All About Christmas Cards

I get my share of Christmas cards and letters. I love those cards. They are the highlight of the Christmas season for me. They come in all shapes and forms. Here’s how I like to think of them:

1. The Traditional card: Families who fall in this category like to color inside the lines. They usually are color coordinated and include all members of the family. They tend to wear Christmas colors, even if the picture was taken in April. Dad usually has his hand on mom’s shoulder, and the kids are looking into the camera with a smile on their faces. The message on the card includes a traditional Christmas greeting and a signature. No note.

2. The “I want to be cool” card: In this version of the traditional Christmas card, families think they are cooler than most. They try to be creative. The pictures in this card may or may not include the parents, and often the collage system is preferred. Inevitably there is a picture of the kids doing something funny. These folks want to be cool – real bad. Enough said.

3. The “We didn’t have time to make a card” card: Here the family runs out of time, so they resort to a family vacation picture. Mind you, they tell themselves that they are early planners and took the extra effort to pose for the picture on a beautiful sunny day in Florida earlier in the year. In my opinion, this family is trying too hard. It’s time to accept the fact that you are aging even if having a tan makes you look a couple of years younger. It’s Christmas, folks, look the part!

4. The No picture card: These families had a rough year, and frankly, they are tired to sending an updated photo of themselves year after year. They know that most of us just stare at the pictures we get for a few minutes, hang them on the fridge for a week, then throw them away in the trash. In the era of stainless steel fridges, the picture may not even make it on the fridge! So this practical family does the practical thing: they just send a card. Good for you!!

5. The newsletter card: By far and above, this form of letter is my favorite, particularly if it includes a picture to go along with the letter. I have spent hours reviewing the letters, analyzing the information, and breaking down the family dynamic while watching a Christmas movie in the background. Hey, folks, thanks for the entertainment, and keep these letters coming!

6. The singles card: Oh boy. Single people who send Christmas cards are unique. Gotta love em. I’m clearly not one of them as I embrace my singleness as an excuse not to do one extra family chore. But a handful of us resorts to sending cards. Here’s a tip, single friend: if you send a Christmas card, include a picture, your phone number, and an email address, then send the picture to EVERY single person you know. You never know who God can use to bring Mr.Right into your life.

7. The E-card: This is the laziest of them all. Whether it’s a hallmark e-card or any other version of the available cyber cards, this has got to be the worst of the bunch. I don’t have the benefit of looking at your picture, and I can’t hang you on my non-hangable fridge. If you’re going to bother sending me anything at all, make it worth my while people!!

There you have it. I guess I won’t be getting any Christmas cards next year. Or maybe you’ll surprise me and send me a nice letter instead!

Either way, Merry Christmas to all!

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