wine and dine
  • Whether the season is naughty or nice, we’ll have a cold one chilling on ice
  • Celebrate good times, come on to our annual Christmas celebration
  • Christmas comes but once a year, please join us for some holiday cheer

On an invitation with multiple panels, you should let the employees know what activities will be held at the Christmas party and, if it is a dinner, what is on the menu if the menu is limited. You should also include whether alcohol will be available and whether the employees will be purchasing their own drinks or if the company is providing drinks.

christmas themed holiday invites

Writing an invitation that is inviting and informs your employees of the activities, food, and dress will encourage them to attend the party and make it a success.

Good luck – and we hope your company Christmas party is as a memorable occasion!

November 11, 2013

7 Habits of Highly Effective Christmas Card Messages

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 11:41 am

Christmas Card Messages Santa Card Creativity is appreciated when it comes to Christmas card messages, and a combination of sticking with tradition and tossing in a couple of unexpected surprises comprises the 7 habits of effective Christmas card messages.

Tips for Christmas Card Messages: 

  1. Get Personal
    Don’t be shy about personalizing your card to include an authentic message straight from the heart. People are tired of pre-printed message cards, and opting to select premium Christmas cards and personalized a handwritten message shows integrity and authenticity.
  2. Be Reverent
    Regardless of religious beliefs, there’s something about Christmas that most people Christmas Adventure Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirecthave a sense of reverence for, so keep your message within that tone.
  3. Show Optimism
    Be optimistic and hopeful; offering well wishes to the recipient and their family.  Tough times can get to the strongest of the strong; a bright message may be just what they need.
  4. Keep it Meaningful
    You don’t have to be a Poet Laureate to concoct your own special message.  Sharing that message with others helps others gain insight into your true self.
  5. Keep Timeliness in Mind
    Take into account the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx are all incredible busy during the holidays. Make an effort to get those effective Christmas messages and gifts out at least two weeks prior to Christmas. Late cards and gifts make a negative impression, particularly if you are dealing with business associates.
  6. Choose Compelling Graphics
    A picture’s worth a thousand words, making the photo you choose to grace your holiday cards of utmost importance.  Choose one that highlights the message you want to send. PaperDirect offers a wealth of address labels, envelope seals, Christmas party invitations, and an entire line of holiday stationery to suit your every whim.
  7. Include your Logo
    If your recipients are primarily business associates and acquaintances; consider Dazzling Sparkle Printable Greeting Cards by PaperDirectsealing your cards with custom printed logo seals. You can have your company logo custom imprinted by the stationery experts at PaperDirect, and complete those cards in style!

Regardless of your style and the effective Christmas card message you want to get across, choosing to rely on PaperDirect for all of your holiday gifts, cards, and custom printing is a surefire way to save money, alleviate your to-do list, and you can do it all by ordering from PaperDirect – the one-stop shop for your Christmas needs.

November 8, 2013

Christmas Messages for Clients Made Easy, Not Cheesy

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 12:19 pm

Christmas Messages for Clients Made

Sending clients and business associates seasonal tidings is a nice way to let them know how much you appreciate their business or partnership!

The messages in boxed Christmas cards can be a little on the sappy side, though, which may not feel like a good fit for your company. Opting for customized cards gives you the freedom to say what you want to say.

If you want to send holiday greetings that sound a little more “you,” try swapping out commonly cheesy phrases with these phrases in your Christmas messages for clients:

“From our family to yours…”

One popular phrase that appears with frequency in holiday messages is “From our family to yours”. While it’s a lovely sentiment, for some, this wording may fall short.

If your employees don’t really mesh with that “family” vibe, try “team,” “clan”, or “gang” instead.  The 2 phrases basically mean the same thing; the latter simply eliminates some of the formal sentimentality.

“May the season bring you…”

Maybe it’s the lights, the decorations, or the joyful music playing everywhere, but most people will readily admit the holiday season brings about a different feel for a while.

