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eld6161

Sending Christmas cards

5 years ago

Each year we send cards, and each year receive fewer in return. some have actually mentioned they no longer are sending cards.

We usually receive one or two e-cards.

This year my husband agreed with me that we will wait and send to those you send us first. This of course doesn't include family or special friends.

What are you doing?

Comments (42)

  • 5 years ago

    We stopped sending cards a few years ago. We still receive some and do call and thank the sender while wishing them a Merry Christmas.

    eld6161 thanked maddielee
  • 5 years ago

    I always send cards. That's one tradition that I won't let go.

    eld6161 thanked skibby (zone 4 Vermont)
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  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    wife is into scrapping and makes her own. With all the down time this year, she has made hundreds, for all occasions. We started sending out more of them now ...

    eld6161 thanked bragu_DSM 5
  • 5 years ago

    Only a very few.

    eld6161 thanked pekemom
  • 5 years ago

    Just one--quit years ago.

    eld6161 thanked sal 60 Hanzlik
  • 5 years ago

    Funny, I was thinking about this today. I bought some cards on sale after Christmas last year. Yes, I will send some, fewer every year. It’s the only way I stay in touch with some people.

    eld6161 thanked dedtired
  • 5 years ago

    We have kept sending cards. I always write minimally a few words of greetings and best wishes. I have to admit to getting somewhat annoyed when I receive cards that are not so much as signed signed. I doubt my sons will send out Christmas or New Year's cards when they are in their own.

    eld6161 thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I still send out cards but not that many. I am sorry that we will not be having the Christmas card exchange here this year as I did enjoyed doing that.

    eld6161 thanked Mary506
  • 5 years ago

    We still send them; more than we receive but that’s OK.

    eld6161 thanked jrb451
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    My DH has a list of co-workers that have been exchanging cards for years. It is a way of keeping in touch if the person actually writes a few lines in the card as an update. I never quite understood the appeal until a few years back, when these men actually started getting together.

    Dedtired, we have people on the list that were neighbors, and other than a card exchange we don't hear from them. I just don't see the point of this anymore..

    .

  • 5 years ago

    I make my cards, and my list doesn't change based on whether they send to me. It's based on our interactions of the past couple of years. Former friends who no longer communicate in any manner, are dropped, just as new friends are added when I feel the relationship has grown to that stage.

    eld6161 thanked Mystical Manns
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I absolutely will send Christmas cards. In ordinary years, I only send them to the people that I won't see in person. This year, that criterion means my list will double. I have always sent cards for major holidays. My friends and aunties and I find it a good way to keep in touch with one another. I write a little note about what's happening in my life at that moment which may be as simple as comments on the weather or a more detailed recounting of some activity. I don't even think about who sends a card in return because some people will send cards, but others will respond with an email, phone call or text. In each case, we are staying in touch and that's what's important to me.

    eld6161 thanked Fun2BHere
  • 5 years ago

    I usually send them to business contacts.....or include them in gift bags I take to people.

    eld6161 thanked User
  • 5 years ago

    In recent years I have done what Eld suggests. This year, though, I think I will send cards to those on my old list. I am in the mood for more contact and this is the year to do it.

    eld6161 thanked happy2b…gw
  • 5 years ago

    In the beginning, I sent 60=75 cards. Decades later, it's depressing to look at my address book as so many have died. My kids and their friends never send cards. I will send a very few.

    eld6161 thanked lily316
  • 5 years ago

    Sadly, there are almost none of my contemporaries left to exchange cards with. I do exchange with nieces and nephews. There was a time in my life when I sent 100 or more. We were a military family and had friends near and far, plus we both came from big families. I've always enjoyed the notes on the cards. Ones with a printed "signature" seem just a "duty" card. Now we have "Zoom."

    eld6161 thanked seniorgal
  • 5 years ago

    I send picture cards of the family every year with a letter, just telling the grandkids ages and where everyone is working. No bragging lol. I sent out 120, mailed then on Thanksgiving day.

    eld6161 thanked lonestar123
  • 5 years ago

    I have cut my list way down. I have tremors and it is getting harder to hold a pen, but I always write a note to the person I send to asking about them and telling them how we are doing. I think I'll send out about 35 this year. I have also made mailing labels on the computer that will save my hands.

