I mailed out my Christmas cards today.
I felt a little old-fashioned standing in line at the post office, a stack of cards in hand, waiting for my turn to buy Christmas stamps. I bought the ornament stamps, BTW. It seems that in this day and age, fewer and fewer people are sending out cards.
I remember sending out cards the very first year that I had moved out of my Mom's house. It seemed a right of passage. I was a grown-up now, in my eyes at least, so I was sending out my very own slice of Christmas cheer.
I used to endlessly scour the stores to pick out the exact card that I thought personified who I was. And even though what personified me changed each year, I just knew THE cards when I found them.
I would sit down on the floor in front of my coffee table, new pen in hand (had to be a new pen), cold beer hot chocolate in front of me and write out my cards. And not just sign them, actually write a little holiday blurb in each one specific to the intended recipient.
To say I used to enjoy Christmas card writing immensely would be an understatement. To say I am a little bit of a dork about all things Christmas-related would also be an understatement.
Now it seems that more and more people are doing away with sending out cards. Not sending them altogether or sending ecards instead. To me, opening an ecard is just not the same as opening up a paper card from someone. There's something about the anticipation of seeing the cards come in the mail, opening the envelope, catching a glimpse of the pretty scenes on the front and reading the message tucked away inside the card.
Clicking, reading, and having a giant dog wearing a Santa hat tap dance across your computer screen is just not the same.
But with today's new-fangled technologies, ie Facebook and email, it seems like Christmas cards are not a necessary part of keeping in touch with someone. You don't have to wait all year long to see that their kid got out of braces or they took a vacation to Hawaii. Their life is all in front of us daily, if we choose to accept them as a "friend".
I wonder if, in five years, I will send out cards at all.
Do you still send out Christmas cards?
And why is the snowcat above smoking pipe?
Please feel free to print out any of the images and use them in your holiday crafting.
Heather
I always send out photocards of the kids...for New Year's! I can't ever get my act together before then, and it's one less thing I have to to deal with for Christmas. lol!
artteachergirl
I usually send them out, but this year just haven't gotten to it. I did a lot of extra cleaning and primping around my house this year so I never took the time. Guess it's not too late...yet. I have not received as many cards this year either.
You would like the vintage Christmas candles I just picked up...25 of them! I'll probably post them soon. They are all very sweet little angels, elves and santas.
As for the Snow cat...I think he's following in Frosty's footsteps with the pipe. Hope your family has a blessed Christmas, sweet Pam. Best, Vicki
NanaDiana
Yes- I am one of those dorks that still sends out cards- scads of cards. I think I keep the post office in busines in my little part of the world. Both my girls are dorks, too, they send out a whole slew of cards, too. I love the "chase" of finding the perfect card, too! xo Diana
LizlovesVintage
I sent mine out yesterday with angel stamps. I didn't have my glasses on.. They looked like angels to me? He, He.
Anyway, I agree. Every year I send cards. E- cards aren't the same. You know I really enjoy shopping for them and all that goes along with the card itself.
We are just Old Fashioned I guess 😉
xxx Liz
Ps. I loved your comment about my post. His underwear.. LOL!
She must be washing them
Pam of Eastlake Victorian
Hi Pam-
I still chose my cards carefully, enjoy sending them out with personal messages, and think I always will! I got mine out this past weekend. I don't have too many people I send to, so it doesn't seem like a chore. The cards we receive are taped to our front door for everyone to read and admire.
Where did you get these cute images? Love 'em. By the way, my husband is the same way, choses his own cards, and sends his own out, so we kind of split the chore! Works for us!
-Pam
Vicki
Love the postcards! Why the heck is the snow cat smoking a pipe? Is that the kitten's version of a snowman? lol We still send cards. xoxo
JunkStuffTreasures
The postcard graphics are so pretty. Not sure why that silly cat is smoking a pipe, though! I still send out cards (approx. 80 this year). To me, it's all part of the holiday season- picking the cards, adding a small note and/or picture, stamping, sending. I do not like e-cards- too impersonal.
Country Dreaming
Yep, still do and love getting them too!
Haven't gotten very many this year though. We mailed ours this past weekend.
Melinda
Heather - New House New Home
I still send out cards. It's one of my favourite holiday traditions. Despite the high cost of mailing these days. In the last few years, I've made my own cards which is always something I look forward to.
Anonymous
The cat is smoking because he is a "cat snowman". Love collecting these old postcards. I put them in shadow boxes with old family photos and the old family ornaments. A way to perserve family memeots and memeories.
Angelia Christenson
Absolutely....i will admit about five years ago i sent out over fifty cards and only RECEIVED back about 20 so i wrote down who all went to the trouble and stuck with mostly just those the next year with a few extras and new additions to family and friends lists. Gotta take into consideration my mother was married numerous times so i still have step dad's and a few ex step siblings out there and thats the only time we catch up is via cards....then i got married twice (so thats a whole former family with my daughter from the first one to also send out and his mother had eight brothers and sisters when i married him....now there is only three but still) My husband of 27 years now has Jehovahs witness kin way up in Idaho and i did accidentally send them cards the first year because i knew nothing about them but that was corrected politely so that elimated my paw in law and HIS twelve brothers and sisters...ha) EVEN THE PEOPLE im gonna SEE on xmas day or eve or during that week gets cards from me but only about half go to the trouble and i use calligraphy pens for the addressing and return address and an old fashioned wax seal for the back also. This is a nighttime watching good hallmark movie ALONE in my room thing and i enjoy it myself and its done way before the week of xmas to give them a chance to send a return card of course. (i can hope) i had two fireplaces i would string them on way back in the day and didnt hang stockings on the mantels.....then i just bought a sleigh basket eventually. I have a BOOK too i keep on my desk with all the addresses and the past five years of "sent" and "received" pages in them. After a few years of not receiving i just mark thru them ....selfish, maybe a little, but hey, i make time for THEM and spend the money on the nice cards and postage....least they can do. What i HATE is when you send a bunch out and four of them just HAND YOU THEIRS at a gathering....that kinda spoils the fun folks.
Beth L.
I still send out cards!!!!! As I get older though I always feel a bit sad, when going through my list, to see the names of folks that are no longer with us. I still leave them in my card book though as a reminder of them. I like to think of them even though I can't really contact them. I am sure that the folks who now live with their facebook accounts don't see the need. But they are missing out on the thrill of actually getting something in the MAIL.... not just a quickie on the screen. Oh well..... I shall continue. Glad there are a lot of others that still fell that way.
Sherry Mitchell
I also am sending vintage cards . I love them and feel sad that people are not caring about Christmas Tradittions. I still do. Merry Christmas to Everyone 🍃🌹🍃
Evie
How do I print these?