The Christmas spirit has eluded me this year, the only decorations we have up is lighted garland on our staircase, with burgundy bows. It’s my favorite and the first, if anything to go up. Oh, and the Merry Christmas doormat on the porch. Otherwise, no tree, no lights, nothing. We’ve just not had the time or energy to get into it this year. It’s okay, though, really. All the commercial crap is not the reason for the season.
So lots of Christmas things have not taken place this year, including sending Christmas cards, which honestly has not happened in some time. I can’t remember the last time I bought stamps, having paid bills electronically for at least the last ten years. Earlier this week I stepped onto the elevators at work the other day and noticed a sign posted for a Holiday Stamp Sale. Postage is now 49 cents. Holy cow.
Though digital cards and e-greetings have been around a while, this season we’ve seen more popularity with digital Christmas cards, which honestly makes sense in this day and age.
I checked out Punchbowl, for example, and was pretty impressed with the designs and customization possible with their holiday cards. There is the option to send a gift card also, saving you a trip to the store. Pretty nice if you’re not seeing someone over the holiday, otherwise, nothing beats giving someone a gift in person.
So digital cards are free, quicker perhaps, but less personal?
Paper cards cost, postage costs, handwriting equals more time, but it provides the recipient the joy of opening a letter in their mailbox. But then what? How long do people keep Christmas cards, if they keep them at all?
In thinking about this concept, I realized I don’t even send much email anymore. Facebook and texting have pretty much replaced email communication, for me, except for those that don’t do Facebook. LOL Now what?
What are your thoughts? Do paper cards hold more meaning than sending a digital card?