Do you still send out Christmas/Holiday cards?

[JasmineNoelle]

We send out Christmas cards with our Picture on them. This year we are snowmen. Also, this Saturday we will be making between 40-50 mini loaves of pumpkin bread to give to our church friends this Sunday. I love Christmas and all the little traditions that go with it. A lot of our Christmas cards will be given in person with the bread at church and at my husbands place of employment. Merry Christmas!

[Pam Shaw]

I had quit sending cards for several years, but resumed when we moved out of state. I send to family and friends. I enjoy receiving cards from others but don't feel it's necessary for people to send a card to me just because I sent one to them.

[horsnaround]

I just do the yt Christmas card exchange. For years I did others but love all the pictures of the pups. My kids always say glad are cards get displayed like the dog cards do. Lol

[crystalsmom]

Yes, I do but the number has been getting smaller and down to about 50 now.

Family always gets an email one too on Christmas morning.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by SirTeddykins

I do not send them and I hate when they are sent to me. I appreciate the thought, don't get me wrong, but I hate the obligation of etiquette which suggests that I should send a return card. I don't like feeling obliged to do anything and I am not sentimental in any way, therefore, I hate when people send me cards since they provoke a smile but get thrown directly into the trash. I'm also very much a minimalist so having a slew of cards in my house would not make me appreciative of the thought (which is so ugly of me, I know) but would make me cringe from clutter. Uh, I have portrayed myself in a very flattering light now, I'm sure.. LOL

I have to laugh bc sometimes I swear, you sound *just* like me ! Bc I too am really not sentimental...I don't like cards, and gifts make me rather uncomfortable. I don't like celebrating almost all holidays and don't like a big deal, at all, about my own birthday. And I abhor etiquette type things that lend to obligations/obligatory reciprocation...it just seems robotic to me, rather than genuine at times, ya know? I refuse to celebrate Valentines Day bc it seems silly to me to appreciate your significant other on that day, rather than any other random day. I'm just weird about holidays in general.

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by SirTeddykins

I do not send them and I hate when they are sent to me. I appreciate the thought, don't get me wrong, but I hate the obligation of etiquette which suggests that I should send a return card. I don't like feeling obliged to do anything and I am not sentimental in any way, therefore, I hate when people send me cards since they provoke a smile but get thrown directly into the trash. I'm also very much a minimalist so having a slew of cards in my house would not make me appreciative of the thought (which is so ugly of me, I know) but would make me cringe from clutter. Uh, I have portrayed myself in a very flattering light now, I'm sure.. LOL

LOL indeed, your honest self-description literally has me chuckling. Thanks for a much needed smile today... I needed that

I wish I wasn't such a card hoarder..... have a hard time throwing away the photo cards even of people I hardly communicate with.

[SirTeddykins]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I have to laugh bc sometimes I swear, you sound *just* like me ! Bc I too am really not sentimental...I don't like cards, and gifts make me rather uncomfortable. I don't like celebrating almost all holidays and don't like a big deal, at all, about my own birthday. And I abhor etiquette type things that lend to obligations/obligatory reciprocation...it just seems robotic to me, rather than genuine at times, ya know? I refuse to celebrate Valentines Day bc it seems silly to me to appreciate your significant other on that day, rather than any other random day. I'm just weird about holidays in general.

Yes! This is it! The expected protocol of these "holidays" by society makes me rebel against them in their entirety, which some construe as a flaw in my personality in that I do not appreciate sentiment, but the reverse is true. Actually, I do value sentiment but on a deeper level which is very intense and private and cannot be captured in a holiday card, thus, making me appear aloof, unappreciative and socially inept when, really, I am the nicest freakin' person I know...apart from you...but cannot openly share or acknowledge feelings on demand or otherwise!


LOL - wow, that was a Eureka! moment. If it weren't 8 a.m., I'd have a glass of wine and reflect.

