Holiday Planning 2025

Old Navy launched their first holiday commercial and email and mailboxes are full of pre-holiday specials. To the consumer, the holidays have arrived.  At More Than Paper, we’ve been thinking about the winter holidays for months now. We’ve added a slew of new greeting cards, gifts, and holiday gift-giving ideas and are excited to showcase all that’s new for the holidays (you can jump to the holiday category right now by visiting our site! 
 
This year, we are vowing to slow down and enjoy the time with our children and family. It feels like it’s all going too fast! But how is Mom able to slow down and enjoy the time with her family while simultaneously being the “magic maker” (you know… the one that does all the decorating, shopping, wrapping, cookie baking, and honoring all the traditions?)  It seems like a contradiction. 
 
Let’s explore some ways to get a jump start on your holiday planning so that you can enjoy your time this season. Avoid the burn out with these simple tips and products to help you get started on the 2025 holiday season. 
 
Plan your calendar
Have the party invitations and school calendar events begun to stream in?  Start out by blocking out key dates for events that you will be attending.  Then, you can add in dates that you want to accomplish your gift shopping, baking, decorating, and other traditional events. We love a paper calendar to write it all down!  Also great to have on-hand? A festive notepad to dress up your desk and get yourself in the spirit. 

We also love these other chunky notepads: that includes 200 sheets. These are also great for gift giving as the pads come tied with a coordinating ribbon. 

Develop a budget 
We’ve said this before but will urge it again.  Make sure to set a holiday budget! List who you’re buying for and set a rough spending cap. Track all your online purchases on a spreadsheet and mark when they come in the mail. (This helps you keep track of what you have purchased and ensures you get all of your items!) Look for easy savings: early-bird sales and discount days like Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals.  
 
You can also brainstorm DIY gifts that add personal flair without breaking the bank. Consider thoughtful, low-effort DIY options (custom bookmarks, photo magnets, photos in a frame).  Since these items take time to produce, make sure you order ahead! Personalize these gifts with a note or write something special on a gift tag – one meaningful touch beats a pricey item. Consider investing in stationery that you could use all year-round but that works for the holidays, such as below, and handwrite personal messages of season’s greetings when you deliver cookies or a bottle of wine. 

 

Simplify meals and entertaining
Freeze a few batches of soups or casserole dishes for easy weeknights when you are at holiday concerts or events at school that you just don’t want to cook after. Making a bunch of dishes ahead and freezing will save you time and will allow you to eat healthier than if you just run through the drive thru! 
 
Deck the halls with intention
Pick one or two festive decor projects (a garland for the mantle, a centerpiece for the table, a menorah on a shelf). Declutter first, then decorate; a clean space amplifies the holiday feel.  Sometimes less is more and maybe this year, you don’t have to go ALL OUT.  Choose a couple of spaces within your house where you regularly congregate, instead of attempting to decorate the whole house, which can feel overwhelming. 
 
Nurture traditions
Lean into small rituals: a weekly holiday movie night, an ornament-making session, or a baking Saturday. Start a gratitude jar: jot one thing you’re grateful for each day. Whatever your holiday traditions are, make sure you make the time to nurture them!
 
Do you send holiday cards in the mail to your friends, family, and colleagues? Consider ordering them now in October or early November so that it’s one less thing on your list.  More Than Paper has a great selection of holiday cards and all styles from photo-mount holiday cards to digital-photo holiday cards, to letterpress, foil-stamped and digitally printed personalized greeting cards, interfaith holiday cards to boxed cards that are not personalized. We also have a selection of cards that give back to non-profits, which is a wonderful way to support causes that you care about and send some snail mail love. 
 
We love these holiday cards that are photo mount (you add your photo to the card using adhesive). These are letterpress printed and you can upgrade to double thick for a fee (make sure to weigh them at the post office to ensure you have the proper postage).  These are beautiful, keepsake cards for the stationery aficionado. 

 
Check out this charity card where you designate the charity of your choice!  With this, you can also create your own sentiment. 

 
This exquisite Hanukkah card by Crane is a piece of artwork. Available personalized and boxed:
We know that with a little advanced preparation you will find the time to slow down and enjoy the holidays. So, make the most of it this year – if it all seems like it’s going by so fast, it’s because it is! 

 

2021 "Best of" Awards

Roll out the red carpet and bring on the trophy statues! It’s time for our first annual “best of” awards here at More Than Paper.  We offer tens of thousands of products in stationery and gifts, so combing through what we have to offer and casting a vote was no easy task. We’ve created some likely and also unlikely awards to recognize products that are outstanding in a specific category. Are you ready? Drum roll, please…
 
And the award for……. 
 