    I too used to send out 100 or more years ago.

    eld6161 thanked kathyg_in_mi
  • 5 years ago

    I bought a couple of boxes, will send some. Not nearly as many as I used to but I do try to stay in touch on holidays. We seem to get a lot of cards that are photos of expanding families and I do appreciate those....if nothing else I'll send a card and say that, that I appreciate the update and being remembered. (After all these years I still tend to mail so my cards will be received on time, but none too early ;0))

    eld6161 thanked morz8 - Washington Coast
  • 5 years ago

    Nope. None for me. I get a few from family. Those picture cards showing their families. I enjoy those for the most part but some show up and I have to call my mom and ask who they are. I did not grow up around extended family and have dozens of first cousins. So I will call mom and ask who so and so belongs to.... I always tack up the ones from my siblings and they stay up until I get another one from them. My parents also send me one. Its always pink (thanks mom!)

    I imagine that when my nieces and nephews grow up, I may begin sending cards to them, though I do not know why.

    I remember growing up my mom would have boxes and boxes of Christmas cards to address(by hand,no less) and carry to the post office. I asked her one year who are these people and why does she feel the need to send them a card every year? My parents obviously did not keep up communication with all those people year round....so why did they feel the need to send a card? She told me that its what was done, and that I would probably have to do it too when I grew up.

    Nope.

    eld6161 thanked amylou321
  • 5 years ago

    I ordered mine today. I create my own, and have been waiting for my favorite printer to come up with a 50% off sale. This year it's one day only--Black Friday. I'm glad I had the photo and text all set to go.

    Christmas cards are something I look forward to every year. When I was a kid we would gather at the dining table after dinner and enjoy going over the cards we received that day. I guess that spirit of communication and sharing stayed with me.

    Between the cost of custom-made cards and the price of postage, it gets expensive. But I get a lot of pleasure out of it, and I enjoy knowing many of my family and friends look forward to the cards too.

    I also send a Christmas letter--sometimes family news + photos, sometimes something completely different. What can I say? I was a good newspaper reporter. :-)

  • 5 years ago

    I make all of my cards and enjoy doing so. I did cut way back on the number I am sending out this year.

    eld6161 thanked lindaohnowga
  • 5 years ago

    No more for me. Sad

    eld6161 thanked glenda_al
  • 5 years ago

    I used to write out a long newsy letter with my card talking about the kids' achievements. Later the grandkids. When I stopped, people would say how they missed them, but I feel my life is so uninteresting now there would be nothing to write.

    eld6161 thanked lily316
  • 5 years ago

    Yes, I get fewer every year, but I still send them.

    Every year I select a photo I've taken and write a haiku to go with it. I also write a brief letter about our past year. I enjoy doing both for us as much as for others....it's a tradition I keep going.

    It's the one time of year that I'm able to keep in touch with people I don't normally hear from. I appreciate those I do receive and hope the receivers feel that way about mine.


    eld6161 thanked Annie Deighnaugh
  • 5 years ago

    I, too, used to send out a lot. But like others didn't receive one in return. It slowly dwindled and now I only give out one to my best friend from work..

    I have a friend who lives out of the country and she asked if we could forego sending sending cards. Mainly due to cost of postage. Told her I was fine with that.


    eld6161 thanked samkarenorkaren
  • 5 years ago

    My parents spent hours at the dining room table hand writing notes in their Christmas cards and they loved displaying the ones they received on the mantel. It is a little sad to realize that all of our aunts and uncles have passed away and none of their children have continued exchanging cards. My list is not very long and I still send to special friends and my 2 brothers and 2 nieces. We also exchange cards with some of the neighbors in our little neighborhood.

