Black Friday means nothing to me nor to any sane person I know. It has been a long-standing tradition of mine to start writing out my Christmas cards the day after Thanksgiving. Yes, I am one of a diminishing group who still writes letters, birthday greetings and Christmas cards, affixes stamps and brings them to the post office. I send many more than I receive and that’s ok because I’m not looking to receive cards; it’s not my intention to ‘guilt’ people into sending me Christmas greetings. I enjoy sending cards in the mail although this year it may take me longer because of my wrist. That’s ok; they’ll eventually get done. I hope my cards bring someone a little bit of joy and brighten up their house with Christmas cheer. 🎄 🎅🏼 🕊️
How many of you still mail Christmas cards?
NAR © 2022
The Elephant's Trunk 
You’re right, Nancy! After black friday, today is Cyber Monday. These are just marketing stunts.
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Indeed they are! This type of pressure selling never appealed to me. I’m an early shopper and try to get everything done before November. Now I can take my time wrapping gifts which won’t take long. We cut back on buying since everyone seems to have everything they need! 🎁
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So true! That’s a nice way to deal with the situation. All the best 👍
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I end up writing a letter in each one. By the 10th card I quit, make a newsletter and put it in the rest of the cards. One would think I would learn.
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It’s a really nice idea to include a letter in each card, Gary; nothing like a little extra personal touch. But I don’t know how you even made it to ten cards without developing a bad case of carpal tunnel! Thank goodness for printers!
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I think of that once in awhile but my hands strangely have been immune so far from those things that can ail the hands and fingers. Playing the piano has saved my hands in many ways I think.
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I don’t send as many as I used to although I send thank you and birthday cards more. I think writing out Christmas cards or holiday cards is a great personal intimate touch that brings joy to many people especially at the holiday season
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Everyone’s been saying the same thing about not writing as many cards as before. I’ve done some cutting back myself but it’s still a special tradition which I’ve been doing for a very long time. It gives me great pleasure to send cards, especially to friends I don’t see too often. Receiving cards is just the star on the tree. 🎄
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Definitely I love to give and receive especially cards, it’s very intimate and rewarding to me
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As Ivor says, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have worked their way to Oz. Just like KFC, McDonalds, Taco Bell, calling a bloke “dude”, using “like” instead of, “such as” or “as if”. So far, we still have ‘s’ rather than ‘z’ e.g. realise – but I guess that bastion will topple too.
As for my personal bastion of Christmas Greetings, last year was the first I abandoned cards and letters. When I tried to leave off the letters some years back, my friends asked for them. Last year? nada. So I will only send a few select family members cards this year.
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Change, whether we like it or not, is inevitable. We either learn to swim and go with the flow or drown fighting the currents. I’m glad to see you haven’t abandoned card writing all together; there are still some people who will delight in receiving Christmas greetings from you and I’m sure you’ll take pleasure in writing out those few special cards. ✍🏻
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Physical cards? Nope. I don’t even read physical books anymore. It’s all electronic.
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Hope you don’t have a major power outage! 🤣
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No worries. We have a whole house generator for when that happens! Yippee!
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SCC!!!!! What a classic. My fav. Mad jam of his: “This Baby”
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I’m in your diminishing camp. I still do cards AND they must include a personal handwritten note or letter.
In my opinion, getting cards with only a signature is as meaningless as Black Friday shopping–just makes the card companies wealthy.
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That’s very ambitious of you! I’ll write a little something extra, especially to my family in Sicily and Italy, but definitely not a whole letter. Maybe because I keep up with them throughout the year with emails I don’t think it’s necessary to do more than that. I admire your dedication!
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I remember, even twenty years ago, we had so many Christmas cards we used to hang them on string on the walls. Fast forward to today and we receive about four cards from family, and I return the same.
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Yes! I remember doing that, too. Then I started putting my cards in a basket on a table in the living room. Each year the number of cards I get dwindles but I still like to send mine out just to share the holiday spirit. It makes me feel good!
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I’m afraid the abhorrent Black Friday advertising has crept its way into Australia … oh … I still write cards and letters for Christmas…. It was tradition of Carole’s, and in her honour I continue her lovely tradition 🤗🌏😍💌
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And a lovely tradition it is, too! I’m so glad you continue it in Carole’s honor, Ivor. 💕 Sorry to hear that Black Friday has spread over to Australia like the Blob movie with Steve McQueen! Avoid it at all costs! 😳 Thanks for stopping by, Ivor! 🤗
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Cards: I’m selective … I send to family, whose number sadly decreases year by year, and genuine, true friends who’ve been with us through life’s bumpy journey. Black Friday: I bought some hair pins on Amazon that were half price. I needed them anyway. £1.15 for 100.
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Yes, sadly my card list has dwindled also; there was a time I was sending more than 100! Not any longer. Oh, I’m ok with some online shopping but not in person where it’s like the Running of the Bulls. People have died just to get that toaster on sale. Bizarre!
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oh no… now i’m remembering I have to get some cards out.. yikes.. love the song!
🥰
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Take 5 deep breaths through the nose and out the mouth! You’ve still got time, girl! 😂 ❣️
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hahaha thanks 🤣🙏🏼
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Nope, not me. Even sending a card to my auntie, who has no computer, I’ll use a web site. Maybe send it direct, maybe sign it.
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If she has no computer, how does she get it? 🤷🏼♀️
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thru the mail. It’s one of these web services that prints out a bespoke card and either sends it to me for a signature, or straight to her. Bear in mind I write with my “wrong” hand now – it’s super hard.
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Kindred spirit. I send out Christmas cards, birthday cards (yes, I have a birthday book!), thank-you notes, and even letters! I delight that I have several friends (including a young adopted niece in her 20s) who I regularly correspond with via snail mail.
I love it, and maybe in 100 years, one of my letters will be preserved and put on display in the Smithsonian as an archaic example of how people used to communicate before they had their computers surgically implanted in their hands.
What’s your mailing address?
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I love that, D! It’s very therapeutic for me. I’ll make a pot of coffee, put on my favorite Christmas music and get out my list. I love it! Glad you do, too. About my mailing address … I’ll show you mine if you show me yours … but not here! You can contact me on my home page; message me re addresses. 💕
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Perfect!
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Finally! Someone said it like it is!!
Nancy…count me in the band of Idontgiveadimeaboutbkackfridayhorse💩
Unfortunately, I am not writing anymore.
Used to…and still have the cards my aunt used to sent me from LA and decorate them every Christmas.
I love that you do it…by hand.
(Am I too weird for going ballistic every time I receive those copy/paste generic wishes through smartphones? Geez!!)😆
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No, Jolly Old St. Nick!! I don’t think you’re weirding out for going ballistic over group e-cards. I think I’d rather get nothing than one of those cold-as-a-wet-blanket e things.
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