Dec 11 2008
Day 12: Blog Candy and More for Stamp Simply Celebrates!
Well, here we are, at the final day of our Stamp Simply Celebrates Christmas party. Whew! It’s been a good time and I hope you’ve enjoyed participating in some of the activities, trying your luck at the many blog candies we’ve offered, or even just looking.
Today, I have some blog candy for you which you’ll find further down in this post. Additionally, you’ll find blog candy at Sharon’s — No Time To Stamp?
But don’t forget to check out today’s featured project:
- Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover.
And today’s challenge:
- Sharon Johnson -No Time To Stamp?
Please check the Party tab on Sharon’s blog to find any challenges or inspiration you may have missed. It’s never too late to be inspired!
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Now . . . I’m happy to be rounding things up with a little offering of my own — a gift of thanks for all of you, my readers, the folks who keep me coming back here every day — to this place where we meet and exchange ideas. Yes, I learn a lot from your comments. I appreciate every little thing you have to say and I enjoy our “conversations”. Whenever possible, I like to visit your blogs through the links you provide, even though it may take me a while to get there. I know there are many wonderful blogs I have yet to discover.
I’m sharing a Scor-Pal and its custom tote:
All you need do is leave a comment — but — I’m curious to hear what you have to say on this topic: Christmas cards. Do you send many? If so, do you receive nearly as many as you send? Honestly, I have a mammoth Christmas card list, but I receive fewer every year. When I receive a card from someone I haven’t heard from in a long time, I feel good to know they thought of me, however briefly. When I receive a card from someone I see every day, I’m pleased to feel I earned a spot on their list. Is this genteel tradition falling by the wayside and, if so, is it really all about postage? Or have we made ourselves too busy? Aren’t all our modern conveniences supposed to make life easier for us? Do we need to slow down? Are these too many questions? Seriously, I’m just wondering about your thoughts. Take a moment to express yourself.
This discussion will remain open until Monday, Dec. 15, at which time I’ll turn off the comments. A winner will be selected by a random number generator and announced Monday night. Good luck to you!
We, too, are receiving fewer and fewer cards each year. I’m afraid card giving is lessening with a younger population which relies on electronic communication! I guess we crafters will have to make sure the tradition doesn’t end.
HI Leslie — not here for your candy, I have one!!! But just wanted to comment — I send out about 100+ cards a year. I LOVE to send cards at Christmas. I do a *form letter* and send a picture of the kids, but no pic this year — just didn’t happen and with them scatterd about it does get harder. When I recieve a card, I LOVE to have the form letter included and don’t feel one bit offended that it is a photocopy rather than a special letter to me (us). I’m just so happy to hear about the family. And I LOVE to get pictures — so fun!!! I probably only get about 1/2 or 2/3 back of what I send. But that’s OK. Many I send to are old and just don’t send any more, understandably. There is something so wonderful about sitting down with a pile of cards and your letters and photos and address book and getting them done. And Yes, it can be a chore when you fall behind, but I still enjoy the process of doing it, even if I may feel that I am late or rushed. Fun questions!!!
I send out about 100 Christmas cards… I receive maybe 25… this year I’ve only received 2 so far… I’m a little shocked about that… maybe people are just procrastinating this year. I usually handmake my cards, but this year I created a card digitally with our family photo and printed them as 5×7 photos. I really like it!
I’m ashamed to say I don’t send Christmas cards any more, even though I enjoy receiving them. My husband has a big family, so we have lots of Christmas shopping to do (20+ people), and we always go out of town to my sister’s house for almost a week right before Christmas, and then as soon as we get home, I have a houseful of company on my husband’s side for actual Christmas. So between the shopping, the decorating, the traveling, the hosting, the cooking and baking–not to mention work–something had to give, and it was the cards. But sometimes I send New Year’s cards in Jan.
Guilty. I hardly send cards. I made some two years ago for friends and colleagues, replaced cards with small gifts such as bag tags and bookmarks, as they get more mileage for the recipients.
I used to send cards to virtually everyone in my address book, but they were store-bought cards. Now, however, I just don’t have time or money to do it. I look over my list and select those I haven’t heard from in a while or those I’ve been meaning to write, anyway. Family and close friends, of course, always make the list! For these few, I try to make as many cards as I’m able. I’m a teacher, so in years when school lets out only a few days before Christmas, it’s fewer. Years like this one, with nearly a week before Christmas, I can make all of them.
I think there are lots of factors why people seem to be sending fewer cards. Time, of course, is a precious commodity. More families have 2 wage earners. In the days of more SAHM and SAHW, I think there was more time for card-sending (let’s face it, I don’t think I’ve EVER received a card written or addressed by a man!)
I also think people have becomed more self-involved. Maybe not deliberately, but they tend to think more about how to make their lives easier and less time-consuming. Sending cards would be opposite of both of those ideals.
And then, there’s cost. Have you seen the price of Christmas cards lately? I think the cheapest box of nice-looking cards I’ve seen this year goes for at least $9 for 12 cards. If I only send 24 cards, the total cost this year would be $28.50! Are you kidding me? For cards? I think lots of people are going to pass on that one.
The number of Christmas cards I’ve received so far this year? 1
Number of cards I plan to send this year? 20
Great question. Yes, I send out many many Christmas cards and they are all hand made, but I do not get very many in return. I think with modern technology like email and the price of postage and the cost of Christmas cards, (oh my word I’ve been looking at the cost of them, and they are quite expensive) people just don’t send them anymore. I love getting cards in the mail, its such a nice little treat.
ciao,
Latisha
I don’t send many Christmas cards. I used to send more. I won’t use the tired old excuse of I’m too busy. Perhaps I need a lesson in organization. The number of cards that I receive seem to be dwindling, but one explanation could be that I haven’t sent many out myself! I do make cards for my loved ones and close family friends each year. Thanks for the chance to win!
I send about 40 Christmas cards. Most are for family, but I also send a card to some friends from my study period, that I never see anymore. Our only contact is a Christmas card every year. I think I receive as many cards as I send out. Thanks for a chance to win! Greetings from Belgium, Annelies
This is something I think about all year (not just at Christmas). I sometimes wonder if I’ve chosen the wrong hobby, as before I started, I didn’t even like giving out cards! Now I feel that I have to, because everyone expects me to. I don’t know if that makes sense, but anyway, to answer your question, I send about the same number of cards as I have over the last several years. I think I receive about the same. Although I’ve received only two so far this year!
I think people rely on email for other occasions, but most still like to give cards at Christmas.
I have a mammoth Christmas list as well. Last year I just didn’t get to them (except to my grandmother and to a friend that I had lost touch with). It felt very empty, but I do have to say that it was nice to have it off my plate. This year I’m trying again. Plus, I now have customers as a SU demonstrator so I feel obligated to let them know that I appreciate them. It does seem like the stacks get smaller every year. I love the personal notes though, and it’s great to get the pictures! Jeannie
Hi Leslie,
They like that a lot -especially since many of them are now quite a bit older and don’t get around to visit. Sorry I’ve rambled…
I sometimes don’t get cards out on time, but I eventually get something out and I know they’re appreciated even if late. I get a fair amount back (not handmade though), and am always tickled to see an old friend who has remembered me ‘this year’…. I try to send a card to our distant family relatives just to let them know that I’m thinking of them too.
Interesting question, Leslie.
Currently, I mail out about 75 cards. Sadly, I had lost many of my great Uncles and great Aunts. I always sent cards, never expecting a return card because of their age and health.
There are a few cards and letters from relatives, I look forward to receiving every year. I sure would be sad if they quit mailing their cards.
I’ve received about 15 cards so far and expect many more. The people with whom we exchange cards enjoy writing and reading the latest family news.
I take forever to write out cards because I am unorganised and sometimes mail two cards out to the same address. And I write a personlized letter to each person and after the letter is finished, I feel as though I actually had a long chat with the person. and I also try to go through the extra photos of the family and make sure everyone gets one or more pictures. That gets a bit crazy but I keep doing the same stressful thing. :O)
And for the local friends and family, I try to gather any pictures taken with them and send them out with the card. That’s why some of my cards arriving after Christmas. People are forgiving and would prefer a late card than no card.
One year I had to buy the cheapest boxes of cards and no one complained. The cost of the card, postage and time is an inexpensive gift that may priceless to someone feeling lonely.
Remember, we don’t always know what the family is experiencing when we don’t get a card. One year, our son had surgery and we almost lost him. During the 5 months of emotional chaos, we appreciated the cards and letters received during the holidays.
I have not sent cards in many years, but this year I have purchased several retired SU Christmas sets on eBay and plan to make individual cards for immediate family. I am also giving monogrammed card sets as gifts (yippee for Just Rite!). Next year I plan to do the production line Christmas stamping! My sister always makes and sends out 150 to 200 cards and I love getting mine in the mail. And I love all the family and friends’ newsletters. I am getting fewer and fewer of these newsletters, but she gets tons of them. So I figure I’ll have to send more to receive more!
My husband and I make our Christmas cards. We’ve managed to keep a pretty pared down mailing list of family and really close friends so far. I’m sure the list will grow, though…. I’ve actually been getting more cards and letters over the past couple of years. Many of my friends have started families of their own in the past couple of years and I think they are picking up on the letter writing / card sending tradition.
Thanks for sharing the blog candy! Great question, too! I’ve really enjoyed reading all the responses!
For me sending Christmas cards is an important way to hang onto my culture (and I also love making cards!). I live in France (but am British) and although they celebrate Christmas, they don’t send cards. So I give them out to my neighbours whilst explaining that this is an English tradition which I think they like. My pop up snowman and trees card sat on my next door neighbour’s shelf until February last year! So they give a lot of pleasure to me and them. I also don’t mind how much I spend on the postage sending a stack of cards back to friends and relatives in the UK. Christmas wouldn’t be half so much fun without the cards. It is such a pleasure to receive them too. Living abroad, it tends to be the time of year that you realise people haven’t forgotten you, which is so nice.
My card list is dwindling too. Might be a sign of my age I suppose! I do look forward to receiving cards, although none of them will be handmade.
I can’t imagine Christmas with no cards.
I always send out more cards than I receive and try to put a personal note in each one. This year I will be sending out fewer cards because of the postage and other family commitments I haven’t gotten as many made as I had planned. I’m going to start making them earlier next year (hopefully!!!). Thanks for all you share and this great gift of the Scor-Pal.
I always have the best intentions of sending out cards to everyone and then the time crunch gets the best of me and my intentions get dwindled way down. I’m a terrible procrastonator! This year I am determined to get cards out to at least those I will not get to see over the holidays!! I am determined to start making cards after the holidays so I will have a good stash ready to just be written in and mailed next year.
I love to send Christmas cards and send out about 50, the hard part is deciding on one so I make a selection and send them all out.Love your ideas and thanks for the opportunity to win some excellent candy
Eileen
Wow what a great give away!
I send approximately 200 Christmas Cards all of which I like to hand make. I dont seem to get as many back but I am not sure that is the point. I just like to reach out to my friends at this time of year.
This year I have also started my own business so will be sending cards to new and potential customers - these however I will do digitally, some I will post and some will go as an attachment.
I hope I do get lots of cards this year, they are so fun to see on the door mat and then to open
Thank you for the continued inspiration
Bekka
Good morning everyone,
I made 50 cards to send this year. The list gets bigger every year…we recently moved from the U.P. of MI to FLA, so most of the cards are to people I’ve not seen in awhile. It’s all on the computer so it makes it easy to be organised.
