This post will probably inspire some hate mail, or at least some grimaces, but I can’t stand the “holiday” picture card. There. I said it.
Some time in the mid-1990s, these picture cards became the standard for families to send at Christmastime. I can’t deny their appeal and efficiency. They kill two birds with one stone by sending some holiday cheer and a photo of the kids, and I do appreciate the fact that people include me on their sending list. But, to me, they are uncreative and impersonal. They are not even hand-signed most of the time, and the photos often aren’t even very Christmasy. On top of that, at some point it became acceptable for childless couples and single people to send pictures of their pets! There’s nothing that says Christmas like a picture of Fluffy, the orange goldfish from Uncle Marty’s cubicle.
It’s not that I’m a humbug – anymore – but I miss the true Christmas card. When I was a kid, we used to hang them around a door jam. From the day the first Christmas card arrived, I would run to the mailbox each day hoping for more just so we had more to hang. It was better than an Advent calendar.
I would tear into each envelope waiting to see who would send what. For example, some people chose some really funny or cartoon-type ones. Others went more generic with a “Season’s Greetings” every year. Then there were folks who would invariably send one with Gospel passages about the birth of Christ. Then, of course, we would judge them, and the ones we liked best would get the best spot at my eye level.
This year, we’ve been fortunate to receive Christmas wishes from several people, and we’ve reciprocated, but the card that was the most memorable was one from some friends of our which was an actual card complete with a Gospel passage. And inside was a picture of their three children, dressed in Christmas clothes posing with Santa. Bam! They nailed it. The art of sending a family photo and a Christmas card all in one.
Another card that left an impression was just a simple one from a family member who lives far away. It was simply signed with “Merry Christmas” and “love”. The card itself wasn’t anything grand. It was a simple Christmas wish. But it was the effort that mattered to me. It was a card that was hand-signed.
I know this may seem like I’m being picky. Sure, it’s enough to simply the thought of. I’ve admitted that. But with Christmas cards, it’s not the “thought” that should count but the “effort.” In this age where an e-mail “thanks” (or even a Facebook wall post) has replaced the formal “Thank-you” card, there needs to be a minimum standard for Christmas cards.
If you make our Christmas card list, look for a real card. Maybe there’s a picture of our son inside. Perhaps next year there will be a photo with two kids. But just know that we are maintaining a lost standard to send individualized and personalized Christmas wishes. Merry Christmas to all!
You curmudgeon. We sent out the dreaded holiday picture card with a photo of our son, none of them hand signed. But we had to write down all the addresses on the front by hand, so to me that counts as the effort. Not to mention the trip to the post office to buy stamps. Then there's looking up all the addresses you've forgotten.
So I'd offer that no matter what you send, it takes a fair amount of effort. You're being too picky.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by bigguyd: Has the traditional holiday card had it’s day? http://bit.ly/7cZWZv EoTBlog post by @timlav #dads #eotblog…
You curmudgeon. We sent out the dreaded holiday picture card with a photo of our son, none of them hand signed. But we had to write down all the addresses on the front by hand, so to me that counts as the effort. Not to mention the trip to the post office to buy stamps. Then there's looking up all the addresses you've forgotten.
So I'd offer that no matter what you send, it takes a fair amount of effort. You're being too picky.
See. I was right. Hate mail. Dfiles, you're right. In this day of e-mail, getting stamps is a chore. So is using a pen. I dare you to write me a letter with your objections. Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas!
See. I was right. Hate mail. Dfiles, you're right. In this day of e-mail, getting stamps is a chore. So is using a pen. I dare you to write me a letter with your objections. Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas!