Christmas cards...do You or Don't You and Why?

I'm 38 with 3 kids... I, too, subscribed to Send Out Cards (probably from the same person you did!). I did the cards through SOS this year... Loved the time I saved there! For personal use, I send out about 25 cards (if they don't feel the need to keep up with us, I don't feel the need to keep up with them.). For my business, I send out about 200 cards.

I send them to about 100 people :) I just love Christmas, and I think it is part of my way to celebrate. I LOVE getting them (seriously, I look in the mail every day beginning Dec. 1). It is an expense, and I am always looking for ways to cut expenses, but not this one!!! Maybe it is old-fashioned (I am 42) but I just love it!!!

I'm an old lady, and I do cards. I always have done. When we were first married I resolved to send ALL the relatives a Christmas card whether I knew them (or had met them!) or not. Forty years later I finally met one of my husband's uncles, who said, "I've really enjoyed your Christmas card every year!"

For friends, I send cards for a while, but if the interest is not returned, then I can decide whether to continue or not. Many people I know don't send cards to people they see pretty often.

(BTW, we have a good friend who subscribed to a Send-out Card service. That's how my husband got a get-well card from her on his birthday!)

We sent pictures for a while, but since my children have grown up we've dropped that for the most part, not having the required cuteness factor ourselves. I have a special kind of family letter/Christmas greeting I put together and print out to mail.

This is a lot of work on my part for something people will glance at and toss in the trash. But I enjoy getting in contact with old friends, even if it's only once a year. So in some ways I do this for me. Some of my friends are sending e-mail greetings instead, and I can understand that because stamps are expensive. But I will probably plod on the snail-mail way for a while longer.

33, mother of two (8 and 5) and 36 weeks prego with third.
I never have sent Christmas cards. Don't really see the need to. The people that are involved in our lives and that love us know what we look like, know that we love them, and know what is going on in our lives. I send pictures out in emails and on facebook (which I only have 50 friends on, and 40 of them are my Aunts, Cousins and brothers! lol).
I actually CALL my grandmother on Christmas, after sending her pictures through email, and talk with her and wish her a Merry Christmas (which I know she prefers to mass mailings)
Just what we do in my house.
L.

I have always mailed card with photo to friends and family, including those I don't talk to vwey often and that was easily over 100 cards. Over the last 3 years I have scaled down and I do not send to the people I don't receive cards from in return. Cost is a factor for me, unfortunately.

I'm 30, kids are 6 and 8. I do picture cards. I take the pics myself (usually around Thanksgiving) and do the cards online @ snapfish or walmart. I send out about 40 cards to family (parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles) and a few close friends. I do it because for most of the family, these are the only pics I send them each year..........And we do some non pic cards for the people we work with and the kids hand deliver cards at school - either homemade or store bought with added kid drawings etc.

I do the photo cards. Last year I sent out almost 50 and received maybe 15. This year I decided that I'm not mailing out that many. I think of it this way, if I'm not important enough for someone to mail a card too, they don't get one from me. I have a ton of aunts and uncles and I would always mail each and every one of them a card. Well, I never see most of them. They never send cards in return. This year I'm only sending cards to the family and friends that I see and speak to on a regular basis.
I never do the letter. I figure I'm well connected to most of the people through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, so they know what we've been up to.
Oh, I'm 32 and I have 2 young children.

I'm 49 and I always send out cards. I don't send hundreds, maybe 30 at most. For family and close friends, I design a photo page with snapshot throughout the year of our family and daughter.

I do not do a family letter, I hate those, I see them as a bragging letter and I choose not to participate in that.

The economy has not had an effect on what I do.

i am 35 and have 3 little guys. i love giving christmas cards. we are military/gov't so we have moved around quite a bit. We don't live near any family and really don't see very many close friends and relatives very often. so i think a christmas card is a nice way to send a short message and some pics to those we are close to but don't talk to often. the economy has not affected what we will do. we usually send out around 50 but no letter and probably receive about the same in return. if i get a letter from someone i didn't send one to i would send one right then and add them to my list.
btw i also love getting cards and looking at the pics and even reading the letters (which aren't always braggy:). it's just part of the joy of the season. i hope you continue to do yours as i'm sure there are many people who enjoy getting it:) Merry Christmas!

