Lately I’ve read several articles discussing the “pros” of online Christmas cards. Whether it is sending cards via a Facebook status update, email, or blog post, these articles talk about how much money is saved by not buying stamps or cards.
I agree, it is cheaper to send your cards online, but is it really better?
Note: If times are tough and an online Christmas greeting is all you can afford, that’s wonderful. Skip this post and go make some caramel corn.
Click on the photo for the embroidery hoop tutorial.
I’ll admit, I stink at sending Christmas cards. For the first twelve years of our marriage I was the Christmas card queen. DH and I would spend hours writing up a Christmas letter and choosing the perfect card was an all day event.
Then there was the Christmas card list. We’d edit it every year, making updates for those who moved, got married (divorced 🙁 ), or passed away. It was always fun to add new friends to the list.
We had a budget. Since cards and stamps are expensive we had a Christmas card budget every year. This meant we had to limit the number of Christmas cards we could send. We would often debate about who was added to or removed from Christmas card list.
Then a few years ago I got too busy to send Christmas cards so I sent the Christmas email. DH and I congratulated ourselves on our new frugal tradition of online Christmas cards.
But what were we really celebrating?
We had the money to buy cards and stamps, but we didn’t spend it. The money we saved wasn’t spent to buy a goat for a family in Africa or pack up an extra shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. We just went on with our busy lives, enjoying the Christmas cards that arrived in our mailbox.
Today is December 14 and I haven’t sent out a single card.
But I will, and here’s why.
A Christmas card, signed, stuffed, stamped and delivered means something. In today’s society we are overly connected yet growing disconnected from real, personal relationships.
A Christmas card is personal. It’s signed in ink and maybe even handwritten. In this day and age when people propose and break up via Facebook the amount of personal interaction we have with one another is shrinking. The popularity of the digital Christmas card is just one more way to make life easier… and less personal.
A Christmas card is tangible. You can hold it in your hands, hang it up, save it, frame it, cut it up, use it for crafts, set it next to your bedstand, use it as a fire starter. Whatever it ends up being…. it is something you can touch, feel, hold.
A Christmas card might get lost in the mail, but it will never end up in a spam folder.
A Christmas card means I care about you enough to spend $0.44 plus the cost of the card to let you know I’m thinking about you this year. I didn’t just hit “reply to all” and send.
A Christmas card gives everyone on your list, not just those who have a Facebook or email account, a chance to see and/or hear from your family.
A Christmas card gets hung on the wall, fridge, window, mirror door for at least a month or longer. It gives people a chance not only to be reminded of your family but maybe even pray for your family. In the words of my 17 yo daughter…
“Can you imagine how lame life would be if everyone emailed their Christmas card? Who is going to print it out and hang it on the wall?”
This year we’ve only received one Christmas card and my kids are sad. They love opening the envelopes, reading the cards, looking at the pictures and remembering old friends, commenting on how tall so-and-so is or that someone had another baby.
By choosing not to send a Christmas card I’m taking that joy away from another family. It’s not that my family is so wonderful that people need OUR card, it’s that people need cards in general. If I jump on the digital card bandwagon that’s one more card that won’t be hanging on the fridge this year.
So even though there’s only 10 days until Christmas, I don’t have a family photo (yet) or cards picked out, I will be sending cards this year.
While it might not be the most frugal option, it’s an investment I’m happy to make.
Photo credit: Atypical Type A
Tracy says
I love Christmas cards – they stay up til the end of January! I used to write a very creative letter but find the business of life it is difficult. But I still send them out each year to family members from which I have never received one & friends too. My list is usually 90 +. Even though I add & remove, can’t seem to get it below that. I love love pictures of families! I save them – I have a collection.
Lisa says
I appreciate your thoughts! I enjoy getting and receiving Christmas cards! 🙂
Christina says
I agree! Our cards are usually New Years cards because I like to have a family photo and that generally only happens at Christmas time. This year, however, it might be more like St Patrick’s day cards…but, like you, I am still going to send them!
Amy says
If only I could send this to my friends who stopped sending cards! I miss getting a few cards every day. We have gotten a lot fewer this year. Makes me sad!
