To Card? Or Not To Card...

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Are you sending holiday cards?  Ha. If I'd asked you in August, you'd say, sure, maybe, depends, probably. 

Well now, sisters, it is December. And there is no more procrastinating. If you are sending holiday cards, you'd better be working on them now. Just saying.

Things to ponder:

People love to get holiday cards. Speaking for myself, at least, I love every single one of them. Regular cards, personalized cards, even promotional cards. All good.

Pictures of your family? Bring them on, I treasure them.

Newsletters? Love newsletters! The chattier and newsier the better. When I see your names, I smile inside and feel so pleased that you've thought of me. Or even if you haven't thought one bit about me but my name is still on your list, fine. Fine. I love getting them. Don't take me off your list. 

I take a special moment to open every one of them .

Christmas Hall of Famers: Harley Jane Kozak, do you know her? She has a wonderful holiday card. I look forward to it very year. Jenn McKinlay, too, hers are reliably fabulous. Janet Halpin.  SO funny! Lucy Burdette's is so Florida, and Joe Finder's is very Joe--cool and sophisticated. And I just got one from Carolyn Hart. How great is that? 

So, what are you gonna do this year? I love the elegant literary cards from the Bodleian library, and have sent them  many a year.  I am happy with cardinals, and snow.

I love the New York Public Library cards, with the stone lions Patience and Fortitude festooned with wreaths.

I search for cards with books as illustrations. Books with bows on them, even better. A determined snow-flaked kid carrying books with bows, even better.

Now here I am. With this mailing list. My mom always told me that holiday cards must be personally addressed, not labeled. Ah. Mom? This is a serious thing now, because, um, my handwriting is illegible. Do you mind labels, Femmes and readers?

And all cards, according to Mom, must be personally signed. Yes, I agree, and I will do so. Because part of the connection is on my end. That for that one special moment, even in the chaos of card sending, I am thinking of you.

But it's okay if you don't, I have to admit. I am still happy with a card from you, whether you sign it or not. I get it. Life is complicated. Just send it.

Stamps! Gotta pick a good stamp. Then stick them on. Aren't we happy that the peel and sticks are available?

Licking the envelops.  Work it out.  (Any secrets to this?)

Taking the whole shebang to the post office. It's a good thing! We are keeping it in business. The whole post office system is pretty magical, if you think about it. I can send one little 5 by 7 card to Catriona, 3000 miles away ,and she's gonna get it. For fifty cents, or however much a stamp is. Nice!

And, just saying this for a, um, friend--it doesn't have to arrive by Christmas Day. There's Hannukah, and Kwanzaa, and New Years and Boxing Day and all kinds of other celebrations, and we are just generally joyous, so hey. Send 'em when you can.

And if I'm not on your list. Sigh. Find me on Facebook. I'll send you my address if you send me yours. 

Femmes and readers, what are you doing for holiday cards this year?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

[Mark]

I sent out cards the first year after I graduated from college. For years afterward, I said I'd send them out again. I even bought some. Now, I've given up. I don't get many as a result, since I never send them out, but I do love getting them.

[Hank PhilLippi ryan]

Facebook me your address! I have made some special cards this year… And I will happily send you one, dear Mark!

[Margaret Hamilton Turkevich]

Yes, Hank, I still make and send cards. This year's features a dynamite photo I took of the Grand Canal in Venice.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

So perfect!

[Karen in Ohio]

I used to spend tons of time and money sending out cards, hand writing personal notes in each one. At the same time, my husband was sending out hundreds of calendars he and his brother took bird photos of, really nice ones. I finally realized we should be sending the calendars to my Christmas card list, too.

I'd be happy to send you a calendar, Hank, in exchange for a card. But beware: you will always be on my list from here forward unless you ask to be removed.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Yes yes yes--of COURSE! And hurray! Send our address via email!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

YOUR address. I mean.

[Karen in Ohio]

Done.

I think Donna is on our mailing list, too.