Last year I couldn't find any Christmas cards anywhere, so we made the lot. Or rather, given that my boys were more into throwing the paint, I made the lot pretending that they were helping, whilst they ran around demolishing the play room. I remember the afternoon well, it wasn't one of my most enjoyable.
Anyway, I painstakingly crafted about 70 cards, wrote proper messages in them (not just a simple Dear x Happy Christmas Love Brit x but a proper message with news and everything) and spent a small fortune at the post office sending them all off (whilst the boys were taking years off my life by once again demolishing the cardboard cutout displays which is their favourite post office activity).
How many cards were sent to us last year? Four. (You know who you are, and can I just say I love you for it. Thank you! Thank you!)
So this year I've gone on strike. I'm not doing Christmas cards. At least I'm not doing Christmas cards for my usual recipients. This year, the boys and I are going to join the Amnesty International Greeting Cards Campaign and make some cards to send to a few people who have suffered from human rights abuses and who might appreciate a message of support. People for whom a handwritten, personal card means a lot.
So apologies people normally on my Christmas card list. I do wish you a very Happy Christmas and a very exciting, rewarding and enjoyable 2010, and I'll be in touch with you to say that. But this year our Christmas card efforts are going to go to those who will really appreciate it.
Anyone can join in the Amnesty Greeting Cards Campaign. They have listed 32 stories of people around the world who they are highlighting, (four of which have been specifically chosen as part of their youth campaign for children aged 8 and up). These are people who they feel will particularly appreciate personal messages of support. So if you have a spare card, think about sending one too. It will be very much valued and appreciated.
Monday 7 December 2009
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19 comments:
Good for you - what a great idea. Unfortunately not an option for us since news of our move is going with the cards, but still, maybe next year...
Quite right. Cards are overrated. I remember when first married I used to count the cards to us as a couple sitting on the mantle (or rather fit somewhere on the studenty bookshelves) and get excited about the increasing numbers each year. Now, I resent the whole thing. I dont want to put up loads of cards, most look naff and cheap anyway and are from people who have already wished me Merry Christmas and are just giving cards because of obligation--the worst form of giving. I send very few, but the ones I do send are completely heartfelt and not an obligation at all.
Your idea for this year is fab and completely in keeping with the 'spirit of the christmas season' no matter what religion you are or aren't.
Good for you. I never did cards at work, I sent an email and told everyone that I also made a donation in leiu of cards bought to the NSPCC. MadDad does the same.
We send cards to older family members.
We have started to get a lot from school and preschool, but we are going to give out a cookie woth a tag instead. Cards are just a waste of paper to me. OK special people get the childrens art work ones, but bought ones - no thank you!
Well that sounds like a much better idea and Cards only clutter up your mantle piece anyway. I'm not doing Cards this year either just hand making some for the girls teachers and the grandparents :)
What a great idea
Cards are totally over-rated and this year only those people who will winge a lot are getting them, I have better things to do with my time
I would say I've given up on cards, except I never did them to begin with. Plenty of good intentions several years running, but nothing came of them...I'm just that awesome.
What a good idea. I've just done our cards, but am seriously wondering who will send us one out here - most of my friends normally send their cards out on about 20th December! I still cling to the idea of cards, because I love receiving them from people I don't hear from the rest of the year, and finding out what has been happening with their lives. But they are becoming increasingly redundant when you can keep in touch in other ways.
PM - will that be a shock for a few people or does everyone know that you are going?
Michelle Oui - I love cards, I lvoe getting them. But not if they are obviously a chore for the sender!
MH - no cards at work for me either. I like the special people getting childrens art ones though. Next year I might take that idea on.
WoB - think that is the way forward!
MAM - after your problems with people whinging about not getting thank you cards 2 seconds after baby girl was born, I'm not surprised!
TM - I have always done them. And I like keeping in contact with people, but this year it all got a bit much!
NVG - mine too! And I love getting cards from people I haven't heard from in a while. I really love the Round Robin letters (especially the awful ones - it;s part of my Chrismtas tradition now to read allthe ones sent to my parents!)
L has done our amnesty card, (not necessarily sure whether it will cheer anyone up, but still), but apparently that's not enough. B is insisting that Christmas cards matter. I'm not so sure, but guess what we'll be doing in the evenings for the next week...
Good for you, and thank you for giving me a socially acceptable excuse for not doing any myself.
I stopped Xmas cards two years ago - fed up with:
a. the pointless messages (eg "must catch up")
b. the waste
c. the commercialism and loss of true meaning of the festivity
Plus I am 'bah humbug' this time of year as well, so probably suited my mood too.
What I did do last year was an 'elf yourself' video which was then emailed to friends and family. Huge hit, very funny, plus you could watch it again and again and laugh yourself silly at LCM & the tribe's corny dance moves.
Highly recommend as alternative.
LCM x
p.s. due to some 'issues' with former employer I have had to make my own blog invitation only, but believe existing bloggers should be able to access it - please let me know if this is not the case!! x
Great idea. I did the same as MadMum, emailed around the office and told them I wasn't sending cards, but donating to charity instead. A few people didn't like it! What can you do?!
Christmas cards matter. They are part of the way you root yourself in the community of people you want to hold on to. It's too easy to drift away. Said by someone who struggles to send but appreciates receiving.
Great idea! I remember my first Christmas in Belgium, when I didn't know the Xmas card size rules - yes, they exist. Anyway, my carefully chosen cards were the wrong size (square not oblong) and as a result cost a king's ransom to send. Now I find a cheerful seasonal email works as well and is so much cheaper.
what a lovely idea. Most people only send cards because they think they "ought to" at least this way you know the people receiving them will truely appreciate them.
Thanks for the link to Amnesty International Greeting Cards Campaign. I definitely will join.
Hope my cards can bring a smile to someone who is suffering from injustice!
nice posting....i like it...it is really helpfull to all...Good for you - what a great idea.
Bathmate
That is a good idea, a simple greeting card can make other people smile. I love collecting cards, and I'm planning to read them again when I've turn 60 years old.
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