We do the picture cards from walmart. Usually we take a nice picture of our daughter and dog in front of the christmas tree, and put it on a card and send it to family and close friends. We dont do a letter or anything, although we do enjoy getting those cards! If someone sends us a card, we usually send them one back.

For the past couple of years and this year, we have not done Christmas cards. It is a budget thing for us.
PLUS, we see how much waste it is.... people just throw them away anyway, later. But it takes LOTS of time, to even choose the photos/make our card/order it/pay for it/mail it. And in the end... it really is wasted time.
And money and it creates a lot of trash.
This year, it is not a necessity.
And, though, many people send out e-cards.

ALSO, maybe you do not get a card in return from people.... because THEY have a budget... and like me, cannot afford to do cards. Don't 'assume' they are just being rude.

all the best
Susan

I'm 31... and I always want to... but never do.

It tends to be a time / money / futility aspect of it. Time and money is obvious. I have an average of over 100 people that I stay in contact with thoughout the year. Even at only $1.00 per person, that's $100 I can spend on my son/family for presents. But with the costs of postage, plus cards themselves, and photos (even printing them out requires photo paper) it's more like $2-$6 per person.

Futility is that I'm actually in CONTACT with people year round.

Growing up, we didn't have inexpensive phone service (much less "free" internet services like gmail, skype, etc. We pay monthly for the internet but most of the programs we used are paid via ads, not by us). Today I can talk for 2 hours to my friend in Argentina for free (skype), videoconference with another friend in Kosovo (free, skype), Pay 2 cents a minute to talk to family in Italy (because they're older and don't do things like Skype, I can skype my own phone and pay next to nothing to talk to them on their landlines or cell phone), talk with family all over the country (with no extra charge, just my regular cell bill), chat with my brother in London over one of a dozen different services (gmail is what I use).... email nearly anyone for free... and be uploading pictures on any one of a dozen services.

When I was a kid, often the ONLY way we could stay in contact with people was via real, honest to god, mail. Once a year we would get the yearly update with attached photos at christmas time. A few times scattered throughout the year we'd get and send letters.

Now that my son is a child, he can get ahold of ANYONE he wants to (or vice versa, grandparents can actually video conference with him), 24/7 either for free or a pittance. No one is waiting with baited breath to find out how he is, or how our lives have been this year... they know... because no matter how far away they are, they have been a PART of our lives all year long.

I WANT to, because they're a fun festive thing to do, but they aren't necessary anymore... they're an extra. And extras we just can't afford.

I like to send cards at Christmas and have done kid-collage photos a couple of years as well as the standard kind. I always include some kind of short letter (using the space on the inside of the card) to personalize, and tell something, as to me a card with just names signed is a half effort. Obviously, my list was about 20 max. in order to do that.

That being said, this year time has gotten away from me and I will be sending a "smilebox.com" greeting with the kids photos, and to Christmas music. I have done that one other year. The oldest relatives without computer habits usually have people show it to them on a laptop.
I am 38, with kids 2, 4 and 8yrs.

I am 36 year old, a mother of three girls. I have always sent holiday cards! I love to send them, but I love to receive them even more. We just send a current photo of the family. I no longer inclose a letter. We send them to about 60 of our family and friends. Some of our friends are friends from high school that my husband I have not seen in a while, some are college friends, and some are friends and neighbors from our current life. I really enjoy receiving the holiday cards from others. The holiday cards hang on our garage fridge so that we can enjoy them all year long! The girls really like looking at some of their friends and cousins that live far away and do not see often. Hopefully this is helpful. Have a happy holiday!

I am 32 and I do send picture cards now. We send to about 100 people...that number is so high because hubby's family is HUGE! Before we had kids, I did it if I felt like it. But now, it is nice to send out a pic to people! Honestly, when the kids get older and don't want to do the picture card anymore, I'll probably stop doing it.

