The trend these days seems to be (based on blogs I read) to forgo them altogether or just send a few to people you don't see regularly. People seem to think it's just "too hard" to get it all done and it's "not worth it" in the end.
I guess I'm old-fashioned with a modern twist. I send 310 professionally designed cards, with professionally shot pictures. They're usually candid shots, just fun pictures that remind me where we are right this second. I stamp, return address and hand-address each one. I include a newsletter (hopefully funny and honest, as well as informative), and I try to get them in the mail before the 10th. (This year it was the 17th. Booooo.)
It does take about a month to get it all done. And I DO dread some of it, some portion of the time. But gosh ... I really love sending and receiving cards, and I adore reading the newsletters. I figure, if people don't want to read mine, they can throw it out! No harm, no foul. I think it's TOTALLY worth it to send and receive them. And I love hearing from people with follow-up questions when they receive our card and newsletter ... I've already received four e-mails and two Facebook messages from people this week who probably wouldn't have gotten in touch had they not received the card.
This is my favorite time of the year ... and the cards are a big part of it. So, from our family to yours ...
Photos by the beautiful and talented Leslie Hollingsworth
Card design by the beautiful and talented Heather Stallworth