Still, phrases like “May the season bring you peace, joy, and love” feel a little heavy-handed sometimes. So, forget about the season. You’re the one sending the message. If you want your customers to have a joyous holiday, let them know with “Wishing you…” It’s just as festive, but a little more personal, and not so corny.

“Warmest regards and thank you for your business”

Your customers make your business, and the holiday season is the perfect time to say “thank you.”  It is perfectly all right, though, not to declare the temperature of your regards. If “sincerest” and “warmest” feel just a little overblown, keep it simple and just say “Thanks!”

“Wishing you the happiest of holidays. Thank you for your business.”

frosty-park-trees-holiday-greeting-cardIt may not be earth-shaking, but if simple is more genuine, simple it should be.

Before choosing the right words for your company Christmas cards, you have to pick the right card. The calendar cards at PaperDirect feature a full calendar for the upcoming year and are designed to be personalized with your company’s name and logo.

They provide a simple, classy way of reminding recipients that your company remains at their service throughout the year.

November 7, 2013

How to Write Company Christmas Party Invites that Impress the Board

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 12:31 pm
Poinsettia Swirl Specialty Flat Invitations by PaperDirect

Has the task of composing this year’s company Christmas Party invitations fallen upon your shoulders, and you’re at a complete loss for just the right words?

Here are some tips from the experts about how to write company Christmas party invites that will impress everyone from the mail room staff to the board of directors’ offices.

Begin with Premium Invitations

Cookie cutter invitations aren’t going to cut it if the goal is to impress recipients, so you’ll want to order premium Christmas invitations on which to compose your message and party details.

Stationery professionals like PaperDirect can quickly print your custom information and deliver your holiday party invitations right to your office or home.

Conquering the Divide
Colorful Ornament Specialty Flat Invitations by PaperDirect

Use terminology and references that are most appropriate for your work setting.

Christmas party, holiday gathering, celebrating the season, etc. are all acceptable ways to refer to the event, and you should use your best judgment based on your employee population.

Depending on your company’s business style and services, using humor may or may not be appropriate. Some individuals view Christmas as a reverent holiday not to be skewed with humor, while others find it completely acceptable.

Tip: Know your staff, and you’ll know better what to write.

Composing the Text of Company Christmas Invitations

Now it comes to the “guts” of how to write company Christmas party invites that will ensure the event’s success.

As with pre-printed cards, feel free to come up with a clever poem that fosters visions of the season or Christmas specifically before offering party details. If flourishing words and poetry aren’t strong points, consider sticking with the facts and take a formal approach – who, what, when, where, and why.

Keep in mind that brevity works in your favor, because the majority of the staff spends half their day reading reports, briefs, and the like.

Tip: Include any special honorees, attendees, or entertainment in the invitation, as well as any requests pertaining to dress or a gift exchange.

Tips for Writing your Message or Invite:

PaperDirect has created a few resources over the years for wording and messaging tips. Be sure to check them out as you craft your Christmas invite!

Getting to Yes: Business Christmas Invitation Wording

5 Creative Business Christmas Card Wording Phrases

Use the above blog posts to write an unforgettable Christmas invite.

Beyond the Writing: Successful Christmas Party Invites

Radiant Merriment Fold-Up Invitations by PaperDirect

Snag their interest before they even open the invitation! Holiday card envelopes can expound beyond green and red, so consider using your company logo colors to secure your invites.

Thinking outside the box impresses the bigwigs!

Make an impression from the moment they attempt to open the invite by securing each envelope with a customized logo seal.

Clever, affordable, and a classy touch, any board member will view this as being the equivalent of sealed with a kiss – a kiss of green in their pocket, that is!

Complete your corporate holiday invitation shopping in one place at PaperDirect. Custom printing, premium stationery, corporate gift ideas, and much more make wrapping up the holiday easy.

5 Creative Business Christmas Card Wording Phrases

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:30 am

greeting-cardBusiness Christmas card wording can sometimes feel less than festive. It’s tricky to walk the line between a fun, distinctive Christmas card message and keeping things professional. Erring on the side of caution is generally a good idea. The last thing you want to do is offend your clientele. Professional doesn’t have to mean boring, though. When you are looking to liven up your Christmas greetings, try these snappy phrases that capture the spirit of the season.