Karen says
We send out cards every year also. Last year we waited till New Years to send it out and we had people asking where our card was. We always do a “fun” card. I have 3 boys, one year they were dressed like the 3 Wise Men. Another time, like one snowman standing behind each other…this year was “Ugly Sweaters”! We always have so much fun doing it. It seems like our list gets bigger each year because people hear about it and want to get on our list. LOL. Good thing we have fun doing it. 🙂
Mimi says
Every year I take the time to design and make my own cards. I always end up sending out 125 or so and besides all the cutting and pasting and such to assemble the card, I also take the time to write a personal note on it to the recipient. This year I feel badly that I could no longer do this. My husband has been unemployed for 6 months. We gave up our home, moved across country and are living in one room at a relative’s house at the present. With NO income whatsoever and HUGE cobra payments there just wasn’t the luxury money to cover the cards & postage. Besides, all my craft supplies to even make anything are in a storage locker somewhere. Instead, I wrote a Christmas newsletter which included photos and updates of our adventures along with our current address and phone. I emailed the pdf file to most everyone with a note explaining why I was doing so and asking them to forgive our “scrooginess” for this year. To the few who are not on the internet, I mailed a copy. Hopefully next year will find me happily designing, cutting, pasting, etc once again…and in an apartment of my own!
Sara Shay says
I’ve struggled with this too. I have sent out a TON of cards every year since getting married. I love the ones I receive and catching up by reading people’s letters. I ALWAYS hang mine.
I did think though, how many people just look at them and then toss them. So I have just learned to be selective of who I send them to. This year I did a postcard for the first time (just got them today). Though a few of them I will still send in envelopes with the FULL Christmas letter – as I know a lot of our older family doesn’t have internet.
Ashley N says
I love this discussion! I am the only one I know of in our family (or my husband’s family) who sends out personalized cards. Odd…since I am the youngest married one of all! I too dislike the “generic” cards with a signature, as I want photos and info about your family!
My coworker hung my card up at work and everyone is raving over them! I manage mostly college students, so I really feel like they are amazed to see a REAL Christmas card 🙂 But…in all honesty, I posted the card to Facebook for all to see too 🙂
Cost breakdown of my cards on the cheap: 4X6 card with pictures and message designed in Photoshop (could probably use Picassa or even online template), uploaded to Walgreens Photo- $0.19 each, printed letter of highlights of our year on half a sheet of cardstock that was given to me- free to $0.10, all put in leftover envelopes from last year- $.20? each. So…under 50 cents per card plus postage! I also save by sending only to “family heads” like great aunts, which may pass them (or at least word of how we’re doing) along to cousins.
I was planning to send cards everyother year from now on, but I may rethink that after reading this!
Marie says
You must have read my mind on why I chose to send them this year!!! The main one is that we like opening Christmas cards and reading them ourselves. In the last couple of years I have scaled back because of the expense. Most all of the cards that I sent out this year were to the people that actually cared enough to send a card last year. Love your daughter’s statement!!! Oh and I have a friend that always sends out her “family update” around March!
Carol @cdm-arewethereyet says
Funny, my DH and I were talking about this this morning – since we have only received seven cards this year. I send out cards about 40 to 45 every year with the “dreaded” Christmas letter (I try to keep the letter short and sweet!) I love to receive Christmas cards in the mail, but so many people are just so busy they don’t think they have the time to send out hand addressed cards – so much easier to send mass e-mailings. Sad!
Robin in New Jersey says
I love this post. I hate getting ecards and since they come to my email address, most of the time the rest of the family doesn’t see them. I am sending out cards, but due to fiances this year, I have pared my list down to family far away and friends I stay in touch with, but do not see. If I see you at holiday time and can wish you a Merry Christmas, I most likely won’t send you a card this year even if you send me one.
There is just something about holding that card in your hand. We always go back and look at them over again throughout the year.
This year we have received one e-card and 5 mailed ones. So I think maybe many folks are cutting back on cards this year. Today I mailed 25.
Rachel @ day2day joys says
Great post! I love receiving cards! And we always do the photo cards with a letter every year! Mine aren’t sent out either but am going to tomorrow!
Tanya B says
I want to know if so many of you say that sending Christmas cards are important then why only send them to people that sent you one?
allyall says
I send out both. Real Christmas cards to close friends and family. An email card to others, since we also have a limit to # we can send. I love Christmas cards and getting them. I have also started sending real birthday cards in the mail to my family too. If you like to get them, then others probably do too, so lets send them! You can get cute $0.50 cards at the dollar store so for less than a $1 when you add the stamp, I am letting family know that we are thinking of them in a tangible way.
