In this digital age, there’s something delightfully nostalgic about sending your loved ones a handwritten message in a beautifully crafted holiday card. But luckily (thanks to said digital age), you can find the best Christmas cards online for convenient browsing, buying and in many cases, customizing. We found that Simply To Impress, lives up to its name, truly impressing us with its wide range of customizable templates while still being reasonably priced. Meanwhile, we chose Lovepop as a top specialty pick because of its unique pop-up designs; the cards’ three-dimensional holiday scenes will delight any recipient.
The best places to buy Christmas cards online include everything from festive family photo cards to ... [+] pop culture-themed picks.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERSWe focused on the following criteria in our search for the best Christmas cards: personalization, addressing options, craftsmanship, design originality and ease of purchase. We also made sure our list includes something for everyone—from shoppers looking for boxed sets to those in search of same-day pickup. Plus, we found that many of our chosen stationary retailers have holiday deals going on right now that offer big savings of up to 50%.
Ahead, find our picks for the very best Christmas cards online that’ll be signed, sealed—and yes, safely delivered by December 25. (Now all you’ to worry about is finding the best gifts for everyone on your list.)
Simply to Impress
Shipping time: 2 to 5 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Simply To Impress stands out for both its extensive selection of card themes and the value it offers for the price per card. The company has quick turnaround times as well as a lightning printing option (which ships next business day for an extra fee)—perfect for holiday procrastinators or busy parents.
In addition to the brand’s holiday and Christmas templates, it also has a broader selection of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other religious-themed cards than other sites we shopped. You can choose from up to eight specialty shapes—including pretty petal die-cut or soft scalloped edges—and pick from six variations of card stock like matte, glossy, satin, shimmering pearl or luxe double-thick. The site also offers free basic-level photo retouching and a free design review before printing.
Shutterfly
Shipping time: 1 to 10 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Shutterfly tops our list because of its wide-ranging selection of cheery holiday card designs; in addition to that, it offers stellar quality and the ability to tailor practically every detail of your order with its handy card customization guide. You can also easily narrow down the options by the brand’s most popular styles (classic, contemporary, minimalist, rustic and so forth) or specific seasonal sentiment geared toward the holiday you’re celebrating (Navidad, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and more). Upload your own design, create a custom color palette or add luxe special touches like scalloped edges, gold foil or shimmer card stock. Customize your envelopes to match (we love the site’s colorful liners), which come with free address printing. And if you’re short on time? Shutterfly’s Mail For Me service will also address, stamp and send your creations for an additional 99 cents per card.
Editor’s Pick
Artifact Uprising
Shipping Time: 1 to 8 business days | Personalization Option: Yes | Addressing Option: Yes
If you’re the kind of shopper who gets overwhelmed easily, look no further than Artifact Uprising. The retailer, which specializes in personalized photo gifts, offers a highly curated collection of modern, elegant card designs that turn your beloved family photos into the star of the show. During the design process, you can filter templates by the orientation of the picture you want to use (landscape, portrait or square) or opt for the brand’s bestselling Multi-Image Vertical Holiday Card that arranges nine of your favorite photos from the year into an expertly curated Instagram-inspired grid. Further design add-ons like foil stamping lend a handcrafted feel. Each card is printed on 100% recycled paper and includes your choice of envelopes in four classic colors. Plus, you can choose from a selection of holiday envelope seals with jovial phrases like “May It All Be Merry” and “Warmest Wishes.”
Sustainable
Mixbook
Shipping time: 1 to 2 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
For those looking to customize every detail of their holiday card without spending a long time (or money) belaboring over the process, Mixbook has you covered. For starters, its site has over a thousand holiday-themed templates to choose from. The site’s interface clearly lays out all the elements you can customize, including the trim, quantity, paper type and whether you want to upgrade to a printed envelope (all of the cards come with premium envelope). There are also select templates that also offer real foil options (note that these may take an extra day or two to ship). We like that the brand’s high-quality paper is sourced sustainably and that the prices are reasonable considering the cards’ quality and the range of designs. Use code BFGIFT to save 45% on your order.
Sustainable
Paper Culture
Shipping time: 1 to 11 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint while still sending tidings of joy? Paper Culture is a great source for holiday cards that are made exclusively with sustainable materials like 100% recycled stationery and bamboo. For every purchase, the company plants a tree in an area where reforestation is needed. To top it all off, it has an easy-to-navigate site with photo and non-photo designs, and lots of other specific, hard-to-find categories like holiday cards for your business, pet-specific greetings, and even COVID-themed messages (like this “Happiness Framed” card with the greeting “Peace, Love & Health”). The Design It Yourself option allows you to upload your own creation and improve upon it with color and layout changes, photo editing and more.
