After a long, chilly December day, you make your way home. On your way to your door, you take a peek inside the mailbox. A small envelope with your name, hand-written, makes your day so much warmer as you bustle inside and shed your layers to open the mail. The envelope reveals a colourful Christmas card and a reminder of a loved one somewhere in the world*.
I am a big proponent of the Christmas card, as a recipient and a sender. In general, we give too much ‘stuff’ during the holidays. I know that pressure to give the people you love and appreciate …something to let them know that you care about them at Christmas time. This well-intentioned thought often leads to gifts that aren’t really needed and aren’t really right for that person. They sit awkwardly in the place of the words and emotions it was meant to convey. More often than not, a heartfelt card can capture and share that thought better than any poorly chosen gift. During the holidays, keep it simple, and simply send your love.
At a time of year when costs are high, it’s nice to limit the financial burden without limiting your connection. You only need to pay for the price of paper and postage. This year, I’m sending cards with Hungarian-language greetings because, well, that’s a pretty fun treat for most Canadians. I also recommend homemade cards crafted either by your hands or those of a local artist.
My friend Gillian is a queen of the post. She keeps in touch with a huge network of friends by mail and doesn’t wait for the holidays, she sends cards all year round. She’s forgiving of a late or non-existent response and does more than her part by continuing to send cards over the years. Her cards were a reminder of the simple joy of handwritten mail and how much it can do to maintain a relationship. Sure, social media is much more time-efficient and, sometimes, more practical. But a handwritten note conveys the care and thought beyond even the penned words. Her thoughtfulness has inspired me, and if I don’t send cards to my loved ones through the year, I make sure to send them in December. I encourage you to take inspiration from her written ways. Gillian also creates another kind of post on her delightful blog, Scenery Scribbles and Observations.
My current Christmas card effort is on-going. I like to sit down and write two or three at a time. I keep a folder in my backpack with cards and postage so I can pick away at them whenever I have a bit of spare time. Whether over time or all-at-once, the writing process is a fun one. It’s nice to reflect on that person or couple or family and send well wishes throughout the year. The writing process can be enhanced with a well-chosen playlist, this being one of my favourites.
I figure the timing of cards is more forgiving. A gift should arrive by December 24th or otherwise, it feels late, like it’s missed the proper arrival window. However, if a card arrives in the mail a day or two (or seven for that matter) after Christmas, the effect of the words is the same on either side of the holiday. Or at least, so I hope, as I have a few just beginning their holiday journey.
If you feel it’s important to send a gift to someone this holiday season, consider keeping it simple. For others with whom you want to simply convey your holiday cheers and thoughts, consider a warmly written Christmas Card.
* Note: I use the term Christmas card as my family celebrates Christmas and the phrase has nice alliteration. The word Christmas could be replaced with Holiday or any of the other end-of-the-year holidays for the same but festively-diverse effect.