I'm 42. When I was younger, I was responsible to send out Christmas cards to our family. Usually a box and half. I would sign them, address them, and send them out. When my husband and I got married, it doubled to 2 boxes and some for 15 years. Recently in the past few years, I have sent out cards to whom I receive cards from and to close friends and family. It's not because of cost or time. Our family emails Christmas wishes so I think that the feeling is mutual that we all know we give best wishes for the holidays and we don't send cards. I wish that friends should send cards if they have moved because that's one way to keep in touch. I like receiving Christmas cards. For one, I like the different card designs and the personal message in it if there is one. I like getting updated pictures.
I think sending Christmas cards or wishes is an important time to let people know that you're thinking about them and their family.

First, I don't sell Send out Cards either but love them. Have you found they have helped your business?

As to your question, I love cards. I'm older than you and just have always loved cards both to receive and send. To me it says that you care enough to take the time to look for a card and send it. Christmas cards I like sending to those in my family that I don't see, close family, friends, Sunday School members and people in my business organization.

As I said I love cards and I don't mind not getting any in return. Yes, the economy has affected how many I send and I have cut back.

I usually send them, but this year I haven't yet. I like to send a photo, and some years I do a letter. I'm 38, and have 3 kids 5 and under... I know people love to see their photo, but feel like with Facebook and emailing photos, people have more contact with me than we used to.

I think this year I'll limit my list to only family and friends I am not already FB friends with, since those folks already know what I'm up to :) It will probably be about 25 cards.

Jessica

I am 36 and i have been sending cards out for years. started with the cards that you add the picture to. but last year a did the photo cards. most cards I just write my kids(3) names and ages on next to the happy holidays and the year. some cards I do add a little note. I usually add names to my master excel list and don't remove if I don't get a card since not everyone does cards. I like getting Holiday cards from people and started a photo book with pictures I get so that I can see everyone age/grow throughout the years. this year I ordered 100 cards from Walgreens. I keep saying I want to do the annual letter but that seems like too much work trying to remember either everything at the end of the year or remember to write things down and then you have too much.

I am 38 and have always done Christmas cards. My mother always sent them out, and I liked addressing them once I was old enough, so naturally I started doing my own once I was out of the house. After I started dating and got engaged to my husband, I did a photo card with a picture of his sons, and now that we have a daughter, it's a photo of her. I try to get pics that look "Christmasy" without being staged - cutting down the Christmas tree, or playing in the snow (my favorite so far is of my stepsons when they were 8 or 9 and were shepherds in the church Christmas play - I have also gotten in them in front of the tree in Rockefeller Plaza in NYC). Sometimes I have done a letter, but not always. I send out between 35 and 40 cards. They go to all members of my family as well as my husband's siblings, mother, and aunts/uncles (he has around 30 first cousins and I can't even begin to track them all down). We also have a select list of friends we send cards to and we will send a card out to anyone who sends us one first (neighbors, etc.). I still send out cards to the same people, regardless of whether they send us cards or not, but my list is not that long to begin with.

I understand why some people don't bother but for me it's about tradition and still having some old-fashioned manners - it's the thought that counts, and same thing goes for handwritten thank-you notes.

I love receiving them, but I don't send them because it is one of the things I have cut out of my busy to-do list. I try to simplify where I can, and this is one of the ways I do. There just seems a never ending list of things that are good and important, and if I tried to do everything that is good I would go crazy. So instead I just try to focus on the very most important, best things. People can come find me on Facebook if they really want to see pictures or hear an update on my life.
Having said that, I have to admit that I love receiving them, though. I love the pictures and reading what people write about their escapades and updates for the last year and put them on my wall during the Christmas season.

I'm 38 with 2 young kids. We've been sending picture cards (from Costco which are extremely affordable and good quality) since we had our first child; before that we sent regular cards. I send about 100 including extended family and friends. Even on years when I've considered not sending them, people would mention how they are anxiously awaiting our card/picture. We always receive a lot of compliments and thankfulness for remembering those special to us.

I'm so glad you asked.....

I used to send out about 200 Christmas cards every year. Ugh....it was a lot of work. The expense was not an issue.

I loved receiving cards too, but probably less than 1/2 sent cards back.

The last few years due to a terrible accident I was in, I could not get cards out. I went through the hassle of making them, but never sent them. And I noticed who still sent me cards.

I am now only sending cards to my immediate family and very close personal friends. The one's I want to hear from.

They are the relationships who deserve my attention and time and focus. Not every acquaintance from school, church, work...

