Christmas Card Day: Connection Through A Card

Christmas Cards

I love Christmas Cards, however the sending of Christmas cards may be becoming extinct. In a world where we are already too busy, the thought of buying, writing, addressing, stamping, sealing and sending cards seems like an overwhelming task.

Just before my oldest son was born, I started a tradition of writing a Christmas newsletter and sending it with my Christmas cards. Friends and family lived far away and it was my opportunity to tell them about what was happening in my children’s, husband’s and my life.

There have been times when I have thought that I wouldn’t send it out, and then someone gives me a comment about looking forward to reading my annual update and seeing the pictures of how the family has changed.

Personalize the cards or add in a newsletter. The more you ‘give’ of yourself in the card, the more the connection is felt by the recipient. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

The Benefits

Christmas cards and letters take time but I have found the benefits to outweigh the cost. It let’s the receiver know that they are being thought about, which in this day of disconnectedness and isolation is especially important. Relationships are important and that they need to be nurtured. It allows us to say thank you, to wish them the best and to let them know that they are loved. One easy way is to send a card. It is different from the current communication ‘noise’ that is out there. It makes us look forward to going to the mailbox.

Another unexpected benefit of writing these annual newsletters is that I have logged many important family events. I have kept copies for myself and for my sons. They have a record of the special moments from their past.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Along with these letters, I have kept cards addressed to my children from their great grandparents or school friends. It is certainly a trip down memory lane to look at these cards and to think of these people that we have met along the way.

To send or not send is a personal choice, however, for now, I think that it is one tradition that I am going to keep alive. Thanks to Sir Henry Cole for developing the first Christmas card in 1843.

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Christmas Card Day:

Sending out cards is easier if you have a well kept address book. An electronic address book will allow you to sort or make changes quickly as well as print labels to make the addressing of envelopes even faster.
Set aside some time to write your cards. Some people like to do them all at once. Some people prefer to address a few at a time like while they are waiting for appointments. I have done mine at the hockey rink and while waiting for a meeting to start.
Personalize the cards or add in a newsletter. The more you ‘give’ of yourself in the card, the more the connection is felt by the recipient.

If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!