ARE CHRISTMAS CARDS A THING OF THE PAST?

ARE CHRISTMAS CARDS A THING OF THE PAST?
Saturday, December 21, 2019 by Patti Shene

IS THE CHRISTMAS CARD TRADITION DISAPPEARING?

When I left New York for to make a home in Southeastern Colorado in the early seventies, one of the things I brought with me was an address book.

Most of the entries in that little book were Christmas card recipients. My dad was the youngest of seven children, so I had an abundance of aunts and uncles, cousins and second cousins on his side alone, not to mention “greats”, relatives on mom’s side of the family, and a grandparent or two to exchange Christmas card greetings with. Then there were a few childhood friends and former co-workers. It was not uncommon for me to send over a hundred cards in any given year.

I can remember arranging an “update” call with my mom every December. She would have her address book ready to share new locations of those who had moved. She was always good about keeping in touch with folks throughout the year. Sadly, we would cross off names of those who had passed away.

As time went by, I lost track of some old friends. The address book became an Excel file on my computer. People I worked with moved on, but we maintained that once a year Christmas card communication, usually with a letter chronicling events throughout the year.

This Christmas season, I added twenty bucks to my total at the post office when I mailed my son and daughter-in-law’s international package to purchase a supply of Christmas stamps.. I’m sure if I had taken the time to look, I’d have found some unused “forever” Christmas stamps from last year, making it necessary to purchase only one book this year.

My list of cards to be sent has dwindled dramatically, and the amount I receive even more so.

Is the exchange of Christmas cards a tradition that is disappearing?

I, for one, still enjoy seeing the return address of a friend or family member on an envelope in December, knowing a cheerful Christmas card will be waiting inside. Sometimes, there is a type-written letter, other times, a simple hand-scrawled greeting.

Whether you sent a Christmas card to me (or received one from me) this year or not, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry and Joyous Christmas! Whether a friend, family member, or someone I met somewhere along life’s journey, you have all touched me in some way at some point in time.

May God bless you all this Christmas and throughout the New Year!

Patti Shene Gonzales maintains two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer and is working on a novel. She hosts Step Into the Light, a podcast that strives to lead others out of darkness and back to light. When not writing, reading, or broadcasting, she is spending time with friends or attending her only granddaughter’s sports activities. Patti lives in Colorado with her devoted feline companion, Duncan.

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Comments

Cynthia From Upstate NY At 1/1/2020 12:39:52 PM

I continue to send out Christmas cards every year. It is the one time where we can make an effort to stay in touch with family and friends. It is personal and far better than an email or text! To cut expenses, I usually buy them at after Christmas sales (75% off) for following year.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Cynthia. Yes, this is the main reason I send them to those especially who are not on social media, to keep in touch and let those folks know they are still very important to me. Thank you for stopping by and joining the discussion. Happy New Year!

Becky M Van Vleet From Colorado At 12/23/2019 6:00:56 PM

Hi Patti--I stil send out Christmas and we still receive a few. It's just a fun tradition for me and I'll probably keep it going as long as I can. I agree with your reply to Dave in that possibly God is challenging us to find new ways to bless one another at this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Becky. Thank you so much for stopping by and joining in this discussion. May you have a very Merry Christmas!

Jan Cline From ID At 12/23/2019 9:56:44 AM

I haven't sent out Christmas cards for years so I'm not surprised I don't receive many now. I admire those who take the time to do it - spending the extra money in rising postage. As the years go by, I think many of us have to pick and choose what traditions we can keep doing. Merry Christmas!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Jan. I agree that the expenses can definitely be a factor as we get older along with physical limitations sometimes. Thank you for stopping by and joining in the discussion. May you have a Merry and Joyous Christmas and many blessings in 2020.

Vivian Furbay From Colorado Springs, CO At 12/23/2019 7:10:46 AM

I love giving and receiving Christmas cards. I haven't received some from the people i have given cards to but that's okay. Receiving them brightens my day.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Vivian. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us. Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.

Gail Kittleson From Iowa At 12/22/2019 1:03:13 PM

Dwindling for sure... Having just moved my mother-in-law, nearly 94, to the nursing home, I can attest that the ones that still arrive, mostly from people they knew decades ago in the service, confuse her. But maybe one will spark something in her memory...you never know!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Gail. This is true. We never do know what line, word, or name will spark a special memory in the mind of a loved one who is suffering from some form of dementia. Thank you for stopping by. May your Christmas be Merry with many blessings throughout the New Year.

Dave Parks From elijahblog.com At 12/22/2019 5:09:23 AM

Sad, isn't it, Patti. I don't know what year we mailed our last Christmas cards, and I don't see any standing on the table with the candles and tiny carolers this morning. But the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. May we behold his glory.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Amen, Dave! Perhaps God is challenging us to discover new ways to share the Reason for the Season with family and friends. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Have a Merry Christmas and many blessings throughout 2020.

Harry Wegley From WA At 12/22/2019 1:33:11 AM

The tradition has really dwindled over the past 3 years. We used to get 40 - 50 cards each year and we sent out about 60. This year we sent out about 35 but have received only a dozen cards. I believe the cost of sending cards plus our level of business are taking a toll on this tradition.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Harry! Thank you for stopping by and joining in the discussion. Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.

Bonnie Engstrom From AZ At 12/21/2019 11:47:22 PM

Sadly, Patti, the tradition has dwindled. I still receive cards from old friends with photos of their grandchildren. I keep all those to see how the kids have grown over the years. I also send cards with photos of our six grandkids. Probably only a handful of friends care, but I care.

Reply by: Patti Shene

HI Bonnie. Thank you for sharing. I must admit that the photos I receive are in no organized fashion, so over the years, I have a difficult time recalling whose children the photos are of unless they are marked.