BS: Christmas cards and letters

Subject: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:45 AM

How many of you send out Christmas cards? Do you include a generic Christmas letter or do you hand write all of the years news that you wish to impart to your friends? And when do you usually send them out?

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:50 AM

Round Robin Christmas Letters?
NEVER
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:50 AM

and how do YOU score?

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 11:05 AM

We send out cards that I make, every year. Been doing it for at least thirty years. I've only sent out a Christmas letter once, and it was somewhat tongue in cheek, starting out something like:

"This has been a wonderful year, even though I didn't get that promotion, our car is another year older and spends half the time in the garage, we're still living in the same modest apartment and our refrigerator is on the blink." I don't generally enjoy Christmas letters that sound like self-promotion. I do receive some that are wonderful, unassuming. warm and thoughtful, so they don't necessarily have to be that way.

I like to finish all the preliminaries for Christmas early. We've already sent out over 140 Christmas cards (and receive an equal number) and have finished decorating the house, shopping and wrapping presents. Now, we're doing cooking. It's not because we are so organized, although I suppose we must be. it's because I like to clear the decks so that we can enjoy this season, and try to give the greatest of presents, our presence, at nursing homes and health care centers. We're heading off in another ten minutes to sing Christmas Carols with Barbara and Frank Shaw and others, at a Vet's Center, and two days ago, we did a program at a Nursing Home.

It's payback time!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 11:09 AM

Good question, Wesley. I used to handwrite all of them, about 40-50 each year. Then I went to a one-page dealy-whopper done on the computer with photos framed by holly, etc. I hate getting "brag" letters from a certain cousin, so I always try to just catch folks up on where everyone is and how they are doing.

This year I started to do a letter thingy, but didn't like it, so I am now working on a card to which I may add a printed page of updates. A lot has happened in the past year and there are family and friends who want to know how we all are.

I still hand sign them all and hand handaddress them. Had I just moved into a new house, like you, I don't think I'd be too worried/stressed about getting anything out!**bg** Enjoy your new home and family.:->

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 11:09 AM

Love Christmas (or Chanukah) cards. Hate Christmas letters.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 11:14 AM

The few I make I hand deliver.
My world is indeed shrinking.
This year I only plan to deliver one.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Little Robyn
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 01:50 PM

It's our once-a-year catch-up with family and friends all around the world. We make our own cards on the computer, with an up-to-date photo on the front and the annual family update printed inside. Then I add personal notes by hand like 'All the best for 2007', 'See you at ___ Festival', or just 'Love from...',then we sign them.
We sent out about 90 this year.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 01:52 PM

I don't send out any! Waste of trees, money and landfill space.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 02:18 PM

I send too many for fear of upsetting those who don't get one from me. I sometimes wish we could become a little more like the French, who only send cards to people they will not be seeing over the festive period.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: SharonA
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 02:50 PM

[Do] you send out Christmas cards? Yes. I dislike the computer-printed cards as well as e-mail "cards"; I prefer the kind that's sold in a box with envelopes.

Do you include a generic Christmas letter or do you hand write all of the year's news that you wish to impart to your friends? Hand-write on the card itself -- no separate piece of paper. I find that the generic letter invariably sounds generic (i.e. impersonal), containing info that would interest some friends but not others. I hate wading through other people's generic letters and reading about people I don't know while trying to find names I recognize. What irks me most is when I receive my sister-in-law's letter containing my brother's family's news that I'm hearing for the first time (at the same time as the rest of their Christmas-card-list folks) -- y'know, like when my niece was pregnant and expecting the following March -- and they live just an hour's drive away!

And when do you usually send them out? Usually at the last minute!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Scoville
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 03:01 PM

Christmas letter, accompanied by a card with an individualized note for each recipient.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 03:11 PM

One for my Wife, one for my Sister and a donation to a charity.
Mind you hardly anybody sends me one. But what the Hell.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: artbrooks
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 03:27 PM

Our family and friends are pretty spread out, and we rarely see them from one year to the next...so yes, we send out cards and yes, we include a short update letter (one page, one side). Working on them right now, in fact.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 07:40 PM

I'm making most of ours this year. Those friends in the UK who do not have computers have had a letter tucked into the card with the latest news but virtually everyone else communicates via the net.

I've got to get to making some more cards to take to the Press Room on Saturday........

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 07:22 AM

I make cards (using scissors, glue, paper, stickers, rubber stamps) & hand out most of them. I post a few, 3 overseas & a couple to family & friends in Oz.

I enjoy creating cards.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 08:01 AM

And very nice they are too, Sandra!

I need to get busy and send a few cards. I bought some yesterday. I'll be handing some out to the people I see, and sending a few, including a few overseas ones. I've sent a couple of overseas ones already. I used to have a great long list, but I've cut it right down the last few years as part of my intention to simplify my life and Christmas in particular. I want to have the time and space to enjoy the experience instead of stressing out - Christmas shouldn't be a chore.

Jenny - happy recipient of one of Sandra's very attractive handmade cards.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 09:28 AM

I'm with you on that statement "Christmas shouldn't be a chore," Jenny. I enjoy this season, gathering with friends and family, making music and visiting those who feel abandoned in nursing homes. I'd hate to ever think, "Whew!! I'm glad that's over."

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 09:49 AM

I agree with Sorcha. Several years ago we told everyone that we were no longer sending out Christmas cards but instead would be giving a donation to one of the homeless charities..either Shelter, or Crisis at Christmas. We've done so every year since.

I try and make a point of sending the odd letter to distant friends and family throughout the year, rather than just at Christmas. If I did do it at Christmas, I agree with Giok...I think a 'round robin' letter is an insult. Impersonal and lazy.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:24 AM

I send Christmas cards out every year to the folks I love. :) If they are people I don't see fairly often I write a letter inside the card. I know some of you think the typed out letter (one for all) is cheesy, I have to say that I enjoy reading them...it's better than just getting a card with a signature! I don't write them because I prefer to write to each individual.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Mo the caller
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 02:33 PM

I only send to people I don't see much of during the year. So they get an update letter, with a personal note handwriten at the bottom.
At the 2 dance clubs I go to lots of people send cards. So I go round saying 'bah, humbug' with a tin of sweetd in my hand instead!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 02:40 PM

Just heard that several cards are on the way from old workmates. Course I'm not relieved or any of that sentimental stuff. (LIAR fB)

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas cards and letters
From: Kaleea
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 08:07 PM

My neice, her 2 year old & I have been working on the Christmas cards today. The 2 year old stamped Christmas designs in interesting ways on the cards. I have been signing & addressing my cards by hand for mmmmty years. I figure if I prefer to write out Music the old fashioned way (by hand) instead of using a machine, I can do the same with cards for my family & friends. I usually write a personal message. I have never done a Christmas form letter.