But we DO NOT get as many back. My sisters don’t even send Christmas cards…they want to save a tree!! I say bah humbug!! I will continue to send Christmas cards.
I would love to get creative and make hand made cards and send them out but don’t ever seem to get going on and end up sending out nothing
Even my address book is out of date. With email and online billing/payments, snail mail is getting less and less at this household.
Thanks so much for the chance to win some great blog candy!
WoW this is some celebration candy.
I make and send Christmas cards each year. I send out around 50+ each year and family and friends expect them now. It seems each year that the numbers go down each year on receiving them. I think it has to do with the time, money and postage. Some do the Christmas email cards to save money. I send them out just cuz I love to make them and it puts a smile on their faces. Thanks for a chance at this sweet candy.
I usually send out OR hand out about 30-35 cards. I don’t get nearly as many as I give, but that is OK….I just love to make Christmas cards and give them out! It is the same with BD cards…..I give to all family members but usually only get from my daughters and my mother.
My list has become smaller every year. I do send some handmade cards but mainly to those that I know will appreciate the work that went into them. The rest are store bought.
I keep all the cards that I received the year before so I know who sent to me to make sure I send back the following year as well and don’t forget someone who was thoughtful enough to send a card. If I receive a card from someone that is not on my list I will definitely send one back.
I do agree that fewer cards are going out each year but I do find that I’m getting more ecards from friends. I’ve sent a few myself to those like to send them. They are insant and at no cost. Myself I still like to make cards for those that appreciate my efforts.
Hi Leslie, thank you for a chance to win this awesome blog candy! I have to admit this year I won’t be sending out many cards, this past week has been extremely stressful and I can’t even think about Christmas quite yet. Most years I send out about 50 cards, and I think I receive maybe 10 back. It seems as though this tradition has fallen by the wayside in the past few years, and it makes me sad. There is nothing better than finding a card in your mailbox, handmade or not. I hope things change in the future….
Have a Merry Christmas Leslie!
I send out 40 - 60 cards every year (Handmade, of course). As you said, too, each year what we are receiving seems to be getting less and less. But, as much as I complain sometimes, I really do enjoy making all those cards and sharing “my gift” with them. Some go to people that we only hear from once a year … and it always makes me feel good that I’ve sent a handmade card (because I’ve taken the time on each and every one of them).
Thanks for sharing a great site … Merry Christmas!
As the years have gone, my Christmas card list has shrunk. Currently I send approximately 20 handmade cards. About 8 of them are quite elaborate and the rest are as beautiful, but less time consuming. In return I recieve about 10-15 cards. I agree with some of the other comments; the cost of a box of nice cards is pricey not to mention the cost of an individual card. On top of the cost of the card, postage; some cards I looked at this year clearly state, extra postage is required. Because of this I have no problem with extra postage on my cards; I figure I’m saving by not having to purchase cards from the store. I’ve also noticed that ecards are steadily increasing! Personally, I prefer a card I can disiplay and see whenever I’d like. Do we need to slow down? Yes, many allow life to pass too quickly without taking a moment to enjoy it.
Thanks for the opportunity to win your blog candy. I’ve seen all these beautiful boxes & cards made with the score-pal and would love to try it out.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
This year I mailed out about 2 dozen cards…..but I have several that I hand deliver. If I was using store bought cards, this wouldn’t be the case. The list would be minimal. But freinds, and especially co-workers really like my cards and always look forward to getting them. It’s kind of funny, but some of my co-worker’s cubicles are becoming little art gallerys lol!
I have not sent cards in a number of years and do feel bad that I have not done so. My husband has a great sense of humor and for years wrote the annual letter that read like a book that was great entertainment. Even with that, they always became New Years or Valentine Day cards as they were belated. He has not been willing to write and I have not taken on the task. The past number of years I have helped many people design their cards and borrowed them the supplies to make it happen. So, in a small sense I am reaching out to others. Who knows, with your thoughtful question & a snow storm brewing…might I get enough “down time” to get going? sUSAn
I love sending and getting cards. I, too, have been receiving fewer cards. I think it has more to do with time than money. Last year I whittled my list down to about 100. Some people I had not heard from in years (I mean like 5-6 years). I love making my cards as it is a small gift to family and friends. I do get comments on the cards and there was a classmate of mine that told me at our reunion that his daughter looks forward to my card every year…and I have never met her!
Leslie! I think it is a very good question! I used to send lots of cards. Before stamping I was cross-stitching. I will make those cards and to everybody I know. But I will not to have the same amount of cards as I sent… This year I decided do not send as many cards. And some of them we just bought. As for me I put a lot in my cards. Maybe they don’t look so good, but they made with lots of thoughts… Why we decided to buy cards this year? One day I imagined that maybe my card wouldn’t even notice and will be thrown away. So that is my story… Sad… But I wish that with all our buzy lives we will just stop be rushy… What if do not watch one of your favorite shows in one evening and just sign several cards and send it… Concern about money? Don’t stop at the fast food place one evening. Will be better for your friends and for you… Several dollars and bunch of stamps.
I love your cards Leslie. You put a lot in them. I lways read how you made it, for whom you made it. I wish we will have more people like you… thoughtful and kind. And maybe our paper crafting web comunity is a beggining of trying to make our world kind and beautiful!
Thank you to you and all who shares their cards and stories.
And thank you for the great candy!
Hi all,
I receive 10 cards (empty) from the foot-and-mouth quadropledic painters society every year, around November. I also get them around January, April and July. But the last ones of the year are Christmas cards and as mentioned they are printed copies of the beautiful art by local quadropedics. I send these out to family and friends and to date I’m yet to receice one single mailed card back.
I never thought of it, until I read your blog…
Although its kinda sad, I don’t mind. To me it’s about thinking who gets which card, and ofcoarwse its about supporting the quads.
Hi Leslie, years ago we used to send and receive LOTS of Christmas cards. But now, as you mentioned, the list going out and especially coming in has decreased. It is sad if this is the trend because I love getting cards and then decorating a door in my kitchen with them. That way I can view and re-read then during the holiday season. I think my biggest reason for not sending out so many is time. It just seems like there are always too many things to get done around this time of year (and it shouldn’t be like that)!
Good Morning,
I send about 75 Christmas cards, but my list is getting smaller every year. I have not started my cards yet, so it is on my list to get started this week sometime. I enjoy your blog and read it often. This 12 days have been awesome. Thank you for the opportunity to win a scor pal. Happy Holidays.
I love sending Christmas cards and this is the very first year that they where all hand made.. So proud of myself…
I don’t get as many as I send but that is OK…I know some aren’t able to send them.
Thanks so much to win.. What nice cards you could make with this Score Pal..
I think that the tradition of sending out Christmas cards has dwindled a lot. I enjoy sending and receiving cards but the list is getting shorter and shorter. Perhaps people are too busy with other things or as someone already mentioned….the young people use E-cards, which I might add, I truly dislike. I like openng an envelope and reading my card. I don’t have to follow a link…..wait for the greeting card to load, nor do I have to make sure the speaker is turned on. LOL
Merry Christmas!!!
We send a goodly number of cards, and receive about as many as we send out. Some of mine are handmade, and some of the ones I receive are handmade, and go in the idea box for next year.
Thanks for the chance to win the Scor-Pal!!
We used to send many, many Christmas cards, even to folks that we saw every day. Well, this year is different. My husband became unemployed in November and I needed to whittle my list down, so that I did. I am sending cards that I made to just 30 families that we never see any longer since we have moved. The friends we see each day will get a Merry Christmas in person!!! Thanks for this fun celebration.
Cheryl Sims
I sent out 120+ cards this year. I don’t think I will get half that back. Some I don’t expect to - they are older, and they just don’t do it. I don’t think the younger generation sends as many out either. I can understand that too. When our children we younger, and in school there was so many other things to do, that sometimes the cards just didn’t get done. However, now I regret not keeping in touch (though briefly) with some people. I love sending them, and I love receiving them. I even had someone call me this year, asking if I was sending a handmade card again. They were looking forward to receiving it. Was that a shock! Its nice to know the cards are appreciated.
i do find that i send out more than i receive. there were a couple of years that i included a family newsletter w/ the card and got more responses because of that, i think. they loved it and requested one each year. i haven’t done one in a while and frankly, this year i just couldn’t get myself to write one given the fact that we lost my brother earlier this year. i’m thankful for many things and feel blessed in many ways, but the pain of his passing still weighs heavily on my heart. so far this year, we’ve received 2 (from dh’s coworkers). we’ve lived here a year this month, so some may not know our address. i’m still mailing my cards out regardless of how many i receive. sorry for the ramble!!!
Wow. I’ve been reading all these comments. You guys are sending a lot of cards. My list is getting smaller each years. When I don’t receive a card from someone two years in a row, I take off the name on my list. I send store bought cards to realtives that I don’t often see and write kind of letter inside to give a bit of news. And I send handmade cards to the ones that I know will appreciate them. So I receive about the same amount of cards that I send. For this year it’s 5 store bought cards and 7 handmade cards. I will surely receive the same amount of cards! But I receive a lot of ecards and sometime more than one from the same person!
I know that cards and stamps cost is involved here so this is a traditon that will get lost but we can’t blame anyone! Email cards are okay with me as long as people are still sending me and loving me…
Thank you so much Leslie for this great blog candy. I don’t have a scor-pal, so I’m crossing my fingers!
I gave up sending Christmas cards a few years ago, BUT since I took up this little habit called stamping in the spring of this year I have made a ton of cards which I will be sending out.
I send fewer cards than I used to but I will no longer send a card that isn’t handmade and that has at least a short note in it–that definitely limits the number I send! I tend to send to people I love but don’t see everyday.
what great blog candy Leslie. I send fewer Christmas cards than before, because
I love to make them and seem to run out of time when it comes to december
since I am a SU demo and have lots of things going on prior to this month. I hate
to buy cards since I can make them, so alas, I only send to special people who
appreciate them. Barb
I use to send out tons but over the years it gets fewer and fewer. SO far this year I haven’t even started yet. Now i probably make a couple hundred but for myself to send out maybe a dozen tops these days… Love your blog very inspiring.
I make so many Christmas cards and am behind this year! I do get several, but so far this year haven’t seen very many. But then again, I haven’t even mailed mine yet so I’m sure others haven’t either. It makes me happy to mail these handmade bits of love out, even if I don’t receive very many. Thanks for the chance to win!
I always send many cards to my friends. I like them to please a little. I enjoy sending and receiving cards. My friends love me and I receive many cards.
Thanks for the chance to win the Scor-Pal!
Merry Christmas!
We will be sending about 60 cards this year, to family, friends, church family, and co-workers. Most get handed out so that works for saving on postage!
We don’t usually get that many back, we get around 20-30 cards, mostly we get cards from our family and friends and it’s awesome to see the photo cards and recieve the yearly Christmas letters so you can keep current as to what is happening in their familys.
I think it’s just fun to make the cards and send them….it brings a smile to peoples faces
Thanks for the chance to win your blog candy!!! These celebrations have been so much fun
It is really expensive for people to mail cards but I love them anyhow. I pass my all out at our Christmas Open House…190 people were here Sat. and Sun. past. It is such a fun way to give away a little something you made. So many people were thrilled to receive a homemade card. I only have 10 cards I have received but they are all enjoyed.
