Christmas cards.... how much time do you spend on them?

**AmyMCGS** · 12-08-2005, 03:57 PM

I think everyone has something they're particular about.... perfectly wrapped presents, the perfect meal, whatever.   For me, it's Christmas cards.  I love sending cards any time, and Christmas cards are just extra special to me.

I have to have religious cards, but not too sappy or ones with big long verses.  They can't be too cheap- I hate that paper-thin cardstock the supercheap cards are printed on. (That goes for any cards I buy- birthday, whatever.)   But I also won't pay more than $5 a box.  I usually end up buying them from my favorite Christian bookstore.

We send out about 50 to relatives and friends.  I like to write personal letters in the ones to friends or relatives that we don't get to see often- that's probably about 1/4 of them. I like to make or find stationary that coordinates with my cards if I can.   I have a few friends that only keep in touch through annual cards/letters.   I probably spend three or four evenings (after supper, while watching TV) writing letters and addressing envelopes. 

I can easily spend one entire evening rubber stamping all the envelopes.  Some year I'm going to make my own cards, but, that would be very time-consuming-- maybe if I start now I can get enough done for next year!

 

So, anyways, am I nuts? If it was up to my DH we probably wouldn't send any cards at all.   

How much time do you spend on cards? 

**marym** · 12-08-2005, 04:11 PM

I send out about 25-30 cards to close relatives and good friends.
This year I found the cutest card that had a dog that looks just like mine(newfoundland) I haven't sent them yet. It takes me about 1 hr to get them ready.

**canadian gardener** · 12-08-2005, 04:37 PM

none.

Don't send em. I simplified them right out of my life, as I find them a source of stress.

Dh still buys a few for his relatives but he deals with those and I'm out of that loop.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 12-08-2005, 04:53 PM

i bought x-mas cards today. i bought a pack of 10 at the dollar store. i bought 3 packs (30) & i mail them out to close friends & relatives!!!!!

**Michelle** · 12-08-2005, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by canadian gardener
none.

Don't send em. I simplified them right out of my life, as I find them a source of stress.

Though I do send out 3...but no more than that.

**Jerseygirl** · 12-09-2005, 12:16 PM

I send about 50 that I do after the kids are in bed aver the course of 3-4 nights. I always used to do them while watching the Thanksgiving day parade, but with the kids that just isn't possible anymore.

**jlxian** · 12-09-2005, 12:42 PM

Amy, I'm like you --- I like to spend a little time writing a note inside the card. The people I send cards to are those I don't see at all during the year or only see once or twice so the notes included are a "catch up on the news" type of thing.

The cards I enjoy getting are the ones that have news in them (as opposed to just a signed name), so I try to send the same kind of thing.

**Darlene** · 12-09-2005, 01:05 PM

I enjoy recieving them but writing them to me is a chore and one that I try to pass off to Jack.

**pkellyc** · 12-10-2005, 02:38 PM

We sent around 40 of them and when I say "we" I say that loosely. My 20 year old daughter wrote them out yesterday the "we part" comes in when I tell her who they are for. We take out my big black address book and I go though it and cross out old address add the names of new additions, and take out the names of those who have died or have gone through divorces. I don't really like to write and dd just loves to, it really works out for both of us.

**momof42003** · 12-10-2005, 11:45 PM

I have always stayed clear of Religious Christmas cards.. I have also stayed clear of anything that says Merry Christmas... I have relatives that don't necessarily celebrate Christmas, but do attend holiday things... Therefore, I get cards that state, "have a happy holiday and a great new year", or something to that effect...

I use to send cards to anyone and everyone, until I found that I was sending over 65 a year to people I don't get one from, or rarely see.. So this year I have decided to only send them to Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and other relatives that participate more in my familys lives... I have cut it down to about 20 cards that I will send out, with a message to tell their families that they are thought of all through the year... Much less stress... I do have exta for those who send a card to me....

How much do I spend?? Not a ton of money, but I too like to make sure that they are quality cards... This year I got the cards 50 percent off at Shopko and spent 8.00 for 36 cards.....

**Missy** · 12-11-2005, 01:11 AM

I spend alot of time on the ones going out to friends and family, those I generally always make, unless I am sick or stressed out with the kids, lol.

I got my supplies today (yep, Missy is late getting these done this year) so i will have to pare back my list to just immediate family. I love sending cards.

**pita1213** · 12-11-2005, 10:28 PM

in years past i have sent them to almost all of dh's family ( his mom is 1 of 8 kids so that gets to be a lot with the grand kids and great grand kids) but only the ones i had actually met. he is one of 40 grand kids and tehre are some he doesn't even know well.

my side of the family is smaller, a total of 8 cards sent.

this year i'm not sending out as many. i'm sending a few ornaments i crocheted with mil when she goes up to see her family, and then i'll mail a few cards to dh's side, and i'll mail the 8 to my side. just a few friends to mail cards to. maybe 6 people. and then 1 for teh neighbor lady, but i'll have the kids make one for her and let them take it over to her.