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

LOL indeed, your honest self-description literally has me chuckling. Thanks for a much needed smile today... I needed that

I wish I wasn't such a card hoarder..... have a hard time throwing away the photo cards even of people I hardly communicate with.

hahaha glad I could make you smile - you are not alone in hoarding cards, I'm sure. I often wish I could value these things the way others do since it would spare me from an awkward pause every time my mother asks, "Did you get that card I sent you? What did you think about it?" Doh!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I have to laugh bc sometimes I swear, you sound *just* like me ! Bc I too am really not sentimental...I don't like cards, and gifts make me rather uncomfortable. I don't like celebrating almost all holidays and don't like a big deal, at all, about my own birthday. And I abhor etiquette type things that lend to obligations/obligatory reciprocation...it just seems robotic to me, rather than genuine at times, ya know? I refuse to celebrate Valentines Day bc it seems silly to me to appreciate your significant other on that day, rather than any other random day. I'm just weird about holidays in general.

Now I am that way too thats why I only send out cards to close family and friends but this is the first year I did that I dont know why I quess I am more in the Christmas spirit than normal or something. But I hate obligatory giving and have stopped that at Christmas. I like to celebrate valentines but My Husband and I really dont do anything but maybe go out to dinner but I love to decorate for valentines, One thing Im gonna do this yr is take my cashmere tree and put red lights and valentines decor on it so Im looking forward to that. I like to celebrate halloween because its a fun holiday and I like Easter. I like to celebrate but on my terms if that makes sense

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by SirTeddykins

Yes! This is it! The expected protocol of these "holidays" by society makes me rebel against them in their entirety, which some construe as a flaw in my personality in that I do not appreciate sentiment, but the reverse is true. Actually, I do value sentiment but on a deeper level which is very intense and private and cannot be captured in a holiday card, thus, making me appear aloof, unappreciative and socially inept when, really, I am the nicest freakin' person I know...apart from you...but cannot openly share or acknowledge feelings on demand or otherwise!

Yes, this, exactly!!! I don't like the sentiment to come from a holiday, it has to come from somewhere deeper/more authentic. Lol, I so get you !

Originally Posted by chachi

Now I am that way too thats why I only send out cards to close family and friends but this is the first year I did that I dont know why I quess I am more in the Christmas spirit than normal or something. But I hate obligatory giving and have stopped that at Christmas. I like to celebrate valentines but My Husband and I really dont do anything but maybe go out to dinner but I love to decorate for valentines, One thing Im gonna do this yr is take my cashmere tree and put red lights and valentines decor on it so Im looking forward to that. I like to celebrate halloween because its a fun holiday and I like Easter. I like to celebrate but on my terms if that makes sense

Fun, a Valentines Day tree...you must post a piccie!

[celstu1]

I usually send them out, but this year is getting away from me! The older I get the more it feels like each year is getting away from me! I don't know if I'll get them out on time this year, but I did buy some adorable ones, so i may send them out still, even if they do go out a bit later than I would normally like to get them out!

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by SirTeddykins

I do not send them and I hate when they are sent to me. I appreciate the thought, don't get me wrong, but I hate the obligation of etiquette which suggests that I should send a return card. I don't like feeling obliged to do anything and I am not sentimental in any way, therefore, I hate when people send me cards since they provoke a smile but get thrown directly into the trash. I'm also very much a minimalist so having a slew of cards in my house would not make me appreciative of the thought (which is so ugly of me, I know) but would make me cringe from clutter. Uh, I have portrayed myself in a very flattering light now, I'm sure.. LOL

Lol it OK, Not everyone enjoys it. I myself so not like the clutter either which is why I have a little decretive banner with pockets that I keep all of them in.



Obligated:: I was the same way, if not for this I would have quit sending them a long time ago !