Happy Holidays
Heather
I MAKE Christmas cards every year to send to family & friends; however, for the last 2 years, I haven’t sent a single one! I pulled a bunch of them out to send this year and guess what….yep. Haven’t mailed those yet either! I need to get my act together & get them in the mail ASAP!!! As for receiving…they get fewer each year.
Crossing my fingers that I can win a Scor-Pal!
Is this supposed to be in ten words or less? No? Okay then, here goes….My Christmas list seems to grow each year. Currently I make a little over 170 cards. I mass produce in quantities of 20 of each design. One fourth of my cards require international or overseas postage too. No, I do not receive the same amount of cards as I send, not even close, but I treasure each one. I hand write each one of my cards on the day after Thanksgiving and my little family joins me. My DH reads me each address, my DD adheres the postage and return address labels and they argue over who’s going to seal the envelope. It’s a family affair. Traditionally, I mail my Christmas cards on December 1st, but this year I am impatiently waiting for a more appropriate date like sometime next week so my recipients don’t think I’ve got a problem (which I do). The wait is killing me!
FYI - I do not own a Scor-Pal and would love to win one, particularly yours! So please oh please oh please, pick ME!
It’s a lovey tradition, especially when accompanied by a report rounding up events of the year that passed. But some years I hardly send out any Christmas cards at all - when I did not get myself orgnized in time! I know there are crafters out here who finish their cards in August and that’s probably what I should aim for…
Christmas Cards I guess are my downfall. I love to write notes in each one to that particular person or family. I may take 3 or 4 weeks to finish my cards. I hand deliver one to each of the families in our church and then mail out probably 100. It is my gift to my family and friends and it is one expense I allow myself.
Have a blessed holiday!
We send about 100 carevery year. We like to keep in touch with folks we don’t hear from on a regular basis. I have noticed that we are not getting many cards this year and I guess it is the economy issue. I wish we sent homemade cards but there is no way I could make that many cards ahead of time! My DH likes to mail them the day after Thanksgiving. I really want a scorepal and it is on my short wishlist. Thanks for all you do to inspire me.
I send about 25 out as they are all handmade,each one different.My freinds & family say it’s like getting a special gift made just for them.
Making Christmas cards is one of my most favorite parts of this hobby. I think because of that, my list grows a bit each year, because people enjoy/expect my cards. I appreciate that they appreciate me! On the other hand, I have noticed that I get a lot fewer cards in return, especially now that I am of an age where my friends and cousins are in their mid 30’s to mid 40’s and have very young children - if I do get cards from that crowd, they tend to be those photo cards (and often without even a handwritten signature). Our family’s older generation is also starting to pass on, or move into stages of their lives with more limited budgets, so we get far fewer cards from them as well. And yet still, making and delivering cards remains one of my favorite ways to spend my winter evenings and weekends! Even last year when I had MONO, of all things, I managed to do the card thing - although I must admit it was scaled back a bit that year
Please keep up the great blogging. Many of us just lurk but appreciate all you share throughout the year. Happy holidays to you.
Christmas cards are my FAVORITE part of Christmas, other than spending time with family and friends. I send out between 80-100 and I get about the same. I have a really neat gold metal tree that you place your cards on and it stands on the landing to our steps. Everyone that comes by enjoys looking at all the neat cards! Some of mine are hand-made, some are picture cards of my cute preschooler, and some are store bought. That way, I am not stressed out as much!
Great blog candy! I’ve got this on my Christmas list. To answer your questions, I send about 90 cards each year. I have yet to make 90 handmade cards, but some year I will tackle that project. We probably get about 50 - 60. I think the lack of people sending holiday cards is more about busy lifestyles than economic issues. It takes time to write, address and send a card and many people are so used to a quick email or IM. I guess it makes the cards we receive that much more special.
First I must tell you I love your blog! I come by quite often and always love what you have posted.
I send about 100 Christmas cards. I do get close to that back. Usually, before I send my cards I get about 35 to 50 but, the bulk arrives after I send my cards. Perhaps, it’s because I sent them one. I guess I will never know. I do keep all cards that are handmade or have a nice letter or have family pictures in them. I put them each year in a cheap scrapbook without protectors. I just double tape them in. Each year my dh and I through a huge adult only party for the holidays. Everyone who comes loves to see their kids ‘grow up’ in my book. My kids love it each year when we pull it out too. It’s a nice way to share past years.
Have a wonderful Holiday!
Stampin’ Hugs,
Sherri
I also mail and receive far fewer cards than in years past. The ones I do send or give are very special and made with love and usually hand delivered. I know it’s popular for families to send photo cards and I enjoy those, along with their Christmas letters. Whatever they send - even e-cards, I appreciate because of the time that goes into it. I sort of think of my handmade cards as a gift itself to give to people to let them know I am thinking about them and am grateful for friendship & love in my life. I’m not giving cards to see how many I get back. It’s a labor of love.
I send out 25-50 handmade cards and I too have reduced my list over the years. If I don’t here anything back from people after 2 years they get removed from the list . I’m not saying I need a card just a call or I comment that it was recieved and appreciated.
Awesome blog candy! Thanks. We usually send over 100 cards, but I don’t even think about making them! We usually have a family picture taken for them. We receive the same amount. I agree with Sara on the previous comment that people are sending fewer cards because of being busy at this time of year.
I’ve really been enjoying the SS Celebration!
I will send about 40-50 Christmas cards and we do recieve that many, probably half are handmade and I SO look forward to seeing what my friends made this year! In fact I have 3 that I got in the mail last night sitting here on my desk at work so I can examine them, more closely;)
This is wonderful blog candy!! I have the old Scor-Pal and never use it…maybe a new one will be easier to use for this measuring challenged girl!!
I love to make the cards but then I seem to run out of time to send them. I always feel if I send a card I should write a note. That is where I get stuck. I have written a Christmas letter in the past to include in the card, but again time gets away from me. I do send some cards but not as many as I would like.
I love your blog and your question about Christmas cards being sent and being received ..this has given me great thought as to how it has been for myself and others in the last five or so years . I found that emailed cards in my circle had taken over big time. Until last year when I started with making my own cards being what ever holiday and mailing them out….low and behold ..my lil circle has been licking stamps too! Ty for sharing your amazing talent and kicking in my creative juices and making the holidays a lil more personal this year and many more to come!
lablady2007@juno.com
I want to leave a comment telling you how beautiful your card is… and there isn’t one! But I’ll tell you anyway that I LOVE everything you do. I don’t get a lot of cards, even though some years I’ve sent out as many as 180. I’ve personally cut back - doing about 60 this year. I don’t do a Christmas letter and don’t include photos (although when the kids were in school, I sent their school photo to family and very close friends - who else wants pics of my kids?) I tend to keep them pretty simple when mass producing. I ‘assume’ most people are going to toss them anyway.
Awesome blog candy, BTW.
i havent sent out many cards yet. I always have the best intentions and it doesnt happen. But i guess that is the life of new moms which i’ve been now for 3 years since i just had another one. I guess there is still time. haha. If i get my booty in gear, i’ll send out about 40.
Hi Leslie,
In the past I haven’t been much of a card sender, but have “earned a spot” on about 20 - 30 card lists. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Oddly, when I sent cards last year this number did not increase. However, I’m wondering about this year; if last year’s cards will generate cards this year. I don’t send them to receive them, but it is fun to see if there’s any correlation.
I truly enjoy making cards, and I’ve found people truly prefer to receive a handmade card. I’ve had people email me and ASK if I’ll be sending a handmade Christmas card. I didn’t expect that!
I’ve made 60 cards this year, and I’ve been sending them in batches of about 15, as that’s about all I can get to in one night’s addressing and sentiment - writing!
My friend, Chelsea, keeps telling about how much she loves her Score-Pal and that I should get one! Maybe this is my chance! Thanks for all you do, Leslie, and Merry Christmas!
First of all, I love your blog and your great ideas.
. I try every year, but I sometimes end up with a stack of half done cards. It leaves me sad and frustrated. This year I WILL get them out, partly because I have some half done from last year.
I send out Christmas cards, but not every year
I think times are changing and people are busier than ever. And then there are people like my husband that think cards are a waste of money, and, yes, that includes birthday and anniversary cards for his wife!
Thanks for the chance to win a Scor-Pal (my dream) and have a great Chirstmas!
Hi Leslie:
I don’t send out many cards, maybe 25 or so. I feel really good when I
receive a card from a friend. I mostly hand deliver my cards but I do
make all of them. Love what you do & I love the chance to win the blog
candy too.
The past few years I have been very good about sending cards. This year I am a little behind and decided to send them to my immediate family and my closet friends. I also make sure I send one out to whoever sends one to me. I love getting them in the mail!
I love to make Christmas cards and always send out a lot. I usually make at least 200 different Christmas cards a year. I make a lot to give others to send out. I only receive about half as many back as I send out. Almost everyone tells me they look forward to receiving my cards because they love homemade cards. Sending cards is such a fun way to keep in touch with people you don’t see on a regular basis.
You’re right about not getting as many as I send out. I make from 40 to 50 cards every year, but don’t get nearly as many. People are always very complimentary about my cards, but don’t return the favor. I love getting cards. I hope that it’s not falling by the wayside. Thanks for all of your great ideas and for the chance to win a Scor-pal. I love your blog.
I don’t send any xmas cards out expect for at work. There I send out like 400, that’s enough. YIKES right?
I love Christmas cards….although I can’t say I’ve been very good about sending them since I’ve had kids. I have the best of intentions and get the stuff to make them and volia! I realize that I’ve been so busy w/4 small kids that time has escaped me and it’s already Christmas Eve. I’m doing a Christmas card camp on 12/13…so I have NO excuse this year! It’s funny….ever since I started making my own cards, I send less of them, no matter the occasion. Isn’t that bizarre? I think I tend to over estimate the time I actually have and then miss it all together! I’d love a scor-pal. Thanks for the chance to win!
Have a blessed Christmas!
Leslie, I send out tons of cards every year and it seems we get less and less ourselves, but I love making my cards and I will continue to do so despite not receiving many in return. I do not make the same card either, most of mine are different. Thanks for the chance to win a scorepal…Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Since I started making cards about five years ago, I have made and sent Christmas cards. But I agree with you, the cards we receive are fewer and fewer ( I send around 20). I have one doctor friend in another city that sends her Christmas cards out the week before Thanksgiving because she is so busy, LOL! Some people just don’t send Christmas cards and never have. It’s not that important to them. But I love making my own cards to send to the people I care for, whether I get one in return or not. If I was more organized with my time, I would send more!
I send out quite a few cards and this is the first year that I’m making all of them.
And yes, I receive less each year! Some just do not “do” cards. Some are caught short with time. Some just do not want to bother with the whole art of writing out names and addresses etc.
Each year my list changes…. some names come off for various reasons and then I add new names ! Fortunately my kids think it’s an honor to be able to help with them and I have enlisted them to do just that! They are even help making them this year. Are they perfect? Not by far, even if I were making them, they wouldn’t be. Plus they like to sign our names on the inside and sometimes even address them..gotta be careful with that to make sure they have it correct!
Thank you for the chance, I lust after that Scor-Pal ! I truly do need it !
