Why do people think others want a photo of them? A bit arrogant, isn’t it?

Never sent one and never received one.

I sent them. Not photo cards, though. Handmade art cards, with handwritten letters. I just made the list of people: I’ll be writing about 30 this year. For family, especially people I’m not in constant touch with like my aunts and godparents, I usually include a few pictures that they can look at or toss as they wish. I only started doing pictures since I’ve had kids so my relatives could see what my kids look like as none of us are much for digital photos or social media.

I hope the recipients smile when they receive my cards or read the note but I don’t really care. I do it because it makes me happy to reach out to people this time of year and wish them well.

Anonymous wrote:Just placed our order but have received considerably fewer so far this December than prior years. Leads me to wonder if the tradition is dying off.

Do you still send them? Do you mass mail them (like through Shutterfly or InkCards) or do you hand write notes?

We get far fewer than before the pandemic but enough that I still feel guilty for not being organized enough to create a family photo card.

I do love receiving them and plan on starting again next year - I am too late again this year and will just use artistic and inclusive holiday cards suitable for people of different faiths.

Happy holidays !

It is better to give than to receive so I actually prefer to send more cards than we receive even if I send a little late … 😀

Anonymous wrote:I only send Christmas cards

I see what you did there, tRumper.

The only thing I dislike are when people send the yearly letter to everyone. If I get these I don't even read them. They're supposed to make the card more personal but it has the opposite effect--either write something specific to each person or leave it alone. And the letters are always too long and cringeworthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, another junk mail opinion here. If I have friends, they keep in touch all year. If I never hear from you, I don’t really care about your card. Impersonal and a waste. It’s like social media on paper.

Is this an American thing? None of my European family and friends do this either.

It's very popular in Britain, where the tradition began, although like in the US it has been on the decline.

Christmas cards are also found in all Western European countries. Was just in Germany and Denmark last week and saw cards for sale in shops. Gorgeous cards. Bought some!

I'm sad that some people view them as junk mail when someone took the time and effort to want to send you a pretty card. It's a nice touch of human fellowship and acknowledgment of a connection. Equalizing it as junk mail speaks badly about you and your priorities and how you view people.

True. About the only ones we receive anymore are from British friends.

I love exchanging cards this time of year!

After years of handwriting a note on every card, this year I bit the bullet and went with a company that even mails them for you. It is less personal, yes, but literally that is what everyone else is doing. Of all the cards we receive, maybe two people write me a note, and maybe one more signs their name. I was able to get the cards out timely and with so much less stress this year. In future I think I will write notes to the ones who I know will write me a note, and just do photo cards for the rest.

Anonymous wrote:No, another junk mail opinion here. If I have friends, they keep in touch all year. If I never hear from you, I don’t really care about your card. Impersonal and a waste. It’s like social media on paper.

Is this an American thing? None of my European family and friends do this either.

It's very popular in Britain, where the tradition began, although like in the US it has been on the decline.

Christmas cards are also found in all Western European countries. Was just in Germany and Denmark last week and saw cards for sale in shops. Gorgeous cards. Bought some!

I'm sad that some people view them as junk mail when someone took the time and effort to want to send you a pretty card. It's a nice touch of human fellowship and acknowledgment of a connection. Equalizing it as junk mail speaks badly about you and your priorities and how you view people.

We do and we receive more each year as our nieces, nephews and friends kids get married and have kids and they send us cards. I now send out about 100 cards and we receive about the same.

We quit a few years ago. I was never that into it and DH doesn’t care at all. I am happy if you send me a card. I display them on the fridge until Jan 2nd and then they all go in the recycling bin. I also do not care if you don’t send me a card.

Anonymous wrote:I love getting them, and I used to love sending the family card. But it began to seem strange and impersonal to just send a mass produced card with pictures of ourselves to everyone.

So now I just send boxed cards from Target or CVS to people close to me with a handwritten note. Cheaper and more sincere.

+1. There is nothing personal about getting a mass produced photo card, especially when there is not even a note and the kids are older. I receive many fewer than I used to, due in part to the fact that we stopped sending them several years ago, I’m sure.

I love sending them and used to sign them, write something special etc...now I just address the envelopes. Yes, they are either photos of our kids or family and no I dont care that I didn't write something special.
I did cut our list by 20 this year, so sent 60 and will likely send less next year. Just phasing them out.

I love sending them and receiving them. My favorites are the ones that have an amusing/informative little family update on the back. I've actually found that my friends who do not use social media have the best physical cards.

I send more every year and as a result seem to get more every year.

I do, and I really enjoy getting them. In fact, I’d say they are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.
Just today I got one and opened it while eating my lunch. It was from a friend of my mom, who I know quite well but don’t see much anymore. Her card is always nature themed — something different I have never seen elsewhere— and beautiful. And she always has a sticker or something of a dog because she loves dogs. Just seeing the address, with her distinctive handwriting, made me smile and brought back good memories of years past. A really nice break from the grind of my day and a nice chance to reflect and appreciate.
I always address by hand and sigh by hand. I don’t write a not n every one— friends I see often I don’t feel the need to. Also, some years I am busy and stressed so I will write one quick sentence on most, and try to get a few more personal notes on as many as I can. Last year I wrote a long note/letter with a few, so I don’t feel the need to do more than the minimum for those this year. I will focus my longer efforts on a few others.