When sending cards with a gift:

         “A small gift to thank you for your business throughout the year.”


When sending cards with a marketing slant:Penguin Pals Die-Cut Holiday Greeting Cards by PaperDirect

Some companies feel that marketing within a holiday card is tacky and defeats the purpose of wishing clients and associates seasonal goodwill.

Others have found it an effective means of increasing business.

If you do plan to do it, avoid alienating customers by keeping the advertising fun and joyful.

For example a print shop could try:

        “Wishing you a season filled with peace, love and flawless print jobs.”


When you appreciate the efforts of companies with whom you collaborate:

         “We know how hard you work to make your company great. The work will wait. Take some time this season to celebrate!”


When you want to make recipients laugh at the rules of social propriety:

          “We were told business cards must be kept strictly professional, so –
           To: [Your Company]
           From: [Our Company]
           Subject: Holiday Greetings
           Happy holidays.”

When friendly with another company:

          “Wishing your team a festive office atmosphere, a never ending supply of tasty holiday treats, and relaxing time off.”
Snowy Day Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirectWhen you send Christmas cards for your business, you want every aspect to capture the personality of your team and your brand. You don’t have to be serious to be professional. Humor and a casual tone are good. Just don’t take them too far. If you’re not sure how a quip will go over, it’s best to leave it out.

At PaperDirect, our extensive line of Christmas greeting cards makes finding and ordering the right Christmas cards for clients, customers and business associates an easy process. With one of our beautiful, simple card designs and the right words, your Christmas card will surely make the wall of fame in any office.

November 1, 2013

10 Corporate Holiday Card Messages That Don’t Sound Corporate

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , , , , — PDWriter @ 12:56 pm
Sparkle Tree Specialty Holiday Postcards by PaperDirect

The holidays are a time of year when business owners start thinking about how they will craft corporate holiday card messages to show clients and partners they care about them and appreciate their business. The main challenge is in determining how to make each message sincere and professional, but not too “corporate.”

If you can’t find the perfect card, don’t stress – you can customize your own Christmas cards and postcards!

Here are some corporate holiday card messages to get you started – feel free to mix and match these Christmas messages to create your ideal corporate holiday card:

Ways To Start Your Messages:

Happy Holidays Burgundy Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirect

Warmest winter wishes for continued success and an enchanted holiday season…

Wishing you the gifts of the season: Joy, Peace and Hope…

May the magic and the wonder of the Christmas season stay with you throughout the coming year…

Best Wishes for a holiday season filled with joy…

Warm Winter Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year…

Best wishes for a happy new year filled with health, happiness, and success…

Wishing you a festive holiday season and a very happy New Year…

One of the joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you all the best in the coming year…

Best wishes for a happy holiday season – our sincere thanks for your loyalty and goodwill throughout the year…

In warm appreciation of our association during this past year, we extend our very best wishes for a happy holiday Season…

Words to Keep in Mind:

  1. Happy Holidays
  2. Season’s Greetings
  3. Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year
  4. Joy to the World
  5. Warm Holiday Wishes
  6. Happy New Year
  7. Tidings of Joy
  8. Holiday Blessings
  9. Celebrate!

Creating corporate holiday card messages that don’t sound corporate need not be difficult or stressful – in fact, it can be easy and fun. Just speak from the heart, be sincere, and you’ll be able to show clients, partners and associates you really care about them and appreciate doing business with them.

Use these corporate holiday card messages and ideas to get you started, but feel free to improvise and customize your message as appropriate for your brand and your goals for the upcoming New Year. For the perfect card to contain your non-corporate message, shop PaperDirect’s range of holiday cards.

9 Tips for a Sparkling Business Christmas Letter

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 9:57 am
Sapphire Christmas Border Papers by PaperDirect

Christmas is coming, and that means it’s time to create your annual business Christmas letter. This holiday season; take the time to really make it sparkle!

