How to use PC to Fill Names on Christmas Cards?

foolsgold99

Hi,
looking for a wee bit of advice. I've got lots of Xmas cards to send and I was wanting to be able to type all the names of the people into a database and print off a card (by putting pre purchased xmas cards into the printer) for each person e.g.

To

---

& Family

Merry Christmas

From

Me

I would be very grateful if someone could tell me what programme to use or how to go about it?

Thank you very much :santa2:

isofa

You'll only be able to put special printable cards through the printer, normal cards will be way to thick, most printers can only take 160gsm card.

simplest way is to make a list in Excel and mail merge it to Word. (Or the equivalents in OpenOffice).

Set the Word document up for the inside of the card and then

To <<Name>> (this is achieved from inserting a merged field, once you have connected to the merged data (in Word)

etc

Search the Word help for Mail Merge and it'll explain, as there are quite a few steps to go through.

A better way would be to set-up a proper database, we have a sophisticated one for all our family members, for postal labels only though, can't see the point of printing the inside of the card without some personal writing, you might as well just send an e-card...

mr_skinflint

Doesn't sound very personal. If I couldn't be bothered to handwrite the card thens I'd probably not bother sending the card in the first place.

foolsgold99

I was asking how to do it and NOT for comments on what you think. If you must know I want to set it up for my gran. She has little hand mobility and therefore she struggles each year to write the cards. This way, all the bames will be saved for subsequent years. Personally I told her that she doesn't have to send them. However, she is a proud woman and this would be a good compromise.

Thank you

Conor_3

By the time you've downloaded software, inputted the names in a database, worked out how to print it how you want (I mean by getting it to print a name a sheet automatically rather than you having to do it one at a time) and then fed the cards through the printer, you could have done it by hand far faster.

Printed cards shout "I don't give a toss about you but felt I was obliged to send you one." If you're going to insist on doing this, why bother involving your gran at all? You might as well just do it yourself and pop them in the letterbox. After all, nobody would be any the wiser.

Computers are OK but they don't speed up everything or make it easier.

ceebeeby

Instead of printing out the whole card, could you get a sheet of labels and print out multiple:

" Wishing you a very Happy Christmas"
Love from Gran / Auntie X / Mrs X / X /"

Then, you could also type out her address book in label format to save having to do the envelopes separately.

This will save you a mail merge (as described in #2), is really easy to do in Word (go to Tools, Letters and Mailings, Envelopes and Labels and follow simple instructions), and will definitely work with your printer. You can buy the labels quite cheaply from ASDA / Tesco - try and get Avery ones, as their templates are already pre-loaded).

I think it will be okay that you've not included the persons name inside the card, it'll be really obvious from the fact that it's a label, that she's having writing difficulties.

To personalise would she be able to put a kiss on each one

Good luck and let us know how you get on

thomas01155

Try printing a blank document in word to see if it goes.I doubt it will if its a bottom paper feeder but if its a top paper feeder it might.*warning the card might get stuck*

isofa

As it's for someone elderly - I'd go the label route. Scan a personal message / signature of your gran in, and then use this to print on all the labels, you can get decent sized labels to stick in the cards, bigger than standard mailing labels, maybe 6 to a sheet, from most good stationers.

I'd abandon the idea of feeding cards through a printer, it'll be a nightmare, too thick, different sizes etc.

chunter

1. Type all Names/addresses into Address Book.
2. Export address book as CSV (Comma Seperated Values)
(Microsoft Word will let you "mail merge" and include First names.
You'll need to figure this one out yourself.)
3. Create a page template in MS Word for what you want to say .
4. Run the mail merge. It'll put each Christian name and create a individual page for each person.
5. Print all these pages out. Trim them and PrittStick them into the cards.

6. Get your box of A4 labels out.
7. Run your Mailmerge again and print the labels with addresses on.

wonka

Here's quite a good Blog post on this subject: Christmas Cards made easy

foolsgold99

Perfect. Thank you all for your help. It's very much appreciated.