This is so encouraging, to have a reminder of why I spend time and energy on this tradition, even when I think it would be nice not to squeeze it into an already busy set of other traditions and activities. I can't imagine not doing it (yet).
Dearest Emily, you and Anders have fallen off my list because I no longer know where you live! Would be happy to reinstate you though. Is your address in the uuma directory current?
I am so glad that someone else feels the same about the ritual of sending Christmas cards. Our extended family is in Wales and England, so we have two lists - the US list and the overseas list - and both are sizeable. I love the thought that each year I can reach out in this way and make contact, however brief. Some folks receive a brief letter with a few pictures, others just a cheery greeting. I buy our cards at TJMaxx - previous years cards at bargain prices - but I spend quite a while mulling them over, looking at the designs and the messages within to make sure they reflect my sentiments. I save the cards we receive each year and take them out the next year and use them for a game with my grandkids. I cut the greeting off, cut the pictures in two in an interesting way, and then hide half of all the cards around the house - but in plain sight. I pass out half pictures to the kids and they run around looking for the matching pieces. Fun for everyone. I also reread the Christmas letters I received the previous year, to remind me of how friends reached out to us to tell about their year. Connections - all important!
Ann, I LOVE this, all of it! Thank you for sharing all the ways you keep enjoying the cards and letters. I have sometimes kept the letters over for a year and re-read them, but not always. And sometimes I have cut the pictures off the cards to use as gift tags in future years. The only problem with that is that our family is so small and we keep our gift giving to such a modest amount that we end up with way more gift tags than we need! Like you, I mull over my choices when the cards go on sale in January. Often I buy them at the local book store. The proprietors there have good taste in cards. Plus they always tell me that they like to choose cards that have good depictions of donkeys because they have pet donkeys themselves. That always makes me laugh -- yet another unexpected benefit of holiday cards!
This is so encouraging, to have a reminder of why I spend time and energy on this tradition, even when I think it would be nice not to squeeze it into an already busy set of other traditions and activities. I can't imagine not doing it (yet).
I know. For me it's such a big part of the season that it would leave a chasm if I abandoned the practice!
Thanks.
You’ve inspired me, Sylvia.
I already have an assortment of cards from ones leftover from years of sending them long ago.
Will let you know how it goes…❤️
Send them to loved ones far away. They will be thrilled to hear from you! Some of them might even wrote back, and then you will have a treat, too.
Every year, I look forward to your wonderful Christmas letter!
Love to you from one of the people who almost never sends a card, but dearly appreciates receiving them.
Dearest Emily, you and Anders have fallen off my list because I no longer know where you live! Would be happy to reinstate you though. Is your address in the uuma directory current?
I am so glad that someone else feels the same about the ritual of sending Christmas cards. Our extended family is in Wales and England, so we have two lists - the US list and the overseas list - and both are sizeable. I love the thought that each year I can reach out in this way and make contact, however brief. Some folks receive a brief letter with a few pictures, others just a cheery greeting. I buy our cards at TJMaxx - previous years cards at bargain prices - but I spend quite a while mulling them over, looking at the designs and the messages within to make sure they reflect my sentiments. I save the cards we receive each year and take them out the next year and use them for a game with my grandkids. I cut the greeting off, cut the pictures in two in an interesting way, and then hide half of all the cards around the house - but in plain sight. I pass out half pictures to the kids and they run around looking for the matching pieces. Fun for everyone. I also reread the Christmas letters I received the previous year, to remind me of how friends reached out to us to tell about their year. Connections - all important!
Ann, I LOVE this, all of it! Thank you for sharing all the ways you keep enjoying the cards and letters. I have sometimes kept the letters over for a year and re-read them, but not always. And sometimes I have cut the pictures off the cards to use as gift tags in future years. The only problem with that is that our family is so small and we keep our gift giving to such a modest amount that we end up with way more gift tags than we need! Like you, I mull over my choices when the cards go on sale in January. Often I buy them at the local book store. The proprietors there have good taste in cards. Plus they always tell me that they like to choose cards that have good depictions of donkeys because they have pet donkeys themselves. That always makes me laugh -- yet another unexpected benefit of holiday cards!