Giving back with your business holiday card choices

Most of the posts in this blog have talked about the business benefits of sending a company Christmas card. But don't overlook the many other reasons for ordering and sending holiday cards.

Before you finalize your holiday card list and place the order, think about others who might appreciate receiving holiday cards...or having cards to write and send.

• Start with your local hospital. Contact the volunteer coordinator and find out if you and perhaps some of your employees can come in and help patients,(especially children and those in for a longer stay), write and address holiday cards.
  
  
• Find out if there's a local support group for military families, and offer to provide a holiday card writing party for their members. Bring helpers (your employees), cookies, drinks, and of course holiday cards, stamps and pens and help these families make their holiday burdens a bit lighter.
  
  For a special touch, ask your employees to each bring a small gift for the service members, and give them to the families to send. Send one of your company Christmas cards to the families and the service members, too. A peace themed Christmas card is a good choice, as no one wants peace more than military families.
  
  
• Is there a wildlife center or animal shelter near you? Donate your time and several boxes of holiday cards to help the
  employees and volunteers send cards "from" the animals to potential donors including pet food companies, pet care suppliers, veterinarians, and people who have helped with previous campaigns. The personal touch could pay off in major donations.
  
  
• Have a holiday card party at a homeless shelter that cares for families. Many people are surprised to learn how many homeless people have families in other cities or states, but are embarrassed to contact them. A holiday card might be just the thing to break the ice and help some people reconnect with family and friends.
  
  Don't forget to bring enough cards for the families to give one another, as well. Having a pretty holiday card to give a mom or dad on Christmas Day can mean the world to a child who has so little. Consider bringing small gifts for the children to give their parents, and the parents to give their children. Having a treat to give one another will make the day just a little brighter for everyone.
  
  Give each family and staff member a pretty holiday card before you leave. The cost is small...the benefits are immeasurable.

Getting ready to share

Order a selection of Christmas, New Year's and Season's Greetings cards at the same time you order your business Christmas cards. Then add pretty holiday stamps, plenty and pens and some willing volunteers. If you'd like to multiply your efforts, invite other area businesses to participate. You could provide the cards and stamps, someone else could bring small gifts and another store or business could offer snacks and treats.