1.      “Most Customizable Traditional Photo Mount Card” goes to:  Inline Beaded Border With Foil Holiday Photo Mount Cards.
This is a classy and customizable card -- what more could you ask for?  Gone are the days where you searched for a card to match your photo.  Now you can customize your card around your photo.  This Inline Beaded Border with Foil Holiday Photo Mount Cards is this perfect card to make your own this holiday season. Customize everything from the borders and foil colors to the message you want to be displayed. 

 
2.     “Most Classic Photo Mount Card” goes to the Navy and Gold Border Holiday Photo Mount Cards.
Nothing says class and elegance like the Navy and Gold Border Holiday Photo Mount Card by Crane. With its gold foil, embossed details and rich navy cover, these traditional photo mount cards allow you to choose from placing your picture of choice either vertically or horizontally. You get to customize the message and the ink color for the inside imprint, too. Envelope linings in satin gold offer a nice touch.

 
3.     “Best Scrapbook-Like Photo Card” goes to Chalkboard Taped Snapshots Digital Holiday Photo Cards
For a crafty DIY look for your holiday cards that are a touch whimsical, check out our Chalkboard Taped Snapshots Digital Holiday Photo Cards by Take Note Designs! These scrapbook-esque cards allow you to customize both the inside and the outside of the card. The washi tape motif adds a fun flair to the design and you can have up to 5 photos.  It is perfect for showing off your favorite 2021 photos! 

 
4.     “Best Unique Shaped Digital Photo Card” goes to Arch Shape Holiday Digital Photo Cards.
What’s one way to make your holiday photo cards stand out from the rest? The answer is simple; get creative with the shape of the card! These holiday photo cards stand out from the crowd with their beautiful arched shape. To finish the perfect holiday card, all that’s left to customize (after picking the perfect photo for us to print!) is your message and choice of ink color and typestyles!

 
5.     “Best Full Bleed Holiday Digital Photo Card"  goes to Aaron Happy Holiday Foil Digital Holiday Photo Cards
When you have that one perfect photo, this card is all that you need.  A “full bleed” photo simply means the printing of the photo goes all the way to the edges and really maximizes the space for the photo.  Bonus! These cards were made for customizing! Customization options include your foil for the imprint, an optional back pattern, optional colored envelopes, and optional envelope linings. We also love the beautiful rounded edges. 

 
6.     Most Popular Charitable Card goes to Celebration Tree Holiday Cards
It’s no secret that the holidays are a time for giving and receiving. So, what if we told you that you could give back with the purchase of a beautiful holiday card? Good Cause Greetings donates 10% of each sale to the organization of your choice to help eliminate hunger, provide education, housing, medical care, and environmental assistance to people and animals around the world. We love this one! 

 
7.     Most Popular Interfaith Card goes to Pandemic Parody Interfaith Holiday Cards
The holidays should be celebrated regardless of whatever faith you practice. That’s why the Pandemic Paraody Interfaith Holiday Card is the perfect way to wish everyone a happy holiday season this year! Depicting Santa and a Rabbi having a glass of wine together while wearing masks just adds a funny twist on our current reality. 

 
8.     Most Popular Stick Figure Card goes to Mixed 9 Interfaith Holiday Cards

Didn’t have time to take a family photo for the holiday cards this year? Don’t worry; Pen at Hand has got you covered! This card allows you total customization of the stick figures’ features depicted on the card! This card is available either as a flat card or a folded note upon specification. This is a great way to get personal without having to organize your photo for your cards. 

 
9.     Prettiest Digital Photo Card with Foil goes to Joyful Leaf Digital Holiday Photo Cards

What’s the only thing better than a holiday photo card? The answer; a holiday photo card with foil! The best part, you get to choose the foil color from our wide assortment of color options. Don’t forget; you can customize your text to fit your holiday aesthetic! Foil has never been more popular than it is this season. 

 
10.   Best Recipe Card goes to Icing on the Cookie Holiday Greeting Cards
This card really stands out from the crowd as something different. We love the Icing on the Cookie Holiday Greeting Cards from Another Creation by Michele Pulver! These cards feature an adorable illustration of a sugar cookie recipe on the outside of the card and a step-by-step guide to making these cookies on the inside. Talk about unique! 

 
11.   Most Art Deco Hannukah Card goes to The Papercut Menorah Chanukah Cards

Want to wish your loved ones a Happy Chanukah in the most stylish way possible? If so, there’s no better way to do it than with the chic Papercut Menorah Chanukah Card!  The folded ivory color card features a colorful menorah and the greeting, Happy Chanukah! 

 
12.   Best Watercolor Holiday Greeting Card
We just love this Watercolor Pinecone Bouquet Holiday Greeting Card. Perfect for family & friends or corporate clients. Simple and elegant – and you get to select from the greetings shown or create your own.

 
There you have it! The awards have been handed out!  Did we miss any of your favorites? Be sure to let us know in the comments and check out our Facebook / Instagram for more featured cards. 

