Christmas Card Customs

So-o-o, we got our FIRST Christmas card in the mail today. Sat. Nov.30th.

Here's my question.....IF the card is not from a business,but rather from people you have known
for MANY years (altho casually) and the card is imprinted with their name and NOTHING else......
what is your first thought?

My take is....Why bother sending it? Such a small,but significant gesture of hand writing your
name and a SHORT word or two ONCE a year seems like a genuine gesture of thoughtfulness.

Taking the time to ACTUALLY address the person to whom the card is being sent to...PRICELESS.

It is the thought that counts. They were thinking of you enough to sent the card. Perhaps their handwriting stinks and they are embarrassed by it.

I think this is a shift in social norms, way back when it was customary to send cards and letter through snail mail. Didn't get a Christmas card from Aunt Sue? Better review your last interaction with her and send a hand written apology if you did something to offend her. Then pick up the phone and call her and let her know that you're sorry. Sending cards and letters in advance of holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries requires some prior planning too, you want to make sure that your cards and letters get there before the event but not too early either.

Today I think it's more common to send an e-mail, text, or Skype instead. I'll admit my penmanship was never good and these days the only time I really write anything by hand is when I'm paying a bill with a check or signing my name. I can set reminders in multiple applications to remind me that I need to make contact with family and friends and I normally set them for the date that the event occurs on.

At the end of the day which is better? I agree with Bob, all I really care to know is that my friends and family cared enough to contact me no matter how they chose to do it. I hope that my friends and family feel the same way.

MUST be the difference between men and women.....someone posted this exact same sentiment
on Pinecam a couple of years ago and the vast majority of posters (apparently women) AGREED
that is was thoughtless or at the very least lazy......

We will send out about 30+ cards every year. All will have hand written greetings (just a few sentences each). Some messages will be longer. Most will have a picture or 2. We do use labels for the return address, that's it.

homeagain wrote: MUST be the difference between men and women.....someone posted this exact same sentiment
on Pinecam a couple of years ago and the vast majority of posters (apparently women) AGREED
that is was thoughtless or at the very least lazy......

To me a short note seems more trite than thoughtful. Feelings are hard. If I were to try and write a note, I can see myself agonizing on what to say and ending up with a platitude.

That's just me By way of full disclosure I do not send cards at all but if I did that is what I think I would think.

BINGO.....once a year,to put aside the furious,fast paced,frantic ratrace and ACTUALLY think
about the person,pen a few thoughts and put it in the mail......just seems like a personal way to
connect with others.....JMO.....

The OTHER thoughtful gesture is to THANK everyone who provides service to you...a SIMPLE
thank you to the wait staff (he or she) who fills your water,tops the coffee cup,sees to your
comfort/needs.....to actually look at them and acknowledge that they are attentive to you....
everyone in the service field (receptionist at the vet,your doctor who actually listens to you,
the mechanic who does a superb job) a heartfelt THANK YOU goes along way in making someones
day......JMO

Blazer Bob wrote:

homeagain wrote: MUST be the difference between men and women.....someone posted this exact same sentiment
on Pinecam a couple of years ago and the vast majority of posters (apparently women) AGREED
that is was thoughtless or at the very least lazy......

To me a short note seems more trite than thoughtful. Feelings are hard. If I were to try and write a note, I can see myself agonizing on what to say and ending up with a platitude.

That's just me By way of full disclosure I do not send cards at all but if I did that is what I think I would think.

JMO BB.....I think MOST male homo sapiens think that way.....communication comes HARD to
the "hormone" challenged BUT don't you see.... when it is rare,it becomes TREASURED.
It has taken the better part of 20 YEARS for my DH to communicate.....NOW he says" YOU asked me to communicate,SO_O_O,deal with it"

homeagain wrote:

Blazer Bob wrote:

homeagain wrote: MUST be the difference between men and women.....someone posted this exact same sentiment
on Pinecam a couple of years ago and the vast majority of posters (apparently women) AGREED
that is was thoughtless or at the very least lazy......

To me a short note seems more trite than thoughtful. Feelings are hard. If I were to try and write a note, I can see myself agonizing on what to say and ending up with a platitude.

That's just me By way of full disclosure I do not send cards at all but if I did that is what I think I would think.

JMO BB.....I think MOST male homo sapiens think that way.....communication comes HARD to
the "hormone" challenged BUT don't you see.... when it is rare,it becomes TREASURED.
It has taken the better part of 20 YEARS for my DH to communicate.....NOW he says" YOU asked me to communicate,SO_O_O,deal with it"

Sure I see. I thought the subject was Christmas cards to acquaintances.

Since you are working some tangents, I completely agree with saying thank you. I always do it and regard it as a common courtesy even if it is not that common.

On a tangent of my own, when someone sneezes, I always say bless you or gesundheit. Whether it is family, friend or stranger with the exception of my wife it is universally not acknowledged with a thank you. That is not a beef, just an observation.

Bah Humbug.... those Hallmark corporate profit mongers! SOBS