I feel so special

[ducklite]

This is a great idea! OP, instead of letting off some steam anonymously over here regarding one of life's little annoyances (I think we've all been there, don't you agree? All of us? I hope I'm not going to have to go looking through old threads...), you should call the sender and hurt and offend them!
I can't think of anything more "appropriate" than to handle it this way.

My post was tongue-in-cheek.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Once again another topic that it would never occur to me in a million years people would get their panties in a twist over.

Labels are the only way my Christmas cards ever get out. With out them it just would not happen. Even then they only have about a 50 percent chance of getting mailed before Christmas.

Besides most of my family knows how bad my handwriting is and are greatfull for printed labels.

 

[LadyShiva]

I still keep in contact with several of my exes and that includes exchanging Christmas cards to a couple of them. I am married. I don't see it as sending cards to my ex but as sending a card to my friend. This might not be your DH's situation at all but it's not always such a horrible thing for exes to stay in touch.

I agree with keeping in touch with "friends." People who you dated in HS, did you wrong, then were not invited to your wedding, your child's baptism, or even over for lunch ever again... yeah, I don't count that as friends.



And what tweaked DH's goatee even more was when our daughter laid claim to the photo card and ran around the house saying she "looooooved it."

Brandie

 

[bavaria]

A question for the anti-label crowd:

I travel 300 nights/year. I send postcards to a list of 'regulars', including the kids of several posters here, or the adult posters. I am happy to include them in my travels, and several kids have built up quite the collection of postcards.

In order to keep up, I have preprinted labels in my laptop case. Is it considered poor etiquette to use labels on postcards?

That's a serious question, by the way... same thing applies as with Christmas cards - I can type 60-80 wpm but cannot handwrite more than a line or two due to limited use of my hands/fingers

 

[jobhunter]

My post was tongue-in-cheek.

Meaning, sarcastic.

 

[meandtheguys2]

If I knew how to make labels, I would make labels...

 

[LadyShiva]

A question for the anti-label crowd:

I travel 300 nights/year. I send postcards to a list of 'regulars', including the kids of several posters here, or the adult posters. I am happy to include them in my travels, and several kids have built up quite the collection of postcards.

In order to keep up, I have preprinted labels in my laptop case. Is it considered poor etiquette to use labels on postcards?

That's a serious question, by the way... same thing applies as with Christmas cards - I can type 60-80 wpm but cannot handwrite more than a line or two due to limited use of my hands/fingers

From a google search, it seems like labels are interpreted as impersonal. However, it looks like the more aggregious error is not personally writing a note and signing your cards. My google search was "label etiquette Christmas Card" The combination of no personal note or signature plus no hand-written label was seen as offensive by all the links off of the first search page.

Despite that, I think you bring up an interesting conundrum. You "correspond" with many people you have not met personally, so they would not know that you require mechanical assistance with written correspondence. Do you add a personal note to each and send it out first class, versus bulk rate? I think that personal touch is what would make the difference between being warmly received and being seen as "just another obligation to you."

YMMV.

Brandie

 

[cinmell]

I print out address & return address labels. I print them out b/c it's quicker than writing them out (I guess I'm lazy) and it's much neater. My handwriting is awful, I'm doing the postman a favor by printing them.

 

[Aisling]

At least write "To Mary" or "Dear Joe" on the card. It's not the labels on the envelopes that roll my eyes, but the nothing written inside.

 

[Aisling]

I wish I got a couple of these phone calls -- it would cut back on the number of cards we have to send out each year.

Call coming!

 

[ZPT1022]

A question for the anti-label crowd:

I travel 300 nights/year. I send postcards to a list of 'regulars', including the kids of several posters here, or the adult posters. I am happy to include them in my travels, and several kids have built up quite the collection of postcards.

In order to keep up, I have preprinted labels in my laptop case. Is it considered poor etiquette to use labels on postcards?

That's a serious question, by the way... same thing applies as with Christmas cards - I can type 60-80 wpm but cannot handwrite more than a line or two due to limited use of my hands/fingers

I actually think it's really neat that you take the time to go out and buy the postcards and postage and remember to send things to people while you're away on (what I'm assuming is) a business trip. I think it's something that you hold no obligation to do and it's just a nice, friendly thing. I'd be honored that someone thought of me to send me a postcard

 

[disney4us2002]

I have to say I agree with the OP that it seems impersonal to me, but that said, I'm one of those weird few who actually enjoy addressing cards. I have special colored pens and will throw out many envelopes so that they look just right.

