Christmas Cards

I’m really bad about sending Christmas Cards.  I can’t remember the last time I actually sent them.  I’m hoping this year will be different.  I don’t have a good excuse not to.  I’ve purchased the cards, the stamps, made a list… I’ve even begun to fill some of them out and address them.  It looks like I have about eight done… well, not stamped or return addressed, but in a sealed addressed envelope.  That leaves about 40 to go!

It shouldn’t take very long once I put my mind to it.  I’m not writing much in any of them.  I think I might put a long(ish) note in a few of them who I really want to catch up with, but for the most part, I’ll let the card give the message.

Speaking of which, do you know how hard it is to find a Christmas card that actually uses the word “Christmas”?  I went to Target looking for cards first.  They had some beautiful hand-made cards.  They were kind of expensive, but so pretty I would be willing to pay the extra for them. However, every one of them said “Happy Holidays,”  “Season’s Greetings,”  or something along those lines, careful not to use the “C-word.”   Now, I can understand why a business would have their employees answer the phone this time of the  year with “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” or to send out cards to their clients without a particular Christian message.  But, the message I want to give my friends is that I wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Right next to the “Holiday” card section is the Christmas trees, the ornaments, and other decorations.  They are specifically for Christmas.  Why don’t they have any cards that specifically mention the holiday we’re to be celebrating?  I got completely annoyed and decided I was either not sending any cards at all or try to find some elsewhere.  I was NOT going to give in and buy a generic-messaged holiday card.

So, I was at another local department store and found a large section of boxed Christmas cards.  Many of them were like the Target cards and didn’t mention Christmas, but I found 3 or 4 with a suitable message.  I bought a box with 18 cards in it.  Then, I came home, made my list, and counted the names.  45!  Wow!  Guess I have to buy more cards!  So, later I was at another store and found a few more boxes with “Merry Christmas” in the message, but all of the really pretty ones say “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.”    Again, I didn’t go for those.  I bought the less fancy cards that had the message that I wanted.

 It’s not that I have anything against the other holidays that are around this time of year.  They are special to those who celebrate them, but they aren’t Christmas, I don’t celebrate them, and they are not relevant to the card I’m sending.  I don’t know why the card companies feel the need to lump them all together like they’re all related.  Is it PC?  I disagree with anyone who thinks that.  Christmas is (or should be) a religious, Christian holiday so PC-ness has nothing to do with it.

Peace, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!