I send out about 40-50 cards each year but this year I will cut out some on my list as these are folks I never hear from and it’s frustrating . I only have about 3/4 ths. of my cards done so I guess I better get on the move. Love all of your work, it is very inspiring. TFS. Pat
I send out about 60 cards at Christmas, but I don’t even get half that many in return. I just love making them. I know that many people don’t send them out anymore, but since I love making them, I still send them out. Many of the people I send Christmas cards to, I only communicate with at Christmas, so I would really miss that contact. Life gets so busy during the year, that before you know it another year has passed by and I haven’t written to them. Believe it or not, 2 or 3 of them don’t even own a computer! I usually write a personal letter for each one, but this year’s cards are getting one of those general newsletter. Can you tell I haven’t gotten them finished yet! I’m sure the recipients would “die” if they got a Christmas card from be BEFORE Christmas! Thanks for a chance to win a Scor Pal!
Hi Leslie,
First of all, let me just say that I really enjoy your blog, not just because you are such a talented papercrafter, but because you are a gifted writer as well! I do send out Christmas cards every year. I usually do the “photo of the kids and dog” and have them mass-produced at Walmart and then send them on out as one of their ready-made cards. This doesn’t take much time and the hardest part is finding the time to take the picture! I am one of those people who says to herself every year that this is the year I am making the cards myself, and then i just don’t have the time. Someday I will do that! Maybe once the kids are grown and out of the house.
Thanks again for your blog. I have learned a lot.
~Judy
Christmas cards??? Hmmmm… in my mind, I see myself making a dozen or so beautiful cards to send to my close friends and family. In reality, it seems I never find the right time to work on them, and now Christmas is just around the corner and still no cards. I haven’t given up hope yet this year since I’ve ordered a couple of items that would make some quick cards inspired by Sharon’s Stamp Simply creations, and I still have a few days left. This has been such a fun celebration and thanks, Leslie, for being part of it!
i tried to cut down my card list a few years back, but now it’s growing again, I try to just send to those that i don’t see day to day, and this might be our once in a year time to catch up. I look forward to receiving each card, especially handmade cards!
I think alot of it is that we are too busy to take the time. I try to send hand made cards to all my family and some of my local friends. Every year I say I am going to do better - but I always end up trying at the last minute and then just giving up.
I only send out about 35 Christmas cards. We don’t get that many back, but most people we know don’t send out cards for Christmas. Everyone really enjoys receiving them though. If I didn’t make cards, I doubt if I’d send any out. I love to make every single card different =) Thanks for the chance to win the Scor-Pal! I’ve been wanting one!
thanks so much for the chance to win this great tool
I send over 100 cards and every year I get back less and less some people I know are donating money to charities instead of spending on cards and stamps which I think is a good idea, that being said I love getting cards so will always send them no matter how many I get back
Hugs
Norine
I send a fair amount but get fewer each year as well. some years I enjoy sending and other it feels more like an oblligation.
I send about 50 a year and get an equal amount. Add a few new people each year and a few fall off the list so the number stays steady.
It’s a great question! Last year (and it’s looking the same this year) I didn’t get around to sending out cards. I think I’m going to switch to sending out cards in the New Year — takes off the pressure and enables me to do it at a less stressful time
I receive less each year as well. The ones I appreciate most are the ones telling me a bit about themselves over the past year. Although I’m excited to get anything in the mail it’s a little disappointing when all they do is sign their name 
Hi Leslie — Last year I sent out about 80 cards — double the number of Christmas Cards than I actually received. I’ll probably do the same this year. It’s the one time of year that I reach out to so many people that have touched my life in some way that I just don’t keep in close enough touch with. I think it is worth the effort but I’m not making too many new cards this year but instead am using “leftovers” from other years and cards from the Card Clubs that I belong too.
I send out about 20 Christmas cards. They are to my immediate family, some close friends, close co-workers and neighbors. I usually get about the same number of cards in return.
Awesome blog candy!! I don’t send out many Christmas cards. I make so many for others that it doesn’t leave much time for my cards!! I love getting them though…lol
I love receiving cards that have either a personal note or a ‘form’ letter that helps keep in touch with friends. For the past few years I’ve sent the ‘form’ letter along with a family photo - just the kind of thing I like to get. And I try to make the letter realistic, not a brag-fest that only tells the good stuff. We don’t get too many cards anymore, but I still enjoy sending them out.
I am sending out fewer and also receiving fewer. But love to make them so will keep sending and giving them as long as possible. Have to use all the Christmas/Snowmen stamps we have accumulated!!! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all!
One of my favorite things about Christmas is making the cards we send. We usually send between 90-100 cards each year and maybe receive 30-40. I think that this year we will receive even fewer…maybe with our economy being what it is, it’s an area where people are cutting back, but I’ve seen that being the trend for the past 10-15 years. I agree that people are just so busy that they don’t take the time it takes to send cards. I love my computer and the technology of today, but feel it’s allowed people to forego the written word. I love to receive a card in the mail with even a short note (can’t remember the last time I got a letter in the mail!)…there’s just something about opening that envelope and anticipating what’s inside that’s a big part of the holiday celebration. Whatever the trend, I’ll continue making cards and enjoy receiving them each Christmas.
I have great plans to send out cards, but the last two years I didn’t have enough time to send them out. So I thought, okay, send out Happy New Year cards. Still didn’t make it. We do still take a family photo every year, and one of these days I’ll put all the photos into a Walshes Holiday Photos album. So many plans, so little time.
There has been a drop-off in the amount I receive, probably because I haven’t reciprocated! To date, I have only gotten 1! 1 card.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
I don’t mail out very many–about 14. My husband’s side of the family doesn’t exchange cards but my side still does. I think it’s a dying form of communication because of the electronic means available today. It’s much faster and cheaper to just shoot off an email or select an electronic card online these days. Personally I love Christmas cards because it is one of the few “personal” forms of communication left. The computer method is so cold. I hate receiving cards electronically. A card takes thought on the part of the person sending them. I really love handmade or picture cards the most.
I love sending cards and I love receiving them! There are some old friends that a Christmas card is the only time I hear from them, and I hope a letter is enclosed so I know what is going on in their lives!
Wow, good questions!!!! I have been contemplating just WHY it takes me so long to get my cards done than it did in the past. I, too, prefer to make them and so when you are a procrastinator, it doesn’t help. I used to buy my cards and have them all done the day after Thanksgiving, but since I became a stamper and feel I “should” make them, I tend to do it later and later in the month and consequently, don’t get them all done each year. We send out fewer than we did 40 years ago……mostly because a lot of people are now gone.
I think a lot of the problem stems from procrastination more than anything but the price of postage hasn’t helped at all.
When I send out cards, I don’t do it with the idea of getting any back. I just send them because I want to. It IS nice to receive cards whether it be hand stamped or purchased.
I am thinking that this year instead of sending out cards to everyone, I am going to set aside one hour each day before Christmas and call as many as I can in that hour. I think it’s much more fun to hear their voice and catch up that way.
As for being busier than I used to be? Hmmm, I don’t have kids at home any longer, I don’t work outside the home but I still find that my day isn’t long enough.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone…..and congratulations, ahead of time, to who ever wins!!!
I normally send out about 50 handmade cards every year and get about that many bak. I handwrite any notes that are included so it takes awhile. More recently, we have been taking a family picture when we get together at Thanksgiving with the pets - but our new dog was forever banned after she pulled out my mother’s prize orchids. We’re not sending cards out this year because my father recently passed away - but will resume the card giving next year.
I have been pondering this very thing. I send out around 75 cards and of course I make them all. They are a labor of love for the friends and family that I cherish. However ,I seem to get fewer and fewer every year. It makes me sad to think that this beautiful tradition of touching base with each other at least once a year is getting lost in our email, iPhone world.
Thanks for the chance to win the wonderful blog candy. I have been wanting one of these scoring tools but I don’t have one yet. I think it would be fantastic to win one. BTW, I love your blog. You are so talented and I get lots of inspiration from your projects and thoughts about stamping and life. Thank you!
janet@swofford.com
Hi Leslie,
I so enjoy reading your blog and seeing your creations. Thank you for so generously sharing your time and talent!
I do send out many more cards than I receive, but I do it because I want people to know I’m thinking of them. Of course, I’m thrilled when I receive cards, but I realize there are many reasons why people are not able to fit card sending into their busy holidays so I’m happy to send along my little bit of cheer!
This year I am sending out just as many cards as I have in the past. My list is becoming a little smaller mainly due to the fact that some of the people I have sent to in the past are no longer with us on this earth. I am finding that I receive fewer cards each year, and maybe it is because of the reason mentioned above. I do think the economic times have something to do with it though. Your blog candy is very special, thanks for offering all of us a chance to win this!
I send cards all the time. Even if I have to purchase one already made, I know (hope) that I have made someone’s day. People do not take the time anymore to send cards or hand written words to people. And that makes me very sad.
You cannot “touch” someone by using the computer-like you can when you mail them a card. And it takes a little bit more work-so I know if I get a card, people must really care.
So, take a moment in your life, and touch someone with your handwritten words of love, sympathy, care etc. Please encourage kids, grandkids and others to mail their love to others.
I would give anything to win this scor-pal. I have always wanted one-but can’t. And I have tried other ways to scor my paper-but it just never works as well as it looks when others do it.
Thanks.
Last year I made about 80 cards (this includes work one - 45 there) but don’t get half that probably. This year I am not making nearly as many! I haven’t started them yet either but I think today is the day!
Thanks for the awesome candy & ur inspiration!
Angie
Christmas cards seems to be dying as so many wonderful traditions are. I send out far more than I recieve. But I enjoy making them. I tried to see Christmas cards at a craft fair this fall and they didn’t sell at all. Luckily that meant I had mine already made.
I send out approximately 50 and i don’t get a third back. But that’s ok cause I love making them and giving them. People love to receive them especially when hand made! I agree with so many of us,we must keep this tradition going!!
Yes I send Christmas cards (about 45 this year) but with the cost of postage and the fact that I am receiving fewer and fewer - well I may have to rethink this for next year. BUT I still love making them. My solution will be to donate them to http://www.cardsforheroes.com. These are cards (Christmas, birthday, missing you, etc) cards which are sent to the soldiers for them to send home to their love ones. (Very few Hallmark stores in Iraq.) My Christmas hope is that someday - soon - there will be no more need for this since all of our heroes will be home.
Thanks for the chance to win your wonderful blog candy.
We were just talking about htis at work, I have a Christmas card list of 30, however, I still have not received a single Christmas card. I think people are so busy, they are cutting this tradition out of thier life and it’s a crying shame….I love getting cards in the mail, it makes Christmas extra special, especially the hand made ones from my stamping friends….we need to all put an extra effort into keeping this tradition alive!!!
I probably send more than I receive but I don’t care! I get quite a few hand-made ones from my stamping friends and those make up for any that I don’t get! And I don’t hold it against any who don’t send them - I’m not going to take somebody off my list just because they don’t send me a card! Usually I make all one kind. This year I have two designs so far but need to get cracking and make some more so I can get them out!
After several years of not sending any cards when I had tons of time to make some. This year with a full time job I have spent down time in my stamp room and have attended more stamp gatherings and clubs than ever. I have also called old friends out of the blue and renewed friendships so i am really looking forward to sending my cards this year. I still am sending less than 60 and these only go out of town, I usually hand deliver cards to friends in town.
I think that with all the dire news we are bombarded it is especially important to reach out and also to renew ourselves with our art. I am much more conservative in what I am buying, but then I have drawers of paper and inks just waiting to be used so I can start really using what I have.
