So help me, it’s time to get serious about my Christmas card list.
I’ve got the box of cards; I’ve got the stamps and the address book arranged around me. I’ve got the TV set to Forensic Files. I’m ready to go.
Now I just have to build up the desire necessary to address 40-some cards and envelopes.
I’ve attempted to do create this desire in me by folding laundry, eating nachos, drinking copious amounts of Fresca, visiting my favorite blogs, and texting friends. I’ve made a grocery list. I made ham and bean soup. I did the dishes. I’ve applauded Willie’s semi-annual cleaning of the cat box.
Oddly enough, my cards still aren’t done.
This doesn’t surprise me. I can be ridiculously task-averse. Go ahead. Tell me what to do.
See? Whatever you just said? I haven't done it.
But deadlines. Oh, I do take a deadline seriously. The “drop-dead” date, as they say in the corporates. I’m apt to take seriously something that uses the word “dead” in the description. Seems pretty final.
And there’s no real room for negotiation on, say, a holiday card.
So here it is: I’m going to open this lousy box; I’m going to use my return-address labels rather than hand-writing my return address forty-some times, even if some people think it’s tacky; I’m going to pull out my address book and figure out whose been naughty and nice. I’m going to get it done tonight.
Wait. Does that sound cocky? The naughty-and-nice bit? What is the expectation on cards, anyway? If I’ve sent you a card for several years running but never gotten one back, I’m perfectly within societal boundaries if I drop you from my list, right?
Right?
I must have the rules around here someplace...
Happy Seasonal Expectations, everyone!
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29 comments:
Happy card writing. You'll either be very late for this year.. or very early for next.
I had mine done before Thanksgiving only because my son had surgery on his shoulder and I had nothing better to do during those several hours it took. Has for who to send to, I have a separate address book for Christmas cards where I do keep track as to if they sent me back a card. I'll give them one year of not sending but if it's two in a row, off the list they go. Sounds mean but when you send out as many as I do, you have to do something.
Hilary, the kitties have gotten me up early today and I'm half-way through already. :-)
Mamma, it certainly is the perfect thing to do while waiting for something, isn't it? Hope your son's shoulder has been "fixed". And the separate book for Christmas cards sounds like a really good idea. I usually go about three years with the cards, but if that person hasn't sent one to me in that time, I stop sending; but you're right: when you send a lot of cards, you have to do something.
We have all our addresses typed into Excel so we can print labels. It might be efficient, but at least it's impersonal.
I quit sending Christmas cards. The cost of stamps today is just too damn high. Like the rent.
I'm right there with ya. I made these cute little color newsletters, and then my color printer acts like an idiot who can't communicate with the computer. So now I have to go get color copies made at an office store at a DOLLAR PER PAGE. Did I mention it's a cute little 2-SIDED color newsletter? Well it is. So yeah. That's on my to-do list. And I don't even have return address labels, so whaddya think about not putting any return address on it? If you don't know my address, maybe you I don't care if you send me a card or not? Hmm. Yeah. I'd say after 2 years of no card, you can cross them off the list.
Gotta do my cards today, too!
Spam them with eCards. They are cheap, fast, and so environmentally friendly.
I decided this year to do 'telephone call' Chirstmas cards, so's I can give personal greetings to the real people who count!
Monday, I think. Yeah, Monday is when they'll get sent. Faye takes care of that anyway. I usually have just one chore at Christmas... send off something for the Two Very Lovely Princesses that live in a Land Far Away (let's call it California. Shipping costs just doubled since I procrastinated long enough.
here is a deal for you ifin you send me a christmas card , i will send you one<><>,.that is begging isn't it or maybe extortion?????ilove to hear frm popoploples<><><>i guess that is what made me become a bloggger><<>me ia m putz<>>,.but really david h sparrow legs barlow at 385 east 300 south , ephraim utah 84627<><>,.so you uop for the challenge????
