So, it is that time of year again. The time when everyone scrambles to write the wittiest newsletter they can about their family happenings. We look back over our busy year and try to decide what snippets to form into a coherent, interesting letter that all will feel good about reading. If you are really efficient, then you have already written your letter and had them mailed out by Thanksgiving.
Maybe you do not do letters. You like to send cards and write a nice little "season's greetings" on the inside. You might tuck a nice photo of the family in. No one will notice that the baby is red-faced from crying and the others are hunched down because this was the 25th shot taken after church, the only time everyone looks "good enough" for a "presentable" family photo.
You might send an envelope with a lone photo and a cheery note of Merry Christmas as part of the photo. Your feelings are that "no one really wants to have to read all those stories about your life, they just want to see how much the children have changed". So you planned your family photo way ahead of time so that you have ten to choose from (so what if you have to crop and edit the third and ninth photo together to get the "perfect" family photo).
My Christmas newsletter "progression" has been this, I try to get a letter out every year. I write it and take family photos and even have them printed. One year, I make 50 photos which never were mailed. I hand them out to family and friends when we are scrapbooking. Another year, I wrote the letter, printed it on pretty paper, and of course, never mailed them. I have been known to send Christmas letters with a greeting of "Happy St. Patrick's Day!"
All this to say, I am selling out this year. I am writing a letter and taking the millions of photos. You know what I am going to do? I am emailing it! Yes, I said it, emailing! I am saving a tree and "going green". I am not ashamed to admit it.
Here are the benefits: I get to add all the photos I want. I get to use all my fun and fancy fonts. I do not have to stand in line at the post office hoping they have enough of the Christmas stamps (or any stamps at all!). It really is a win/win situation. I do have a few dear people I will need to print them out for, but they will not mind missing all the extra "bling".
So, how about you? What do YOU do and why? |
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Posted by Anonymous 
Dec. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Good for you...although my hubby works at the paper mill and would love for you to continue in your traditional paper greetings! :0)
Since my oldest two were four and two, I have taken my own photos of them, had them printed (always using a 36 exp. roll of film before digital) and picked out my fave. They never have or never will be perfect, but I love, love, love to look back at them all and relive those years. I usually stick them in a card with a short sentiment and mail them in plenty of time for Christmas.
I don't like Christmas letters that much. I'd rather have a personal note from the sender, but that's just me.
Sorry for the long comment. You asked!
Hope you all have a very merry Christmas in your new home.
Renee