I love getting holiday cards! Each day I prance to the mailbox to see what came. I display my cards on my bookshelves.
Every year, almost 2 billion holiday cards are sent to bring warm holiday wishes to those we love. The custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese, who exchanged good will messages to celebrate the New Year and to early Egyptians who ssent greetings on papyrus scrolls. So, this is not a new thing.
For me this is often the only time I connect with some of the people on my list. I catch up on a year’s worth of happenings with this card exchange.
Sending out cards can be very time consuming and therefore add to our stress. So how can we make this tradition less stressful and more joyful?
Schedule time on your calendar to send out the cards. Do not try to do them all in one fell swoop. Instead, schedule multiple 45 minute blocks and set your timer.
prepare a basket with all the materials you need to send out your cards. Pull out this basket on your scheduled times. Fix a hot beverage. Listen to some music. Reflect on the people to whom you are sending the cards. Tailor the card to the recipient.
Write a line or two that is personal to the recipient unless they are friends you see often.
Have some extra cards available so that you can reciprocate all cards you receive.
Consider getting help from others in the family even if it is just putting on return addresses and stamps.
Plan to send early to ensure timely delivery. This is especially true for those cards going abroad.
Buy special stamps early. Count up what you think you will need so that you only have to make one trip to the post office to buy them.
If you just can’t find the time before the holidays, you might consider sending out New Years cards.
Happy Holiday! I’ll be looking for my card from you ;-}
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer
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