How many Christmas Cards did you get?

[princesscinderella]

I sent 45 and I got 22 cards this year, I do think that the last postage hike stopped the tradition for some. I have so many the remark back that they look forward every year to our photo card of the family so I don't think we will stop sending them anytime soon. I like the tradition.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I think we may have gotten 6/7.... no kidding, that's about the amount we got.

 

[tvguy]

To me that is what Facebook is for. I see photos and vacation posts.

Facebook is too much like having blinders on because people are much more detailed in Christmas cards with an annual letter.
The last two years on Facebook I have had several friends get married and I have found myself asking......"who is this person you married?" You look back at their Facebook and see them at a holiday dinner with their boyfriend/girlfriend, on vacation with them, then they post they are engaged to somebody they have never mentioned on Facebook before. Thanksgiving dinner with boyfriend/girlfriend, getting engaged to someone else at Christmas!
Of course, I forgot to write a Christmas letter this year, and did not realize it until Christmas day. My wife did not remind me and sent our our Christmas cards without even mentioning it. Not sure if SHE forgot too, or just decided it was not work mentioning. And we actually had an active year.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Facebook is too much like having blinders on because people are much more detailed in Christmas cards with an annual letter.
The last two years on Facebook I have had several friends get married and I have found myself asking......"who is this person you married?" You look back at their Facebook and see them at a holiday dinner with their boyfriend/girlfriend, on vacation with them, then they post they are engaged to somebody they have never mentioned on Facebook before. Thanksgiving dinner with boyfriend/girlfriend, getting engaged to someone else at Christmas!
Of course, I forgot to write a Christmas letter this year, and did not realize it until Christmas day. My wife did not remind me and sent our our Christmas cards without even mentioning it. Not sure if SHE forgot too, or just decided it was not work mentioning. And we actually had an active year.

If you having several friends that got married and you don't know who the person is well that sounds a lot like semi/sorta maybe kinda an acquaintance instead.

I think social media has simultaneously made people share more social and in the moment personal stuff at the same time as changing what they share. But it's also something that people haven't necessarily adjusted their own understanding of personal relationships.

One thing I have seen in countless advice columns is how people change who they want to be close with. There are always a lot of letters about some godparent's annoyance at never hearing from their godchild despite sending birthday cards, Christmas cards, etc but it's never considered just what is that relationship you have with that person. Or the distant nephew whom you never see in person, never talk to them in any form of communication except a card and the aunt is sending cards and is calling the nephew ungrateful as they never get a thank you. You can always tell when the editor is skewing younger (not young young but younger) and when the editor is older by the responses they give. The older tend to give "well of course they are ungrateful you should just stop sending cards" (paraphrasing and exaggerating to make a point). The younger tend to ask about the more in-depth details into the "whys" behind a card sent.

I used to get a card every year on my birthday from a distant aunt who I never met but the only detail I knew was she was a nun. I know it was lovely to send a card but I had zero relationship with her I didn't know her but that generation it was just what you were supposed to do.

 

[soccerdad72]

I think we bought 40 cards this year (Shutterfly). We have one or two left. I haven't counted, but I'd guess we got 20-30 cards at this point.

 

[evilmommie]

I sent out 20 this year and received a little over 20, I think. All from good friends and family. Love getting them in the mailbox!

 

[TippyThomas]

I sent and received about 10 or so. Corresponding by mail is still the only way I communicate with some old friends from back in the day. I love getting updates and good wishes from them.

 

[tvguy]

If you having several friends that got married and you don't know who the person is well that sounds a lot like semi/sorta maybe kinda an acquaintance instead.

I think social media has simultaneously made people share more social and in the moment personal stuff at the same time as changing what they share. But it's also something that people haven't necessarily adjusted their own understanding of personal relationships.

One thing I have seen in countless advice columns is how people change who they want to be close with. There are always a lot of letters about some godparent's annoyance at never hearing from their godchild despite sending birthday cards, Christmas cards, etc but it's never considered just what is that relationship you have with that person. Or the distant nephew whom you never see in person, never talk to them in any form of communication except a card and the aunt is sending cards and is calling the nephew ungrateful as they never get a thank you. You can always tell when the editor is skewing younger (not young young but younger) and when the editor is older by the responses they give. The older tend to give "well of course they are ungrateful you should just stop sending cards" (paraphrasing and exaggerating to make a point). The younger tend to ask about the more in-depth details into the "whys" behind a card sent.

I used to get a card every year on my birthday from a distant aunt who I never met but the only detail I knew was she was a nun. I know it was lovely to send a card but I had zero relationship with her I didn't know her but that generation it was just what you were supposed to do.

From dictionary.com
Acquaintance

1. a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

From dictionary.com
Acquaintance

1. a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.

lol thanks for the laugh today, never change! Always fun when someone just pulls the dictionary definition out

 

[tvguy]

lol thanks for the laugh today, never change! Always fun when someone just pulls the dictionary definition out

When you have made your living for 50 years writing, you tend to have and use dictionaries, a Thesaurus, Grammar help books, and Style books. As President Bill Clinton put it, "it depends on what your definition of "is"..........is"

 

[RangerPooh]

I haven't sent Christmas cards in a number of years. Did receive 3 this year.

 

[goofyernmost]

I've narrowed it down to mostly family (Daughters and husbands, grandkids, sister and nephew. (8 total mailed), then 5 friends mailed and 4 handed to apartment house friends.

Returns equaled 1 family, 3 of the mailed friends and all four of the local friends. Guess who is going to cut down by quite a lot next year.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Years ago I'd send about 30 cards. In the last couple of years, it's gotten less and less. Giving and receiving. I only send cards to MIL, sister and 2 very close friends. Received, I think 4 or 5.

 

[clh2]

I’m “old school”. We send out ~90 cards. I’ve made them most years for the past 28 years or so. This year, we’ve received about 40.

This year’s card is…

 

[lovesmurfs]

I send cards throughout the year to our "Christmas card list" (about 75 people). This year, it was Valentine's Day, Halloween, and New Year's. Next year, it'll be at least Easter and Christmas. Maybe Independence Day because of the 250th anniversary. Thanksgiving is in there as well.

Just something nice to get in the mail - it doesn't take me too long, and it's a happy thought.