When I was a kid, Christmas cards were awesome. When we would get them at home, Mom would tape them up above the fireplace along the mantel so that we could see them all through the holiday season. It was so much fun to look at them as the row grew, and my favorites were always the cards with photos of people/families on them. I always thought that, when I grew up, I'd send Christmas cards to everyone in the world with my picture on it to make them happy.
Fast forward to 2012. I'm getting to the point that I loathe Christmas cards. It's not that I feel differently about them (I still love receiving them), it's just an incredible amount of work for something that most people either A) throw away, or B) don't care/don't send a card in return. Not only do I have my friends and family to send cards to, I have my husband's family too (hell would freeze over if he actually sent anything personal to someone via USPS). When we first got married, I sent out about 80 Christmas cards. Then, I grew a brain and started whittling out people that didn't send cards in return, people that were "fringe" contacts, or those that I just didn't feel freaking deserved a Christmas card from us (I have the appropriate holiday spirit, right?). My list is down to about 40 now, which is manageable, but still exhausting to put together. First, find a photo of the family to use. Well, I guess first would be taking that photo. Then, make the card. Then, get approval from husband. Then, make newsletter. Then, get approval from husband, again. Then, find address book and figure out who all gets cards. Address envelopes. Put in card. Put in newsletter, if applicable (I do not send the newsletter to everyone). Seal. Stamp. Put return address sticker on. After all the cards are done, frantically figure out who is missing. Repeat process. Send in mail. Receive very few in return. See how frustrating it gets?
In all honesty, I keep every single Christmas card I get from people. In our Christmas boxes, there is a portion of one with envelopes rubber-banded together with a year on them (e.g. 2006, 2007). All the Christmas cards from that year are there. That way, if I need to figure out whether to send a card to someone or not, I can go to the pile from the year(s) previous and figure out if they ever sent one to us. I never throw out Christmas cards, EVER. Am I weird for that? I know how much work goes into them, which is the main reason I hesitate to ever throw them away. Also, in a morbid way, I like keeping them from older people because, when they pass away, I still have something with their writing, thoughts, and quirks on it which can make me smile.
So, what about you? Christmas card altruist or Christmas card grinch like me?
No comments:
Post a Comment