Spice up your business Christmas letter and make it stand out this year with these nine tips:

1. Accentuate the Positive

Write your business Christmas letter in a cheerful manner. Open with a positive message like:

“One of the blessings of Christmas is the opportunity to send warm Holiday greetings to our customers during this joyous time of year,”

or

“We’ve been very busy but full of cheer this Holiday season here at _______ we wish you a very Merry Christmas.”

2. Short and Sweet

Brevity is appreciated during the busy holiday season, so get to the point and write your main highlights in a succinct and impactful way.

3. Show Some Personality

Write your Christmas letter in a voice that characterizes the company brand, vibe, and personality; be professional yet accessible.

4. Write to Your Audience

Who are your customers?

Keep your audience in mind as you compose this year’s Christmas letter and choose content, phrasing, design, and fonts accordingly.

5. Begin with the End in Mind

What sort of reaction are you hoping for from your readers? Imagine how you would like them to feel while reading your letter and what impact you’d like that reaction to have on your brand.

6. Make Use of Professional Software

Organize your contacts using a printable Christmas card list (many are available for free online) to group recipients and to manage mailings. Software and/or templates should also be used to professionally design your letter.

Glee Tree Border Papers by PaperDirect
7. Avoid Too Many Embellishments

Business Christmas letters are sometimes used as a platform for bragging about accomplishments and advertising the business. Don’t go overboard and use your Christmas letter as an overt marketing tool. Now is the time to be personal and genuine.

8. Choose Photos Wisely

Be selective if including photos in your Christmas letter. Share them sparingly; include just one or two high-quality shots that really capture the essence of your business.

holiday envelope for business letters

9. Use Quality Paper

Finally, don’t skimp on the materials you use for your business Christmas letter. From the paper you use to the envelope you mail it in, make sure your business Holiday letter is printed on paper worthy of your business and how hard you work each day.

For some examples of Christmas letters, view our post: Sample Business Christmas Letters. 

September 10, 2013

Holiday Card Sayings for Your Business: Now’s the Time to Order

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: , , , , — PDWriter @ 7:44 am

Peridot Stars Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirectSending out holiday business cards is a simple way for business owners to express to clients and employees how their impact on your company is truly appreciated. However, many people are unsure what to say when sending out holiday cards for a business. As a business owner, you want your message to be impactful, yet simple and sincere at the same time.

Here are a few simple holiday card sayings that are perfect for any business; yet customizable to suit your needs and the needs of your company.
10 Holiday Card Sayings for Your Business

1. Warmest holiday greetings and best wishes for the New Year

2. Wishing you a happy holiday from all of us at (your company name here)

Colorful Globes Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirect3. Sending you sincere thanks for your loyalty and business this year. Happy holidays and best wishes in the coming year

4. Best wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year

5. From our family to yours, wishing you a happy holiday season

6. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year

7. Seasons greetings and best wishes to you and yours

8. Wishing you a year of peace, love, and hope. Merry Christmas!

9. ‘Tis the season… Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

10. Wishing you good tidings, from our family at (your company name here) to yours.
Berry Tree Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirectWhatever message you send, your efforts are sure to be appreciated by everyone who receives your holiday card.

Now is the perfect time to order your holiday business cards; before the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season takes over. Too often, waiting until the last minute forces us to scramble to order and get cards out on time. Don’t let that happen this year; order your customized holiday cards today!

April 12, 2013

Calling All Graduates- Let the World Know Your Achievement with Graduation Announcements!

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 10:39 am

Filigree Stripes Pocket Invitations by PaperDirectAfter four years of late nights and last minute study jam sessions, your day to celebrate has finally arrived. Whether you are graduating from high school or college, you want to make sure your friends and family are aware of your special day. Unlike your cap and gown, your graduation announcements can reflect your unique sense of style and capture the joy of the moment.

