Sending holiday cards to clients is a great way to bolster professional relationships; the wrong card, however, may do the exact opposite. If you pick a greeting card with a crude joke, for example, the recipient might find it offensive and look on you with less favor. During the holidays, it’s more advisable to send out cards with generic and straightforward messages like “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays.”
That said, generic greeting cards have a tendency to be impersonal; for this reason, you may want to personalize the card by adding a short, handwritten message. This small personal gesture will make the recipient feel more appreciated since you took the time to personally sign it. Just make sure that you spell the client’s name correctly. After all, how can you expect clients to continue doing business with you if you can’t even spell their names correctly?
According to Mallary Jean Tenore, managing editor of the Poynter Institute’s website, a person’s name is attached to his or her identity, which is why anyone whose name is misspelled would feel slighted. To show that you really care, take the time to double check the exact spelling of the client or recipient’s name. Titles are also important when addressing clients, so be sure to always add a Mr, Ms, or Mrs—whatever the case may be—before the client’s name, for formality’s sake.
Hammond Greetings & Promotions 