This blog has helped immensely along with all the links to get inspired! Thanks!
What an interesting topic! In the past I have sent anywhere from 50 to 75 handmade cards. This year, simply because of time constraints, I cut my list down to 20. I had some new pictures of my son and only sent a card to people I wanted to send a picture to. This has been a very strange year for receiving cards. So far, we have only received one! Very unusual! We’ve also noticed a reduction in birthday cards for all of us this year. I love receiving cards, but it seems the more I send, the fewer I receive!
I sent about 40 cards this year. Only to those who are most important in my life or dear friends I miss. The cards I make (bumpy, layers, lots of embellies) took 62 cents worth of postage so it was more than I expected. Next year my christmas cards will be less layers!!!!
I usually send out about 40-50 most of those are for my husband for his job. I do not send out as many as I use to family and close friends, normally it’s E card on the internet or just phone calls, I guess I’ve just got lazy :(.
I mail cards to folks that we only hear from this one time a year and to family members. If I have time, I try to send homemade cards to everyone, but at least family gets a homemade card. We are still receiving just about as many cards as we send. Don’t know how it will go this year. I make and hand out cards to my Sunday school class, choir members, quilting group and stamping group. That saves on postage but lets people know that I’m thinking about them. Since they all know that I make cards, they look forward to receiving them. I’ve truly enjoyed the celebration for Sharon. Thanks for offering such a wonderful prize. Love your work and am a daily visitor to your blog.
First let me tell how much I enjoy your blog. I love it when I find your name in my incoming mailbox! Your work is beautiful and you inspire me.
This year I’m making and sending about 40 Christmas cards. I haven’t sent cards in about the last 10 years but I seem to have more time this year to make them. We haven’t received any cards so far (12/11) and we’ve only received a few from out of town friends in the past several years. There was a time when we sent about 150 cards but that was in the long ago. We have received two e-mail cards but they’re just not the same.
In these economic times I think it’s more important than ever to reach out to friends with uplifting thoughts at the time of our Savior’s birth.
Hi Leslie. I do make and send out alot of Christmas cards each year. I also send out more than I get. Each year, like you, I seem to fewer and fewer. I do think we need to slow down and take the time to send them and let people know we are thinking of them. I know that with postage and all it can get a little pricey, But if you only send that person one card a year,isn’t nice to let them know you still think about them and care. I think of how I feel when I get a card and just want to pass that feeling on to others!
Thnks for sharing ALL the blog candy that you have.
I hope you have a very,very Happy and Healthy Holiday season!!
Gail
I send and hand out over 100 hand made cards. The last 2 years, all my friends at church and around town, I hand them out. I receive fewer and fewer each year and I know it is because of the postage.
I have never received as many or more Christmas cards than I send out, but I realize that it is not everyone’s gift. I love to bless people with those cards and don’t expect one in return. But of course, it sure feels good to receive cards:) The last two years, though, I have switched to the digital route for my cards. (making a picture card and mailing that out). I had three children in 16 months, so I’m sure people are just happy to get anything from me these days. LOL!!!
We are sending out a lot less cards this year. I hand made 10 of them to send out to special people and sending e-cards to all who have computers. We have had to really cut back this year for Christmas. Only giving money to the grandkids and one present to my spouse. From a person who is a giver, this is very difficult to have to cut back so far.
This has been fun. On Christmas cards, We do a Christmas letter that tells all the adventures that our family has done this past year. We send out about 50 cards each year. We do recieve less cards each year but we still enjoy sending cards to all the people on the list because some are elderly and can’t send cards out.
Leslie,
I have to agree with you when you say that you send many more cards than you actually receive. I send out between 75 and 100 cards, and get back maybe a third of that. (So, a Scor-Pal would be AWESOME!)
That being said, it is a tradition that i cannot give up. While everyone is out on Black Friday, my sister and my nieces get together, make turkey and rice soup, and get to spend another family day together. Following that, my husband and I write in them together and address them. So while it is sad to think that I may not”make the cut” on other people’s list, those are the reasons I continue to do it. It is more for me and my family, and carrying on those traditions than the whole getting back….although it is noce to hear from people and how their year has progressed. I would not give up the cherished times that making and sending my cards brings, regardless of time, material costs, and postage.
I am betting that the reasons you do it are similar. Us stampers are a unique breed. It really only matters to know that I brought a smile to someones face, even for a split second, everything was worth it! Sorry for going on-and-on…. but it is something I beleive is a tradition I will not give up… ever.
Happy Holidays to you. If you PM me your address, I will be glad to include you on my list!
Busy lives, bad economy, it all makes it harder to justify spending money on those cards and sending them. I have received a few cards via email explaining that money is tight, my thought is at least they sent that!! It makes me feel good to get cards and my card list is long yet this year so far I have gotten 1 card. Before Stampin’ Up! came into my life, I use to buy cards after Christmas at a discount for the next year. Now I know it is cheaper to make my own and so that is what I have been doing for a few years. I hope and pray things turn around soon and get better instead of getting worse.
Hope all of you have a Happy and Healthy holiday season!!
Dani
I send out about 90-100 cards and receive about 30-40 but that’s ok with me. Although this year we’ve only received two cards and 4 photocards already which are a little pet peeve since there is no signature and no personal touch. I do appreciate the thought though. As for me, I enjoy making cards and know that when my cards are received, the recipient knows I’m thinking about them. I’m also one of the “younger” generation yet I value receiving and sending cards in the mail. Nothing can take the place of getting “good” mail in your mailbox - especially when you’re an adult and have bills to pay.
Thanks for the chance to enter the generous blog candy - fingers crossed that I am the lucky winner as I would love to have a Scor-Pal.
thank you for the chance to i send about 100 but this year i am making them so the list will be a heck of a lot shorter lol;)
Ive never sent many cards but am sending fewer and fewer each year , and am recieving less too. I mostly give cards away to those close , close friends and co workers.
I have sent or given out approximately 80 handmade Christmas cards this year. The ones I mailed out included a family photo and letter. I love getting cards and letters back from people as often we only hear from people once a year. Like many others, however, we don’t receive nearly as many cards as we send or give out. However, I love my card making ‘habit’ so don’t mind the creation of the cards. Hopefully the cards brighten their day. Best wishes to you and your family and thanks for sharing your talents on your blog!
oh I love Christmas cards, I don’t care how many I receive (about 1/10th of what I give). I’m also one of those that loves old snail mail letters too.
I have sent fewer and fewer cards out over the years. Send an e-mail with a summary of our family’s past year and a few pictures attached (bowing head in shame…) as it is quick and efficient and saves lots of time and money. I have received fewer and fewer cards over the years as well. But that being said, I love it when I do get a card so I am making a bit more of an effort to send cards out again so someone else can get that wonderful feeling too. Sometimes it is good to remember that people are what counts in life and to make room for touching their lives. Thanks for the chance to win
I send many more than I recieve but that is ok. I know people are busy. I just enjoy sending cards and making them too. And people always like to hear a little about what has been going on in my life. Especially the older people in my life. So I will continue sending even if I do not recieve back. Giving presents and cards is just in my blood. LOL
I love to make Christmas cards, I usually try out a few designs and then pick my fav. and that is the card for the year, other times, I have made different cards for each peson, maybe copying some of them once or twice so one or two cards, I had more than one of…I have not sent out my cards this year. I need to get on that, but I have been SO SICK… but I am finally starting to feel better, I need to do that…
I love to get cards to , homemade are my favorite of course, but I dont get too many of them :(…I love to look at all the pretty cards, I usually displat them in some way, and when christmas is over, I save the cards, and use them on other things, or if they are real special i just keep em forever:)
Hello Leslie, I send out about 25-30 cards a year which is about what I get. I am saddened that this tradition is fading away. I feel that the reason it is slipping away is in part everyone having busy lives, the fact that there are so many more working mothers, and the fact that we are living in a “ME” world. Thank you so very much for the chance to win a wonderful scor-pal.
My friend and I were just discussing this subject! I send out about 50 cards every year - to people that we want to keep in touch with and don’t get to see that often. For our friends that we see often I usually deliver their card with a little something - cookies, canned fruit, etc. or just a quick hello or cup of coffee. The art of writing is disappearing and I’m trying to teach my granddaughters to write little notes of appreciation, i.e., a thank you for a gift, etc. Just getting into card making I am really enjoying making cards this year and helping them to make cards for their teachers and friends. One thing I learned is that next year I have to start alot earlier than I did this year. I really enjoy reading your blog - thanks you for all you do! Merry Christmas!
Wow! I just love your cards! You are such an wonderful card maker! I’ve lifted two of your cards! Thank you!
I think people are just to busy to send cards, with email they just send an express greeting. I think making it so personal is the key! It tells them you really thought of them.
Love your blog !! What generous blog candy. I would like to win so I could pass it along to my friend that doesn’t have one. I love mine and use it constantly. I usually do about 100 Christmas cards but haven’t this year. I did them for my stamping group, as we are going out for our Christmas lunch today. For the rest of them I am going to do them and send them in the New Year as I know I never really sit down to read mine til after the holidays. Have a great day, keep up the great work, Hugs n’ Stuff, Lynne
I think we send out about 40 each year, we’ve cut way down and we receive 25 or so. I know so many people not sending cards this year because of money. Love your blog !
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net
Leslie - what a sweet & generous candy offer! i send approximately 60 cards every year. a few years back i started tracking cards received, thinking i might be sending too many - but honestly, there’s nobody i’d cull from my list
i don’t receive a card from everyone i send one too, but it’s my little way of keeping in touch and letting those that i might not talk with all year that i’m thinking of them and their families.
i love receiving cards - especially those that include a little note (instead of a preprinted signature) and i do the same.
for me, the $25 i spend in postage is a drop in the bucket… can i cut one or two and save a buck? what’s the point in that
What a great question and I’m enjoying reading all the comments! I usually send out 75 to 80 cards. The majority are to family and friends but I always try and include a number of elderly and shut-ins from church. To know that you think of them means so much to them! I average receiving 40 to 50 cards. For me sending a card and short note is an easy way a letting someone know that I am thinking of them during the Christmas season even though I may not get to see them.
Thank you for the opportunity to win such awesome blog candy! Merry Christmas!
I visit you every day Leslie, love your blog! I send out 25 or so,,, I send store bought to those who would use my labor of luv as a coaster and send handmade to the people that I know would appreciate them. Happy Holidays
I love making cards so I still make all my Christmas cards that I send out. I usually receive about the same amount back. If I happen to receive one from someone I didn’t send to then I make another one and send it out.
I do think the economy is making a difference in whether some people send out cards or the number that they do.
I send out about 100 cards and always ssend out more than I receive. I have a hard time taking people off my list. So far, this year, I have only received a handful of cards — much fewer than at this time in past years. I think as life gets busier, it may be time to take another look at my list and whittle a few names off of it.
Thanks for the chance for some great candy!
My sending cards has varied over the years. Sometimes I send a few other times more and sad to say some years I haven’t sent. I hate to say that time was a factor but it does seem to make a difference on what I get done before Christmas with work and all the extra get-togethers that happen at this time of year. There are different reasons I’m receiving less cards and most of it has to do with the age of my relatives (they are getting older 80+ and some are now gone) so I am not upset with the shorter list. Writing this makes me think maybe I need to start sending more to my relatives around my age. Maybe we would stay in contact more?? You have me thinking that I need to maybe start a new tradition
Have a great Christmas and holiday season!!