You have so many choices, you may feel overwhelmed. First of all, decide what format you want to go with. Once you have chosen your template, choose your color scheme. Remember, you no longer have to stick to your school colors, in fact you can play around with different borders, whimsical accents or even use a photo collage of your senior pictures. To make this as easy as possible for you, PaperDirect has a wide variety of graduation invitations and graduation border papers in various formats and colors to choose from.Graduation Party Specialty Flat Invitations by PaperDirect

After captivating the invitation recipients with your own pizazz, you need to make sure the wording you choose is in a very readable font and includes all the important information about your big day. This part can be fun – if you consider yourself a poet, use your talents to announce your accomplishment in a fun four line rhyme! Of course, if you are a Senior in high school, your parents may want to have some say in the type of invitation you mail out. If they are demanding a formal, old-fashioned announcement like they sent out when they were graduating – just go with the flow. But order only enough to send to those people they have on their list. Then, because it is your big day after all, design an announcement of your choosing that you can send to your friends and loved ones. This way, everyone will be happy.

Pristine Specialty Flat Invitations by PaperDirectMost importantly, don’t wait until the last minute to order your announcements. In addition to giving your relatives plenty of time to mark their calendars, they get the opportunity to reward you with a special gift (usually fun money) that you can use on your Senior trip!  If your loved ones are being inundated with graduations, birthdays and weddings, most likely the first one in the mail box will be a number one priority!

February 27, 2013

Is There a Polite Way to RSVP “No” When You Really Should Go

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:02 am

Pristine Specialty Response Set by PaperDirectYour second cousin twice-removed’s fourth – but still surprisingly formal – wedding. Your college roommate’s third baby shower in as many years. Your husband’s annual – always potluck-style, never-catered – work party, held in the dank, gloomy break room in the back of the warehouse.

Maybe it’s for the benefit of your mental health, your wallet, the sake of convenience, or maybe you truly have a scheduling conflict; sometimes you’ve just gotta RSVP with a big old “NO” – even when you know you technically could, or should, RSVP “yes.”

But here’s the good news: When you get stuck in one of those “heck no, I won’t go” situations, there are a few ways to soften the no-RSVP blow.

Etiquette, PleasePristine Specialty Response Set by PaperDirect

According to Ms. Emily Post, queen of all things etiquette, whether you reply “yes” or “no,” the rules of polite society dictate that you must RSVP promptly. That means responding a day or two after you receive the invite, regardless of how far in the future the event is planned.

After all, RSVP is an acronym for “Répondez, s’il vous plait.” Translated from French to English, that means “please reply” – in other words, a direct command, not a suggestion.

So get the dirty work done fast. Not only will the event host appreciate your quick response, it’ll give her more time to forget – and forgive.

Stylish Specialty NoteCards by PaperDirectThe Prettier, the Better

Make your negative response more attractive by wrapping it in a beautiful package. RSVP cards, also known as response cards, provide a more formal – and by extension, more polite – way of turning down or accepting an invitation.

For even more positive impact, hand write your response. In today’s digital world, full of printed text and electronic communication, a note written by hand means so much more and sends a much more personal message – in this case, your regret at not attending the event.

As for the wording of your decline note, don’t feel like you must go into great detail or over-explain. A simple “I regret that I must decline your kind invitation” will suffice.

Following these etiquette rules will mitigate any potential hurt feelings that your no-RSVP may cause. Your polite courtesy – and the fact that you bothered to send a handwritten RSVP note in a timely manner – will be remembered much longer than the fact that you didn’t make it to the event.

 

January 14, 2013

Wedding Thank You Card Sample Wording

Filed under: DIY Wedding Accessories — Tags: , , , , — PDWriter @ 5:02 pm

Thanks Gold Embossed Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectEvery bride (and groom) must write (yes, with your hand) thank you notes for gifts they received. Despite the fact that most people communicate electronically via email, text message and social media, expressing gratitude using any of these media is simply unacceptable. As a newly married couple, you must share the responsibility of handwriting thank you notes to each and every person who gave you a gift. By taking the time to hand write a wedding thank you card, you have shown your gift givers that you really do appreciate their kindness and generosity.

