I feel so special

[flipflop]

What number of people constitutes the need for a database? I'm not cracking on anyone; I just can't imagine mailing out that many Christmas cards.

I keep it more out of convenience so I have all the addresses in one place, no one gets left out accidentally, etc. We send 80-100 picture cards and it is just easier to keep a label spreadsheet saved on my work computer in a Word file then to try to remember the list of the people we send to, not forget anyone and endlessly flip through an address book. No cross-outs for people who move, etc. We have a lot of extended family who rarely (some that don't see them at all b/c of distance) get to see our children but enjoy seeing how they have grown. We also send cards to our perinatologist, NICU, producers at TLC and some other random places that the average bear doesn't send cards to b/c of our life circumstances with triplets. Before our kids, we sent about 40 cards.

 

[Poohnatic]

Hey, at least they SENT you a card.

I do calligraphy as a hobby and enjoy addressing my cards. However, I work full time. Last year, I started a new job-the cards never went out. The year before, we'd just lost my mom and the cards didn't go out. We're going to put three years worth of pictures in one card this year-and use labels because I don't have time to address them and guarantee that they won't be sitting and waiting to go out in January.

Do you and your husband have perfect penmanship? Many don't. One of my kids does everything on the computer because holding a pencil or pen hurts his hands.

It's comments like this that make people put tons of pressure on themselves to create a beautiful holiday for their families and friends. No wonder why people are stressed over this time of year! Whatever happened to "its the thought that counts" ?

Shall I send you my Charlie Brown Christmas video? Linus has the right message to deliver...

Suzanne

 

[flipflop]

I'm sorry but I'm having a hard time picturing this. They didn't sign the cards?

Our cards are picture cards of our kids and underneath all of our names our printed. Thus, no signature.

 

[MosMom]

I never send out Christmas cards. Anyone who deserves a greeting gets one in person or over the phone.

 

[CEDmom]

Are you kidding me ? I never hand address Christmas cards. That torture is saved for really special things like wedding invitations. We send out about 50 and just signing and writing a quick note inside is tough enough. My hand literally craps up.

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm getting responses from those who use labels, and that's fair enough. But frankly, I'm not sure these people did think of us, and that's the point of this post. There wasn't a single hand written word on or in this card.

Well, I wish I knew how to do labels because I would dothem and gladly use them.

Speaking for myself, when I send a card I am thinking of the person personally. Rarely do I wrote a note. But I am sincere in my wishes and would be even if I used labels and only signd (or even had them printed up).

I think you are being nitpicky and assuming a lot about these people.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm sorry but I'm having a hard time picturing this. They didn't sign the cards?

When I was a young, many years ago, it was common (and considered "upscale") to have the cards embossed with the senders name rather than personally signing them. Many card shops offered the personalized embossing for free.

I wouldn't complain about labels and embossing. I'm not that judgmental of people that send cards, I prefer to remember the fact that they thought enough of me to send a card, which isn't cheap these days.

 

[chisnpeke]

Does it really matter how something is addressed? For goodness sake...there are MUCH more important things in the world to complain about than this.

 

[shirleyb]

Fair enough comment....I call those the "untouched by human hands" cards.

What I don't like are cards that just have a signature (hand written or stamped.) I know I should be happy that they sent me a greeting, but we never ever see many of those people...when I get a card from a long-ago friend with only a signature, all I know about them is that they aren't dead. I know many people hate "brag letters", but I'd love to know what is going on with lots of these people.

I agree. This is probably one reason I rarely send Christmas cards, and when I do it's less than 20, because I refuse to just sign a card. To me it's a why bother? I will always at least write a short note.

 

[undecided]

Hmmm. Okay. Maybe it's a regional thing or a generational thing. I've been receiving cards for a couple of decades now and this is the first time I've received a personal card with no personal touch. I guess that's why it stood out.

So, help out this old person...would it be okay if I sent them a reciprocal card by email? Or could I just txt them the link?

 

[SplshMtn99]

I use stickers too. But I do it for the post offices sake. With the increase in mail at that time of year, anything that can be processed by automation of reading clearly printed address vs handwritting is a bonus to them.

