Greetings cards; are they a lost art?

I figure I am doing my part to keep Canada Post in business. I still habitually send out 2-3doz cards - each with a personalized note or letter. I only got 2 cards last Christmas 2014. It crushes me.

Worse than not getting a card at all is when someone sends out block emails; especially those with some link to a cute interractive website. Sure, send me the link but how is this a greeting? How is this making an effort to acknowledge a friendship or kinship?

[Quarter life]

Hey rcat.

Even though I recieve fewer & fewer Christmas cards with every passing year...I never fail to design and handpaint a card every year for my close friends. Although I appreciate the email holiday wishes...getting cards in the mail is so much nicer.

I really miss getting holiday cards in the mail too. I would send so many out and with each passing year get fewer and fewer in return. Holidays are about giving and not receiving. But I really miss the exchange of paper cards in the post.

Last year I took part in a xmas card exchange with people I did not know in real life, and it was nice. But it was not as nice as if the exchange took place with people I really know.

I'm really sad this tradition has all but died out. It used to be' you've got to send them to get them' ...but now sending them doesn't mean getting them in return. Sad.

All of our older relatives who we could always expect a card from have now passed on. I will continue to send cards to the living , I do enjoy the sending part quite a lot.

yep, I still send them. It is just so sad no one else does. The few that I have gotten I cherish

[*Laurie*]

I used to send my holiday cards out the day after Thanksgiving, every year, without fail. I really enjoyed the tradition. And of course I loved receiving cards during the holidays. The biggest thing that stops me from the holiday card tradition is the cost...the cards are expensive and postage is expensive. I'm not being a tight-wad, I just quite literally don't have the money to spend. And, younger folks don't seem to value greeting cards much...kind of sad to send a card that will end up buried in stuff on someone's coffee table.

All that said, it's a lovely gesture, to send a card.

You sure have it there LauraBeth.

I bought a box of 20 cards this week for $15.99. I gave no other thought to it other than I would go back for a second box later.

Yesterday I visited the Post Office - $21.00 for a dozen stamps!!!!!!!!

I guess I shall whittle down my list to the 20 and no one overseas will hear from me. What a shame.

I should point out that I get a lot of enjoyment sending out the cards and writing to each person a personalized not or letter. So, I suppose, the money may be worth it after all.

[Cat_Lover_58]

I enjoy sending and receiving cards. I agree the cost is outrageous! When I was married and the ex and I had mutual friends, we rec'd many more. Now it's pretty much family and a few close friends. Honestly the distant cousins that don't respond at all are the people I've cut back from. I send a few to close friends at work 'cause I don't want to hurt anyone and make them feel excluded. I may to my version of The Night B4 Christmas set to a retail/restaurant theme. I need to get on that one soon since it takes a few weeks to get it completed. I will tie each copy (just generic printer paper) with thin ribbon from the dollar store or a rubber band will do as well. Put them in a basket from work or a large display jar we use at work. Anonymously, of course!

Cat

[*Laurie*]

Yeah, the post office keeps raising the rate of stamps. Then it complains because people don't use the USPS so much.

[cinnamonstick]

Originally Posted by rcat

Greetings cards; are they a lost art?

I figure I am doing my part to keep Canada Post in business. I still habitually send out 2-3doz cards - each with a personalized note or letter. I only got 2 cards last Christmas 2014. It crushes me.

Worse than not getting a card at all is when someone sends out block emails; especially those with some link to a cute interractive website. Sure, send me the link but how is this a greeting? How is this making an effort to acknowledge a friendship or kinship?

I found that "younger people" haven't been taught about correspondence.
I would rather get nothing than an e-mail for a birthday or holiday. It is nice to be acknowledged. I used to send them out, but now, I just send to a select few. People that I know will appreciate my efforts. I make my own cards, so it really is personal. People now are "busy" with the "i am so busy and important" disease. It is sad, the world is changing. I will always love a lovely card or letter in my mailbox. Even some of my good friends just don't make time. it's unfortunate. Do NOT take it personally, please!!

You are right about the art of correspondence being a lost art.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by rcat

yep, I still send them. It is just so sad no one else does. The few that I have gotten I cherish

Every year I say to myself, "No more sending out Christmas cards," but what did I do tonight? Bought a box of adorable Christmas cards. It's one of my favorite traditions next to the tree. PM me your address and I will send you a Christmas card!

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by Tea Biscuit

I really miss getting holiday cards in the mail too. I would send so many out and with each passing year get fewer and fewer in return. Holidays are about giving and not receiving. But I really miss the exchange of paper cards in the post.

Last year I took part in a xmas card exchange with people I did not know in real life, and it was nice. But it was not as nice as if the exchange took place with people I really know.

I'm really sad this tradition has all but died out. It used to be' you've got to send them to get them' ...but now sending them doesn't mean getting them in return. Sad.

All of our older relatives who we could always expect a card from have now passed on. I will continue to send cards to the living , I do enjoy the sending part quite a lot.

All so true. Keep sending them. It's a beautiful tradition.