If your business is planning on sending out Christmas cards, it is important to start preparations weeks in advance, in order to ensure that the cards can be distributed in enough time.

It is advisable to start designing cards as early as you can - to allow plenty of time for printing, for staff to sign them and for them to be distributed. The last time to post cards in the UK, by first class is 21 December. However, if so much effort has been put in to their design, it makes sense to get them to clients and contacts much earlier in the month so they can be on display and benefit your business.

A lot of businesses choose to have specially customised cards which if they are designed well, can really stand out from the crowd. A badly designed card can also stand out from the crowd but for entirely the wrong reasons. Here are a few points to bear in mind:

• Consider the recipients and the nature of the business before deciding on a humorous or traditional design - make sure your design reflects your business and its values.

• Company messages and jokes can all be effective, but can also backfire if not all recipients are ‘in the know’. It is usually safer to stick to a simple ‘Seasons Greetings’ message.

• While most people celebrate Christmas in one way or another, consider that not everyone will engage with the religious side of the festival. Be as inclusive as you can with imagery and wording.

• It is possible to include a corporate logo within the design itself but an overly branded card can look tacky too. It may be more subtle to include a logo on the inside or the back of the card rather than using it as the focus of the card’s design.

One final thing to remember, make sure you order enough cards. Most companies have a policy about who they send cards to - all staff, all clients, repeat clients, all contacts etc. However, it is always worth ensuring a reserve stock of cards is available just in case you need to return any unexpected Christmas wishes!