Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Cards

Yup, it's that time! The once-a-year phenomenon that sends the postmen into a frenzy... the delivery of Christmas cards. The above card isn't what we're sending out but it was a cute one I saw online. Actually, we're sending out two different cards this year because I started using a box I bought last year on the after-Christmas sales but I ran out and realized I didn't buy as many as I had thought.

Sending Christmas cards is an odd thing for me.

There is 1) the card. Not too serious, but not 'Santa-like.'

Then there is 2) the family picure. Yaahhh... not this year. It was too much to co-ordinate. My goal is to have Russell's third year pictures taken in January and that is enough for me at this point. Maybe next year. Just reuse the picture I sent last year for now...

then 3) the Merry-Christmas-and-what-I-did-with-my-life-this-past-year-letter (this is enclosed in the cards that I send to relations that don't read our blog)

and 4) the trip to the post office where I buy an assortment of stamps for the US, Canada, and a few for overseas (England and Australia this year). I know I could buy these online but it just is part of my Christmas season to stand in line to buy stamps. Really, I don't mind.

and the final decision, 5) who to send cards to. I've kept a list each year of the cards we send out and the cards we receive. The list has changed over the years of our marriage... There are university friends who've fallen by the wayside, and camp acquaintances that no longer keep in touch. There are 'Facebook'-only friends who I've known since 1st grade, and people at church who only know us by name. These are all "no carders."

Then, there are the yearly carders: long-time family friends, and friends whose shoulder I cry on from time to time, friends that call out of the blue, and friends that even over the hundreds of miles, have dedicated themselves to prayer and encouragement. You know who you are!

I don't like to edit my Christmas-card list but at the same time, I don't want to pester non-intimate relationships with card, either, and make them feel like they should respond. I really enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards, so if you haven't received a card in the past year or so, and are reading this blog, just e-mail me your address, and I'll post one in the mail:-)

Merry Christmas!!

5 comments:

Aly sun said...

Looking forward to it. I was terribly worried that we would get nixed from the list (not really). Too bad about no picture. Where is your photographer friend when you need her?

Tia said...

I feel the same way you do. I send out like 100 Christmas cards. My husband thinks it crazy, but I like to do it. We don't live near our hometown anymore so I feel it is important to keep connected. Plus, since my mother died, I have an overwhelming urge to keep her list up too. Isn't that crazy?

Grad3 said...

I put L in charge of cards. Now that we have Lil'P he wants to be sure to send them!

We decided that we would send cards to people that we sent send birth announcements to- but then we edited the list a little further. A lot his mom friends were on there that we just aren't close too.

GL with yours!

Choco Girl said...

I still have your family picture from last year in my living room, right there in front of me as I watch t.v. I love it! I'm so glad and blessed that we are friends.

On that note, I wish I was good at getting Christmas cards out. But I am not. I always admired you for that amongst other things!

Talk to you later!

Stacey said...

I do the whole photo card/letter every year too and I always look forward to sending and receiving Christmas cards! I'm glad to hear that others still enjoy it too. My list has grown long lately (around 150) so it's no easy task but I still like it! :)
I never know what to do with those I never hear from. Some will remain on the list no matter what, and people always say they love getting the card even though they don't send any out!