Christmas cards
So I was thinking of doing Christmas cards this year. But in making a Christmas cards there are lots of decisions to be made. Specifically, should I attach a generalized summary of what has been going on, or should I make each card personal. What should I choose for my photo? I have a friend who is doing a collage and that is pretty neat. What do you guys like in the Christmas cards you receive?
My inclination is to have some sort of standard letter that then gets personalized, but I am hesitant because I was so anti-those a couple years ago. But now that I think about it, it kind of stupid to do something like that, because if they want an unpersonalized account of what I have been up to they can go to my website. Well that settles that.
For the photo I was thinking maybe part of the puzzle below, or the pictures of me going bald at graduation. Or... I don't know. I haven't done a whole lot of photographing this year. Anybody got any good situations or scenes I can recreate? I don't have any pets to take it with. So it is going to be just me. Unless you think Hank is a pet.
30 November 2006 03:31am UTC • 451 views • 7 comments
Tagged with christmas, christmascard, question, deciding
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7 comments
Carpenter Courtney
30 November 2006 12:43pm UTC
Tim and I are doing gross couple-y cards this year. We'll probably include personalized summaries for our friends that we don't see often, and everyone else will get a generic "this is how married life is treating us" card.
I'm curious to see what you come up with--last year, I made some collaged cards that were fun, but it gets very postage-intense if they're heavy!
Carpenter Kathleen
30 November 2006 07:09pm UTC
My goal in my holiday card (which I send out weeks before or after Christmas to be neutrally celebratory) is to make it onto people's refrigerators across the country. I have visited many friends and family over the last year from sea to shining sea and was filled with joy over and over to see me and my kitterbitters posted in some prime spot in someone's home! Unless you have a cute spouse or the cutest two kitties in the world, though, it's pretty lame. Don't you already do one with your parents?
The Anonymous Poppy
30 November 2006 08:04pm UTC
I have never sent or received a Christmas card. But my parents get a few every year, maybe a dozen. I think they might send some, too. I'm not sure. If they do, they just send, you know, Hallmark or whatever Christmas cards with a few sentences written inside about how they wish well for whoever is the intended recipient of the card. And that's the kind that they get, too. I mean, they're really nice and highly personalized. Just not a big deal.
Now that I think about it, I guess we (my family) are actually in pretty close communication with everyone that we're interested in being in touch with. So there's no need to send a yearly update or photographs of the family to people that we don't see very often or whatever.
I didn't think you were one for social conventions anyway. Why send Christmas cards? Especially seeing as you're not Christian, why not send yearly cards to everyone you know on, oh, the first day of spring? Or St. Patrick's Day? Or right after Halloween? (That would at least have interesting pictures.)
Peon Peetie
30 November 2006 10:49pm UTC
i never really been too into christmas cards, though i was thinking of sending out some festivus cards this holiday season
Robert
30 November 2006 11:01pm UTC
For a Festivus card the list of grievances should be personalized, even if the rest of the card isn't.
Dread Pirate Benjamin
30 November 2006 11:33pm UTC
I really do feel that christmas has nothing to do with being christian. That happens to be an historical side note. It is now so much more.
This time of year is about spending time with the people you love, and if you can't do that, getting cards from them! Because who doesn't like getting something in the mail? And getting something in the mail is kind of like getting a message on thescruffypirate.org. You have to send 'em to get 'em.
But you are right that I don't like social conventions. But generally its just that I don't like social conventions that I have no choice in. You have to do this. you can't wear white after labor day. Who cares!
But christmas cards. That just seems like fun. But in terms of revolting against society, you could say that I wouldn't be expected to send cards. So of course I'm going to! Plus, not many people my age do.
The problem is though, that I have lots of plans. And never really do any of them. So don't wait up for my card...
Carpenter Courtney
1 December 2006 07:56am UTC
As I think back on holiday cards that have made an impact, I realize that the photo-cards all blend together. The most memorable card was one with a holiday wish by Steve Martin and a little card saying "A donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund. The Human Fund: Money for People." (That's a Seinfeld reference that I'm sure Peter will be happy to elaborate upon!) As I think about what made the card great, it was certainly the aesthetic appeal (really nice, clean typeset; none of the typical Christmas-y scrips), the humorous appeal that made fun of the often-forced holiday spirit of goodwill towards all, and, of course, a great reference to pop culture. That card certainly stayed on our fridge (and I believe it's still there) while others got taped to a cabinet for a day before cute kids and couples and animals made me want to puke up my christmas cookies. ;)