<p>It seems that every year we are receiving fewer greeting cards via US mail. Granted we’ve missed a couple years here and there, so maybe we’ve been removed from some folks’ lists. I’m fine with that…relieved, truth be told. As much as I love reading the lengthy missives detailing what our friends have been up to, I do stress about getting these cards out on time. </p>
<p>So, does staying in touch via other means over the year make you less likely to send out cards via snail mail?</p>
<p>I was afraid that my generation wouldn’t keep up with christmas card traditions since many of us seemed to have grown up without learning how to use snail mail, but I have been pleasantly surprised this year. We got quite a few Christmas cards-- and I’ll tell you what, ONLY from the young people! With the exception of one which was addressed to the former owners of my house… I feel bad that it’s been two years and they still don’t know these people moved.</p>
<p>I am hoping to send cards for the first time next year. While I do keep up with my peers over facebook I still think they would like to get the card, and my grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc don’t really use social media. One thing about the social media generation is that though we have little use for snail mail in day to day life, sending and receiving things in the mail for special occasions is sort of a novel concept and is really fun! Regardless of if we have kept in touch over the internet.</p>
<p>I have never sent a traditional Christmas card in my life (and never will) but we still get 30 or 40 in the mail every year. As for e-cards, not only would I never send them, I wouldn’t open them if I got them.</p>
<p>That’s pretty silly, Wellspring.
I send fewer and fewer paper cards/letters each year. I send my Christmas letter electronically to most of my contacts/friends, and about 15 paper letters/cards to those I know don’t use email or would really prefer a paper copy. It’s just the reality of how people communicate these days. My letter has nice pictures and is colorful. People can print it out if they choose.</p>
<p>We are holdouts. Card (that isn’t just a picture of us), letter, photograph, in the US mail. But I agree that the tradition will die out.</p>
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<p>I agree, and find it so funny…graduates of the best universities in the country, not knowing how to address and mail a letter.</p>
<p>I still do cards, I threaten to stop each year as it gets more and more difficult to get everyone together to take the photo. We have moved around a bit the past 30 years so have friends spread out all over.</p>
<p>I love to get cards, but really hope to see a letter or a photo, not just good wishes.</p>
<p>**So, does staying in touch via other means over the year make you less likely to send out cards via snail mail? **</p>
<p>No, especially if you are Jamie Dimon. [Here?s</a> Jamie Dimon?s Opulent, Maddeningly Tone-Deaf Christmas Card | TIME.com](<a href=“http://business.time.com/2013/12/18/heres-jamie-dimons-opulent-maddeningly-tone-deaf-christmas-card/]Here?s”>Here’s Jamie Dimon’s Opulent, Maddeningly Tone-Deaf Christmas Card | TIME.com)</p>
<p>What’ silly about not being interested in superficial communiques just because it’s Christmas? If our relationship is important or close enough I already know what’s going on in your life. If not, who cares? Of course, I feel the same way about Facebook so we know I am in a tiny minority.</p>
<p>I want to get a Christmas card from John Waters: <a href=“John Waters Offers Season’s Greeting With a Wink - The New York Times”>John Waters Offers Season’s Greeting With a Wink - The New York Times;
<p>If someone sent me an ecard, it means they went to a certain amount of trouble to do so. There is a possibility that they put a message at the end which I would want to read and acknowledge.</p>
<p>My friends who send ecards seem to see it as part of smaller footprint living.</p>
<p>I sent the photo cards of the children till they finished college. That seemed a graceful place to stop imho but many many relatives have complained. They loved the photos. Who knew?</p>
<p>I still send cards and still receive a lot of snail mail cards, certainly far more than e-cards. I love sending and receiving cards, of both kinds, and also enjoy the Christmas letters and photos that accompany the cards.</p>
<p>We receive exactly one e-card, and around 80 cards and letters via snail mail every year. I send around 90 cards, with a very funny letter and a photo every year. I usually stop sending cards to people who we don’t hear a word from for several years in a row. I keep in touch via Facebook with quite a few people who do not exchange cards with us, and quite a few people we exchange cards with are not on social media.</p>
<p>I am receiving fewer and fewer cards, and they are definitely from the older friends and family. I’m trying to get the energy to print my letter. It’s written. People seem to enjoy it and the pictures in it, but I always use a black laser jet printer, so now I need to hook up the ink jet and line up the cartridges. Instead, I’m on cc :)</p>
<p>This is the first year in 25 I haven’t printed a Christmas photo card. Getting the kids together for it is difficult. My age (50) friends have gone through an evolution on their photo cards–first their kids, then the dog for awhile, now their grandkids.</p>
<p>We are not doing a card this year. Actually we shared most of our “best” year photos on FB this year anyway. I’m noticing fewer regular mail cards and just trying to figure out whether that’s a function of our peers having older kids with a little burnout, particularly those in the college application process where good news comes too late to put into a printed card and no news just makes you not feel like doing a card. (Yes we have a senior.)</p>
<p>I do have a box of standard christmas cards to send back to those who send us a card, particularly if they are not on FB, I feel bad getting a card and not returning one. :)</p>
<p>I say yes social media has affected and I’m fully glad! Don’t mind to receive them, always dreaded sending them - haven’t sent for years except to very occasional elderly relatives who aren’t on computers. And happily, I can report for me, I know much more about the life’s of friends/family members through social media than I would get in a Christmas card. It’s more regular, REAL contact (for the most part). </p>
<p>If you like doing cards, I say do it! But also give yourself permission to not do it one year or for longer depending on your circle and what works for you and your family.</p>
<p>I used to be hugely into doing Christmas / holiday cards, prided myself on writing a handwritten note in all of them, blah blah blah. But with social media, I don’t see much point. I’m in touch with MORE people via social media than I had in my Christmas card list, and they’re already seeing pictures and hearing about important events in the moment. I’m happy to receive cards, but I don’t feel one bit of guilt over not doing it any more. It served a purpose in my life when I enjoyed it; I don’t get that same enjoyment now, so over and out.</p>
<p>And I agree with alh - it’s part of being aware of one’s global footprint to not send cards. That’s not to say I think it’s “bad” if other people do, but I like the simplicity of social media.</p>
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<p>This is where I disagree. I can keep up with a lot more people via Facebook than I ever would have time for if I didn’t have social media. I can “see” their successes, congratulate them on achievements, and quickly say hi or comment on something they are doing. For an introvert like me, it is perfect as a way to stay connected.</p>
<p>I cut back this year to just those friends and family who I don’t regularly have contact with. I don’t know if it’s social media, or just me thinking it’s not necessary and simplifying my life.</p>
<p>I will never understand the lure of social media. It just sounds annoying. But I fully understand that not one person on Facebook wishes I were there too.</p>
<p>BTW, I will be the third to last person on Facebook, followed only by my two brothers.</p>