The Holiday Card Dilemma
The holiday cards have been slow to arrive this year, leaving me to wonder if everyone is as late as I am getting them out, or if some people are foregoing the tradition this year, whether to save money, time or paper — or simply to reduce their holiday stress. (Either way, I’m all for it!) My dilemma each year is what, if anything, to write on each card. We don’t produce a family newsletter (not enough interesting news to share!), and while we do include a photo on the card, it feels wrong just to stick one in each envelope without adding any personal touches. The problem is, when I think of writing a personal note on each card, I get overwhelmed and start procrastinating. This year we solved the problem by splitting the list — my husband wrote a brief one- or two-line note to each of his friends and relatives and I wrote a little ditty to each of mine. I printed mailing labels (with festive snowmen and snowflakes to make it seem slightly less automated) and my son helped me seal and stamp the envelopes. All in all it took a few hours over a few days and was really nothing to fret over. (I realized this only after a few weeks of fretting, of course!) How do you handle holiday cards in your house? Do you enjoy sending and receiving them? Do you think they’re a meaningful way to stay connected to friends and family, even if it’s only once a year? Do you include a pre-written letter with news of the year, write a brief note on each, have everyone in the family sign their names, or just put them in the envelopes and call it a day? Please share your thoughts and experiences. I’m hoping to have a clearer plan for next year so I can bypass the weeks of fretting and get right down to it — or give it up altogether. I still haven’t decided. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
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The Holiday Card Dilemma