But I do make about a 100 bags of my special bath salts for my husband's colleagues as Christmas gifts. Way nicer than another card.

I have always only given Christmas cards to close people. My mother was just like yours. Sending hundreds out with a "family" letter in it. I just never wanted to do that.
So, I am 28, have a family of three (total) and send out maybe less then 12, definately never over 18 (1 package of Christmas cards). Since I had the baby I try to include a picture of her on Santa's lap, or in her Christmas dress, and I just write a few well wishes and sign it. I send to people who I can't see on Christmas, and/or who I don't see on a regular basis. All of my family and friends live 6 hours away from me, and we have a few friends out of state. For us, it has nothing to do with budget. I just don't feel I need to send out a ton of cards.
Last year I didn't send anything out. I got too busy, was traveling, and didn't really feel any Christmas spirit (it was the first year without my dad). I also will only give 3 of my in-laws cards (more personalized ones) even though we will see his entire family again for Christmas.

i am 35. i have never send cards before but started 1-2 years ago. i use shutterfly.com so i can use my kids' pics. i only get as many as i have free available through my account. this year i got 20 (free), and just pay for shipping.
i send them to close friends of mine who know my kids, their teachers and doctors. :)

I send Happy New Years wishing all the best throughout the year...that covers Christmas as well. :o)

I'm 46 and I send cards every year. I probably send around 20 or so. I enjoy doing it and it's kind of a little present for everyone. We try to include a picture of the family. Like any gift, it's better to give, than receive.

I used to go all out on Christmas cards to family and friends when I was single and had time - or before kids I. but now I just can't bother...haven't done so for years. I still get from other people and don't feel obligated to return the favor. You should send christmas cheer because you want to, not out of obligation!

I'm 31. I use to send out cards every year. Some years regular cards, some years picture cards with letters. Then, 3.5 years ago we had our first child. I think I sent out cards her first 3 Christmases but then last year, between time constraints and expensive postage, I didn't. This year we also aren't sending out cards because I'm expecting in January and figured I'd send a combo birth announcement, Merry Christmas, Happy New year's card. On the years I don't send cards (and on some when I do) I try and do a blog Christmas letter and then if nothing else email everyone and let them know that in lieu of cards they can check out our "electronic" Christmas letter. This way people can still find out what's going on with us and see pictures of our daughter. I find it a good alternative. As far as who I send to, it depends. There are some old family friends and family I send to regardless if they send one to us or not. Other people, say old high school friends or acquaintances only get cards if I receive them in return. I have a two strikes and you’re out rule. So if I don’t receive a card etc. for 2 years from someone I generally take them off my list. It helps wean down the list and let’s me add more current people who are or have become important in our lives. Great question by the way! I've wondered the same thing myself.

39 and most years we do not send cards. I know we did a few photo cards when the kids were younger. But honestly, right now in our lives, I feel like we don't need the extra stress and expense this time of year. We do a yearly family photo book for us and one copy to all the grandparents, but no holiday cards. We also do picture with Santa for all the Grandparents, but I'm not a big card person. Never have been. I've noticed it seems like more of the older generation feels like they absolutely MUST do cards or they will be breaching holiday ettiquette. Some do cards, some don't. I find it amusing that people are so serious about feeling slighted their cards are not reciprocated, and will retaliate by not carding them in future years. I don't assume I've been "dropped from the list" if I don't get a card from someone (wouldn't bother me though) a lot of people just don't get around to it or decide not to do them.

I am 38. I send cards to my aunts and uncles and to two cousins. I stopped sending them to friends a few years ago. I do not send picture cards or letters, just a card with a wallet picture or two of the kids.

I used to send a letter. I stopped that a few years ago, but sent one this year because my oldest is graduating in June...
I never sent pix, but this year I got a collage picture from snapfish.com - ordered 75 - total cost $5 with shipping. I put the picture and the letter in the card - which I bought after Christmas a few year ago for 10 cents a box.
I only send about 45 - 50 cards a year. If I see you often -- no card. If you live close -- no card. Only people who live far away get cards.
At 44 cents a card to mail... postage is the killer.
YMMV
LBC

I am 31 with one son and one on the way. We sent out about 100 cards this year. This number includes family (extended like my mom's aunt) to our friends.

