Every year I send out 75 Christmas Cards which are photos of the kids in a beautiful insert. Now what bothers me is the people like my sisters mil and sil's who never send one back. It hurts because they always send my mother one. Out of respect for my sister I keep sending one. Money is no issue because they are all very well off. 2 of my Sil's haven't sent one do I not send my husbands sisters cards. I send them to some special elderly people and Doctors that I never expect back but some of these other people urk me. Like my husband aunt she also never send one. I am getting sick of this out of respect theory of mine. I think of them should'nt they recipricate? I think I am cranky I have worked my butt of today. So what do you do???

__________________

Without Health you have no Wealth!

Well I only send to a few people every year that we dont hear from for the most part one is my MIL & its a toss up with her honestly. And the other is DH's grandpa his dad is deceased & his grandpa is elderly & alone so I dont really care if he dont send a card back I just like sending him pics of the kids so he can see what they look like hes too busy to see us so I figure sending pics of the kids is close to good

__________________
mom of 3 greats girls

I used to send similar cards out to family and friends. This is the first year I didn't do it. I just figured why do it anymore. We don't get a *thanks for the photo* or a return card either. We used to send out about 50 and we have received 3 cards so far this year: one from a childhood friend's mom & dad, one from my DH's uncle and aunt and one from the guy who sold us our car last year

I give school photos to the family we see at xmas and figure why waste the money to send cards out to those who don't care. I sent them out for 6 years before I stopped. I don't always think you should give to receive BUT in the case of expensive photo cards, I don't feel bad at all not sending them this year

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I do agree that there are some that we should just stop sending to. They have the time and the money to send and just don't send us one! ( they send to others) I still sent them one this year but maybe I won't next year.
I understand the ones who can't afford to, or the elderly or ones with sickness. I would never stop sending to them.

I have a book that I am able to to check off who I send them to and who sends them to me. I see soooo many people that every year there is a check beside send, but no check beside recieved, but since I have the cards I go ahead and send them. I wonder if they will some year say HEY I am sending them a a card!!

__________________
John 14:1
GO GATORS!!
GO BEARS!!
Check out my pictures!! Just click below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gotjenks/

I hope people are taking into account that not everybody can send cards - for instance, myself. I run a seasonal business so I pretty much live in a workshop during November and December. This year, like most years - I've got lights on my christmas tree but not a single ornament. I'll probably try and stick one on it on Christmas eve so I can say I did - like last year, and the year before. I think its been 4 or so years since it was fully decorated. I got one bush lit outside this year, and a wreath on the door. And the only reason the tree inside and bush outside have lights is I bought net lights this year just for them.

What little time I have, I use to get the Christmas gifts for people, and even with those my very close friends all know that I'll ship theirs to them after Christmas, and they can do the same with me. I used to try and get cards out to everyone, then just everyone who sent me a card but now.... Although I do always try and make a point of thanking people for the card when I see them next, or dashing off a quick email while I'm filling orders etc. I've given up on baking for the holidays for the most part - and now I make it a point to win a local charity auction in October that gives me an entire basket of homebaked cookies and what not from a renowned local baker - on the date of my choosing in December.

For me, it ends up being about what is possible in the little time I have, and trying not to drive myself crazy in the process. Filling all of my holiday orders - Very Important. Having a moment to see family, friends etc during the holidays - very important. Buying nice gifts for all of my husband's siblings, their spouses, children, my family and so forth - important. Having a moment to enjoy things like watching the Grinch, seeing some Christmas lights, etc - Important. Getting everybody's gift to them before Christmas - moderately important for some people and less important for my beloved, understanding friends. Decorating - moderately important but down the list as long as I actually get a fresh tree in for my cats to enjoy playing under. Baking - less important, especially considering the method I'm using now fills my house with home-made goodies and gives money to charity. Cards - gee, that would be nice but .....

