I’m
updating this post from a 2012 edition to include texts and private message
options. Even back then, I could see the trend toward online greetings growing, but never did I think these two options would become "normal" to some.
I have
always enjoyed the giving and receiving of Holiday Greeting cards. I am a
classic; less is more kind of card sender, preferring to send a festive card
with a short hand written note inside, just like my Mom did. I’m a true southern, manners matter type
of lady, so please don’t think I mean this post to be a rude call out, it’s
actually quite the opposite.
As I sat down to start on my cards this week, I realized I
needed to re-vamp my list completely since my master list was riddled with
notes beside almost every name. This person got divorced so I can’t address
their card to Mr. & Mrs., this person moved to I don’t know where, so send
an e-card, this dear soul just had a nasty break up, so send something happy,
this person’s card was returned last year, so send an e-card. You get the
idea.
It was time for the Greeting Card cut list.
I don’t enter into this area lightly, because I know
how I would feel if I were off the
list. But wait a minute, I think that shipped has sailed if my notes are any
indication!
Over the course of the last 3 years, we have received more
e-cards from friends and family who once sent out mailed cards. Is this just a
product of our societies need for all things “online”? Is it the downed
economy? Have we Kinsman’s somehow fallen off the short list of worthy stamped
greetings? Maybe, probably and I hope not!
The point is, I feel obliged to follow the path in front of me
and do my own form of cutting.
Here's my method:
- If we haven’t heard from you in any form or fashion, like you have fallen off the face of the earth in 4 years: you are cut completely.
- If you always thank me for my Christmas card in your e-card on my birthday in May: you are cut from my mailed list and bumped to e-card status.
- If you have never us sent a mailed card, preferring e-cards, but haven’t sent me one in 2 yrs.: you are cut from my mailed card list, put on my e-card list, but only for this year.
- If you send us your annual newsletter, complete with a call to donate to your charity: e-card!
- If you sent us an e-card last year: e-card.
And now I give you the 2014 additions to greetings:
If you text me a Merry Christmas! You are off my mailed
greeting card list and my e-card list. We are all busy, but that is no excuse! Be a dear and think ahead next year.
But my truly least favorite holiday greeting so far this year- a private message on
Facebook.
Ugh.
Listen, I'm really not trying to be the "holiday greeting police" and this list is all rather tongue in cheek- but can't we just agree not to do this one unless we are just “online” friends? Then I can see you preferring to send an
online greeting. May I suggest an e-card? There are several freebies available.
But to just copy and paste a generic
Hello, Happy Holidays, type of greeting to everyone you know on Facebook? It’s
just bad form in my humble opinion and I would prefer to receive no greeting at
all from you because this form of greeting puts me in a pickle. How does one respond to someone who doesn't even address them by their first name? My answer is, I don't.
Did making these cuts make me feel Grinchy? Nope, it was
liberating! In fact, my to be mailed greeting card list actually grew this
year, which makes this old school is cool ladies heart happy!
My new Greeting card list is clean and tidy and shows me that
I have a nice balance of mailed cards at 60% and e-cards at 40%. Zero texts and private message greetings!
Please share in comments:
How does your Greeting Card list look? Did you update it? Have
you had to make cuts as well?