I love getting Christmas cards from my friends and family and I hang them all over my house during the holidays. I love seeing their pictures around during this season.

My kids are 14 and 11 and for the first time, I am skipping them this year. I don't want to do all the work involved.

Do whatever you want. I send them and I love getting them. It makes me happy to know someone thought of us whether or not they wrote something. Photo cards are my favorite. That said, I would not want to think anyone felt forced to do it.

Sending real paper cards just keeps getting easier and easier...it doesn't have to be a lot of work.

The online greeting card program I use lets you upload your own photo, you can add your personalized message and then the company will print your card, put the card in an envelope, add a stamp and mail them for you.

Even better, if you are sending out dozens or a hundred cards, you can just create a single card, match that card to your contact list and send out dozens of cards in minutes.

It might be worth your time to check it out.

Pat
http://www.ThePowerOfGreetingCards.com
http://www.Shop4GreetingCards.com

One of my friends has done a nice E-card with letter for the last couple years. I'm toying with the idea myself, because money is tighter this year and I'm not sure i'll have time to do all the usual steps involved in physical cards. That said, I've been doing cards for most of my adult life - I'll miss the ritual.

Upload a photo to costco and get a cute, cheap photo card from them. So easy and cheaper...and you won't feel as guilty!

I used to do the expensive ones, but have since cut back. I still send out.

Ugh..The last 2 years I did not send any and thought it was the way to go. Until.... the 2nd week of December, I start getting them from everyone and start to feel guilty. Every trip to the mailbox is another zing from someone who thought of me at the holidays who wont be getting a card from me. My mom is the who gave me the most grief about it. Well, not this year. I'm getting mine Saturday and they are going out Monday morning. Stress free December trips to the mailbox for me.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP that said to skip 'em -- mostly because all the cards I receive these days have no personal message at all. Just the family name.

But I agree with PP who said to keep sending something to the older generation. If you only have a few cards to write, you can include a nice note, and they appreciate it SO MUCH.

ITA. One year I didn't send any cards to anybody, and my (deceased) father's sister was apparently so hurt. I didn't mean for that to happen.

I'm the PP that said to skip 'em -- mostly because all the cards I receive these days have no personal message at all. Just the family name.

But I agree with PP who said to keep sending something to the older generation. If you only have a few cards to write, you can include a nice note, and they appreciate it SO MUCH.

I send them to about 20 people I know will actually care (mostly older relatives who aren't computer- and email-savvy). I'd advocate you continue to send them to this sort of relative, as you'll come off as cold and uncaring if you don't.

For everyone else, just post "Merry Xmas" on their facebook or something.

(Caveat: I love xmas cards and post them on the wall near my tree so I can enjoy them all December!)

I send them every year but I think this year I'm going to skip them. It's a lot of work and I don't bother writing a personal note anymore because that takes even more time, so I just don't see the point anymore. It's been hard for me to get to this point. DH has been trying to talk me down for a few years.

I and them, but not nearly as many. Limiting it to 25 or 30 makes it manageable and fun. Can't you pare down your list?

I stopped 5 years ago. I don't send cards to ANYONE!!! Most people take a quick glance and throw them away anyway!!

Skip 'em.

Seriously, please tell me why I should send 100 or so cards to family and friends. I like them, but it takes a lot of time and effort.

Feeling a little guilty about not wanting to do the work this year, even though the kids will only be this age once, etc...., want to see everyone else's cards, keep in touch with old friends--but the cards don't really help me do that, really.

FWIW, I work full time and DH doesn't want to participate either but won't actively help me.

then again, I see cards like this and they are so cute.
http://www.paperculture.com/eco/holiday-cards-invitations-christmas-cards-holiday-photo-cards-c-99.html

What to do, what to do.