Christmas Card Laziness...

My rational side doesn't give a flip what folks write...but my crotchety Andy Rooney-like side would like you to put a little more effort into the process.  "x amount of pages" is obviously excessive...but a signature doesn't quite scream effort.  It's a balance.  

Sincerely,  Crotchety Old Guy

Personally, it does not bother me.

Times, they are a changing Crotchey Old Man. Just wait until the computer generated message looks like text .

I notice fewer people are sending out cards at all.

Which reminds me, we still need to get our cards ready!

I agree. I think now a days its upload your picture and address book to a site and the rest is automated. No need to address envelopes, buy stamps, or write in the card.

Who stole the Santa gnome out of my year?

Thinking about this again this morning..... I don't know, we always make a photo card with the kids and honestly it is a lot more involved than just signing my name to a card you buy at the store. It takes a while to think of a layout, then get the kids dressed, coordinate their clothes somehow, get them to smile.

This year I am "planning" for them to paint the letters that spell out Jesus then take individual pics - my son holding J, daughter holding E, son holding s etc. This will take a while to get ready. Then I'll have to find a photo card layout that can work with my idea. In fact maybe I change my mind.

I think I might go back to signing our name, that sounds a lot easier!

***No offense  to people of other faiths, atheists, etc. but since the card goes to my family and friends I know celebrating Jesus is not an issue for any of them. ***

Hey I'm with you on this one.  A few more words than a scribble of the names would be nice.

What really grinds my arse is the E-xmas card.  Plz don't even bother me with that shite.

The photo card - I super appreciate those.  we don't have kids, but blv it or not I just love getting my friends' updated "here's our family" 

And I actually don't mind the xmas letter, esp from folks I don't see often -- as long as it's not this regurgitation of "Hey!  Look how perfect my life is!!  I fed the poor in Africa after running an ultra in Antartica and x-country skiied across the Arctic while Johnny is studying a rare form of gnats at Harvard"  LOL

I guess a blank card would be better then me not sending any? 

But I'm a single guy so that's okay to right?

Only an Ultra??  Was it at least during the drought in Africa while riding a cheetah??

Thanks. We're not off to a good start since my son just melted down at the words Christmas picture and said he is only taking one! HA!

For some reason that I can't explain though, that is more acceptable to me than the Christmas card with zero personalization or effort.  I guess it's kind of like, do it right or just don't do it, ya know?  Who wants a half-azzed card?  Like I mentioned earlier, I've received junk mail from businesses that have more personalization.  Tacky, tacky, tacky.

I guess it's just a sign of the times.  That whole "Facebook effect" of quantity over quality...folks may be overextending their circles...and, as a result, where in the past folks would be writing a personal message, now they may not have time to write a few sentences?  or may not feel the need to write what they just posted on the internet??  Oh well.  We'll continue to personalize our cards...we're such freaks!  

btw, Ray, thanks a lot!  Just when I was getting to page 7 of your personalized Christmas card!  

1stTimeTri - 2012-12-08 4:05 PM

peby - 2012-12-08 11:01 AMI am lazier, I don't send out Christmas cards at all.

. Screw the card ... I'll take a X-mas beer from ya!

No... but I'll share.  )

I'll agree. Send a picture of your family or send something personalized. Don't just buy a card and sign it.

Course we don't do anything so I guess I don't get to judge.

My holiday cards are entirely printed by the computer, but I wouldn't say they are computer generated in the sense that I:

• Think all year about taking pictures of Husband and I that would look nice on the card (interesting place, not wearing sunglasses or bike helmets - rules out a lot!, etc). 
• I then select, design and pay for the very nice quality cards I have printed and mailed to me.  Sometimes I include a message, other times not.  Frankly I think everyone knows we're going on vacations and living our DINK life, it changes very little.  This year I think the picture with clearly Asian looking buildings behind us is fairly obvious and I don't need to brag   People tell me, unsolicited, that they enjoy our adventures.
• Today (at work...) I spent too much time designing and printing address labels.  Hey, I imported and lined up the clipart snowflake, chose a font, mailed merged, etc, not to mention the carefully updated spreadsheet I keep throughout the year.
• Time spent applying the various labels, stamps, etc. 

While the whole package was done on the computer, I was the one who generated it.  I really hope no one on our list thinks they are a waste of time because that would be a huge disappointment to me.  Everyone says they like them, unsolicited.

x2 I think they're pretty cheezy and meaningless - as most mass mailers are. If I get any, I open them up as a courtesy but they go straight to the recycle bin without a 2nd thought.

Oh and Bah Humbug

I also don't send any.  Not that I don't like getting them from others - we always keep the family photos from friends and relatives but I don't feel like I would be sincere with a personal message for all of the people - and when you have so many to do it does become like the yearbook thing 'Have a great summer' except with Christmas theme ...

We've been getting lots of the family photo cards from friends with kids which are usually cute. 

As a Jew. I am deeply offended!....

not really.

Actually, I cringe every time someone says "Holiday Tree". Nope. its a CHRISTMAS TREE, not a holiday tree. Call it what it is. And let those without a live get offended. And leave my Jewish tuchez (behind) alone while I enjoy the x-mas spirit, songs, decorations, etc.

Funny story. My mom (also Jewish ) was born in Venezuela (South America), and actually attended a catholic school. Well, she got selected to play the Virgin Mary in the play school when she was in her early teens. My grandparents went to school to complain (the school was aware of my mother's faith, and she was excused from prayers and such activities), and had no comeback to the school head nun response: "But the Virgin Mary was Jewish too!"

I make a photo card--and I actually spend quite a bit of time on it. But yeah, I "sign" it digitally. I do address them all, though, and stamp and mail them. I also make all of our return labels.

I have up on the letter a few years back...b/c NO ONE CARES, really. And I don't think anyone really is all impressed if I put a signature on my photo card or not.

Probably spend a good 10-15 hours on cards...which is a lot more "thought and effort" than I would if I bought a couple boxes and slapped a signature on them.

Now that is funny .

I could not get my idea for the card to work out after so I gave up on it!