CHRISTMAS CARDS.

I don't like writing them but I enjoy getting them! I do write updates in some. My problem is this year is that I thought I had everyone's addresses but now I can't find a couple of them!!! Where on earth have I put them? Why aren't they with or in my address book? Oh dear - I and my brain are another year older

I am not keen on the "UPdates" at all . ---OOOps !
hmmm

Some of them do go on a bit !!

I usually send 80+ each year but this year, the 2nd without Mr.G, I decided to cut back radically, sending only a few to old and distant friends. In addition, I am sending e-cards to friends whose email addresses I have. It's fun to do, you don't get writers cramp or become bad tempered and it's very cheap

I've just made a collage (using Picasa) of recent family photos from this year and put Merry Christmas on it. There will be an accompanying e-letter. I'll send that to anyone with an email address and use the saved postage money as a charity donation. I did it last year and haven't lost any friends over it. Then I'll just send or give cards to the remainder - older relatives appreciate a real card I think. The main problem is keeping tabs on who gets what!

I've become very organised. A friend who shares my card-writing pain ( I do have arthritis which doesn't help) bought me a christmas card book, in which you make a list each year and then tick off whether they have sent you one, which gets done as I take the cards down. I started mine this afternoon (MIL interrupted as I sat down, so didn't get them finished, I swear she is psychic and knows the exact moment when I take a break and do something in front of the tv) and discovered that I could take four off the list but have to add two, and could potentially remove another four if I hang on long enough. As for DBH writing any cards - don't make me laugh. As soon as we got married MIL was on the phone with a list of relatives who would be overjoyed to receive a card from DBh now that he had a wife. I wondered why she was doing it, until I realised that of course she had been carrying on writing her cards with his name in them.

I would remove all relatives from the list if I could - they are stuck with me anyway!

I love to receive cards! Somehow emails just don't cut it for me,

I used to write to lady informed with before. Marriage, she was very good at writing at least once year then her husband died we made effort visit one 2nd visit she was strange and said don't worry abut writing I can't read your writing! I was so hurt and needless to say won't bother writing again she is. Not computer literate admittedly she was not feeling that well and is on Her own. Strange this is her writing is almost illegible!

Do enjoy receiving cards from cousins InIreland etc etc.
Did about half mine last week when housebound with virus still got rest to do, am cutting down posted ones a little!

Did my cards this morning. I'm finding the list gets shorter every year, some we just lose touch with and others sadly die. My husband's cousing and his wife die very recently and it was very sad crossing them out of the address book because we were really fond of them.

We always get a card pushed through the door from a quite old lady opposite, then last year we didn`t get one, although we still sent her one as usual. Then in September, on the framework at the back of my daughter`s long mirror (she sleeps in our front room) I found Gwen`s Christmas card!

I haven't started writing mine yet. I was cross to find out that I have been sending a card to DH's work colleague for the past 14 years and he apparently moved house 15 years ago and didn't pass on the new address. He stopped sending a card to us presuming we were departed.

DH sending cards? Don't make me laugh! I don't think he has ever written one in his life.

I still enjoy receiving cards, but writing them is a right pain. I used to start them mid-November ready to post first week in December, but I just don't have time anymore......now that I have retired. Where do all the weeks and months go? It's just a year since my retirement and I seem to have more to do as each week goes by.
Ooh and I have the pleasure of writing to all of DH's relatives as he doesn't know what to write in Christmas cards....and it sounds better my writing them apparently

In case I forget to send you all one, make sure you all have

A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS xxxxx

It's great receiving cards, and to send them, at any time of the year. Each is a pleasure. If I thought the cards I received were written begrudgingly then I would wonder why they were sent in the first place. Help me out here, because I don't get why doing them is such a chore. I don't send to anyone through a sense of obligation.

Postal costs are a bit of a fright, but the cards needn't be expensive and I usually make my own. All it takes is time and a bit of writing.

I send to friends and family I don't see regularly. To all friends locally I speak my love and best wishes.

