You remember Christmas cards right?
Racing to the mailbox around Christmas time, getting the most amazing beautiful cards with handwritten sentiments from family and friends from afar. They were mailed to you from people you had been in contact with, and to this day, I still have some of my favorites saved, not only for the sentimental words inside but for the wonderful pictures that decorated the outsides.
So what happened to them???
Over the last few years, I've notice that I have gotten fewer and fewer of them. The ones I do get now come from Hallmark, with a notice to save $10 off my next purchase of $50 or more, or from the real estate companies looking to have me call them to refinance my home.
Now I've been getting pictures of children and families printed out on their home computers or from a local printing company with no handwritten sentiments. Just the pre-printed statement wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
The other thing we get are what I've come to call Brag Letters, or the annual Family Christmas letter. I even tried one of these a few years back, and try as you might to not brag about what you and your family did, you inevitably do, thus the term Brag Letters. They start off telling you what their children are up to, what they have accomplished, and where they are all headed off to next.
What I really miss, is the old fashion Christmas cards that you add to your Christmas decorations around the house and marvel at the brilliant art work on the cover while tearing up at the heartfelt words on the inside. Those are memory makers!
So please share with me, how do you feel about the changes in Christmas cards? I'd love to hear your comments. Next year, my goal is to get Christmas cards every day in December and share them with you next year.
Posts
14 comments:
yeah - it seems like each card is a glamour shot photo of their childrens wearing tutus and such!
i miss the old days too - our church as a mailbox in the back that we can put cards in for members of our church and it doesn't cost postage and we get a lot of cards that way!
Well, while I send out a generic Christmas greeting over the likes of Facebook, the blog, or email, I do still mail out actual Christmas Cards every year to my family and closest friends. I usually send out around 25 cards. I used to be a stickler for buying only from Hallmark, but with the economic times I find that even those from the dollar store are sufficient.
We only got 6 or 7 Christmas cards mailed to us this year. One of those was from our realtor. We did get a lot from church members that were not through the mail though. I'm glad it wasn't just us who noticed the decline.
We do the photo cards because my husband likes them. But I always include a hand-written note on the back. I must have at least a little personal touch.
It's not a big issue for me. I always send more than I get back but it's okay. I don't have expectations. Last year I didn't send any because of something I was going through...just didn't feel up to it.
I gave up sending them many years ago, and for a variety of reasons. One reason is that I remain connected with people via current social media: cell phones, email, Facebook. It seemed silly sending a card when I just spoke to them.
A second reason was the price of stamps. Wow.
I like cards, and I still get 8-10 REAL ones. The others are newsy letters, but they come mostly from people who's news I already know.
Blessings as 2010 winds to a close. See you in 2011!
Kathleen
For some reason I got lots of cards this year and I enjoyed every one! I did notice that more people are sending out the picture cards now, but I enjoy seeing them.
I send out lots of cards, even to family members I see regularly because I think they are such an enjoyable part of Christmas. People may complain about postage, but when you look at what people spend on gifts, it's pretty minimal.
I guess I have a little different take on them. When I was at home, I hated the typed Christmas letter that was sent to everyone. After I went to work, I so appreciate the time they have taken to do a letter and let me know what has been going on in their lives. For some of them, it is the only time of the year that I hear from them and am glad to get the news. I don't send cards to those I see every day, but do send to family and friends that I want to stay in contact with if only once a year. I know it is expensive, but just once a year I feel I can afford that expense.
I love the old fashioned Christmas cards you describe and I sent out about 25 or 30 and received about the same number back. A snail mail card is special; it involves a bit more personal attention, the purchase of the card, and a 44 cent stamp. God Bless those who send cards. Send me an email and I will mail you one, or a card of some theme. Terra
I love snail mail so it's always nice to get a card with a handwritten message.
Hi, Kat~
While we only got around 6 cards in the mail, we did get a TON of cards delivered to us at church. We have a mailbox set out on the table in the foyer outside the sanctuary. When you bring in your card(s), you put them in the mailbox and your donation for each one in a separate box for the missionary fund. Then we go through and sort them alphabetically. It's cheaper than mailing them, and each card was personally hand written with a little sentimental note inside. :> )
I hope your and your family have a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!
Blessings~
Laura
I'm with you..I made mine this year. A first for me with a poem I wrote. It was fun..We don't get many cards. I find that a "thank you" is no where to be heard too.Very strange to me..I think as a society we are digressing in many ways. A sign of the times.Your photo reminds me of a Lean'n Tree card.. (:
I still get a good amount of cards in the mail. I still mail cards out each year. Not as many as I use to but I mail about 50 or 60. I always buy my cards after Christmas at half price and I think I have enough for the next 10 years. I do my labels on the computer because I just can't write then all out anymore. I did receive a lot of picture ones this year! Those are usually from the younger generations who never really sent out the nice cards. I didn't do any notes this year but I normally do. A few cards I did write in some information about the family. I know that I will continue to send out cards each year!
I was stopping by because I wanted to wish you a happy new year and thank you for being a follower of my blog. It means a lot to me. Thank you. May your new year be filled with laughter, more joy than sorrow, peace, and wisdom. Blessings to you. Happy new year!
I love getting cards of any kind at Christmas!
I think the little mailbox at the back of the church is a great idea. That would save so much time and money!
Post a Comment