But on the flip side, I MAKE OUR CARDS. I've been doing this for years & get many compliments. Some years they were made on the computer, but with a completely personalized poem about us inside & photo. Some years they are completely handmade using scrapbooking supplies. Either way, the card is made completely from scratch by me. No store bought cards. And the envelopes are designed to match.

IT TAKES ME A LONG TIME TO MAKE 100 CARDS TOO!

 

[LadyShiva]

I personally call the "holiday cards" from any real estate agents I have no business association with, mortgage brokers, former dentists, insurance agents, or churches I don't attend, "snail mail spam." When you're using bulk postage rates to send out your business card, the "holiday card" gets translated into "spam."

They tend to be about as personal as the OP's description of the card they got.

On the flip side, I'm ok with photo cards, generally, but the yearly photo card from the ex-girlfriend of DH generally gets mocked. She cheated on him, so I don't have to like her, despite her best efforts to show off how the bf she cheated on DH with and then married makes pretty babies. DH and this woman broke up in high school, so I'm not quite understanding why she feels she needs to share.

Brandie

 

[Squirlz]

So, help out this old person...would it be okay if I sent them a reciprocal card by email? Or could I just txt them the link?

You should tell them what you told us, so they can take you off their database.

 

[Cantw8]

Hmmm. Okay. Maybe it's a regional thing or a generational thing. I've been receiving cards for a couple of decades now and this is the first time I've received a personal card with no personal touch. I guess that's why it stood out.

So, help out this old person...would it be okay if I sent them a reciprocal card by email? Or could I just txt them the link?

you know how to text, Grandpop?

 

[java]

I'm getting responses from those who use labels, and that's fair enough. But frankly, I'm not sure these people did think of us, and that's the point of this post. There wasn't a single hand written word on or in this card.

I don't use labels. I replied for why my AUNT uses labels to try to get you to understand there may be a reason for it. Your heart needs to be in the right place to be open for what is out there. Close it off and criticize and you will be bothered and unhappy most of your life.
Who cares how you got the card. At the least they bought the cards and stuck the labels on and that is thinking of you. And that is the very least they did. Maybe more if you knew the reason behind the labels. That was the point of my post.

 

[missypie]

I use stickers too. But I do it for the post offices sake. With the increase in mail at that time of year, anything that can be processed by automation of reading clearly printed address vs handwritting is a bonus to them.

But on the flip side, I MAKE OUR CARDS. I've been doing this for years & get many compliments. Some years they were made on the computer, but with a completely personalized poem about us inside & photo. Some years they are completely handmade using scrapbooking supplies. Either way, the card is made completely from scratch by me. No store bought cards. And the envelopes are designed to match.

IT TAKES ME A LONG TIME TOO!

I hate people like you... ...just kidding...mostly....a few people send me these gorgeous hand made cards that I feel like I can never throw away because they are works of art! Right now I am still displaying in my office a handmade birthday card that my former secretary gave me in March. I really feel guilty getting some of the beautiful cards that I receive!

 

[ZPT1022]

I'm getting responses from those who use labels, and that's fair enough. But frankly, I'm not sure these people did think of us, and that's the point of this post. There wasn't a single hand written word on or in this card.

so are you thinking that they didn't necessarily mean to send you a card but since they had your address in their system it just happened??

 

[Chuck S]

Hmmm. Okay. Maybe it's a regional thing or a generational thing. I've been receiving cards for a couple of decades now and this is the first time I've received a personal card with no personal touch. I guess that's why it stood out.

So, help out this old person...would it be okay if I sent them a reciprocal card by email? Or could I just txt them the link?

They sent you a physical card in the regular US mail. Don't you think you should respond the same way?

 

[bavaria]

perhaps they have some kind of disability? My aunt always had to have hers typed as she had a stroke and couldn't hold a pencil. How about looking at the postitive in the spirit of giving?

Thank you for addressing why I use labels instead of hand writing. I can usually manage to use a Sharpie or other thick pen for a line or two of text, but that is my limit. The address would be illegible if I tried to write more than one card at a time.

And like SplshMtn99, I usually hand make my cards.

 

[LadyShiva]

OP, you could also walk up to them at church and thank them for the card, if you'd like a more personal touch.

Brandie