I agree that email is the way to go but I make sure each email is individual - not just a churned out newsletter. No one likes a boaster but I think it is nice to have an update so long as you keep it funny. I love to receive them and send them.

Ffinochio I think it's the sheer number of them, in my case, and I do resent having to do DBH's as well. He says he has to do them for his form at school, but it's not the same, he isn't having to look up addresses and remember their kids' names and so on. I keep in touch throughout the year with most of our friends anyway, on facebook and by email so round robins aren't a feature, only one of our friends does one and it's always fascinating so I don't mind, I know how busy she is. I really resent the cost of the stamps and the amount of time it all takes, on top of all the present-buying and wrapping and posting I have to do - we have a big family, between us and DBH's aunts and uncles still send him presents as do his cousins. So cards become just another chore. I've done most of them now, just have to add the address at the bottom. IF, IF DBh ever manages to retire I shall make him do his family and friends. I have to stand over him while he writes the ones for his form, as it is.

I'm usually a procrastinator when it comes to writing Christmas cards then I do them in a last minute flurry. This year I can't even manage to get into a shop to buy them without rushing out in floods of tears. It will be my first Christmas without DH and the thought of writing just my name seems so painful. Have recieved some cards already but have put them away on a shelf. Two have been sent to both of us, one exhorts me to have "the best Christmas ever" which I think unlikely to be the case and the rest are full of good cheer. Oh dear am I turning into an incarnation of Scrooge? I wonder if there's a cure for it?

and hugs, x

Sewsilver If it's so painful for you, then why don't you give it a miss this year?
I'm sure your real friends would understand. After all it's not the end of the world if they don't get a card for once.

Sewsilver, I am in the same situation as you and although I bought cards from the hospice have decided not to send any this year. Friends will understand, but like you just writing my name seems so unnatural. I have received 3 cards two of them say on your first Christmas without your husband, lovely words but just made me cryvfloods of tears. I have penned an email which I will send out on Christmas Eve thanking everyone for the support they have given me and their kind wishes, I hope they will understand.
my thoughts are with you Sewsilver.

That is such a good suggestion from Lona I can only imagine how hard the first Christmas without a loved one must be. I am sure friends would realise how painful it must be to adjust.

Last Christmas which was 'the first' I sent all the usual cards but enclosed a small note of explanation for those who had not heard; it was something I felt I had to do. This, the 2nd Christmas, I just can't be bothered. Life has changed so much that I am beginning to think a complete change, in all directions, is probably the way to go. I received a couple of corkers last year - if only the sender would read the sentiments in the card first before sending it - luckily I have a slightly warped sense of humour! I will be thinking about you Lindy and Sewsilver The first year with all it's anniversaries and special days is almost too hard to bear.......

I bit the bullet last year and didn't send any cards or emails. Instead I rang people up and chatted for up to an hour to people, some of whom I hadn't spoken to for years. Took a bit of time but better than watching the box. The money saved went to charity and I am doing the same this year.

That's what I do. And give gift to Charity instead. Normally the SA, who do such a wonderful job.

I like your idea tiggy and if I decide to drop cards that is what I will do!

I have just finished writing my cards! Some to relatives that live far and wide I enclose a collage of photos of my immediate family (DDs & DGCs) and hand write an update on the back. For friends who live a way away I write a note in the card and suggest a meet up date and pencil dates into my diary. People I see more regularly just get a signature!

I don't mind writing cards, it signifies a sort of start to the Christmas proceedings..no decorations up yet and very few gifts bought, no turkey ordered..but I have made a cake! it will all come together soon enough!

I understand how hard it must be for those recently bereaved and n idea how i might feel in such a circumstance.. but sending to those for whom Christmas will be a difficult and sad time.

I even ring up friends abroad - I use one of the numbers you ring first and it costs the same as a local call, about 1p per minute. The number I use is 08452 443 443 and it seems to work for most land lines. If it doesn't work for the particular country it usually tells you to dial another number.
I find when I do ring the number it is best to dial your friends number as soon as the recorded message starts and not to wait and do what you are told ( !!! ). Takes a few seconds to connect so don't panic !