    eld6161 thanked maire_cate
  • 5 years ago

    I didn't send cards at all last year, which is the first time since I left home to live on my own. I have a lot of cards this year that I am sending. I am writing them all up tomorrow and they'll be in the mail Monday. I also get fewer each year, but honestly don't care. Stamps are getting so expensive but if I can afford to do my Postcrossing swap to strangers around the world every month, I can afford to mail Christmas cards to friends and family

    eld6161 thanked User
  • 5 years ago

    I'm missing the KT card exchange that Tami organized so well

  • 5 years ago

    I'm in the process of making mine right now, that is, printing them. Even tho I load one at a time, my old HP Officejet 5610 All-in-One threatens to quit with every third or fourth card! I have to stop and let it cool down or something because after I wait awhile it carries on. I just wait to hear that "clunk" and the paper jam alert comes on. ha

    I must say this small printer has been a work horse for me all these years tho. I've looked at new printers but this one is front loading. I know just how to load the card stock in the tray to get the photo printed just right, same with how to get inside and reverse texts printed onto the cards. A new printer would mean I'd have to learn all over again.

    Anyway, I enjoy it. I send out 33 cards and get about half of that number back. It's ok. I understand as stamps are expensive.

    eld6161 thanked schoolhouse_gwagain
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I think everyone has their own criteria. I once overheard. Woman say she only sends to people she won’t be seeing. That would cross off lots of neighbors, co workers etc.

  • 5 years ago

    Actually of the 33 people I send to, I only see five on a semi-regular basis they being neighbors and a friend. I do talk to the others on the phone occasionally.

    eld6161 thanked schoolhouse_gwagain
  • 5 years ago

    Indigo, that what I do. I might add a best wishes or happy and healthy new year, but I don’t give an update.

  • 5 years ago

    Kathyg, Essential Tremors? I have them also, though they come and go at this point. Hugs,

    Glenda, if you would like, I would be happy to send you a card, none expected in return. If you would like one, just send me a message.

    Phyllis, I could organize one really quick, if you like, but I won't be participating in it. We will be heading to warmer weather in a couple of weeks, and I would have to pay postage to have them all forwarded. As it is, I am going to have my DD hold any that go to the P. O. Box from local family and friends after we leave. I will only have her forward the most important mail. Most that is important will be bills that she can just tell me the amount and I can mail a check out. Mind you, I am not saying Christmas cards are not important to me, but I will enjoy them when we come home!

  • 5 years ago

    Tami, that would be great if you could organize the Christmas card exchange. I am not experience enough on the computer to do it or I would have gotten in touch with you.

  • 5 years ago

    I switched to New Year cards years ago when I was still teaching because I could never get them out in time for Christmas when we would get off on the 22nd or so. Now, my New Year cards are a little late too, but I figure as long as they arrive by mid-January, it is okay. Of course, I am considering sending Groundhog Day cards to give me more time. Haha.

  • 5 years ago

    Cyan, I did Chinese New Year once ;-)

  • 5 years ago

    Alright, Mary. I'll create a new post in a bit. I have to do it from the computer, as Houzz doesn't like my phone. I've only just been able to comment from my phone, even signed in, after having this phone for 2 year! I could type the comment, and it would disappear after a few letters! I'll get it posted after breakfast.


    Cub, my cousin has always sent cards after Christmas.

  • 5 years ago

    I stopped years ago. They would come and then end up in the woodstove. I appreciated the ones with the children's pics. I notified all the receivers that this would happen so they wouldn't feel left out. I also used the money to go to the homeless shelter. This year I sent out a notice to all that we are stopping giving Xmas gifts at our ages and, in return, sending the $ to charity. My clan is very very acceptable to that. It's doubtful we will even see them on Xmas but we don't mind as we chat in FB message, as a family, every day.


  • 5 years ago

    Update, after all of this, DH really wants to continue. So, I just wrote out 23, less than the year before.

    And, for those few who never ever sent one back one and who don't seem to keep in touch by phone, we removed them

  • 5 years ago

    I have started the Christmas Card exchange post, so if you are interested, go see that post! Sorry it took me a little longer to get it posted than I thought. I got distracted!

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