[MauiGirl]

SirTeddykins and Wylies's Mom, you two are literally cracking me up. I love your honest revelations of your holiday spirit, or what some may perceive as lack of it. You have given me the courage to, for the first time in my life, open a card yesterday from someone I have only met twice, and without guilt put it in the trash. The photo card with no message, and computer printed label, only tells me that I am on some list, and doesn't even indicate that we have any connection at all.

However, I am very sentimental, and cherish every little thing, gesture, etc. that comes from the heart. I always feel better giving than receiving, but do not like obligatory gifting.

I have not sent Christmas cards since my DH passed away 5 years ago. For many years before that, he and I sent cards and also a recorded CD of mixed jazz Christmas music, and each CD had our holiday picture/label on it. It was his idea and a lot of work, but reportedly enjoyed by some 50-75 friends, many of whom still play those CDs today. I could never keep up that tradition, and it was just too sad to think of sending cards, so I stopped.

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by SirTeddykins

Yes! This is it! The expected protocol of these "holidays" by society makes me rebel against them in their entirety, which some construe as a flaw in my personality in that I do not appreciate sentiment, but the reverse is true. Actually, I do value sentiment but on a deeper level which is very intense and private and cannot be captured in a holiday card, thus, making me appear aloof, unappreciative and socially inept when, really, I am the nicest freakin' person I know...apart from you...but cannot openly share or acknowledge feelings on demand or otherwise!

I wonder how many of us truly feel this way?

I also hate those gift exchanges and secret santa things. I know this makes me a terrible person, a downright scrooge...but I cant stand them. And don't want to waste my time shopping for someone who means nothing to me and whom i wouldn't otherwise buy a gift for. And i hate the awkwardness of trying to politely accept some junky gift and come up with some pleasantry to say about it. The artificialness of it just kills the the Christmas spirit for me.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

SirTeddykins and Wylies's Mom, you two are literally cracking me up. I love your honest revelations of your holiday spirit, or what some may perceive as lack of it. You have given me the courage to, for the first time in my life, open a card yesterday from someone I have only met twice, and without guilt put it in the trash. The photo card with no message, and computer printed label, only tells me that I am on some list, and doesn't even indicate that we have any connection at all.

However, I am very sentimental, and cherish every little thing, gesture, etc. that comes from the heart. I always feel better giving than receiving, but do not like obligatory gifting.

I have not sent Christmas cards since my DH passed away 5 years ago. For many years before that, he and I sent cards and also a recorded CD of mixed jazz Christmas music, and each CD had our holiday picture/label on it. It was his idea and a lot of work, but reportedly enjoyed by some 50-75 friends, many of whom still play those CDs today. I could never keep up that tradition, and it was just too sad to think of sending cards, so I stopped.

Lol, I know...it does feel good to be honest about it ! Good job on giving yourself permission to throw a card away! Liberating a little, isn't it?

That CD gift actually sounds really amazing! I mean, that's a really cool and appreciated and personal gift that someone took time and effort to put together. Lovely...and a gift that no one would forget where it's from.

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

I wonder how many of us truly feel this way?

I also hate those gift exchanges and secret santa things. I know this makes me a terrible person, a downright scrooge...but I cant stand them. And don't want to waste my time shopping for someone who means nothing to me and whom i wouldn't otherwise buy a gift for. And i hate the awkwardness of trying to politely accept some junky gift and come up with some pleasantry to say about it. The artificialness of it just kills the the Christmas spirit for me.

Yes...same here. I try to embrace some of the Xmas thing, but often the artificialness of it doesn't let me...

[MauiGirl]

Ok, this thread has now got me re-thinking some of my obligatory gifting.

I think it's time for me to stop sending generous checks to certain stepchildren and stepgrandchildren who have not even acknowledged or thanked me in the last 6 or more years. They are all adults now, could easily send me an email, text or phone thanks, but nothing. I'm done. The only way I even know they got the gift is that they signed the back of the check and cashed it. I'd rather give that money to a total stranger who needs and appreciates it.

Wow. That was as liberating as throwing away a card.