Thanks for a chance to win your awesome blog candy.
I used to send and receive several cards but through the years the list has dwindled. I mostly send to older friends and family. I make some of my cards and send store bought to some who I think may not be appreciative of a “home made” card. Some people associate home made with having to make do. (grin) I have so far given around a dozen cards to friends at a couple of monthly get togethers we have and they always comment how well they like them. I usually make enough cards for me and my two grown daughters to give or mail out.
I still send out alot of Christmas cards…..tradition or what? I think alot of people don’t do it anymore as they say they are just “too busy”. How can you be “too busy” to show someone you care.
Thanks for the chance to win the Scor Pal. What an awesome gift!
Lynn Hayes
I usually send out around 100 cards each year but do not receive as many back. With the price of postage and cards, many people just don’t send them out. Personally I have always looked forward to receiving cards and hearing about friends and family. When I send a card to someone, it’s my way of letting them know I’m thinking about them. I only hear from some of my family members who live far away at this time of year. The internet has made it too easy to send a thank you, greetings, etc. I only send out my hand made cards to people I know would appreciate looking at the card and the care that went into it and not throw it away immediately. I’ve enjoyed reading all the other responses, too. To me sending out cards at this time of year is a tradition and part of the spirit of the season. Thanks for the chance to win such an aweseome gift.
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA
I’ve never been great about keeping in touch, but I always send out 35-50 christmas cards a year. But I am seeing less of a return on them. And they are almost exclusively store bought ones. I don’t even see many photo ones anymore. I’m waiting to see if everyone is going to send them via email…
Morning Leslie, I don’t receive many Christmas cards anymore, and each year it gets less and less…..we mostly get the photo ones, and maybe 2 handmade ones. This year though, 2 of my friends (one just hosted a SU workshop for me) sent me handmade cards, each using a design we used at the workshop. That meant alot to me, as they LOVED the cards….I treasure those and keep them. The other cards I also keep and use them the following year cutting parts for Christmas tags. I am working on my handmade Christmas cards today….slow process!
Thanks for sharing the blog candy with us…wow a Scor-Pal…what a way to finish off the “party”!!!
I send out as many Christmas cards as I can possibly make! I make Christmas cards pretty much all through the year so I have a huge stash at the end of the year. This year I am sending out about 100 cards. I belong to a couple of pretty big rubber stamping e mail lists so I receive a lot of cards as well.
I don’t think that any one should get stressed over feeling like they have to send out cards though.
I send about 70 cards at Christmas. All handmade. I too worried about the cost of postage but my husband said it is only one time a year so go ahead and send all you want to. I receive fewer and fewer. I am tempted to send only to those I receive from but that is not the spirit of Christmas. Therefore I keep adding names to my list and it keeps growing longer and longer.
Great blog candy. I would love to own one of these. Thanks for sharing all you share. I love your blog and appreciate all you take time to share with us.
Merry Christmas.
I send 100 or so Christmas newsletters, and handmade cards to family plus a few close friends. There are fewer cards/newsletters received each year from those on my list, but then usually replaced by new friends. I don’t want to “give up” any as it is usually the only time during the year we find out what’s going on in our friend’s lives. We are sooooo blessed to live in a country where we have this freedom to express our feelings and views. God has been good to us!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!!!
Jan
I don’t send as many cards as I used to, mainly to family and a few close friends. I like to make my Christmas cards instead of buying ready made cards but find that it gets harder and harder to get everything done. I do save the cards I receive and will look back through them sometimes and think about the person who sent the card.
Have a Merry Christmas.
I send out about 50 cards. They are all handmade and I start my cards in October. Other years I have watercolored all of my cards and found that it was alot of work and felt overwhelmed as the mailing date closed in. This year I went the easy way and just stamped and used various papers and colors. They were all finished and mailed by Dec. 10th.
Thanks for your blogcandy and hope I win.
Sherry Conrad
I generally send out at least 70 handmade cards (last year they were New Year’s cards because I ran out of time) and I generally receive about 5 or 6 cards. I appreciate the people who do think about me and my family. I also like my family, friends and acquaintences to know that I am thinking of them too.
I do believe that the niceties of life have been pushed to the wayside in favor of email, myspace, etc. Postage, time, and the cost of cards seem to have also gotten in the way. It’s a pity.
Thank you for the opportunity to win a great gift! I have been drooling over the ScorPal for a while…
I send out about 40 cards. I make my cards every year. Each year I receive less and less it seems. Thanks for the chance to win the ScroPal. It is on my Christmas list.
I make about 30 Christmas cards but do not get back the same amount. Some people I send to are elderly and no longer are able to get out and about. I do not expect a card from them but, they always call to say thank you and let me know how much they appreciate the card and how lovely it is and we have a nice chat:) I noticed lately that the cards from some people on my list who leave for their winter digs in December are no longer sending them either. Several of my nieces who are now of the right age and don’t live at home anymore are starting to send Christmas cards. I think it kind of balances out. As of yesterday, I’d only received three cards. I think this is probably normal as people have busy lives and it is a shorter time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to prepare for the holidays. Most of the cards seem to come the week before Christmas. My own should be going out either today or tomorrow:)
Wonderful blog candy! Thanks for the chance to win.
We send about 50 cards to family and friends and we receive probably around 20 cards. It is really nice to know that people thought of us.
I send lot’s of cards every year, but i’m afraid I don’t get very many back. Some people tell me that they give money to charity instead of sending cards,While I feel this is a very good idea it upset’s me as I still send them a card, so they have a house full of lovely cards at Christmas but I don’t get many back. Some people don’t even let you know that they are going to do that, so you just feel that nobody cares. Ah shame!Wishing you and all your friends a very merry Christmas!!!!!!
Linda [ from the UK]
We get A LOT of photo cards! I do love seeing the kids/family photos, but wish they were at least sign it!
I guess people with kiddos are super busy! I have hand made cards for the last 2 years since I started stamping. It’s fun - I make about 35 of them. I like to make each one a little differently - I like to improve on the design and use up my different stamps! My life would be so much easier if I just replicated them… but I enjoy it, so …. Would love to win a scor-pal!!!
I make about 20 hand made cards for immediate friends who stamp - and a few family members. The family members get handmade, I know they understand the time and effort that goes into handmade cards or are just very special like my 95 yr old grandma. Other than that… store bought and a real hand written note of at least 5 lines to personalize them. 15 minutes a night during commercials or before bed for a week will do it all. I do think it is important. If I don’t get them done before Christmas… I send out happy new year cards!
I make and send about 40 holiday cards .. and this year, I’m LATE!!
Just wanted to thank you for all the inspiration the past year … I look forward to another year of wonderful projects! Thanks so much for sharing yourself with us!!
Have a blessed holiday!
~Hugs, Deb
I am intending to send cards, but I haven’t yet. I have some that are made and some that are purchased. Usually by this time we have gotten lots, but I think we have about 6 or 7 so far. Christmas really snuck up on us this year!
I used to make about 40 cards but now I send some e cards to some friends and send hand made cards to family and crafter friends who I know appreciate them. With the postage costs going up all the time - I feel I have to save on postage to have spending money for supplies!!
I love to send out Christmas cards but next year I am thinking of sending post cards to save some on postage. People I know aren’t sending out as many cards any more but I wish more people would, its wonderful to hear from people and feel they are thinking of you.
It’s kind of funny, but as much as I enjoy making cards, I don’t send out that many. I make them mostly for my family and teacher gifts. Sad, I know, but I never seem to have time to make a whole bunch to mail out. I always have good intentions but never seem to get around it. Maybe next year!
I would love the chance to get your scorpal, THANKS! I have truely enjoyed looking at everyone’s blogs for the celebration. I send out cards. I only send out about 8, but I really don’t get that many back. As of now, I have only 4 on my mantle that I have received from people. I love making cards, and I try to send out cards to everyone on their birthdays. That’s just my thing.
We still send out cards and recieve less every year. I used to write a personal note in each card as this was the only time I communicated with some folks on my list. I started writing a family news letter several years ago and we send that out with cards. Our list has diminished to out of town friends and family. It seems a shame lots are not sending cards anymore as I always looked forward to reading the notes inside. It was always a disapointment when a card came without even a short note as it meant that we were losing touch and soon cards would cease to come. I recieved my first e-mail Christmas letter this year so it looks as if this may take the place of cards in the future. I will miss the old tradition if that happens. Ann Lind
After reading everyone else’s comments, I’m not feeling so bad about the amount of cards I sent out. I had 81 on my list, but that was my home contacts and contacts at my job. They were handmade (one design only…don’t want someone to get the same design more than once. Plus, much easier to reproduce) I have not received that many cards as of right now. Probably 7-10?? Thanks for the chance to win a Scor-pal!!
I’m in the same boat….I do send out about 50 cards, but don’t receive that many back. There are a few friends on my list that I know I won’t get a return card from because I know they decided not to do them anymore several years ago. I don’t send my handmade ones to those people on my list….just my immediate family members and very dear, dear, dear friends that I know totally appreciate and love getting my handmade cards. Thanks for the chance to win a great blog candy….who wouldn’t love to receive a new Scor-pal!
I believe electronic media has affected our communication, but it is not all to blame. I do believe we all need to slow down and personalize things more for our loved ones (with emphasis on LOVED ones - not every person in our lives fits this category).
I don’t send as many cards as I used to, but I do spend more time personalizing and making cards and gifts for those family members that truly understand the love and time the gifts involve. The list to send to was in the multiple hundreds and was a yearly draining experience for me. I had lost perspective on why I wanted to send Christmas cards. So I listened to my heart and inner reflections and pared down my list. Five years ago I pared it down more. We receive cards from the same group and number of people every year regardless of the fact that I pared down my list.
It used to be that I received far fewer than I sent. The numbers just seemed to dwindle over the years. Then, I started making cards and now, I send even less. I tend to get side-tracked on a card and may spend dozens of hours on it. And, I have never duplicated a card. I MEAN to do better and to get more out - it just hasn’t happened yet!
I will be sending out about 50-75 cards this year because I did not send any last year. It varies year to year. In the years of my mom’s passing, son’s birth and dad’s passing (last year), which all were in the late fall, I did not get around to actually getting them out the door. We have received less this year by this same time. I am an office manager for a cardiology group and we usually have so much food and goodies around Thanksgiving that we actually have to split it up to take home before the Thanksgiving break. This year, there was nothing to divide. The same with cards coming to the office. I would say we are probably at about 40% of normal in the # of cards. However, we see a lot of older patients who have to live on fixed incomes and with the tough economy, I am sure it has affected them too.
I definitely think we as a society need to SLOW down!!!! Everything is always so rush rush and hurry hurry, and I am just as guilty as the next. I really TRY and remember to take time now and then to stop and enjoy life, little things. Teach and having small children helps because they notice the little things and hurry less!
This has been interesting reading! We haven’t sent cards out for a few years, but always mail a “generic” Christmas newsletter with a short personal note to about 50-70 friends and family members. We almost always receive about as many as we send out. My husband’s retired AF so it’s really lovely hearing from old friends who are scattered all over the country. I should add that in the past few years, we’ve heard from people for New Year’s, Valentine’s and even at Easter! Unfortunately, I agree the holidays can be so busy that cards and letters are often what get sacrificed in the interest of time. I’ve been making and sending special homemade cards to immediate family and a few friends for the past couple years. I don’t know how they feel, but it gives me a great deal of pleasure to do that!