The older I get, the more I realize that its way more important to enjoy the season then stress out about if I've done "everything" on the list. Although admittedly any Christmas letter I sent out would pretty much read - Hubby and I are fine, we're swamped with orders again this year. The 6 cats are all doing well (insert some funny cat story here), not much else is going on - Merry Christmas. I figure my friends and family already know most of that, and don't really need another photo of the cats. If I had kids I'm sure it would become more of a priority to send out a nice photo to everyone - but even then I'd never get it done in time for Christmas.... Happy New Year's Cards anyone? I honestly hope nobody who sends me cards feels slighted that I don't send cards anymore - if I could fit it in somewhere without giving up something else I would. Obviously though, there's a difference between my position, and being lazy/uncaring, you can be miffed at those people. I'll even take an additional 30 seconds out of my day to be miffed with you! - Ooops, 30 seconds is up, and I've got an order for 20lbs of candy that I need to make and deliver by tonight - back to the workshop I go.

__________________
Meddle ye not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crispy, and taste good with Ketchup!

If I don't get a card 2 yrs in a row I cut them off. Not including elderly relatives and my one friend who is a slacker.

__________________
I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

The busy people might type in the addresses of people in an office label program during their
non busy season.
I just print them and stick them on the envelopes. It takes just a couple minutes.


I typed my parents card list and sent the labels, so they didn't have to write all of theirs this year. They really appreciated it.
I saved the list and will continue to do it them. I told them to keep me updated on any changes to their list

I consider my card as a gift to the recipient....no strings attached. A gift should be given cheerfully. If you don't feel comfortable (happy) about sending cards to certain people, don't send them. I also have a Christmas card record book. Unfortunately, we lose touch with some people over the years...but, then, we add others. Everyone has different reasons for sending or not sending cards. I say *do what your heart tells you*.

Merry Christmas to all!

Grannygirl, I just started doing the same thing. I work in a business that requires work about 24 hours a day but I guess I do stree myself out and make sure those cards get done. I feel this is necessary one time/year also I do like to show each year how the kids have changed and see how everyone elses children are getting bigger. We tend to lose touch throughtout the year so this is my way of sending best wishes. Now they all know my job and the time requirement I guess thats why I feel no excuse.

__________________

Without Health you have no Wealth!

I love to send christmas cards, so I send to people that haven't sent to us in years only because I want to do it.

Many years I have done them in the fall and then added pictures and notes right before I mailed them. I know I look strange sitting at swimming lessons in August addressing christmas cards, but hey, you do it when you have the time!! Its also another reason to hit the after-christmas sales to stock up on cards because then you can write them when you want to.

As soon as I feel its a burden, I will stop doing it, but until that time, if you are on my list, you get a card!

__________________


MyCoupons is #1 for holiday shopping!

That is exactly what I do! A couple family members have never sent cards, a couple others send them sporadically, everyone else is off the list after 2 years. And then every year it seems there's one or two new people who send them to me that I will begin sending to next year.

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I never realized how depressed I was until I started on Effexor in the fall of '05 and lo' and behold when Christmas season came around I WANTED to send Christmas cards. I hadn't sent any in years and years. I sent them to people from out of town who had sent them to me. These are the people who I won't see during the holidays. I have 3 very elderly aunts - 2 that live in Florida - and have even written them on what's going on with our family and have gotten very positive feedback from my cousins telling me how much they enjoyed hearing from me. So now that's how I will gauge my depression from year to year. If I send Christmas cards I'm doing all right. If not, time to change the meds. LOL

__________________

I also feel it's a "if I feel like sending them" kind of season. I tend to get really stressed out at Christmas time (OK, who doesn't??? ) If I'm feeling really overwhelmed, I just take a deep breath and try to prioritize. Often the cards come after my school is done, after the kids teachers presents are sent and when I can finally sit down to do them. Some years they don't get sent out at all; other years they get sent out on the 24th, sometimes earlier. I have found, though, that my Christmas Card list that I send to are really the dear people I feel close to and want to wish Merry Christmas. I've pretty much stopped sending to just the acquaintances.

__________________
Shari
mom to Sarah and Nicky