Holiday cards and gift wrap compared: what you pay per card and per square foot

The comparison

Holiday cards and gift wrap are small costs that add up. A 50-card photo order, postage and a few rolls of wrap can easily pass $100. The easiest way to compare is by unit: cost per card, including the stamp, and cost per square foot of paper.

We checked prices on retailers' own sites when we checked on November 1. Prices change often, and photo card sites run frequent promotions.

At a glance

• Walmart photo cards: 5x7 photo cards are 78 cents each with envelopes. Stationery cards start at $1.29.
• Shutterfly: holiday cards start at $1.35 each before discounts, with envelopes included.
• Postage: a USPS Forever stamp for a standard letter is 82 cents. Square envelopes start at $1.31.
• Target wrap: a 50 sq ft Wondershop roll is $3, or 6 cents per square foot.

Cards: cost per card

Walmart Photo. Walmart's photo site lists 5x7 photo cards at 78 cents each and 5x7 stationery cards from $1.29 each, both with envelopes. Printed return address envelopes cost 5 cents each. Same-day pickup is available for eligible photo cards at participating stores, though not on the premium eggshell card stock. Shipping is free on orders over $35.

Shutterfly. Shutterfly's holiday card pages show prices "starting at $1.35," with higher starting prices for many designs. Every order includes envelopes, and recipient address printing is free. Shutterfly ran several promotions that ended on November 1, so check what's running when you order. It often has percentage-off codes, and paying full price there rarely makes sense.

Other options. We couldn't check Minted, Target or dollar store card prices, because their sites didn't load for us. Boxed cards from a dollar store or supermarket can work out cheapest per card, but you'll need to add your own photo or message.

Postage: the cost people forget

USPS lists a standard First-Class letter stamp at 82 cents. Square, oversized or unusual envelopes start at $1.31, because they can't go through sorting machines. Many photo card sites sell square cards, which adds 49 cents per card in postage over a standard rectangle.

Gift wrap: cost per square foot

Target's Wondershop 30-inch, 50 sq ft Christmas wrap was $3.00 when we checked, which works out to 6 cents per square foot. At a dollar store, check the square footage on the label, because rolls vary a lot. A $1.25 roll with 20 sq ft costs about 6 cents per square foot, the same as Target's $3 roll, while a smaller roll at the same price costs more per foot. Brown kraft paper, tissue and reusable bags can cut costs further.

A worked example

This is an illustration using the prices above.

The Garcias send 50 cards and wrap about 25 gifts.

• Walmart 5x7 photo cards: 50 at 78 cents is $39. Standard stamps add $41. Total: $80, or $1.60 per card sent.
• Shutterfly at $1.35: $67.50 before any discount, plus $41 postage, is $108.50. Choosing square cards would add $24.50 in postage.
• Wrap: 25 gifts at about 8 sq ft each is 200 sq ft, or four 50 sq ft Target rolls for $12.

Postage is half of the Walmart total. Sending some cards by email or hand-delivering local ones saves 82 cents each.

What to do now

1. Count your list first, and order to the number. Leftover photo cards are wasted money.
2. Choose rectangular cards to stay on the 82-cent stamp rate.
3. Wait for a promotion on sites that run them often, but leave time for delivery.
4. Compare wrap by square foot, not by roll price.
5. Buy stamps now. Forever stamps stay valid for a one-ounce letter whatever the future price.

Questions

Are envelopes included?

At Walmart Photo and Shutterfly, yes. Printed return addresses cost extra at Walmart.

Does a heavier card need more postage?

A standard card in a normal envelope is under one ounce. Thick or embellished cards may weigh more, so check before you mail them.

Is cheap wrap worse?

Thinner paper tears more easily, so you may use more. Compare square footage and feel before buying in bulk.

Ways to save

For photo gifts to go with your cards, Promo Magpie lists current offers from Great Canvas Prints, Easy Canvas Prints and Printerval. Gift cards need no wrap at all: see deals at Giftcards.com.

Sources: Walmart Photo: cards and stationery, Shutterfly: holiday cards, USPS: postage prices, USPS, April 9, 2026: new prices for July, Target: Wondershop 50 sq ft Christmas gift wrap

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