1. Do your homework. Shop the items you are interested in before you head out Friday morning. Compare existing prices and product details as not everything advertised as a sale is one.

2. Read the newspaper. Get an early edition of your local newspaper and read and clip ads and coupons.

3. Share the experience. Coordinate with friends or family members. Divide and conquer and you can cover more ground and more sales with far less effort.

4. Cover yourself. I’m not talking about bringing a blanket for your wait in the cold for the store to open, although that might not be a bad idea. I’m suggesting you bring the copy of the newspaper ad or print out paperwork that will help you justify pricing and product specifications. Beware the bait and switch.

5. Befriend. While standing in those lines, coordinate a divide and conquer plan rendouvousing at the cash registers. Chances are you are not the only one there for a particular sale item. Ask those leaving the store if it is still available, preventing you from waiting in a line for a product you’ll never get to buy.

6. Protect. Know the store policies before you buy. Can it be returned? What if the price is lowered even further later?

7. Exit strategy. Once you’re in your next step is to get out and onto the next store. Have your money or credit card ready and do whatever you can to help speed the check out process. This is not the time to ask for a price check!

If, however, this shopping frenzy isn’t worth the effort, consider placing gift cards in holiday cards this year so others can enjoy the experience of the after-Christmas sales!

The good news is that we have the latest design trends all ready to go in a variety of holiday cards created to impress. Take a look at this designer inspired exclusive photo cards.

Or, consider taking a favorite vintage photograph and printing it in sepia tones. Your Christmas cards will be on the leading edge of high fashion!

Better yet, you don’t have to fight the crowds at retail or wait for black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) to shop and save! For your holiday cards, you can order them online now and be fashionably early.

You’re either in or you’re out! But either way, your fashion forward seasonal greeting is sure to warm those lucky enough to be included on your holiday card mailing list this year!

2. Hand address. A hand addressed envelope stands apart from the usual junk mail. Many will open this envelope first. The recipient will appreciate the extra time and effort it took to hand-address their card. There is no need for one person’s handwriting on all of them so use several helpers if you need to. Just make sure their hand writing is acceptable! If budget allows, a hired calligrapher really adds a touch of elegance to your holiday mailing.

3. Accurate mailing list. Make certain your mailing list has the names spelled correctly. Avoid adding the person’s title as this may have changed and is not really necessary. Do spell out the company name and street address and use the more formal name such as Mr. Robert Hall, Jr. instead of Bob Hall.

4. Return address. Go ahead and order your envelopes with your return address already printed on the back flap. This will insure that undeliverable cards find their way back to you so that you can update your mailing list. Pre-printed envelopes also save you time and look more professional.

5. Quick-stick envelopes. You may also want to purchase quick-stick envelopes. It is a time saver and a more professional presentation and you’ll not need sponge and water which can get messy.

6. Use postage stamps. Although metered mail is easy, use postage stamps for your holiday cards. Select holiday stamps that suit your company’s image.

Holiday cards are warmly appreciated and let your recipients know that they are valued. Displayed throughout the season, your thoughtfulness is sure to be returned in kind.

I hear the cards have been flooding in by the thousands. If you would like to send holiday cards to Noah, mail them directly to:

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, MI 48178

Take advantage of this marketing opportunity and send professional best wishes for the holiday season in style. The minimal expense and effort is certain to be rewarded throughout the year ahead.

So don’t forget to remember the entire family when addressing those envelopes and remember these pointers:

If you know the individuals by name on an informal basis, go ahead and list them all. For example:
Bob and Mary Jones
Bobby, Barbara and Ben

The more formal treatment would be:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones
and family

For something in between you could use:
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jones
and family (or) and children

Another source of mystery to me was wondering why my last name seemed to change from card to card. My maiden name was Cress and I remember receiving holiday cards addressed to The Cresses, The Cress’s, The Cress Family, and so on. We even got them addressed to The Crest Family but that is an entirely different story.

Rules of thumb:
If the family name ends in O or Y, add an S—The Romanos , The Sandys
If the family name ends in S, X, Z, CH or ES, add an ES—The Joneses, The Foxes, The Cortezes, The Bunches, The Marshes
If in doubt, just add the word “Family” as in—The Jones Family
The use of an apostrophe indicates possession or ownership like The Jones’s House so doesn’t really apply for holiday cards. Of course, if you are sending holiday party invitations you may want to indicate that the party is at the Jones’s House.

Party, did someone mention a party?! Count me “and Family” in!

1. Offer special discounts and promotions. Everyone is looking for ways to save this year and you may be able to capitalize on volume sales by offering a promo code or gift with purchase that will actually generate profits.

2. Send Holiday Cards. Keep your company name in front of your customers and business associates by sending personalized and custom imprinted holiday cards. Front imprint cards are great for a unique visual presentation and staying connected with current and past customers is vital. Maybe you would even like to consider including a promo code or special offer printed right on the card itself as a special added bonus.

3. Relate to your customers. Not everyone celebrates Christmas during this time of year. Be sensitive to your customers by relating to their differences. Perhaps Kwanzaa or Hanukkah Cards are more appropriate. For business it may be better to send Season’s Greetings Cards or Happy Holiday Cards instead of Merry Christmas Cards just in case your customer doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

4. Appreciate your employees. Take this opportunity to let your employees know how much they mean to your business. A holiday office party doesn’t have to be an expensive extravaganza. A potluck can be just as fun. And don’t forget to add each employee to your holiday cards list.


5. Network. Take advantage of all the holiday party invitations you will be receiving by attending as many events as possible. You never know when you might meet your next major customer!

Enjoy the holiday season while remaining thankful and positive. The holidays can be stressful for some but if approached with a positive attitude and viewed as an opportunity for personal improvement and business growth, you are certain to reap rewards for your efforts throughout the coming New Year!

If you’re in advertising and marketing at Sterling Cooper you absolutely know the importance of staying connected with your clients. These Mad Men, Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis), Harry Crane (Rich Sommer) and Salvatore Romano (Bryan Batt) use holiday cards as a way to stay in touch and reconnect with valued customers, friends, family and business partners.

Savvy in business, these Mad Men have chosen very special holiday cards to sponsor that were designed exclusively for CardsDirect.com. Their real name is printed on the back of the card along with the charity of their choosing. Proceeds from the sales of their selected design go to the charity of their choice. Take a look at the cards and charities each of these Mad Men actors are sponsoring:

Now you can be a Mad Man or Woman too and build your business or personal relationships by sending one of these Cards for a Cause holiday photo cards to those on your greeting card list this year!

than at this time of the year. Say , I’m by remembering your customers, business associates, friends and family with cards!

This is the card design he chose:

In November 2008, before the movie released, Kellan confessed in an interview his interests in autographs. “His autograph is elaborate, with each letter fully formed,” said the article. “I like signatures,” confessed Lutz. “I remember growing up just having fun doing it for no reason. I liked practicing.”

Back then he would actually spell out his name, “unlike Robert Pattinson who takes a shortcut by just signing his initials,” claims the article. But Lutz did admit that he knew he’d be doing conventions and events eventually which would require him to sign a minimum of 600 and “wow, it took me an hour to do 50. So I might have to get creative.”

Well, I kinda like his autograph! Take a look at it here and see what you think!