You won't see a Christmas card from us this year. Why? It's not that I hate the holidays (although they're a little bittersweet for me now that I've lost a lot of relatives around them). It's not that I don't care about you, because I do. It's just I no longer care to send by snail mail this holiday sentiment.
Here's why you won't see a Christmas Card from us in your mailbox.
I don't have time to spare-Between blogging, school at home and all the trips to the hospital, I just don't have an extra hour. The daunting task of updating the list causes me to shudder. I need to eliminate things not add.
They're expensive– Years ago, when Rosie was little, we'd have formal pictures taken and turn them into our card. When all was said and done, we probably spent over a grand on the pictures, cards and postage. College is four years away. Gotta pinch my pennies.
No one saves them– Outside of my immediate relatives, no one keeps my kid's pictures on their fridge. So, I spend a lot of money to tell you Merry Christmas with a gorgeous picture that you look at and then flip in the recycling bin. Makes no sense.
I'm going green– Back to #2. If you're just going to recycle my card, why don't I just pass and save all of us the trouble. Better for the environment.
I'm late every single year– One of the lies I tell myself to make me feel better is that people like New Year's cards. Makes them feel special. Here's the truth, every year I order the cards in October and they're still sitting in the box in December. I start to feel guilty so I finally address them. Then they sit until I buy the stamps and con someone in my family to help me. After that, they finally get mailed. Defeats the purpose of it being called a Christmas Card.
You don't send me one– We used to get so many cards, that I'd festively display all of them in the kitchen. So far we've received about a dozen personal cards. Either you no longer like us or you're backing away from this holiday ritual as well.
You've already seen all the pictures– Thanks to social media, you've probably already seen all the pictures of Rosie that I would've put in the card. That totally takes away the element of surprise. Let's just call it a day.
I don't want to recap my year– Ah, the Christmas recap letter. I used to love it. Now, I write over 300 words a week on what's going on with us that you can read at your will and stay up to date. Honestly, the year sucked. How could I possibly spin it any other way to make it sound festive for Christmas?
Did you send cards this year?
Robin Rue ( says
December 21, 2015 at 8:47 amI am with you this year. I had every intention of sending them, too, but time just got away from me and I never sent them. Oh well…next year.
debcb says
December 21, 2015 at 9:07 amI say that every year. Last year, I think I sent them around Valentine’s Day. That’s a little extreme.
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Claire says
December 21, 2015 at 9:29 amI made my own Christmas cards this year, I enjoyed doing it and watching the recipients’ faces when they saw that the card was extra special x
Tara says
December 21, 2015 at 2:44 pmall very good reasons! You have me rethinking next year.
Regina L. L. Wells says
December 21, 2015 at 4:15 pmGood points, and I’m with you. I loved sending Christmas cards, but the art and appreciation has certainly gone out of it. This year and last year, I couldn’t send Christmas cards, but that has made it clear to me that it is probably time to give that one up. I read your earlier post about your daughter and what you guys have been through this year. I empathize and pray for your family. Merry Christmas, and here is to a better 2016!
Jessica {Swanky Recipes} says
December 21, 2015 at 4:45 pmI can relate to a few of these and I agree, I just don’t have the time to do it. This time of year is very busy and it just seems like they get thrown out after awhile. Id must rather spend the money on traveling back home to see my family and friends in person than spending it on a card for everyone I know. Priorities are key here.
Ana De- Jesus says
December 22, 2015 at 2:16 amI am exactly the same. Noone seems to give me Christmas cards any more it seems to be a dying tradition instead they just text me and what not. It is sad but that is the way it goes.
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Logan Can says
December 22, 2015 at 9:36 amI’m so sorry you’ve lost so many around this time of year. I can’t imagine how tough that is. It’s funny you mentioned everyone just throwing the cards away because I was just telling my husband (after addressing 75 of ours) that I did all that work for people to just trash them in a few days. It is still fun to get snail mail every once in a while, though.
debcb says
December 22, 2015 at 6:22 pmSo you get it. I try and keep the cards that we get. Now there are so few, that it’s not hard to display them for a while.
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Jamie says
December 22, 2015 at 3:49 pmI love sending and receiving Christmas cards, but I know I’m not the typical person anymore. I keep it cheap by having an up-and-coming photographer do our family picture (this year this cost $120 but was split 3 ways between my parents, my sister, and I). I order picture cards from Costco which ends up costing less than $20. So for me, it’s still a priority, but I do lament that we don’t receive cards back from so many people!
debcb says
December 22, 2015 at 6:21 pmSmart way to save money!! Good for you!
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Heather says
December 22, 2015 at 8:42 pmI have the Christmas cards sitting on my bookshelf…in their original packaging. I had great intentions of taking a picture of the kids and getting all the cards in the mail, well the picture of the kids was just taken on Sunday, and I could barely get all three to look at the camera at the same time let alone smile. Then I gave up and sent an e-mail instead 🙂
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Paula says
December 23, 2015 at 2:14 amThis year I sent “traditional” cards, made by a small company (Seriouscreatures.net) not the photo card that’s become so popular. I’ve got mixed emotions about Christmas cards, but agree with you in many ways. There seems to be a lot of pressure to have a “perfect” picture in a magazine-worthy layout, but there’s not a lot of news or updates from people. The time is spent in the appearance, which is so different than what the real meaning of Christmas is … Your post gave me a lot to think about.
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Natasha says
December 23, 2015 at 4:25 pmI so meant to send cards but kept putting it off. I didn’t feel like addressing them and them going to mail them. LOL! I do plan to do better next year though because my family and friends like to receive them. I just couldn’t make myself do it this year. I think I needed the winter season to come in full force to make me get in the Christmas spirit. So far here in the South, it’s been spring-like temperatures. But I do want to keep sending them each year!
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debcb says
December 27, 2015 at 10:53 amMaybe print out labels way before the holidays hit so all you have to do is stick them on? We had a warm Christmas here in Kansas City too but now we’re about to get some snow.
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Stacey says
December 23, 2015 at 5:15 pmI was planning on not sending out cards this year and than last week I changed my mind and quickly ordered the photo cards. I did cut my list in half. You are right they are expensive and anyone on social media already has seen all of my photos. But then I thought about the older family relatives that do not see them, and I did not want to break my 27 year tradition. So I ordered and sent them out last Sunday night.
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debcb says
December 27, 2015 at 10:52 amGood point about the older relatives. Unfortunately, we don’t have as many around anymore as I’d like.
debcb recently posted…It’s Short Girl Appreciation Day
CourtneyLynne says
December 23, 2015 at 9:31 pmUghhhhh I didn’t send cards this year either! I use to get so excited for them and idk…. I feel like not one person really cares these days :-/ so it’s kinda not worth the effort
Ashleigh says
December 25, 2015 at 12:37 amI don’t get a single card in the mail for Christmas. I only get them from the very few family members I exchange gifts with so I don’t do them at all anymore.
debcb says
December 27, 2015 at 10:49 amWe didn’t get very many at all this year. I used to love getting them! Come back tomorrow and link up a post at the Best of the Blogosphere Linky Party! Goes up at midnight!
debcb recently posted…It’s Short Girl Appreciation Day
Pam says
December 29, 2015 at 12:56 amThese are great points! I do still believe in sending cards simply because I think snail mail is underused and a bit more personal than social media so I still try to send things from time to time. Your points are all great though for not sending them as well! It’s such a tricky thing!
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nicole says
December 30, 2015 at 4:13 pmi stopped sending cards years ago! and you are so right they go in the trash. I dont’ even buy my sons school pics. I scan and save and give the package back and print when I need them.