Dear Leslie,
Oh, Christmas- my absolutely favorite time of year. I start the decorating early so I can enjoy it more! Christmas cards this year are so exciting, since I made them myself. I have scrapbooked for many years, but just got started in cardmaking. I am not so creative- so I depend on blogs like yours for my inspiration. I made 6 different designs- all with some knid of stamps, layering and embellishments. I am so happy. I do send out a few more (boughten)for those ‘have-to-send-but-don’t-really-want-to’. I think my friends appreciate the thought and work in them. We had to stop most gift type exchanges due to everyone’s economic woes-but the cards make up for it, I think! Keep up the great blogging!
I usually send out about 20 cards , but not sure if I will this year , as I am behind on everything . Thanks for a chance to win this great candy , I really need one of these !
I send out about 50 cards to family and friends. It seems like every other year I’ll hand make them (it always takes a year to forget how much work it is). I don’t get sent as many as I send out. It seems like most of our friends send us cards but some of our family doesn’t for whatever reason. We get some “ecards/eletters” instead of snailmail cards now. I’m not so fond of that trend but I’m sure it is a lot easier. Thanks for the chance to win the ScorPal!
I always seem to get a late start on making and sending mine out. But I usually have them done by the second week of December. I love to make my cards. It seems to give a more personal touch and my friends and family love getting them. I usually send out a total of about 50. We haven’t received as many cards this year as we have in the past. But that’s okay, I still love to make mine and send them out.
I too seem to think people are so much more busier than they used to be. The older we get the more stuff life throws at us. My incoming is much less than the outgoing card mail. I guess it’s sad but I do know that even though the cards don’t come, I could still call them and they’d be there in a heart beat if we needed a hand. I think that’s the most important thing. I have girlfriends that I don’t see for a year or two and we can pick right up where we left off. I need to start/send cards sooner I think, then I might be added to list too! I’m still working on my cards!
I do find I am sending less cards each year. I try and make for special friends and family, but also receive far fewer than I send. I still enjoy keeping in touch . Thanks so much for a chance to win a scor-pal. Wishing you a Blessed and peaceful Christmas and look forwar to lots of inspiration next year
I do send out Christmas cards. About 75 every year. As a SU! demo I feel a lot of pressure to make my cards, but last year I ordered them from Shutterfly and this year a girlfriend of mine put together some AMAZING cards with pictures of my kids. The weight it has lifted off my shoulders to not have to feel like I need to make a card for everyone on my list is immense. All I really want to do is let them know I’m thinking of them. I’m thankful for the chance/opportunity/excuse to touch bases with friends I don’t see often at least once a year. I don’t do a letter, but I do enjoy reading the ones we receive. I think I receive about the same number that I send. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Wishing you a blessed Christmas!
Hi Leslie,
I have followed your blog for over a year now. =) I don’t comment much (I should get better at that) but I love your cards! So…Christmas cards…I try to send them every year and end up making about half of them myself (Those I send to my immediate family and closest friends) and the rest are store bought. I like to send them but must say I receive very few in return. I don’t think its the postage, I think it has perhaps become “one more thing to do” during the Christmas season and therefore it gets cut. Sad I think. It’s so fun to receive cards in the mail so I’ll just keep sending mine out. Hopefully that will brighten someones day a bit.
I normally send out approximately forty cards. It’s gotten to the point where, if I don’t send a handmade card to family and friends, I hear about it!!! I know how much they all love my cards, but it really takes a lot of time to make them. So far, I have only received maybe ten cards. Normally I get a lot more. Besides the postage issue, I think that many women who do all the sending of the cards each year, feel that it is just one more JOB that they have to do along with everything else that they are overloaded with. Thanks for the chance to win….Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
I used to send a ton of Christmas cards and the first year I really was into stamping I made a ton of them with embossed images and lots of layers…. it took me FOREVER. Since then, I have made a few Christmas cards for my friends that I won’t see (long distance folks), but no major mass production. I have been getting a handful of cards but the number is dwindling. I definitely think it’s more a time issue than anything else. I do think that we get so focused on shopping, wrapping gifts and going to parties that we forget the simple pleasures of sending and receiving cards.
Great candy!! I usually sent more cards then what I received,I usually sent around 30 but this year,I sent like 18? and I got 2 so far as of now.And you there’s some people who really demands the cards from me but I never received one from them,silly isn’t it? Have a good day, thanks for the chance…….Gina
I don’t send out that many (and oops haven’t finished this year’s yet!!). I’m sort of conflicted about sending cards - recycling & reducing waste is becoming more of an issue. On the other hand, it’s always nice to hear from people!
I think the beautiful tradition of Christmas cards is falling away. The computer has replaced much of the holiday communication. This year, my list is way down, so I have made all of them. I belong to 2 good size bible study groups in our church, and instead of cards, I have made prayer journals for everyone (also for very special friends & family). I never receive as many cards as I send, but then there are fewer people in the older (I’m a senior) age group. I so enjoy the cards I do receive, and sometimes, there is a surprise from someone I had lost track of. The scor-pal “candy” is such a super give-away. Thanks for the offer to enter.
This is my first year out of college, and so I am experimenting with holiday cards…I’m just sending a few as most of my friends are Jewish, and I sent out about 20 cards for the Jewish New Year. I’ve really enjoyed making them. Haven’t received any, but then, maybe most people don’t send Christmas cards until they’re partnered/married etc. Is that the case?
I love my Scor-Pal, but would love to give an extra as a gift. Cards….I look forward everyday during the holidays to see if we have any new Xmas cards from faraway and even close by friends and family. Often it is the only time we make ourselves take the time to catch up on family news. I never mind form letters and LOVE pics
I usually send out around 40 and give cards with trays of cookies and candy too.
Merry Xmas my friend and enjoy your cookie and candy tray and…..card
Hello
I didn’ enter any of the other blog candy contests … I was just too busy! I think we just make ourselves too busy and then cut out the things that should matter. For instance, we still have time to push through the crowd at a busy mall to spend more money than we originally budgeted to get a lukewarm response from the recipient. I think we’ve desensitized ourselves to the true spirit of Christmas. My children are still young and I want to stop this trend before it goes too far. We’re not going to give them too many huge, expensive gifts. We made a big deal about putting up the decorations and making Christmas cookies. I will be handmaking a lot of gifts and had the kids draw on a long roll of craft paper to wrap them in. In a few years I hope the kids will get in on helping me make Christmas cards.
I’m new to cardmaking, so the thought of making 100 handmade cards is a little daunting. For the last 6 years (since I’ve been married) I’ve sent out photo cards. I always LOVED it when people sent them to my family. I also think it’s good for those people you don’t see that often. Not only do they know that you thought of them, but they can feel like they know you just a little bit better because of your cards. I make sure we get the whole family on the card. I’ve received a few where it’s just the kids and you have no idea who these people are!
I also receive less cards every year. It also seems a little more special if you get them in the mail instead of being handed one at church by someone who’s making the rounds.
So … I hope that entertains you for a bit
~Jessica H.
I sent quite a few, although last year I was really bad and only got out a few. I receive about the same amount I send out. I sometimes get ecards…but I like to hang up the “real” ones that come snail mail. I especially LOVE home made cards, but I’ll take any! Ü
I send out about 50 cards a year to family and friends, this year since I joined a pen pal group I am going to send out an additional 25. So far this year I have received 1 via snail mail and 3 from my neighbors. They just put them in my mailbox. I get fewer cards every year. I try to send to the people I do not see or hear from during the year, but a lot of my close family (a large family) are very disappointed if I don’t send them a handmade card, even tho they don’t send anything. I look on it as their Christmas present. LOL!
For my family I truly do believe it is the postage and cost of cards. I do get e-cards from almost all of them so I guess that is the wave of the future. At least they think of us!!!
Yep I still send them out. About 100. I get probably 50 from family and friends. Most just send a family letter of some sort. I try to do a letter but I always put it in a homemade card. Congrats on such a successful blog …deidre M
I agree - I receive very few cards. As a result, I don’t send out many. I focus on making a few special ones for close friends, family and a few business acquaintances. I think most people are just too busy and trying to be economical to send cards out to everyone they have ever met anymore.
hj
We do not get many cards anymore but I still sent out handmade ones this year– 56 to be exact- probably the last time for so many if postage goes up again- I told myself when it hit 35 cents I would be done.I had 2 e cards in my box but I prefer to feel the paper and oh and ahhhh LOL then after Christmas scavange all I can off the card to be recycled into another card.My husband laughs when I tear apart gap bags because at baby gap they have striped lining– so very pretty.One mans junk is anothers……………………..
I share your sentiments on the Christmas cards list.. I have a list of about 35 this year (which has shrunk considerably this year as I lose touch with some old friends…) It does seem that I receive fewer and fewer cards and those that I do receive don’t have any special written message to me which is disappointing.. I always try to add a special little note to each person I give a Christmas card to, to let them know that I thought of them in a unique way.
On a seperate note, I hope I win the Scorpal!!!
Awesome candy. Everyone can use a Scor Pal! As for Christmas cards, I send very few, just to my family that doesn’t live nearby and my closest friends. Oddly enough, though I make a lot of cards, I’m not a card sender. I send very few throughout the year.
Thank you for this great chance to win this blog candy!! For the last 3 years Ive been making my own cards (approx 25-30) to send out for Christmas. As you know it is very time consuming but I don’t mind at all because they are for friends and family that of course I could not live without. As for receiving cards..hmm..I think I got maybe two? I have been receiving more and more of the family pics or just pics of there children in the mail now days. I think with all the emails and texting now days, it’s so much more convient to send those instead of sending things though snail mail. I personally get really excited when I receive mail from friends and family, expecially the hand made ones
Happy Holidays!
Seriously, a while Scor Pal? Sweet! And yes I send Christmas cards, but… I have my “deserving” list who get handmade and my “not deserving” list who get store bought! Last year I sent out about 60 cards but this year I will be scaling back - I seem to receive less and less each year and I understand that people cut back, fall out of touch, etc. I’ll kind of be doing the same thing this year!
Merry Christmas!!
Oh wow, a Scor Pal - I’d love to win one those! Holiday cards - I have several Jewish friends so I have to say holiday cards. I enjoyed reading what you said. I think I send maybe 25 of my own that I have made and are special and include a letter or at least a note. My husband sends at least that many if not more of the boughten kind. Each year we receive less and less. This year we have not received any yet and I have made a bunch but just have not written a personal note or letter. Maybe I will just put something simple in them to get out. they were so much fun to make and I want to share them. I also take some to people with some goodie or just the card to make them smile as maybe they need their day brightened or maybe they did a little something for me throughout the year. Last year was too crazy with the political caucus and such and I didn’t get many out - some went out in January as just a happy thought card. We have moved a few times the last 10 years and I hate to forget some people and hope they remember us. A couple special friends end up getting several of my cards because I can’t decide which one is the best and that makes us laugh even more about it. Enough babbling - I better go get some envelopes ready for the ones I have ready to go!!!! thanks for all your cool ideas!