If you are not experienced with writing thank you notes, they really are very simple and don’t have to be long-winded at all. Proper wedding thank you card wording requires that you thank the sender for a specific gift. It is important to be specific when thanking the gift giver because if you’re not specific, the gift giver may feel as though you are just writing impersonal thank you notes and that you really don’t remember their gift at all. Try something like this:Elegant Thank You Specialty NoteCards by PaperDirect

Dear Aunt Jean and Uncle Jack,

“Thank you so much for the beautiful wine decanter. Greg and I are looking forward to sharing our first bottle of wine as a married couple using the elegant decanter you chose for us.”

It is also suggested to include a sentence or two about how the gift will be used. Proper wedding thank you card etiquette also states that when you are given a gift of cash (or check), that you should not mention the specific amount in your thank note. Instead, write something like this:

“Thank you for the generous gift and joining us in celebration of our marriage. We are so excited to be able to add to the savings for our new home!”

Willow Specialty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectIn addition to the proper wording, be sure you address the gift giver properly by name and title, if applicable. For example, if the gift is from your aunt and her boyfriend, then you must address the thank you card to acknowledge both your aunt and her boyfriend. It is important to be specific when thanking the gift giver because if you’re not specific, the gift giver may feel as though you are just writing impersonal thank you notes and that you really don’t remember their gift at all.

If you’re recently married, be sure to order your wedding thank you cards online from PaperDirect!

June 15, 2012

Wedding Response Card Wording for DIY Weddings

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Supreme Black Response SetIf you’re in the midst of planning a do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding, you may find yourself amazed at the number of items that must be tended to, decisions that must be made, and minute details that must be addressed. Have you thought about your wedding response card wording yet? Are you not even sure you know what a wedding response card is? It’s another name for the RSVP, which stands for the French phrase, “répondez, s’il vous plaît,” which means “please reply.” Now that you you know what a wedding response card is, let’s take a look at the important issues regarding them:

  1. When response cards are necessary
  2. Wedding response card etiquette
  3. Wedding response card wording

Formal vs. Casual Wedding

Most, if not all, formal weddings will have a response card inside the wedding invitation. The response card, in case you don’t know, is the little card that lets the bridge and groom whether or not you’ll be attending. Have you heard of “plus one”? Plus one is the phrase used when you are invited to a wedding and are allowed to bring along one guest–your “plus one.” Wedding response cards are extremely important to formal weddings because the bride and groom must know how many people will be attending (i.e. eating a dinner, having drinks, and for seating purposes at the reception). An accurate “head count” for a formal wedding and reception in a must.Felicity Response Set

Nowadays, invitations often carry a “regrets only” notation at the end, which means that the couple will count on your being there unless you tell them otherwise.

If your wedding is casual, a phone response may be all you need or even an email. If you’re not planning a sit-down dinner, are not providing free alcoholic beverages and have plenty of seating for everyone you invited, it’s not quite as crucial to have an exact head count for your DIY wedding.

Wedding Response Card Etiquette

The enclosures included in your wedding invitations do more than just help you keep track of how many guests will be attending your special day. That is why wedding response card etiquette to wedding reception card etiquette is so important. Enclosed within the invitation, the wedding response card is always sent with a stamp affixed to a self-addressed envelope. This helps to ensure that you get an accurate count of the number of guests expected to attend. Wedding response cards will also include the guests’ meal preferences so the precise amount of food and drinks is ordered.  wedding reception cards also are good if you are inviting more guests to the ceremony than the reception. In this case, these cards are inserted into the invitations of only certain people.

In addition to wedding reception cards, map and direction cards should also be printed and included if since some guests may not be familiar with the area where you’re holding your ceremony. Be sure to include these along with the wedding response cards; if money is an issue, you can cut corners by providing directions in some other way (via email perhaps).