Minted
Shipping time: 3 to 7 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Minted is both a stationary company and an inclusive artist forum where anyone from established painters to first-time illustrators can submit their work. That means every card design on the site is unique, thoughtful and most importantly, different from something you’d find in a run-of-the-mill Hallmark. Independent artists from over 100 countries are celebrated across the site, which sells photo and non-photo cards, plus a score of non-traditional formats like ornament cards and longform booklet cards. For the true art lover, check out the Minted x The Met collaboration, which features 10 gorgeous customizable holiday cards inspired by famed pieces in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Etsy
Shipping Time: Digital file; turnaround time varies | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: No
You may already be familiar with Etsy for original artisan-created gifts, but the site’s array of unique and imaginative holiday card options are just as impressive. You’ll find designs with everything from dreamy watercolor evergreen trees to rustic holiday postcards, but our pick is the site’s impressive selection of custom illustrated cards where your crew is hand-drawn into downloadable templates that you can print out at home or a nearby copy shop. It’s also the perfect solution if your kids can’t seem to sit still for a family shot. One thing to note: Many of Etsy’s card selections are handmade and take longer to create than other retailers on our list, so make sure to check each shop’s shipping policies and estimated arrival dates.
Postable
Shipping time: 2 to 6 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Postable’s easy-to-use holiday card builder guides you through the process of picking your style of card (folded, flat or postcard) and adding in fun details like photos, stickers and even your own doodles. You can pick from dozens of original templates including hand-painted prints or customizable photo cards. We love the company’s cutout card designs, as seen in the “Merry And Bright” template, which removes the backgrounds of your photos to create a cool overlapped graphic. When it comes to the note inside your card, Postable uses its patented handwriting fonts to take your typed-in message and transform it into script that looks like the real thing. And if you want to get fancy? Add in augmented reality by way of a QR code on the back of your card, which allows your friends and family to have an AR dance party with Posty, the dancing gingerbread man. As a (huge) bonus, the company offers free addressing and mailing. Use code BLACKFRIDAY to save 25%.
MOST POPULAR
Nations Photo Lab
Shipping time: 3 to 7 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: No
If the photos you upload are your priority when it comes to holiday cards, and if you’re not picky about customizing every single detail of your card, you’ll be satisfied with Nations Photo Lab. You’ll get high-quality, acid-free cards at some of the lowest prices per card we’ve seen—starting at a little over a dollar each. Plus, the site is currently offering 40% off select cards from its holiday collection with the code THANKS. While there aren’t as many holiday-themed templates offered as other retailers on this list, you’ll still be able to customize things like the paper type, text and font, background and add-ons like a glossy UV coating for an extra fee. Plus, envelopes that come in four styles are included in the price.
Vistaprint
Shipping time: 3 to 5 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
For shoppers who value the design and the ability to add their own photos much more than the quality of the paper or the vibrancy of the print, Vistaprint offers a great value considering how many customizable holiday templates it offers (over 2,000). Plus, with the holiday discounts Vistaprint is offering, some of the designs come out to as little as 78 cents per card, depending on the quantity you buy. Your order comes with free plain white envelopes (printed or colored) and you can opt for the addressing service for an extra fee. And if you find yourself jonesing for more customization options, the brand offers changeable details like your choice of trim, paper stock or foil for an additional cost.
Rifle Paper Co.
Shipping time: 1 to 7 business days | Personalization option: No | Addressing option: No
For the traditionalists who look forward to sending a holiday card to every loved one, a beautiful set of boxed cards from Rifle Paper Co. is the way to go. The Florida-based stationary company is known for its high-end craftsmanship and attention to detail, as seen in its use vibrant color and hand-painted florals. While the selection isn’t as vast as other card companies, each design feels special, thanks to flourishes like embossing, foil stamping and die-cut shapes. The themes range from traditional holiday offerings featuring gingerbread houses and nativity scenes to more quirky illustrations like a skiing Santa or a holiday flamingo. You can order a single card (which averages around $6 each) or boxed sets of eight; either way, it’s worthy of prime placement on the mantel long after opening.
Barnes & Noble
Shipping time: 3 to 6 business days | Personalization option: No | Addressing option: No
If you’d rather the convenience of a boxed set of lovely, holiday-themed cards with thoughtful notes already pre-written in them, we’re pleased to report that bookseller Barnes & Noble has a good selection to offer online. Designs include the bestselling Holiday Reindeer collection, the more traditional Nutcracker set and the adorable Puppy Love notecards that will please pooch parents (we recommend pairing this last one with one of our gift recommendations for dog lovers). Some examples of messages to be found inside the cards are “Wishing you all the joys of the season and every happiness throughout the coming year!” and “May the Magic of Christmas be with you always.” Some of the designs include metallic foil accents, and many come with keepsake-quality boxes. Plus, the retailer is currently offering buy one, get one for 50% off deal on select holiday boxed sets.
