Why do people send Christmas cards?
I send them because I want to stay in touch with people and getting mail is always a lot more personal than getting e-mail. I want to maintain the relationship we have. Sure I might keep in touch with them throughout the year in other ways, but there’s something significant about being remembered at the holidays.
Sometimes I send actual cards (purchased at an after Christmas sale the year before). Sometimes I just send a letter. Occasionally I include a photo, but not often. And I do put a copy of our letter on our blog, after those who were going to get a physical copy would’ve gotten theirs.
Relationships only work if both parties work on it though. So I’m finding myself wondering how long you send someone a card without them returning one before you decided that the one way relationship isn’t worth it. If I want to keep in touch with them but they don’t want to keep in touch with me, then is it worth it? There are some friends I have who might not send out cards at Christmas, but I do hear from them in many other ways throughout the year. But there are some people who I haven’t heard from in a few years in any way.
In an age when you can send out a mass email, tweet, or facebook update, an actual piece of mail means a lot. (Same goes for thank you notes.) It’s the cost of time and a stamp that is worth a whole lot more.
Why are you sending cards this year? What’s your favorite part of Christmas cards?
And nope, haven’t gotten ours out yet. Hopefully by the end of the week or early next week.
(edited on 18 Dec 2011 to add this comic)
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
I like to keep in touch with people but I don’t usually send cards to people in my ward.
I love the idea of sending Christmas cards, but it always comes down to money for me. Even if I buy the cards at after-Christmas sales, I’d still have to buy lots of stamps. If the question is spending money on stamps or putting gas in my car, the answer is, sadly, putting gas in my car. One day money won’t be quite so tight and I can do what I’d like to do. 🙂
But you keep in contact in multiple ways throughout the year. I am never in doubt where I stand with you wanting to keep in contact with me. 🙂
Oh I’m bad. I haven’t sent a card in years. I usually send out a Christmas email to my friends with a letter and photo. I got a really neat e-card from a friend this Christmas that was like a slide show of their year. I do get traditional cards from some friends though and I love it, but for me, the stamps and envelopes are just too much in an already busy season. I guess I need to get my act together.
I love everything about Christmas Cards. I love buying them on sale years in advance because there are so many pretty ones. I love signing them and writing notes and letters. I hand cards out to people at church and around town, and mail them to people far away. I buy extra cards on sale to cut up for scrapbooking and to use for gift tags and bookmarks. I love Christmas Cards. :love: