Best Holiday Cards
By Christmas Cards 路 6 min read 路 Last updated October 2, 2026
The best holiday cards are the ones that survive January. Most cards spend six weeks on a shelf and then go in a recycling bag, which is why this list starts with a card that lives at its own link instead. It is built from a photo or a festive scene in about 20 seconds.
Six options below, judged on the card people actually keep. The list covers Walmart, Walgreens, Minted and others, with a note on who each one suits.
1
Christmas Cards
Best overall
Purpose-built digital Christmas card builder
Best for: Anyone who wants a card that looks beautiful and arrives instantly, with no printing or posting.
Built only for Christmas cards: photo mode, illustrated scenes, twelve styles
Ready in about 20 seconds, no design skills needed
One-time price from $9.97, free to build and preview
Opens as a sealed envelope at its own link, downloadable too
No subscription option, so there is no plan to join if that is what you prefer
馃巺Create Free Card
In-store and online photo cards
Best for: A cheap print run you can collect the same week.
Low per-card price on bulk photo orders
Pickup at a local store on many orders
Same-day in-store card printing
Best for: A last-minute print you can collect today.
Same-day collection in most stores
Simple ordering from a phone
Designer photo cards with premium printing
Best for: A printed card where the paper stock matters.
Genuinely good independent design work
Heavy paper stocks and foil options
Mass-market photo cards and gifts
Best for: A big family print run with plenty of templates.
Very large template library
Frequent discounts on volume orders
Cards in store, online and as ecards
Best for: A recognised name and a card aisle you already know.
A brand most recipients recognise
Both printed cards and ecards in one place
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best holiday cards?
Christmas Cards ranks first here. A photo or a festive scene becomes a finished card in about 20 seconds, delivered as a link that opens like a sealed envelope, with nothing printed or posted.
Do digital Christmas cards cost less than printed ones?
Usually yes, because there is no paper, no postage and no minimum order. Christmas Cards is free to build and preview, and a card is paid for once rather than on a plan.
Does the person receiving the card need an app?
No. The card opens in any browser from a single link, with no app to install and no account to create on their side.
How quickly can a card on this list be sent?
Printed options on this list need a delivery window, so they depend on the postal deadline. A Christmas Cards card is ready in about 20 seconds and sends immediately, which is what keeps it usable late in December.