Tawra@Living On A Dime.com says
I like Christmas cards but I have to admit that I only send out ones to people who send me one. I figure if I haven’t talked to you or had contact with you all year then you really don’t mean that much to me to waste the money, time and energy on Christmas cards. Sounds harsh I know but with 4 kids and being chronically ill I have to make sure it’s worth my energy. 🙂
Stacy says
YES! Preach it sister! 🙂 In the age of the internet, it’s nice to have something in your HAND. I always send hand-written Christmas card AND thank you notes.
Jenn says
AGREE! I am in the midst of moving (yikes!) and still sending out Christmas cards, especially since we had our first child this year. I have many family members who are never online, including a grandma in a hospice situation, so I definitely see the importance of Christmas cards. Sadly, we have only received a few in the mail as well, but I am praying that more are on the way! I do agree that it can get expensive, so I understand that some people are cutting back this year. Thanks for the post! Now back to the cards….:)
Kate @ Green Around the Edges says
In some ways, I see this post as a “case for Christmas letters.” While I love receiving cards with family updates and/or pictures in the mail, I have to admit that a generic Christmas card with only a signature doesn’t do anything for me. I glance at it, then recycle. It just doesn’t feel that personal. I can get more information and feel closer to them by sending a Facebook message! While I appreciate that they mailed me something, if you’re going to send a card, take the time to personalize it and even send one of those much-maligned Christmas family update letters.
Tanya @ The Inspired Budget says
I love this post. I agree – people need cards in general. Real contact. Yesterday I got a Christmas letter from a friend who wrote simply “Good to keep up with you on Facebook.” Just a little personal note, letting me know she was reading my posts on FB even though she rarely comments there, was much appreciated. Even small things like a handwritten note can make people feel like you’re paying attention and you care.
Marilyn says
The Christmas cards sent after Christmas are really the ones on time. If you follow the Christian calendar, we are celebrating the Advent season. Christmas Day begins the Christmas season for twelve days (hence the song!). I agree Christmas cards are nice to stay in touch with those we love but seldom see. I also think it is important to have real cards with real stamps so we can really see them and feel them. I know many elderly people who love getting cards so they feel more connected with those who live far away. In many ways, Christmas cards is a ministry.
Katena says
I sent out cards this year and my weight loss group I have receive several. We try to have them out right after thanksgiving but I only sen them yesterday. I only send to my mom, mother in law grandmothers they are a given every-year as well as a few close friends. I like receiving Christmas cards eventually no one will be sending them. We are in a over connected society.
April says
I love sending christmas cards, even when money is tight. We have a small list(about 20)
ive only recieved 2 so far this year 🙁
Tabitha says
I love this. We normally make the effort and do marginally well. This year we opted for online letters except for non-computer households (like our grandmothers), not because we thought it was better, but because this month was surprisingly and exceptionally tight due to closing on our house (FINALLY.) Next year I will be back to mailing this stuff out again! We even sent out family pictures by doing site to store at Walmart… we got the prints but they were delivered to our friends and family’s local Walmart instead of my mailing them from here. Some said it was smart, some laughed, and I think a few were a little hurt… no worries though, I hope this doesn’t become our ‘norm’.
Louise says
You are absolutely right and that is exactly why I send cards out every year. I am watching the numbers dwindle, but am hoping that giving people “that” feeling when they receive cards makes them want to keep it going. It really is quite sad that some people don’t think cards mean anything. I have stopped enclosing a long letter (we always called it the Christmas epistle!) as everything I would have shared in that is on Facebook anyway and I have made a point of keeping in better contact with the few aunts who aren’t on Facebook.
Rebekah says
I found hallmark did free postage for cards from their site. And while it is not to get some back, I send those to whom I truly want to get a card without expectation of receiving one. I hate when I sent a card a two days later someone sent me a card back… did they really want to send it to me or was it an obligation? I send cards to a variety of people, but not just because I expect one back or they sent me one… I want to wish someone a Merry Christmas with pictures of my kids… but this year, with that free shipping, not handwritten- or personalized— but a really cute picture of my kids!
