Every year when I was a child my mom would sit down at the island in the kitchen and write something personal on each and every Christmas card. She would send these personalized cards to everyone we knew. Over the years Merry Christmas evolved to Happy Holidays. As a nation we're pretty fond of being politically correct. As a nation we changed our Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays for the sake of being politically correct. As a family though we did not. My mom always said that we were Christian there for we believed in Christ and Christmas. She wouldn't be offended if someone had sent us a card that read "Happy Hanukkah".
While the world was changing up their holiday greeting so was the card industry. We no longer send out cards with a cute little picture of Santa on the front and a greeting inside. Most American's now send out photo cards. I have to admit that this tradition is one that the Mr. and I have carried over. Is it pathetic that in September I'm already looking for the perfect xmas card? Is it pathetic that I'm already staging outfits for us to take pictures in for them? Or that I'm riffling through our engagement photo's to find the perfect one for the main photo? Maybe. As I was thinking about how guilty I felt about the fact that we're not taking the time to write out a personal message on each card I also started to think about the time I've been putting into our photo cards. Can I still take a sharpie to each card and jot down a quick little note? Yes, I absolutely can. Could this be the perfect solution to the best of both worlds? Yes, I think it can.
Now, the tough question.. Will our cards read Merry Christmas? Season Greetings? Or possibly Happy Holidays? I think I'll stick to Wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year because while I believe that being politically correct at times is important I also believe that being myself and standing true to my beliefs on my personal greeting card is more important..
Do you send out annual Christmas cards? Do you have any traditions? Do you spend hours picking out the perfect greeting card?
We do Christmas cards too! Usually, I pick the photo card option that I think is the cutest, and then worry about what it says! The way I see it... if they are close enough to send a Christmas card to... they are close enough where you don't need to worry about politics! :)
ReplyDeleteI love getting and sending the photo cards! I keep every single one that I get! :) I usually just go by whatever the cutest design is. I dont try and be politicly correct.. but I do like my card to be attractive (or match our outfits)... Everyone I know, knows that I am a Christian.... this is still true whether my card says happy holidays or Merry Christmas ;)
ReplyDeleteMy husband just did Christmas cards for the first time last year. It was our first married Christmas and I wanted to do it! I'm already planning for our cards for this year right now! I've planned my outfit, the photographer-because we need new photos, and I know where I'm going to get the cards. Now just to choose a design! I say and always will say Merry Christmas on my cards.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I couldn't agree with you more. We will have some cards made and we'll also choose one of our engagement photos, and put "Merry Christmas". I do send them every year, but this year since we're engaged we get to send them to both of our families so it will be a little different and fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI send out my own Christmas cards right now - normally I just pick out the ones I like best to be honest. I cannot wait til the BF and I get engaged, because then the photo card is on :) As for wordage, that's negotiable! But I really do love Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Simple and sweet.
ReplyDeleteWe have simplified the process of sending holiday/greeting cards by using SendOutCards. From our home computer we can select cards or customize one with our picture on the front cover and even more pictures inside if we want, write a personalized message in our own handwriting and sign it with our own signatures. These cards are mailed via US Mail with a first class stamp. It can't get any easier or cost effective
ReplyDeleteI am already thinking of Christmas cards too! I just told my mom the other day that the next time I come home I want her to take pictures of hubs, my pup, and me for our christmas card:). It is fun!
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