Christmas Cards in October
Have you started working on your Christmas cards yet? I haven’t either. Actually, I haven’t bought them, thought about what photo to put inside, or even thought much about Christmas. Well, beyond the fact that we need to buy a plane ticket for our son sooner than later.
However, back in Colorado, when my kids were in preschool and I taught school full time, thinking about Christmas cards in October was a necessity. I used to purchase them in August or September, take their pictures around Halloween, and work on those cards the first two weeks in November. By Thanksgiving, they had been long been completed and carefully put in a shoebox, waiting for the first of December, which was my personal designated Christmas card mailing day.
Now, even thinking about all that juggling and planning? It sounds exhausting!
The reason I’ve been thinking about Christmas cards in October is because I have an Amish Christmas novella being published this month. It’s titled SNOWFALL, and there is a scene where all the kids (and there are a whole lot of kids!) work on their Christmas cards. My hero, their father, had let that tradition end because even seeing his wife’s address book was too painful. It’s a sweet scene, and I was pleased with it, mainly because I know the Christmas card tradition is definitely a ‘Shelley’ one in our house. Never would my husband even begin the process without me by his side!
Sending out Christmas cards is popular Amish tradition. Some Amish ladies send out hundreds, usually with handwritten notes inside each one. Of course, the addresses are handwritten, too. A lot of care and thought goes into those cards. I would even guess some of my Amish friends have probably already gotten a good head start on their cards by now. Few Amish wives and mothers enjoy procrastinating.
I read somewhere that many consider sending out cards a thing of the past. These days, with Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and texting, it’s far easier to simply contact family and friends and wish them Merry Christmas by pressing a few buttons. Ten minutes later, Christmas ‘cards’ are done. I imagine they appreciate the money that’s saved, too! Cards, photos, and stamps are not cheap.
This year, at least, I’m still going to order the cards, insert a photo of my family, address the envelopes and send them out. I just probably won’t get to it for a while. I’m thinking I might even start on December 1. That gives me, oh, 23 days or so to get them done.
But when I open our mailbox one December afternoon and see the card with my Amish friend’s familiar handwriting, I’ll be glad that we still have this tradition in common. It’s a blessing to have friends and family. It’s a blessing to be able to take the time to let them know they’ve been on my mind and in my heart.
Just as it’s a blessing to celebrate Christmas.
What about you? Do you still send out cards? When do you get started on them?
Shelley Shepard Gray
Thanks so much for stopping by Shelley! I have exciting news everyone….HarperCollins Publishers is giving away THREE copies of Snowfall to THREE lucky readers! How awesome is that?
To enter simply answer Shelley’s questions about Christmas cards. Good Luck!
*Contest starts today Thursday, October 9th and ends on Thursday, October 16th.*