by Rix Quinn

Some of my friends ask, “Should I send my Christmas cards out early or late?”

To answer this, I ask, “Will it contain a gift certificate?”

Actually, I believe a late card is a great card. Here are three good reasons — and two average ones – to delay mailing:

1. Excited recipients – Before the 25^th, your loved ones got greetings from friends, plus people who could sell them something. The week after, they may welcome any card that doesn’t require monthly payments.

2. Longer shelf life – It’s likely those early cards got tossed out with wrapping paper. Not your later arrival, which might sit around until late January. (Money-saving hint: Add heart stickers to the envelope, call it a “Yuletide Valentine.”)

3. Enclose a letter – Between Christmas and New Year, recipients have nothing better to do, and will love to read letters about folks they met once at either a childbirth class or a school play.

4. Enclose money – Last year old old football coach got a card containing 25 cents, along with the message “I heard you needed a quarter back.”

5. Personal delivery – For a fun night out – and perhaps a free meal – hand-deliver those cards. When I tried this, some of my friends pretended they weren’t home.

But that’s OK…I hung around until breakfast.

     Got a question to ask the Minute Simplifier? Just e-mail him at rix@rixquinn.com