Country Roads

Through the years receiving Christmas cards and greetings, I have looked forward to them but I’m wondering if they are becoming a thing of the past. For many years, our Christmas card basket sat proudly on our kitchen table filled to the brim with Christmas cards we received. Last year the basket was only one-fourth filled. This year we wonder how many cards will be received and placed in the basket.

Receiving Christmas cards is appreciated, especially those containing notes and letters reporting on family news. These are really welcomed. So, it is important to us that we send out the Christmas cards and newsletters. Shopping to purchase just the right cards with just the right messages is done a couple of weeks before the holidays. Sometime during those couple of weeks, comes the hard part of writing in the cards and making sure the receiver’s address is current and correct. If good family photos have been taken, those are included with the card or printed in the newsletter.

What is the culprit for stopping the Christmas card flow? Maybe it’s the higher cost of the postage stamps or maybe it’s social media and sending Christmas texts and messages instead of purchasing the cards and postage stamps. Maybe it’s just the work required of writing in the cards and sending them out. If you receive a Christmas card, it is much appreciated. It’s as if receiving the Christmas cards has become like receiving a Christmas gift. It makes the cards extra special if there is a personal note or newsletter enclosed.

So as Christmas approaches, let’s hope you are seated at a desk or table making out your Christmas cards and preparing to send them soon. I know that is what I’m preparing to do. Those Christmas greetings are looked forward to as trips are made to the mailbox. Let’s hope your basket is filled to the brim.