Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Done.
As we wrap up a decade, I have also decided to wrap up the time-honoured tradition of the mailing of the Christmas card.
It breaks my heart to do it, actually.
The sending of paper Christmas cards to every relative and many friends has always been one of my favourite things to do at the holidays.
It was a whole procedure.
1. The choosing of the Christmas card. I would always get about five boxes. You needed to match the picture to the person receiving it. Some would get something old fashioned while others would get the cute animal photo and others a comical one.
2. The inside verse was also very important. It had to be just the right saying. It had to avoid words like “yuletide,” since I would never say that.
3. The type of writing was crucial. It had to be of a certain size and colour. Certain script yelled out “This was the cheapest card in the store.”
I loved laying them all out among my various coloured markers with my address book, address labels and fancy stickers. (Maybe, I should have been a kindergarten teacher?”
Anyway, it was fun to lay it all out on the dining room table with some Christmas carols playing and a hot cup of coffee steaming beside you and, in my happiest times, there would be an oversized cat sitting on top of it all demanding affection.
I never thought it was enough to just sign my name so I would write an annual letter (hopefully not boring) to bring everyone up to date on the year just passed. In some cases, that would be the only communication from one year to the next.
I loved sending greetings and I loved getting them. The happiest weeks of the year are the few pre-Christmas when my mailbox was stuffed with coloured envelopes. Those were so much more friendly then the usual ones that said “Occupant” or “Payment Overdue.”
So, why then if I love it so much am I stopping?
I blame two entities: Canada Post and Facebook.
The price of stamps has become an issue. Over a dollar for a single stamp? (Don’t they always go up in January, also?) Of course, it costs more for the U.S.A. and Europe.
That’s too much if you are sending a lot of letters.
And, of course, Facebook has taken over where the paper card left off. We can all connect everyday, many times a day if we choose to. We can all see each other’s family pictures whenever we choose. We can easily keep track of everybody’s jobs, wins, losses, relationships and rants. Not much need for a yearly update.
Biggest win? It is free.
With that being the case you hear from basically all your contacts over the holidays and can share in the magic of the season with a few clicks.
I suppose it serves the same purpose although it lacks the warmth of the handwritten greeting.
Years ago, the Christmas cards were part of the decorations.
Anybody else’s mom tape the cards up around the doorframes?
I think I have saved every card received from my grandparents, parents and special friends. I don’t want to forget the card they chose for me or their handwriting.
I imagine most people may prefer a quick text with a Christmas tree emoji.
No fuss. No muss.
The times have changed.
Just remember, If you got a Christmas card from me I gave it a lot of thought and effort and love and it truly was sealed with a kiss.