Gives Back
Amazon
Shipping Time: 1 or more business days | Personalization Option: No | Addressing Option: No
Rushing to find the right card last-minute (and don’t want to look like you just grabbed any old card off the shelf)? Many of Amazon Handmade’s holiday greeting cards (all of which are handcrafted by small business owners) are available for either overnight or expedited shipping. Some picks popular among Amazon shoppers include funny designs like this Stevie Wonder-inspired one (available for two-day shipping), a Festivus For The Rest Of Us parody card you can ship overnight and a boxed set of 20 Christmas postcards available for next-day shipping. Just note that many of the Handmade greeting cards tend to be more expensive since they’re handcrafted with quality materials and unique designs—but you have the option of sending only one as opposed to having to buy in batches, if that’s what you need.
Walgreens
Shipping Time: Same-day pickup available on select designs, 3 to 10 business days if shipped | Personalization Option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
If you’ve been too consumed with holiday prep to shop for Christmas cards, fear not: Walgreens is here to save you. The pharmacy and convenience store chain lives up to its name by offering over 1,000 customizable holiday photo card designs with same-day pickup at thousands of locations across the country. And just because it’s quick doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the details. On many templates, you can select between glossy photo paper, standard or premium card stock, or a magnet card. If you’re planning to print a high volume of cards, many designs are as low as 99 cents when you purchase 80 cards or more. One thing to note: If you’re hoping to add more elaborate details like embossed foil or custom foil text, it takes longer to create (about 5 to 10 business days), but you can still select the free ship-to-store option or get it sent directly to you.
Love Pop
Shipping time: 1 to 5 business days | Personalization option: Yes | Addressing option: Yes
Lovepop’s holiday assortment of intricate three-dimensional pop-up designs bring elaborate themes to life; they range from a Harry Potter Christmas scene at Hogwarts to Disney cards featuring Elsa from Frozen. And if you have trouble choosing, there’s a Christmas 15-pack (for just $52) that includes a variety of festive messages for every co-worker, boss or neighbor on your list.
Because each card is its own little work of art, the price range reflects the quality, with individual cards starting at $13 or a pack of 10 to 15 for an affordable bulk price. You can either handwrite your message in the insert or have Lovepop customize your card with a photo or message of your choice for an additional $5. You can also add an eGift card to your design, which comes in the form of a QR code that can be redeemed at a wide range of retailers like Nordstrom, Uber Eats and Barnes & Noble.
Woman-Owned
Sweeter Cards
Shipping time: 3 to 4 business days | Personalization Option: no | Addressing Option: yes
Everything is better with a little chocolate, including a Christmas card. Meet Sweeter Cards, a woman-owned, St. Louis-based greeting card company and chocolatier that includes a delicious Fair Trade Certified chocolate bar with every creation. The cards, which are made with recyclable packaging and printed with vegetable-based inks, feature cheery holiday illustrations and clever messages like “Treat Yo Elf” and “Peace, Love and Chocolate.” The sweet treat inside is a handmade sea salt caramel dark chocolate bar, crafted with soft vanilla caramel, cane sugar, fresh whipping cream, butter, Madagascar vanilla and topped with Mediterranean sea salt. Another plus? Each order ships within 3 to 4 business days for a low flat rate.
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to Christmas and holiday cards, which is why our picks for the best Christmas cards are Simply To Impress and Shutterfly—both have an enormous variety of styles to choose from, including customizable features. Both of them, for instance, offer everything from Kwanzaa- and Hanukkah-themed cards to designs decked with Christmas trees and ornaments. If you’re feeling extra festive, both companies let you customize your envelopes to match.
In today's digital age, you can find Christmas cards online for under $2. One of our picks for the best last-minute Christmas cards is from Walgreens, which also happens to be very accessibly priced, and you can choose from over 1,000 options, some starting at as little as 99 cents
While it's never too early to buy Christmas cards, if you plan on sending dozens of photo cards, the latest we suggest ordering is early November. That may seem a bit extreme, but shipping can take anywhere from one to three weeks depending on the retailer, and it’s best to build in a few extra days since the holiday season often causes slower-than-average mail times. Most folks ship out their Christmas cards after Thanksgiving, so in order to get your cards to your loved ones ahead of the holiday craze, it’s best time have them on hand by late November.
For single or boxed cards to add to your gifts (and that aren’t customized), most can be ordered as late as mid-December so you can have them in time for present wrapping. If you’re really in a pinch, Walgreens offers same-day pickup to grab on your way to a holiday party, and many Amazon Handmade options are available for Prime shipping.
Holiday cards are a beautiful anachronism.
Our world is clogged with a surfeit of instant, commoditized, and nearly indistinguishable digital images. Receiving a card—printed on actual paper! delivered by an actual person!—with a few lovingly curated family photos is an old-fashioned delight. And the effort that this very manual, material act seems to require makes receiving a physical card even more special.
But I have a secret for you: It’s actually not hard.
Indeed, creating such cards with our longtime pick Simply to Impress is a breeze.
As its name promises, Simply to Impress is simple to use—and the results are impressive. Better still, it’s much more affordable than other holiday-card services we’ve tested.
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