Recently, I've had this discussion about Christmas cards with a few people. Several of us feel like sending out the annual cards/letters is a dying tradition.
It seems like I receive less each and every year. I wonder if it's because of the fact that most people communicate through the computer nowadays. Writing letters and cards and sending them snail mail is a lost art. The younger generation doesn't even know how to address an envelope, let alone have the desire to write out a letter.
But sending out Christmas cards isn't just for the younger generations. I know a lot of people who aren't on the computer much and yet, their Christmas cards come only every few years, or not at all. Is it the busyness of the season? Is it the stress of having to do them? Is it the cost?
For me, it's definitely the lack of time I feel like I have each year. I used to do them each year but lately it's been every few years. This year the family took a great picture on the beach in California and I was going to write a letter letting friends and family know what we've been up to this past year, but here it is... a week before Christmas and all I have is good intentions. In other words... no cards or letters. And as much as I wanted to get them out, I don't get too upset because I know I keep in touch with a lot of people through Facebook and email.
So I have two questions for this Aloha Friday...
Did you send out Christmas cards this year? and
Do you think sending out cards is a dying tradition?
Aloha Friday is hosted each week by Kailani of An Island Life.
28 comments:
yeah we sure did!!! we sent them early this year just to make sure they get there in time, since most of them are sent to US, to our family home! Some of them made it... some of them got lost in the mail or will get in there late even if we sent them out December 3rd:)But i think this is a cute thing to do! And even if we're young, we will keep doing it cause it's fun and we love it!
Happy Friday and here's my Aloha!!
I sent out four. Got them in the mail today. One for the one person who sent me a card, two for my siblings, and one for my grandpa. I think Christmas card sending is dying out.
well, sounds like it's dying at your place anyways.
I send out about 60-70 cards every year. and I HATE "Xeroxed Christmas Letters". I even have the song by that name by Ray Stevens on my playlist if you REALLY want to know how I feel about it.
I do try to always include a current pic of the kids with their ages, cuz, after all, isn't that all anyone REALLY wants to know about how my year went??!!
This year I destressed my Advent by saying that I'd send the cards out after New Years since I couldn't get a decent pic. Course 3 days later I got the one that's my blog header. darned near perfect too ain't it??
I've not gotten quite as many yet this year...but since I haven't sent mine out yet that doesn't bother me. A lot of folks will address their cards based on the return addresses of the cards they receive. Saves lost cards and sending to folks who've forgotten who you are. So if you're not SENDING any cards, you can't complain about not RECEIVING any.....oddly enough I've found that comments work the same way..send more, receive more. Folks like things to be both ways I guess?
so nope. not dying at my house.
oh yeah, and I tape the cards I get around my living room just under the crown molding....Sonshine was thrilled the other day when I finally started putting them up....
We sent them out as usual. I dont think the idea is dying out...just that most people are making cut backs and that's a natural one because it is a bit pricy.
I didn't send any and yes I think it is getting too costly to do. with all the prices going up and the mail being slow. It has become a dying tradition. I use to send but when people did not respond I stopped.
I did send them out this year, but I have to admit that I almost decided not to send them - mostly cost but also it seems to be going away. In fact, I've only gotten a few this year.
p.s. Happy Aloha Friday!
I normally send out a bunch and get a bunch. This year I was slack and never got them done. AND I only got 3 cards
i sent them... i love it... but yes, i think it is dying and that makes me sad
I am afraid it is a dying tradition as well. I do still send them...though just not yet this year. I ordered them way too late and they have yet to come in.
I just sent out our family New Year cards. I have scaled back a LOT. It isn't because I don't like them, or think it's a dying tradition - the cost is crazy. It is wrong when a stamp for my card costs more than the extra nice 5x7 photo card that we had made.
i send some cards but i send them late :(
i think the great thing about sending cards is the family pictures that go with the card! .. also it's a great way to reclaim friendships after a few of ignoring them.
I hope it's not a dying tradition. I enjoy sending cards and especially receiving them. I haven't notice a drop from family and friends, but I have noticed that we don't get as many -- or any -- from business or my husband's business associates. Which is fine with me, I'd rather have the personal cards and letters -- copied or handwritten, I enjoy them all!
I really is a dying tradition. With the internet people are doing more virtual cards and newsletters. I used to love sending out cards but this year we just couldn't afford the stamps. And we live so close to all our family that we see them all so they don't really need a card :)
I have only received 2 cards this year, so I really do think the tradition is dying out.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Yes I did and I think sending cards may be on the rebound.
Have a great day!
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/12/are-you-into-holiday-season-this-year.html
No, I don't send cards. Maybe next year because now it's too late,ha.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Stopping from An Island Life.
I always mean to -just ask the stack of brand new unopened cards in my closet - but haven't the last few years. I was really gonna do it this year but got way too busy and time just slipped right on by. I do think that its a dying tradition because I used to get way more cards. This year I only got two so far and I would be surprised if I get any more.
We did this year, but only because I had a photo from last year that I doctored up and wanted to turn into cards. Last year, I did electronic cards. Next year, I might just let the tradition die altogether (so I guess that answers your second question).
I send out 60-70 cards with a family picture and letter every year. I've done it every year since Jay and I got married. I do feel like it's a dying tradition though. And it makes me kind of sad. Even with facebook, blogs, and twitter it's a nice way to update everyone in the family (and friends) once a year. I too get fewer and fewer in the mail every year. I do have to say that this year I really didn't want to write the letter so Max wrote it for me. He was excited to do it and he did a GREAT job! It might be his job every year from now on :)
yes we do and I don't think it's dying out yet!!
I am sending out Christmas cards this year. So much better than e-cards. ugh.
And I didn't think it was dying tradition at all...I thought everyone ...well most people still did this!
I sent out over 60, as usual. If you want one, send me your address and I'll send you one. :)
I hope it's not dying out, because I love doing it! ;)
I did send out cards that I ordered from Tiny Prints. I do notice that every year less and less people send them out. We sent out 150 cards and will probably only get 1/4 in return.
Love your Aloha Friday banner!
We did send out cards...we get them done at Costco.com and then pick them up. Totally cute for very inexpensive.
I do believe that cards are a dying tradition. It makes me sad though because I love to send and receive Christmas cards so much.
When you get a chance, please check out my 13 yr old niece's blog. She is new to the blog world and looking for followers that will help advise her when she has questions about life, situations with her mom, etc.
www.skyekazlie.blogspot.com
Have a very Merry Christmas.
I love your blog!
www.twin-spiration.com
I love sending and receiving Christmas newsletters. I just didn't feel overly motivated, plus most everyone I would send them to reads my blog anyway. Additionally, there are financial considerations--I always spent close to $150 on postage and printing.
No sending cards for me this year. It's the money for me, but I do think the tradition is dying out. I mean people read my blog and get facebook updates on our family daily. Who needs a recap letter at Christmas and what's the point of a pre-printed card with just our names at the bottom?
That's how I feel anyway.
-FringeGirl
Every year there seem to be less and less. I am guilty and have not done cards for many years. The reason? To busy, too expensive and to impersonal unless I manage to write a personal letter in each one. I hate the Xerox newsletters that some people send. I have got some the last couple of years that just go on and on about the cruises and good times and so on and so on and we were having such a terrible time and it was like getting salt rubbed into a wound. It was like they really did not care what was happening in our lives and they just wanted to brag about theirs at our expense. I know that that was not their intention but it can come off as callous so I like to write personal letters when I send cards. I seldom get around to that so I phone people instead. I have a good long distance phone bundle so it does not cost extra.
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