Aimee says
I have a yearly tradition to make Christmas cards on Black Friday. I skip the insanity of shopping and have a lovely time creating. It’s something that I look forward to each year….what delight to find real mail in your mailbox! I made that embroidery hoop card holder and it looks darling on my wall…we have received about 10 cards or so and it’s fun watching it fill. Hoping for more!
Justine says
I don’t think I realized how much I loved them until this year – I’ve only received 3 so far, and that makes me sad!
In Spain (and plenty of other countries) they celebrate King’s Day/Epiphany on January 6th. Since I’m a teacher (and my husband is from Spain), I usually wait to get working on my cards until the week before Christmas when I’m off of school – I figure they can always be Epiphany cards if need be 🙂 We usually mail them to friends we don’t see regularly and all our family, and email them to friends we do see on a regular basis or who don’t send us cards.
Laura says
I make an effort every year to send cards for all the reasons you listed. I just love to get them in return in the mail and I especially love when pictures are included 🙂
Patricia says
This is a delightful post which I plan to share with my colleagues at GeekMom.com.
Several of us GeekMoms have been stressed out over “having to do the Christmas cards”. We’re having a similar debate: why send cards to folks who can see everything on Facebook or Twitter? Or via e-mail? As a mil-spouse, my card list often exceeds 100 recipients and I have to consciously decide who doesn’t get a card year to year. I’m currently halfway through the cards this year. I plan to be finished by the end of the week.
As a compromise, though, I keep a holiday newsletter online and simply refer the card recipients to it. I alternate homemade cropped/stamped cards (odd years) with photo cards (even years).
Stephanie says
Preach! I love giving and getting Christmas cards. Opening the mailbox in December is always a treat!
Shawnnelle says
I completely agree & just finished signing, addressing, stamping & enclosing a family picture in about 50 cards, my girls & I love receiving them especially ones with pictures on them to hang on the wall!
Laura says
I send out birthday and Christmas cards to all friends and family members (about 40 familes) and I hate to say it, but I never receive anything back (even email) from anyone else besides our parents and grandparents. I love receiving Christmas cards from people and I think it’s a wonderful tradition that has been “lost” along with so many other meaningful things (such as Thank You cards/notes). Thank you for this post. Maybe it will encourage some to start sending them out.
Somebody's Mimi says
YOU GO GIRL! Love this post! And the best Christmas card ever was yours and all your funny faces… will remember that one FOREVER!!
Karen says
Today I went to the post office and mailed 90 cards, which also had a current update and a photo. I also sent our current photo and update to about 200 by email. Since we are in ministry, we need to keep our partners updated, but many of them are or have become wonderful friends!
DorthyM says
I whole heartedly agree! I love this post. I enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards. Each one that comes in goes up on my wall. Some are handmade, most are store bought, but each one means someone took the time to think about us.
Tonya says
I haven’t sent mine either but the letter is written and we’re doing a family photo on Saturday… Upload the photo to Sam’s for cards and they will go out early next week. I tried to not do this last year and felt that I was really missing out as well. It’s like a personal gift to so many people that we rarely see plus family. I save each year’s letter and card and have them in a special album. It’s fun to look back over the years at them. 🙂
Ingrid O'Brien-Adriaansen says
I also love sending out Christmas cards and I love receiving them. Like others, I cut back on my list, if someone doesn’t send me a card for a couple of years. So far this year we have received 6 to the 33 that I mailed. It’s very disappointing but it won’t stop me from from sharing my Christmas Spirit next year. Just with a much smaller list.
Ashley Pichea says
You could send “New Year’s Cards”! My aunt and uncle have started sending cards after Christmas, and it’s a great way to extend the fun of sending cards, without seeming “late”! 🙂
Kristy Jensen says
Thank you for this post! I LOVE getting Christmas cards in the mail. I feel like I spend time and money to send them to the people I love and care about. Yesterday I got my first Christmas card in the mail. When DH and I were first married we sent out 70 Christmas cards that year. From there over the years it has gone down to 25. I know this sounds silly, but I keep a list of the ones we receive and send only those people (with the exception of those who cannot afford to send one out) a card. We have only gotten a few this year so far. I have a relative that sends them out after Christmas…why even bother by then? I really love that someone took a couple of minutes a couple of dimes to send me a card.