Even Santa needs to update his records and create a database!

I’ve maintained a Christmas mailing list for several years now.

Each year, I dust off the database and  update it.  After I’ve made sure all the addresses are current, I move to the next step of printing out my mailing labels.

In years past (during my Windows period), I used MSWorks to generate my mailing labels. MSWorks did a fine job and it was quite easy to use.  In a couple of clicks, I had all the mailing labels printed out from the database.  MSWorks even allowed me to change font type and size so the entire address would be on the label.  (Sometimes you need to add an apartment number,suite number,  business title, etc.).

I then moved over to a program called  PagePlus by Serif. PagePlus is a desktop publishing program that also integrates database capabilities.  So, I could not only design my Christmas card in PagePlus, I could import the mailing list database and output fully addressed envelopes or labels.  I liked PagePlus.  It was also quite easy to use.

Rather than spending a lot of money on MSOffice, I recommend getting either MSWorks or an earlier version of PagePlus.   The last version I had was PagePlus 11. But, I continued to run PagePlus 10.  Version 10 had all the features I needed.

You can get these software applications on Ebay at affordable prices.  I saw an older version of MSWorks for as little as 10 bucks!  PagePlus, depending on the version, can be had for around $30.00. The folks at Serif even offer a free starter version of PagePlus at freeserifsoftware.com.

Amazon.com also has some great deals. Serif PagePlus X4 is under $40.00. Similarly, Microsoft Works Suite 2002 is also affordable, priced under under $30.00.

If you’re a Windows user, and are looking for something to handle a database (or desktop publishing or both) I recommend either program.

Now, if you’re like me, and moved over to Linux, your database problem was solved by using OpenOffice.  Plus OpenOffice is absolutely free!  You can download a full version, for free, at www.openoffice.org. (And yes, it’s available for Windows and Mac, too!)

Openoffice’s database program is called Calc.  Calc allows you to create a database or import a delimited file.Once you have your database created, you use OpenOffice writer to layout and crete mailing labels. the steps ae pretty easy. Crete your database, open Writer, create a new label, define your fields,create the label template, then print the labels.

A great tutorial on how to do this is located here. (This is the site where I first learned how to use OpenOffice to create and print labels. the site is an invaluable resource.)

So, now you’re ready for next Christmas!  Update your mailing list now, create a database, and file it away on your hard drive (and make sure to backup to an external drive). Then, in 2011 when you need to send those Christmas cards, you can pull out your trusty database and with a couple of clinks, in either Windows or Linux, print out all your mailing labels in a flash!