not this cute anymore!I swore I wasn't going to do cards this year. We've been busy, it's expensive and time consuming, etc, etc, etc. But I just can't NOT. I don't know how all of you feel about Christmas cards/letters but I will tell you what I think and then I will ask for your opinion.
First of all, I LOVE getting them in the mail. I honestly look forward to getting the mail every day in December. I especially love when they come early, but I am not usually good about getting mine out... I think the money that it costs is WORTH showing people that you are thinking of them and that you love them enough to spend money on a stamp.. and that is why I am doing it.
Secondly, if it's just a picture, I feel a little let down. I think if you're going to spend the time and money sending out pictures, you might as well say something. No? I would rather have a long, braggy letter than nothing.. but I sometimes cringe reading the 6 point font, 3 page letters.
So please tell me what you think.. I am just trying to make the Holidays as simple as possible...
ps. if you're not sure if I have you're address, please send it to me (janetleeshumway at gmail dot com)
First of all, I LOVE getting them in the mail. I honestly look forward to getting the mail every day in December. I especially love when they come early, but I am not usually good about getting mine out... I think the money that it costs is WORTH showing people that you are thinking of them and that you love them enough to spend money on a stamp.. and that is why I am doing it.
Secondly, if it's just a picture, I feel a little let down. I think if you're going to spend the time and money sending out pictures, you might as well say something. No? I would rather have a long, braggy letter than nothing.. but I sometimes cringe reading the 6 point font, 3 page letters.
Thirdly, when people have upkept blogs, do they really have to send out Christmas cards? I mean, I know the answer is yes because some people don't blog. But do they have to send them out to people who read their blogs? Can't I just post it and call it good? I sent over 200 Christmas cards last year.. and I am sure the numbers are bigger this year. What do you do???
So please tell me what you think.. I am just trying to make the Holidays as simple as possible...
ps. if you're not sure if I have you're address, please send it to me (janetleeshumway at gmail dot com)
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30 comments:
I say send them! I love getting Christmas letters, even from family and frineds who I know what is going on with. I always feel so dissapointed if there is no letter. I'm sure you'll do a great one-- not to long or braggy. And I better get one! :-)
You should send them, but 200 is a lot! Thank goodness I only have 100 to send.
I think that you should put your Christmas letter/picture on your blog, and let everyone know that's where it is. Then everyone who cares can read it, and maybe some more family and friends will become regular readers. Besides, who can afford all the postage, much less purchase the cards? Not me, for sure!
Blogging has made me apathetic about sending Christmas cards. I haven't even thought about it this year until you mentioned it. Is that horrible or what? I'll probably just send a card to both of my grandmas who don't know how to use the internet, and send a link to my blog to everyone else.
That being said, I love getting snail mail and feeling that tangible piece of paper in my hand and reading a little about what my friends and family have been up to. I also appreciate seeing a recent picture.
Shame on me for not wanting to send Christmas cards, but wanting to receive them.
I love getting Christmas cards, but I am a no letter person. Most of the time they just seem to be an excuse for bragging about your family. But I love knowing someone thought of us.
I think that you should FOR SURE narrow your list from 200+ to a reasonable 50ish. I send mine to family and a few friends who don't peek at my blog. :) Good Luck!
Well said! I feel your pain with the dilema, and I have come to the same conclusion you did. Since I love getting them, I guess I have to send them out. It's not that I don't want to, but it is hard to spend the time and money in a month where there is too little of both! I just had this conversation with several people in the last few days, and I have come to the conclusion that, although I will not hold it against anyone who does an e-card or a Christmas blog post, I for one will continue to send out cards simply because they are more fun and more personal (even the form letters!).
Ps We look forward to getting your Christmas card soon! :)
Everyone loves real mail, let's not lie, but the card mailing is a pain. I have never sent the mass Christmas card and that probably makes me a terrible friend/sister/granddaughter/cousin.We send them to close family and a few friends. Maybe you can take a year off due to recent moves, etc. If it is important to you do, it if not, don't worry about it!
