For the first time in over 20 years, I didn’t send Christmas cards this year.
I managed to send out client “holiday” cards, as I have every year I’ve been in business for myself (and am more than a little concerned because so few clients acknowledged them — I think it’s a sign of bad things to come in the new year.)
But the personal cards, purchased last year on sale after Christmas, never made it out of the box, even though I printed out address labels and asked Mike to buy me two books of the Botticelli Christmas stamps. Mike, ever-vigilant, mailed out some cards to his family and friends, but me…nada.
I’ve been torn about it. I enjoy getting cards — especially from friends who have kids and send pictures. I even like those newsy-letters that some people think are braggy. I tend to admire what other people are able to accomplish, and how else do you know what people are up to?
In my head, I chalked it up to “simplification.” But was it really “Scroogification”? Others complained that Thanksgiving was later this year, so they lost time in their Christmas prep. I agree; I just couldn’t seem to squeeze in cards between decorating the house and making cookies and wrapping and shopping. But really, I couldn’t drum up the enthusiasm for it either. Why do people care if they get a card, just a card, from Mike and me? No cute kid photos, no real news, just our names and a brief, “Hope you are well. Happy 2009!” message. Especially now with e-mail, and the ease of keeping in touch with people all year long, the cards just don’t seem as important.
But still, it bothers me. Am I too willing to let old friendships and acquaintanceships slide for lack of a few minutes’ time and less than $20 in postage? Is it one more social nicety falling by the wayside in our too-busy, too-preoccupied world? I, too, received fewer cards this year — why? Too expensive? Too little time? Just seemed pointless?
Maybe this year was just an anomaly in my 20 years of card sending. Or maybe it’s the year that cards became a thing of the past. In either case, it’s worth noting.
I’m still torn. I hope friends and family seeing this know that I’m thinking about you and happy to get your cards and photos. I do wish you the best of health and happiness in the new year, and hope our paths cross beyond a simple end-of-year card.
Oh! (lightbulb clicks on) Maybe that’s really the point of it all — knowing that our paths aren’t likely to cross in the new year, or maybe any year, and our annual Christmas card exchange is our only way of saying, “Hey, I’m still out here and I still remember you…fondly.”
With that in mind, I’m rethinking this whole thing…I think I need to be shopping for some Happy New Year cards. After all, I’m still out here and I still remember you…fondly.
If a man does not make new acquaintances as he
advances through life, he will soon find himself alone.
A man should keep his friendships in constant repair.
~ Samuel Johnson
Writing by Ear 