Anyone still send out holiday cards?

[dawnmarch]

I don't want to alarm anyone but Christmas is just over 2 months away.

Since my kids were tiny -- over 20 years ago now -- we have been doing a family photo every year (remember those photo studios at the mall? - that's where we started ). We then create a holiday card and send it out to family and friends. My kids are now 22 and 20, neither is living at home and it is getting to be a challenge to get a decent card shot done with all of us. I suppose I could use a collage of photos throughout the year but I am thinking of abandoning the family photo/sending out cards all together.

Anybody still sending out hard copy holiday cards? Is anyone just sending cards digitally? Do you still manage to get family photos done?

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I still do. The last couple of years I got a group photo at T'giving. I haven't sent a Christmas letter in several years though.

 

[umyesh]

I only order cards if they’re free from Shutterfly. We never get family photos so I just send random pictures.

 

[HavaDrPepper]

I haven't mailed out cards for probably 20 years. But one year I made a digital card on Shutterfly and ordered a package of 10. I gave those to family.

The only card I sent all those years was to my Dad and Martha. Since Dad died I still send a card to Martha and I put a letter in it updating her on what is going on with me and all the extended family news.

 

[jagruti patel]

I do! I make photo cards with my 9 year old! Last year I did this and loved it (magic of photoshop)!

I just print out as a 4x6 photo and send that as my card. Postage is more $$$ than the actual card!

Need to figure out what I want to do this year. I feel I can't top this one. Drop the mic and be done?

 

[jk703]

I did last year... and I send to those who send me. I used to send to a god awful amount of people, but it was a waste of money and time on my part. Many don't send them anymore and post them on social media - which is totally good for me... I just do that as well. I try to cover my bases.

 

[dawnmarch]

The last couple of years I got a group photo at T'giving.

This is what we've been doing although it can be a bit of a squeeze to get the cards done, depending on how late Thanksgiving is.

 

[dawnmarch]

I do! I make photo cards with my 9 year old! Last year I did this and loved it (magic of photoshop)!

I just print out as a 4x6 photo and send that as my card. Postage is more $$$ than the actual card!

Need to figure out what I want to do this year. I feel I can't top this one. Drop the mic and be done?
View attachment 517663

your card is awesome! There's no requirement to top your last year's card -- no pressure!

 

[dawnmarch]

Many don't send them anymore and post them on social media

I've been debating this. In the spirit of not creating more waste in the world, maybe it's a good idea. Or maybe send physical cards to very close family (my mom likes to post them on her fridge) and post of social media for friends.

 

[Kiana]

I usually buy and send cards every other year or so. Whenever the spirit hits me and I'm feeling festive. rofl

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I send a few - mainly to people that I don't see but like to keep in touch with. I have a few online friends who live overseas, and we always exchange cards.

 

[StefanieS]

Not since my Mom passed away - she loved the family photos.

 

[RebeccaH]

I am HORRIBLE at sending out cards! I always have good intentions, but I never get around to it. And also, our cards never ever have involved family photos... that's way too much effort required. LOL

 

[Scrapping with Liz]

I make a digi card and post it on social media for friends and family. I sporadically will print and mail...but it's been a few years.

 

[cfile]

I dont make my own.. i get store bought.. last year i did not send out due to broken arm.

 

[dawnmarch]

I am HORRIBLE at sending out cards! I always have good intentions, but I never get around to it. And also, our cards never ever have involved family photos... that's way too much effort required. LOL

LOL. This is the problem with a "tradition" -- every year, I make a photo book for those hard-to-shop-for relatives (e.g., grandparents, elderly aunts) and so it made sense to do a family photo for the cover and that could also be used for cards. But it's so much work and I don't know how to stop . . . .

 

[Memaw2Wm]

LOL. This is the problem with a "tradition" -- every year, I make a photo book for those hard-to-shop-for relatives (e.g., grandparents, elderly aunts) and so it made sense to do a family photo for the cover and that could also be used for cards. But it's so much work and I don't know how to stop . . . .

LOL ... a decade or more ago my younger sister made a family calendar for our Dad and us sisters. She's still making it, and has mentioned regretting ever starting.

 

[HavaDrPepper]

LOL ... a decade or more ago my younger sister made a family calendar for our Dad and us sisters. She's still making it, and has mentioned regretting ever starting.

Way back in the 60's my mom did a calendar for my grandma on Dad's side of the family. With 14 kids, 13 kid-in-laws, and over 40 grandchildren, she had a hard time remembering when birthdays were. It wasn't a traditional calendar but one of those full-year hanging calendars that just had the months/dates. Mom sewed a sequin on every day that had a birthday and if there was more than one she put a small colored bead on top of the sequin. It was up to Grandma to check her "book" to see who was having a birthday. After several years Mom got tired of doing it because by this time grandkids were getting married and having kids and the family was close 100 members in 4 generations. Off the top of my head I can only think of 1 day that was a duplicate. The oldest granddaughter was born on my dad's birthday. Although there were several sets of twins that got the sequin/bead combo as well. So she was having to sew a heck of a lot of sequins on that thing every year! She just had to stop. Grandma asked about it a couple of times and Mom just told her she couldn't do it anymore with her teaching and my activities, it was just too time consuming.

 

[dawnmarch]

So she was having to sew a heck of a lot of sequins on that thing every year! She just had to stop. Grandma asked about it a couple of times and Mom just told her she couldn't do it anymore with her teaching and my activities, it was just too time consuming.

I thought I'd give up the annual photobook when the kids went to college but it turns out that I still have enough photos to put something together. I did float the idea of not doing it last year but then realized I'd have to come up with other gift ideas and that didn't sound great either!

 

[Iowan]

For nearly 50 years we sent out Christmas cards religiously! We skipped several years but sent one last year when my daughter bought us all matching pjs. It was fun taking silly photos of us all dressed alike.