to send or not to send...
Each and every year at about this time, I am struck with indecision as to whether we'll be sending out Christmas cards.
As much as I love the tradition of sending and receiving holiday cards, some years it feels as if it is just one more thing to do on a large holiday to-do list. I used to really enjoy making the cards; it was a fun way to keep in touch and to share family pictures with the people we don't see on a day-to-say basis. Now, though, with facebook and blogging, 90% of the people I would send our cards to are already pretty up-to-date with us and see our family pictures all of the time.
So last week I decided I was going to sit this year out when it came to sending cards. I decided I have plenty on my holiday plate right now with Christmas shopping, Christmas projects with the kids, gift wrapping, organizing Gracie's class party, and preparing for another big trip to Illinois. I decided that I would only feel guilty about the decision for a little while and that nobody else would notice one way or another if I sent out Christmas cards.
And then the Christmas cards began arriving in the mail.........
and I realized that although there are plenty of reasons to not send out Christmas cards, it is a holiday tradition that I really enjoy. Technology provides us many easy ways to keep in touch, but it can't compare to actual mail. A physical object to be held onto and kept. A token with a handwritten address that sends the message, "You are important to me. Merry Christmas!" I realized that I would feel really sad if the season passed and I didn't have the joy of finding cards in our mailbox each day.
So the number one goal on my to-do list this weekend is to create our family Christmas card. I may grumble for just a minute as I try to get a decent picture of all three kids and I may momentarily regret the decision as I assemble 50+ cards with Drew's "help," but I know that once the cards are placed in the mail, I will be glad that I took the time to continue the tradition.
As much as I love the tradition of sending and receiving holiday cards, some years it feels as if it is just one more thing to do on a large holiday to-do list. I used to really enjoy making the cards; it was a fun way to keep in touch and to share family pictures with the people we don't see on a day-to-say basis. Now, though, with facebook and blogging, 90% of the people I would send our cards to are already pretty up-to-date with us and see our family pictures all of the time.
So last week I decided I was going to sit this year out when it came to sending cards. I decided I have plenty on my holiday plate right now with Christmas shopping, Christmas projects with the kids, gift wrapping, organizing Gracie's class party, and preparing for another big trip to Illinois. I decided that I would only feel guilty about the decision for a little while and that nobody else would notice one way or another if I sent out Christmas cards.
And then the Christmas cards began arriving in the mail.........
and I realized that although there are plenty of reasons to not send out Christmas cards, it is a holiday tradition that I really enjoy. Technology provides us many easy ways to keep in touch, but it can't compare to actual mail. A physical object to be held onto and kept. A token with a handwritten address that sends the message, "You are important to me. Merry Christmas!" I realized that I would feel really sad if the season passed and I didn't have the joy of finding cards in our mailbox each day.
So the number one goal on my to-do list this weekend is to create our family Christmas card. I may grumble for just a minute as I try to get a decent picture of all three kids and I may momentarily regret the decision as I assemble 50+ cards with Drew's "help," but I know that once the cards are placed in the mail, I will be glad that I took the time to continue the tradition.
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