I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write.
-Irving Berlin
At this time of year there is so much to do, and it seems that one cannot find time to sit down and write Christmas cards anymore. Obviously it is easier and faster to just jot down some lines on the computer, use spell check, and hit the send button. Unfortunately, there is something inherently unsatisfying about the process for both the sender and the receiver.
Of course, if you have children and want to send a card in the mail, then you are now caught up in sending the picture card as opposed to sending a regular Christmas card. Certainly pictures can be slipped inside folded cards and sent, but invariably that is more time consuming, so the senders now opt for store-created picture cards (easily made in minutes at places like CVS). They come with envelopes, so one only needs to have the message printed on the front of the card, something innocuous like "Love" and then Mom and Dad's name followed by the kids' names. I admit to falling into this category.
It is exciting, especially for kids, to get these cards. My daughter comes home from school and can't wait to rip them open. She gets to see how big cousins and friends' kids have grown in a year, and they are going to see the same thing when they get the card with a picture of her and her brother on it. There is something a bit old-fashioned about this custom, even if it is coming to you via the latest digital camera technology.
I do have a problem with these cards, though. They still lack a "message" because of their design. There is no place to write on the front, but one can turn it over and have an entire 4-inch by 8-inch surface to send a message. Sadly, no one seems to avail him- or herself of this possibility these days (again, I admit I fall into this category).
Article comments
1 - Pablo Valerio
I completely agree, I like to receive and send cards. But I have to confess that some year I did not send any.
I like the kind I can write myself, with a simple design and room to write.
There is nothing like a handwritten message to inspire friends and family.
2 - Lua
I love sending and receiving cards during the Holidays. I definitely don't think an e-card could ever truly replace a nice Christmas card via snail mail. And you're right...ESPECIALLY fun for kids! :)
3 - Crozon - Freelance Writer
Although I love getting Christmas cards in the mail, I'm not a big fan of sending them. So much wasted paper, knowing that half the people will probably throw them out anyway... oh well maybe I'm just too much of a Scrooge.
4 - Victor Lana
Thanks for your comments. I got some more cards today (the folding kind). All were just with names signed and no messages of any kind.