When Is The Right Time To Send Christmas Cards?

Thousands of wasted hours are used talking about “the right time to put up or take down” the Christmas lights.  “When to put up the Christmas tree?” is another big one.  But, to this old disc jockey, there’s a much bigger question that no one ever approaches.  When’s the right time to send out your Christmas cards? I started researching it and found some “Card-Sending Tips” at Hallmark…kind of lame if you ask me and then I found some discussion at Yahoo Answers and looks like most people do it just after Thanksgiving…or that first week of December.  Others say, “when my pictures come in” or “just anytime before Christmas is fine”.  I agree with all of these….but still, what’s the best day?  Send it too early and it never makes on the card hanger in someone’s kitchen.  Send it too late and they think you only sent them a card because they sent you one.  Or does all that really matter?