Order Your Gifts Early

Between the global pandemic, the election and its aftermath, the vaccine release and controversy over mask mandates, the world has been in constant turmoil since March of 2020.  We have all had to deal with cancelled holidays and activities, virtual school, work-from-home juggling, social distancing, and a new way of life. 

It’s not only people who have had major disruption.  The way our goods are made and shipped, and how those goods get delivered to us, are also in turmoil.  Global manufacturers have had to make massive adjustments to keep up with these everchanging demands and headlines. Labor shortages, issues in the supply chain, higher eCommerce demands, and transportation shortages have wreaked havoc on what’s available and how we shop.

  
As a result of all of this disruption, the holiday season is expected to be difficult when it comes to shopping. Sharing this news isn’t a PR tactic to drive holiday sales.  This is rooted in fact and widely reported!  What’s going on? 

1.     First -- many goods just weren’t being made for a while. Factories closed and production stopped.  While much is back up and running, it will still take time for things to get back to normal. 

2.     Second – labor shortages are real.  Whether workers are being compensated more while receiving unemployment and pandemic benefits and therefore, not coming to work, or workers have COVID or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID, the labor shortage isn’t fake news. There simply aren’t enough people to do all the work! 

3.     Third – ships are stuck!  Carriers coming from overseas are lined up waiting to dock and unload but there is a tremendous backlog.  There are simply too many ships! Further, when the ships are able to dock, there are not enough people to unload. Add a shortage of drivers to transport the goods and what a mess. 

So what does this mean for holiday shopping?  It means with the constant labor shortage and supply chain interruption,  it may take much longer to get to you and your family this holiday season – or items may become out of stock very early in the season (we are already seeing this happen now).  How can you get ahead of things and ensure a smooth holiday season?  Here are four tips! 

1.      Organize your list now. 
Do you have a good idea of what your family and friends want for the holidays? Start thinking about it now and make your list early.  
 
2.     Don’t wait for better sales. 
This year looks different. Stores are having holiday deals well before the holiday season begins this year and it won’t benefit you to wait. Prices are not expected to drop before the holidays, but are actually expected to rise (that whole supply and demand thing from economics!). Some large retailers have already indicated that they will not be having Black Friday sales as is tradition.  Keep an eye out for early sales and take advantage! 
 
3.     Order Early 
As if it wasn’t already evident, our advice is to shop early for things you really want or need.  When you’re organized about what you are buying and you are following our tips #1 and #2, this should be easy!  
 
4.     Stay Calm
Prepare for gifts to arrive late and just go with it.  If COVID has taught us anything, it’s instilled in us that we have to “go with the flow” and adjust.  Cut yourself and loved ones some slack.  This might not be the perfect holiday season but focus on what is really important – your family, friends, and health.  Prioritize people over things and you’ll have the best and most meaningful experience of all. 
 
Still not convinced it’s going to be a rocky holiday gift-giving and receiving season?  Don’t just take our word for it.  Google: “Why it’s important to shop early this Christmas” and see what you find.  We are here to make your holidays a little easier.  Feel free to reach out for holiday card assistance or gift assistance, too. 

 

 

5 Holiday Must Haves

Today we are sharing a few of our favorite items for the holidays, which are fast approaching and we can hardly believe it!  These 5 things are for yourself to have on hand.  They make the holidays just a bit more fun, a little easier and all the more personal.  More Than Paper has a wide selection of these items, be sure to check them all out! 

Holiday Address Stamp:  What you put in your envelope is special, shouldn't your envelope also be special? Even more than that, a return address stamp makes getting through all those holiday cards much easier. More Than Paper has a huge selection of holiday address stamps, we love this one by PSA Essentials, but shop all of them here. 

Gift Stickers:  Gone are the days of going to the drug store for those icky labels. These personalized gift stickers are affordable and look great on packages! Shop all of our gift stickers here, we have hundreds from which to choose. 

Gift Tags:   Many people prefer the look of gift tags to gift stickers. If you are one of those people, check out our huge selection of hanging gift tags. They tie right onto packages (or bottles of wine) beautifully! Don't you love this whimsical tree gift tag? 

Wine Tags:  Are you headed to a lot of dinner parties or holiday parties this season? Stock up on a case of wine and order yourself some personalized gift tags like this "eat drink and be merry" or "Merry Christmas" plaid one. Right before you head out to a party, grab the wine and a tag and you have an instant personalized gift.  We love the ones that have room to write messages. Shop all of our wine tags here. 

Freezer Labels: You may think this one is strange or doesn't belong. Sure it's a little luxury to have a personalized freezer label, but if you are planning on doing a lot of baking or meal preparation for neighbors, co-workers, friends, as thank yous, and as hostess gifts -- a personalized freezer label dresses up your meal and makes it a little more special, and more personal! We love this one by Whitney English, or shop all of Whitney's freezer labels here. 

Let us know what you think of our holiday must haves and if you'll be stocking up! Happy Holiday Shopping from More Than Paper!