You have to send them, but I also think 200 is a lot. No wonder you cringe! I keep my # at whatever 2-18/20 ct boxes will do (as you want to use the whole box up). I usually don't give cards to folks I see on Sundays, so only use the cards to get to the relatives. I don't like the 3 pagers, but I do like when folks do a little paragraph about each family member so I can catch up. I've seen it where the mom interviews even the little ones so it just says what is interesting to them, in their own words. That's nice as it does not seem to be bragging? I had one friend one year who did a New Years mailing instead of Christmas. That was kind of fun change to the traditional. Good luck! If it is any consolation, I have not started mine either...
I absolutely love receiving Christmas Cards especially from my blogging friends but I all I need is a picture. I love it! I know you are going to send one... remember in halloween costumes?! And you are coming to town next week?? I knew you would.
I've been wondering the EXACT SAME THING. So I will be reading all these comments. I'm on the fence over this topic--because it IS expensive, but I LOVE to get them...so would that be hypocritical of me to expect others to send them out and then not send them out myself?
And how the heck do you narrow down who REALLY reads the blog when not everyone comments, you known? meh.
I have the opposite problem - every year I think "this is the year I'm doing cards..." and it never happens! I love getting cards, but i think 200 is WAY too much!!
I know you'll probably get my letter and see it posted on my blog, but here's my two(or four)cents:
1) I HATE DOING CHRISTMAS CARDS, yep that's what I've been doing the past two days...but I do love to send them and get them in the mail. I like being able to say to those that live far away that even if we don't get to see them, they still have made an imprint on my heart and I am thinking about them.
2) I LOVE the letters, I agree, I do feel let down if it is just a card or picture. With that said even if I do read a blog or if I do know what is going on I like hearing in your voice what the year has meant to you...I personally like sitting down to write my own because it makes me a million times more grateful for what I have experienced and been given.
3) As far as letters go-more than one sheet of paper front and back is WAY TOO MUCH- and definately no smaller than 10 pt. font is acceptable.
4) I send cards ONLY to our closest friends and family. (think who you would invite to your wedding CERIMONY...if you were doing it all over again) The people we love in our ward or my close friends nearby I give a 'neighbor gift' to. Usually cheap and simple.
This year we're sending out CHristmas/birth announcements and are trying to keep it to 50 people. We're sending to really close friends, grandmas, and Aunts/Uncles. I know that when I go to my parents house for Christmas I read everyones cards that they get, so I figure sending a card to a main family member will get the job done. I wish I could send them to everyone I knew (and I guess I could), but it's expensive and stressful. So, just do what works for you and your family.
I'm having deja vu here, but I swear we had this conversation last year too...
200 CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whoa... Janet... you must be the most popular person in the world, or the most caring... probably both... ok, that's insane. i buy one box, with about 18-20 cards and send them to only close family (the family i actually talk to and like) and maybe a few friends that i never see. wow... that is a dilemma. but i'd have to say, send them... i love getting cards too!
Your christmas cards are always so cute and creative. not boring like usual form letters. I am sure it will be great this year. I will be waiting at my mail box for my card!
and I think I sent out 200 wedding invitations- total.
If it's just a picture, I am a little disappointed too, especially if you haven't heard from them in a while. blogging makes it so much easier to keep in touch, but there is something about getting a card in the mail. just do it!
lacey
In all honestly, there is no way I could cut down the numbers to 50. No way. We've moved 9 times in our 8 years of marriage. Keeping in touch with people is a huge priority to me. Not because I have to or I will die, but because they honestly do mean enough to me to keep them on my mailing list. I hope that when our kids are grown, I will still know what is going on in their lives. And I believe that is POSSIBLE to keep in touch with that many people. It might take a bit more effort, but friends (to me) are better than ice cream or any other gift under the Christmas tree.
Most of the trouble of doing cards is picking the picture and writing the letter, once it's done, it's not THAT much harder to order more.. it is, however much more expensive. but when you think about it, are your friends not worth a stamp? This is exactly why I send out so many... because I just don't know how (or where) to cut the list. Believe it or not, I don't send one to every cousin.. my aunts and uncles get one and I figure their kids will read it (if they care.) I have more than 70 FIRST cousins.