For the guests, be sure to respond by the date indicated on the card. If you don’t respond, the couple will be forced to call you to verify your attendance, which just adds to their already huge “to do” list. The first thing you should do after receiving a wedding invitation is respond promptly because so much is riding on whether or not each guest is attending. Everything from seating arrangements to placing the liquor order, depends on how many people are attending. If an RSVP card is enclosed, feel free to add a more personal note of congratulations or explanation of regret. If a blank reply card is enclosed, you must write a response on the card in language that is similar to that of the invitation–formal or casual.

Wedding Response Card Wording

There really is no right or wrong wording for a response card, but there are traditional “guidelines” you may want to follow; the easiest way to explain how wedding response cards should be worded is to provide examples here. The same basic elements appear in most wedding response cards:

Request Lines

A “please respond by” line is typically included on every response card, though some brides may choose not to include a date on their card, as they feel it might insult guests who know very well when to reply. The request lines may be in either the first two lines of the reply card or in the lower left-hand corner. Most brides ask that their replies be rEnchanting Response Seteturned 2 weeks before the wedding date.

Guests’ Name

“M” followed by a line for the guest to write in their name(s), should be sufficient in most cases. If your parent(s) and or the bride and groom are doctors, you may wish to omit the “M” as many of your friends will likely also be doctors, as such the “M” will not apply, as they will be using their professional title.

Guests’ Response

The most common response line format is to have the word “will” separated by a line for their response followed by “attend”. You may also choose to split the Guest’s response line into two lines. “will attend” will be preceded by a line for their response, on the line beneath it “will not attend” will be preceded by its own response line. Either way is considered proper.

Here are some PaperDirect blogs that may help to address some of your other DIY wedding questions:

Also, remember to view PaperDirect’s extensive line of DIY wedding necessities. We are your one-stop online shopping source for DIY wedding supplies.

May 11, 2012

Invitation Wording for A Christian Wedding

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , , , , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am
Supreme Black Flat Invitations

Your invitation wording is very important because it must convey the thoughts and feelings that you and your future spouse hold true. Also, the wording on your wedding invitation is something that requires thought regarding your guests because the invitation is the first impression they will have of your wedding, and many people keep the wedding invitation as a souvenir.

If you are planning a Christian wedding, you will want to include wording in your invitations that may not be found in an invitation to a less religious or less traditional wedding. If you are concerned that your guests may be put off by Biblical verses or other Christian-like additions to your wedding invitation, you must remember that this is your day–you and your spouse should have the exact type of wedding ceremony and reception that you have always dreamed about.

Cascade Specialty Folded Invitations

If Christian wedding invitation wording is something that you need help with, you have come to the right place. PaperDirect has some suggestions based on what others Christian brides and grooms have included in their wedding invitations to help get you started.

Your wedding invitations let guests know what to expect at your wedding, including color scheme, theme, and ambiance. Letting prospective guests know that religion will play a  part in your ceremony will help them decide what attire is appropriate, or they may (unfortunately) even decide to not attend your wedding due to their own religious convictions. Your Christian wedding invitation wording should reflect your personalities and your religious beliefs as a couple. One popular way to incorporate your Christianity into your wedding invitation is to include Bible verses.

Dumont Specialty Folded Invitations

Here are some suggestions for do-it-yourself (DIY) Christian wedding invitation wording:

  • Design the front of your invitation by including a meaningful Biblical verse. The Internet provides hundreds of suggestions of Biblical verses that are appropriate for the wording on the front of a Christian wedding invitation or you may add a Bible verse that is a personal favorite.
  • When you write the actual wording include a reference to God such as the following: “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Susan Kay, to Thomas Michael Jones, when they ask God’s blessing on their union and His presence in their new life together as a married couple.”
  • Conclude the invitation with the specific church name, address, date, and time. Close with a Bible verse, if you desire. For example, “A chord of three strands is not quickly torn apart,” Ecclesiastes 4:12 or “This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,” Psalms 118:23.

If you are in the midst of a DIY wedding, PaperDirect can help– a one-stop online shopping source for several DIY necessities including wedding invitations, reception cards, response cards and thank you notes.

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