I have a 'master spreadsheet' that contains people's addresses on it. Every year I highlight who I get cards from. If I don't get cards from people in two years, they don't get one the following year. I figure sometimes things happen and you can easily miss a year. The year my dad died, I didn't send out cards...so I know how hard it is to send a happy card when you are mourning. But two years to me means that they don't really want one. I also take them off the list if I sent a card and it is returned without a forwarding address. I have not moved and if I don't get an updated address from them, then again I feel as though they don't want a card.

I love to receive cards, that is probably why we send so many. It is really nice to 'catch-up' with my extended family and friends from college this way.

I am 29, married with one son. We send out cards each year and even before we had our son we did. This year I sent out about 35 cards. I think we sent less this year. Last year we spent way too much money on pictures. So this year we took our own photo in front of the fireplace and sent the cards through iPhoto on our Mac. MUCH cheaper!
I wish more people would send cards. There are a lot of people I send to that I don't get one back from. Hmmm, maybe something to think about next year :)

Happy Holiday!

I'm 34. I LOVE Christmas cards - both sending and receiving, and it's a point of pride to me that we write something personal on each one. Although I have to admit that this is the first year we've "cheated." I wrote out the bulk of one card and then scanned it in on the computer and printed it out, so it LOOKED completely handwritten. I still personalized each one ("Dear John" or "Dear Sally") and wrote a personalized message at the end with the same color ink, but the bulk of it was just scanned in. I hope it doesn't look it though. :)

I usually order prints through Snapfish or Shutterfly and then glue them to card stock that I get at Michael's. It's a lot less expensive than ordering cards through those photo services. But it can be a lot of work. Especially because I also hand address the envelopes. So yes, I do tend to cut people out who don't send us cards two years in a row, although some people I send anyway because I want to.

That being said, this year, we will send about 80. We send a big newsy card to our friends and family from out of town. I send a shorter one to friends that we see more frequently and to family with whom we are frequently in contact.

And I DON'T throw away Christmas cards. Ever. I have boxes of them that I've saved over the years. Now that I have children of my own, I scan in the photo ones and include them in our family photo albums. I think it's a fun way to see how our friends and their families have grown over the years.

Hi F.,

I am 48, a mother of 3 girls, and I send out Christmas cards every year. I send them to family, friends, and business associates. They are always a current picture or pictures of my family.

Why do we send out Christmas cards? I delight in receiving Christmas cards (especially when they are cards with pictures of the senders), and they are a wonderful memory for us as we look at our Christmas cards from years past. I save every Christmas card that I have received with pictures and we enjoy looking at how other families have changed over the years.

For us it is joyful, and not a burden. If you'd like to see this year's version, click here:
http://PGowing.AuPairNews.com

Merry Christmas!

~P. G.
Portland Preschool Directory owner teams with Cultural Care to bring you flexible, affordable childcare!
http://www.PortlandPreschoolDirectory.com
http://www.VancouverPreschoolDirectory.com
http://www.MrsGowing.com

I'm 28 and sent our 49 cards this year, which is about our normal number, I had them done at shutterfly with pictures and then wrote a personalized note to each person or family I was sending the card to. Everyone seems to enjoy the photos on the card, since we include the dog and three cats and this year did several pictures on the inside and one was just the "crew" by the tree. Our first child is on the way, so next year's picture should be interesting.

I send them to family and friends. Many are people I rarely see and do not talk to much, most of my friends are out of state at this point, so I do talk to them here and there, most of the time online. I enjoy wiring the cards and several of the family members that are more distant, I may not talk to during the year, but we send cards to each other and I get updates from my parents on them.

I always send cards to some of my family and some of my friends. Like my long distance friends from my childhood, old college roommates that I was friends with, some of my family like my grandparents always but sometimes aunts and uncles. I grew up in another states so those people are mostly in that state. Most of my friends and family here do not get a card. They get a gift or goodies. I am in my 30s but don't want to say my age because it is too depressing.

I always send a card, a letter, and a picture. I always get photo cards with people with no personal note, just a picture of themselves. That's nice but I prefer getting letters too to see how people are doing.