I ordered collage picture cards online and one of the options was to enter the addresses of my recipients and the online company would then mail my cards for me thus skipping my involvement completely. I cannot believe that Christmas cards could be sent in such a fashion. How can that be defended? How can those who use this option say they've thought about the people on their Christmas card list?

Other than professionals, I have not received any typed labels in past years.

 

[bavaria]

Despite that, I think you bring up an interesting conundrum. You "correspond" with many people you have not met personally, so they would not know that you require mechanical assistance with written correspondence. Do you add a personal note to each and send it out first class, versus bulk rate? I think that personal touch is what would make the difference between being warmly received and being seen as "just another obligation to you."

YMMV.

Brandie

Actually, I HAVE met most of the people who receive my cards. My travel schedule allows me to meet many people and I have developed some warm friendships with people I have 'met'.

I do write a note on each of my cards; most of the recipients have no idea of my limitations as I simply don't talk about it either online or in person (except in the rare case as now!)

I certainly don't see it as an obligation; I receive notes back many times via email or snail mail from people. One of my 'junior' buddies sent me his photo and I have taken it around the world, so that he can 'travel' with me.

As to 'bulk mail' - I think that is an American thing; mail in Europe is expensive ie 1 Euro in Germany and 0,80 Euro cents in France to mail a post card to America. When mailing within America I use the Disney stamps which are most likely more expensive than I need, but a personal touch. But the cost doesn't worry me - the relationships formed more than offsets the cost.

The reason why I ask is that I have read online that some people are offended with labels on postcards as well.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

That sounds nice. And maybe a hug.

Wow. Snarky much?

Be thankful that you were even thought of and received a Christmas card.

If you were on my card list and I heard that you felt this way, I would gladly save my postage, card, and labels and spend it on someone else who cares.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Print out 100 address stickers.
Stick them on envelopes.
Put in a card with a pre-printed signature.
Drop in mailbox.

Yes, the OP should be more grateful.

It's not cheap to mail out cards. Labels, ink, cards and postage all costs money.

I swear, some people sure are Scrooges.

 

[autumnbaby9]

Why in the world would they go out of their way to write a personal message and hand address the card when someone is going to find something wrong with it?

If it wasn't the labels, it would be the fact that the card said happy holidays instead of chistmas. If not that it would be that the person had terrible handwriting and you couldn't read half of what they wrote. If they choose not to send the card at all someone would complain that they didn't recieve one in the first place. Etc, etc.

This way they don't have to put in extra time sending out a card to someone who is not going to apprieciate the thought. Sounds smart to me.

 

[SplshMtn99]

As a result of this thread, I just went out and BOUGHT Christmas cards for the first time in years. And I'm printing labels as usual. And I'm even going to just run the cards thru the printer to sign our name. Thanks for all the time saving ideas. Woohoo! I'm too far behind to be making cards this year.

Oh & I bought the cheapest cards I could find. This will save me a bundle too.

 

[Cool-Beans]

While I'm not at all offended by labels, I do enjoy seeing people's handwriting on the envelope. Especially if I know the handwriting, but they now live far away. As soon as I see the envelope, I know who it is from and I'm reminded of our history.

So, the handwriting is more personal.

But I can certainly understand why someone would use the labels. It takes a long time to address all those cards.

Either way is fine.

 

[luvmyfam444]

HA HA! That's interesting - haven't seen that for CHristmas cards yet -but this was a big issue when I got married - we put all the addresses in the computer & printed each envelope out (NOT STICKERS!) and back then it was pretty taboo (that was 13 years ago) but I remeber that whole conversation about what folks would think.

I have to agree though for CHristmas you need to cut your friends down if you can't at least address the envelope - its bad enough we all do form letters...but at least use your handwriting on there some!

 

[m&m's mom]

At least write "To Mary" or "Dear Joe" on the card. It's not the labels on the envelopes that roll my eyes, but the nothing written inside.

I agree with this completely. I have a touch of carpal tunnel syndrome and it is uncomfortable to write but I do at least personally sign everyone.

Why in the world would they go out of their way to write a personal message and hand address the card when someone is going to find something wrong with it?

If it wasn't the labels, it would be the fact that the card said happy holidays instead of chistmas. If not that it would be that the person had terrible handwriting and you couldn't read half of what they wrote. If they choose not to send the card at all someone would complain that they didn't recieve one in the first place. Etc, etc.

This way they don't have to put in extra time sending out a card to someone who is not going to apprieciate the thought. Sounds smart to me.

That is just riduclous. The OP had one complaint, she did not mention anything else wrong with the card.