Because timing really is everything, especially when your eCard might be competing with holiday ham or summer sangria
Let’s talk timing. Not stand-up-in-the-middle-of-a-wedding-toast timing. We’re talking eCard timing, when to hit “send” so your greeting doesn’t get lost in a sea of marketing emails, party invites, and “urgent” updates from Sharon in accounts.
At eCard Shack, we’ve seen it all. The brilliantly designed eCard that went out on a bank holiday. The hilarious animated greeting that dropped mid-January (a.k.a. inbox no-man’s land). The well-meaning “Happy Summer!” card that arrived just as the autumn leaves started to fall.
So how do you make sure your eCards land when your audience is actually ready to receive, open, and maybe even gasp forward them to a colleague?
Buckle up. We’re about to become your eCard calendar whisperers.
🧣 Winter: December Deluge or Digital Delight?
h, the festive season. Tinsel, turkey, and a tidal wave of emails. December is the most popular month for eCards and with good reason.
Best windows to send:
- Early December (1st–10th): Beat the rush! People are still relatively focused, and inbox fatigue hasn’t set in.
- Mid-December (11th–18th): Prime time. Just don’t wait too long, or you risk being opened on Christmas Eve by someone half-asleep and full of eggnog.
- Avoid: Anything after the 24th. It’s a ghost town. People are OOO, mentally on ski slopes, or deep in mince pies.
Tone tip: Festive cheer is welcome, but keep it light and brand-relevant. And please, no “Santa’s coming!” countdowns unless you’re selling sleigh bells.
❄️ January: The Inbox Ice Age
Welcome to inbox purgatory. Everyone’s clearing out 5,000 unread messages and clinging to New Year’s resolutions.
Best windows to send:
- Second or third week of January: Use this time for new year messages or to kick off campaigns with a fresh start theme.
Avoid: January 1st–7th. It’s a no-fly zone unless you want your eCard seen sometime mid-February.
Tone tip: Think “inspiring and optimistic,” not “WE’RE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!” Your audience just detoxed their inbox, don’t hit them with a digital megaphone.
🌷 Spring: The Hidden Goldmine
Spring is surprisingly receptive, fewer major holidays, fewer campaigns cluttering the inbox, and people are emotionally blooming like daffodils.
Best windows to send:
- Mid-March to late April: Great for Easter, Earth Day, or simple seasonal hellos.
- May: A great time for appreciation eCards (hello, Employee Appreciation Day!).
Tone tip: Light, cheerful, and colourful messaging goes a long way. Bonus points if you mention sunshine.
☀️ Summer: Hot Weather, Cool Engagement (Sort of)
Summer is tricky. People are away, checking emails less frequently, or thinking more about BBQs than branding.
Best windows to send:
- Late June or early July: Before the big vacation wave hits.
- Mid-August: People are slowly returning to normal life, and your eCard can feel like a welcome “hello again.”
Avoid: Mid-July to early August. If it’s between Wimbledon and school holidays, your message might go straight to digital voicemail.
Tone tip: Relaxed and breezy. Think tropical colour schemes and messaging that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
🍁 Autumn: Back to Business, Back to Inbox
September is when everything kicks back into gear. Perfect time to check in, launch something new, or plant the seeds for a strong Q4.
Best windows to send:
- Early to mid-September: Everyone’s sharp, caffeinated, and ready to engage.
- Late October to early November: Pre-holiday season hype starts here.
Avoid: Mid-November if you’re not ready to go full festive.
Tone tip: “We missed you” or “Let’s catch up” works well, just keep it genuine and engaging.
🎯 General Timing Tips
Mid-week is magic: Tuesdays through Thursdays see the highest open rates. Mondays = chaos. Fridays = mentally already at brunch.
Morning send times rule: Aim for 9–11 AM local time. Catch people with their coffee, not at the end of the day when they’re already dreaming of Netflix.
So… When Should You Send Yours?
The real answer: it depends on your audience. Are they corporate clients in B2B? Teachers? Tech teams? Check your analytics, test your timing, and trust your instincts (and maybe ours too).
At eCard Shack, we’re not just experts in design, we know how to help your message land exactly when it should.
Because a beautifully timed eCard?
That’s the difference between “wow, what a thoughtful surprise!” and “who sent me a Christmas card in April?”
Need help getting your seasonal send just right?
We’ve got you. Browse our electronic Christmas card designs and let’s hit send, strategically, of course.