This was where I was at last week....I always used to be the first one to get cards out but then I got a life. For the last few years my list has dwindled because my address book is horribly out of date and every year I swear that the following year I'll be more organised, get my address book up to date, make my own cards (by recycling the mountain of cards I've kept). There's always next year I suppose.
Bx
We don't send out cards. It's all we can do to get our gifts purchased before Christmas Eve. So, good on ya.
Cheers,
Casey
I once wall papered my entire upstairs hall when I WAS supposed to be STUDYING FOR A BIG TEST.
Yeah. I understand the process.
You have some stamina and dedication to getting those blasted things done!
I don't even give them out (or my wife). Instead I sing a really bad Christmas song on my blog and call it my video card to everyone.
Your way is more funny though.
Best of luck with the Christmas cards.
I sent mine out this year, just sat down and did it and got them in the mail and felt pretty darned smug, I must say.
The next day, one of my aunties, whose card of cheer and good wishes for a happy 2011 was winging its bright and happy way to her, died.
I may not send cards next year...
Christmas is a week away, you better get to steppin' girl...
I want some bean soup!
Funny how putting a dreaded task at the top of the list gets everything else on the list done.
Me, I abstain--causes headaches and rashes.
I made a proclamation this year that "we" (me) weren't sending any of the (100+) cards this year. "We" (Hubby) didn't seem to impressed by this. So far, "we" (me) are sticking to it - but with every card "we" (me) get the guilt is ratcheting up a notch......
I had planned to comment on this post, but thought it might be too early, so I waited until now. I am the best procrastinator that I know. I have not bought the cards. I have not written the letter I have not purchased the stamps.
Is Christmas NEXT Saturday? Then there is plenty of time. Besides, I am reading blogs and writing comments right now. I don't have time for cards.
You are so efficient if you got yours finished today.
I'm doing my Christmas Cards in short bursts. If I thought about sitting down and doing them all in one go, they'd never get done. Ever.
Go Pearl! Go Pearl!
It's Robblogger to the rescue!
I just did a 7 part series on this on my blog http://inspiredbycaffeinenicotine.blogspot.com/
Okay I really didn't that was an attempt to get you to cruise on over to my blog.
But since I shamelessly promoted myself I will give you some pretty solid advice about the X-mas dilema.
This is what my Mom used to do. She would call everyone on her list. Claim she had lost their zip code, and needed it to do her cards.
She would chat with them a bit.....
Then never send a card!
My Mother was amazing hope that helped!
Print address labels too, then you won't have to hand write them.
Or google a lovely Christmassy picture and email it to everyone you know. Yes, the same picture, just type everyone's email address in the "to" box. click send and you're done!!
One of the benefits of living in South America is sending E-cards .
The mail here is notorious for lateness if it even ever arrives, so e-cards are the way I go.
ho ho ho ~
Just get a stamp made that says - "recycled - because we're thrifty (cheap)" stamp it on old cards and send those out in new envelopes, this was the only work that need be done is writing out the address - also, I use an address stamp for the return - too lazy to peel stickers.
Good luck with the Christmas cards! I'm going to blame the SNOW and Post Office for mine being late.. or missing...
My cards are still sitting on the dining room table, along with all the other unfinished Christmas tasks... I invited some people over for Christmas Dinner which means I am FORCING myself to clean off the table. You would think that would also require me to finish up all those Christmas projects? It's more likely the shower curtain in the spare bathroom will end up hiding my shame. Isn't that what the tub in the spare bathroom is for?
I figure if I send them by January 1 I'm still "in the season." To tell the truth, I'd kind of forgotten about them until I read your post. And by the way, I just ordered your book. Merry Christmas to me!!!
It was so hard for me to get started on my cards this year that I almost said "forget it". One day I just came home from work and said "I am doing them and not getting up until they are done". Did it and finally they are done. I didn't send as many out as last year though. Hope yours are done now too!
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