Another thing I LOVE about Christmas cards is giving them to those who currently live by you. I remember getting one when we were just married from a couple we barely new and we became instant friends.. (and still send cards to each other.)
I did not post my Christmas letter last year on my blog, but I think I will this year. And everyone who reads will have to know that I wish I could send you a hard copy in the mail. If you are a regular commenter, I believe you deserve a hard copy in the mail because I feel like we have some sort of relationship. To all you lurkers who never say anything -- BAH Humbug.
ps. sorry about the big typo in the title of this post. Delema is actually spelled DILEMMA.
and I also misspelled new in the comment above. it should be KNEW.
I know, I know, shouldn't be homeschooling my kids.
I think some traditions like caroling, sleigh rides and Christmas cards cannot be replaced. Some things are better done the old fashioned way. If you wanna do them, do them! I haven't read everyone else's comments so you might have got this point of view already but you could just do a picture every other year and forget about sending them to those who view your blog, just post it here for all of us to see. That might save a little time, money and stress. Good luck!
Ok, skipping over reading the other gagillion comments, I have to say that I love - I mean, really, truly LOVE - Christmas cards. I do them every year and I am also giddy at every trip I make out to the mailbox the last couple weeks in December. I strongly believe that Christmas cards are never a waste of time. Now that I know you do them, I'm going to have to add my address to your hundreds (but sincerely won't be offended if sending me one is just one too many). Reply to my email with your address and you'll be sure to get one in return!
Janet, you read my mind about Christmas cards. I am so boggled right now that one more responsibilty (especially voluntary) seems ridicuous. Although i really love receiving cards and pictures, I am taking a year off. I will send or pass out a picture and letter to my parents, in-laws, and siblings but i really think that is it. For me, it isn't about the cost of stamps, it is about time and sanity. If I spend time on cards, then I will have to give up something else that is equally or more important. I will post my family pic and letter on my blog and then my blog readers/commenters will not need a paper copy. Maybe I'll put their names on my blog so they'll know i am specifically thinking of them. TWO HUNDRED cards is... whoa. WOW. If anyone can do it, it's you, but if you are feeling overwhelmed by the task, I can see why. I always write a personal sentiment with the typed letter or card because I agree with you...if you are going to the effort to show someone you love them, why would you NOT write anything? That is the most disappointing thing ever to get a beautiful card with a gorgeous family photo and NO WORDS written! You will do the right thing for you. I know you want to keep in touch with everyone, you are such a good friend. My sister did one thing I thought was cool. One Christmas, she was especially busy, so instead of Christmas Cards, she waited and sent out Valentines to everyone on her Christmas Card mailing list. It took the pressure off of the Holidays and gave her friends a fun surprise in February!
The End
I've had all of the same thoughts as you about Christmas cards this year! Is it worth it if you keep a blog? But we've decided, like you, to send the out. Now I just have to get it done!
Janet,
I love getting your Christmas card/letter. I think it's great. And I will be honest, the first one I got I was a little surprised because we had not kept in touch very well at that point. But I felt very special that day to know that you were thinking of me.
Now look at us, we keep in touch very well through these great blogs!
Love ya girl!
hmmm.
I love getting Christmas cards, but I really don't get the whole picture thing. Even if I haven't seen you in twenty years, the picture is superfluous is my book. Plus, after the holidays, I feel obligated to KEEP the picture, which doesn't help me solve the paper-piles problem we eternally have. But cards are good. Letters are nice, but only if they have a purpose beyond instilling jealousy in everyone else.
I love getting Christmas cards, but I really don't get the whole picture thing. Even if I haven't seen you in twenty years, the picture is superfluous is my book. Plus, after the holidays, I feel obligated to KEEP the picture, which doesn't help me solve the paper-piles problem we eternally have. But cards are good. Letters are nice, but only if they have a purpose beyond instilling jealousy in everyone else.
i am with you on this one, i can't do cards this year and i am sooooo sad about it because I LOVE THEM. my friend does an email "new year" card and sends it out right at the new year to sum up what happened to the family that year with a couple of cute pictures, some from the beginning of last year to the current. i love that idea,
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