I don’t send too many Christmas Cards, just to family far away, seems like this tradition is falling by the wayside now, and I am not helping it any. I can send out RAKs and birthday cards throughout the year, but when it comes to Christmas cards, I just don’t have enough time, I guess. The holidays are stressful for me.
thanks for sharing
ceashark at aol dot com
carolyn s
Interesting question. Just a few cards so far this year. I made cards last year but didn’t mail them. I have been thinking that we need to email our greetings this year because it is easier, they arrive quickly and are cheaper. But I still have all these cards! No answers here, just more questions.
I am sending about 115 cards (give or take 2 or 3), but I only receive about 50 each year. I send about 10 out of the country, so I never get any back from those families, as it is very expensive to reciprocate the cards they get–and for them it’s easier to call. This year I made them, but I usually buy in bulk. I find cards that I can translate the sentiment since half of my family only speaks Spanish.
I have to confess that I’ve not really mailed a lot of cards in the past. I was a hand deliver or a phone call type of person. However, this year, I’ve mailed about 30 out so far. We are finishing up another set of 16 this weekend and then we’ll be finished. I don’t get many every year and I wonder if it’s because I have not mailed them out in the past. We’ll see if that changes next year.
When I was in Texas I had a really great couple of friends that I’ve lost touch with over the last 20 years. It took some doing, but I was able to get their addresses and have sent them a card. It may be just the thing to let them know that I do think of them… often!
Tee
This year I am sending about half the number of cards sent previous years.
I use to send about 40 cards, a combination of store bought and handmade.
This year I made 20 cards to send to close family and friends. The number of
cards we receive has also declined.
Hello Leslie, This subject is one I’ve been interested in for some time. No one seems to have an answer to these questions for me. I’ve watched the decline for quite a few years now. It’s been fun reading your responses.
When I was young (40 - 50 years ago) my mother worked a full time job as a nurse and kept the books for our family business, (which more often than not involved pumping gas for customers at the station) raised three children, was active in community affairs and managed to send out an impressive card list every year. All of this with no microwave, cordless phone, clothes dryer or forced air heat. We enjoyed reading and catching up on all of the friends and family. Now we have so many “time saving” devises but, have even less time than we did then. It’s a paradox I haven’t been able to figure out.
I too Love “this ‘genteel’ tradition which is sadly falling by the wayside.” No I don’t think it’s postage alone altho it does contribute. Twenty years ago when I was too stressed, busy, and ill I finally had to give up for a year on our 100+ cards. The next year my husband stepped in and we now do it together, which helps so VERY much and is really an enjoyable time for both of us. I usually do a one page, large type form letter, with updates about each of the kids, grandchildren, animals and the ongoing remodel, (will it never end) it also has photos of the family chosen from the year. Then he writes a personal note on the inside of most of the cards. I do try to make my cards every year, but have given in and use a label program to print all of the address labels, which is fast and easy. Neither one of us has good penmanship and want to save the time for ‘other’ things. To date we have received 8 cards. As with most it’s fewer every year. I still love reading everyone’s cards and especially like the photos of their families which I save and compare over the years. I didn’t use to like form letters but have figured out it’s a fast easy way to update everyone on the comings and goings of the family and as long as it’s kept short it’s a good thing. Thanks for sharing, gail
I send handmade cards to friends and family each year. There are many elderly folks on my list and I think those are the cards I enjoy making and sending the most. Seniors are so thrilled to receive a special handmade card at the holidays. I have discovered that they display the card, show it to everyone who comes to visit, and then keep the card in a special place as a treasure. Now, with e-mail and cell phones we are not writing letters very often and we need to remember that the elderly have had the experience of communicating by letter and special cards throughout their life and still appreciate that someone spent the time and went to the effort to send them something special in the mail.
I belong to a card group and we started making Christmas cards last January right after the holidays and made cards each month. By October we were all finished with our cards!
Number of cards made and sent 65
Number received so far 1
We receive less and less, and I send less and less. Christmas cards are becoming a thing of the past. It’s sad, we do need to slow down. I love the internet and e mail, but there is nothing like getting mail or reading something you can hold. It’s a crazy, crazy world. I have lost contact with friends and where they have moved, yet it should be so easy w/ e mail!!!???? It’s not the postage….
I would love the score pal, btw. Smiles!
I usually send out about 50 cards every year. I have noticed that people are starting to cut back on sending Christmas cards out. I think that it is mainly a time issue. A few people I know have told me that they aren’t sending out cards becasuse things are too hectic in their lives and they don’t have the time. I enjoying making them and also receiving them too but it is nice knowing that you are thought of.
I used to send out 100-150 cards. I definitely sent out more than I received. As time went on and things became more hectic, I sent out less cards. I recently started cardmaking and intend to make cards for my closest friends.
Ann
Christmas cards…good topic. I send out quite a few but like you do not receive as many as we used to receive. I’ve had some people comment on how they don’t like the long, newsy letter in the cards they receive, but I love to get them. With some of our friends, this is our only contact & it’s wonderful to know how they are doing.
i SEND OUT cHRISTMAS CARDS. hANDMADE FOR THE MOST PART. iT’S FUNNY WHEN i SEE THEM IN THE SUMMER OR OTHER TIME OF THEY YEAR TEY SAY THAT THEY KEEP MY CARDS THAT i HAVE MADE BECAUSE IT WAS MADE. mAKES ME FEEL REALLY GOOD INSIDE. i DO GET CARDS AS WELL BUT NOT AS MANY AS i SEND OUT. bUT JUST AS LONG AS THEY KNOW i AM THINKING OF THEM IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
hAPPY HOLIDAYS]
Ooopps soory about the caps I didn’t realize it was on
I love making my Christmas cards and have made about 75 this year. I love receiving them as well, but don’t recieve as many as I send out. I can take some of my cards to church and put them in our mail boxes there so I don’t have to pay postage on those. I wish the art of card giving and letter writing would stay in vogue. Emails are fast, but lack the personal touch and letters and cards really say to me that person took the time from their busy day to think of me. I hope this practice of Christmas cards never goes away. I hang mine on a wall to display as decorations.
I love making my own Christmas cards and send them out about 75 - 100 cards every year…I probably receive about half as many in return. Most years I try to include our family newsletter updating those who we haven’t seen throughout the year…but it didn’t get done this year! I know people really appreciate my cards…my sister actually saves all my cards and every year she displays all the cards I’ve given to her over the years! (pretty funny!)
Thanks for this chance to win sweet candy! Wishing you a blessed holiday season with your family and friends!
~Brenda H.
I make and send about 50 cards — all different — of my own. But I make many more than that. My mom is in an assisted living facility with about 90 residents. I make enough cards for each resident to get one. It’s a big project, but I enjoy it very much. I also make cards for a couple other holidays — Valentine’s Day and Halloween, as well as birthday cards each month. The activities director has told me that the residents are so happy to receive my hand-made cards.
This is my first Christmas since my stroke to be able to make and send Christmas cards again. I love to do it, but finances and physical ability had prevented it. I recently bought a stamp set, was given two and some paper and I found just the right sentiment. So I am all set. Now if I just had that Scor-Pal..but if I don’t win it, I am buying myself one for Christmas. How great is that? I get my present either way. All kidding aside, thanks for all you do. Linda Crowder
I send out 10-15 Christmas cards, mostly to friends and family who don’t live nearby, and usually include a newsletter as well. I probably receive about 8-10 cards (only one so far this year).
This morning our department employee newsletter (e-mail) came out with an article on being more green, and I was disappointed to see that one of their suggestions was to forego Christmas cards in favour of e-mails. No way! Who wants to arrange e-mails on their fireplace mantle?! For me, it’s cards all the way.
I have pared down the list to people who I really treasure. That keeps the list down and as I usually leave it to the last minute to make cards I still stress. Thank goodness for “stamp simply”.
Merry Christmas to all our cardmaking friends.
Tamara
I’ve only recently gotten into card making and I LOVE it…where have I been that it’s taken me so long to find this wonderful addiction? I’ve always sent out Christmas cards every year but my list has gotten smaller as I’ve gotten older.
I’m learning so much & get such inspiration from the blogs that I read.
I’ve bought all kinds of supplies but I don’t have a Scor-Pal…THANKS SO MUCH for the chance to win one!!!
Mae in Bonita Springs
I know I send too many, and with the cost of sending cards going higher and higher, I’m going to have to cut back. But I enjoy making and sending - this year I took a bunch to our local nursing home, and contributed to the “card cart”.
I send out Christmas cards every year, and make them all - although my list isn’t very long (about 12 - 15 cards). Every year we get less and less cards, and I think it’s sad. And I do think it’s a ’sign of the times” … people are getting less and less personal and it seems like everyone is too busy with themselves, to take the time to to write and send Christmas cards.
Thank you for your wonderful blog, and for the chance to win this candy! It would be an awesome Christmas prezzie
I do enjoy sending out Christmas cards. Particularly the years I can make them myself. Some years we don’t’ seem to get around to it though.
The big issue for a lot of people, it seems, is the Christmas letter!
I am making 60 handmade cards this year!! I don’t receive nearly as many as I send out. But still like to send wishes for a happy holiday season to all my friends and family. I even make separate cards for the little ones and mail them to each one separately as well. They LOVE to get mail too!!
Great blog candy! I’d love to own a score tool. I’ve been using my fiskars cutting blade thingy with the one grove to do my scoring.
I send lots of cards each year. I’ve made about 60 this year. I usually recieve about 30 back. Kind of disappointing, but I really enjoy sending them out.
Jennifer L.
I love sending Christmas cards but due to cost and time I send to close friends and family so I only do about 35-40 a year. I have been making them for the last ten years and so enjoy this. What is funny is about every other year my DH buys Christmas cards after the holidays while they are on sale and gives them to me think I will use them. He doesn’t have a clue, so they sit in the basement till I donate them to someone. I just laugh! We usually get about 25 a year and it is fun to catch up on the news from old college roommates or friends that have moved away, so I like getting the letters, but I don’t send one, since it is usually the same old stuff at our house.
This celebration has been fun! Thanks for sharing your talent and the chance to win the blog candy!
I just ordered 75 Christmas photo cards. In the past I have made my cards, but the last few years I’ve been too busy. I do think our busy lifestyles prevent people from sending out cards, but I’m sure postage plays a part in it as well. When it costs almost a dollar to mail 2 cards it’s kind of ridiculous! I still send out cards because I want my friends and family to know I’m thinking of them and I also love seeing the cards we receive.
I used to send a decent amount of Christmas cards but it has dwindled over the last few years. It seems like I’m lucky to get any out anymore! LOL I’m not exactly sure why…maybe because I started making my own and that takes longer. This year I’m going with a very quick and simple card. Hopefully everyone’s not expecting something spectacular.
Thank you for the chance to win the Scor-Pal! This is something I’ve really been wanting for a long time!
Guilty. I used to give handmade cards up to 2 years ago. Then decided to give gifts such as bag tags and bookmarks as they have more mileage through the year. I hardly receive cards or handmade gifts but it won’t stop me from making things for them. ncreasingly I receive emails and text messages on the handphone. These could even be cute messages forwarded several times over by the time they get to my inbox. I don’t mind, it’s the thought that counts.
I do still send Christmas cards. I am new to stamping this year so I had a blast making my own. I definitely send out more than I receive but I don’t mind, it’s always fun to give and it helps put me in the spirit of it all!
I send about 200 Christmas greetings each year. About 50 handmade cards, 50 store-bought cards and we print about 70 Christmas letters to update those far away on our family. Thanks for a chance to win!
I love making cards but for some reason I procrastinate sending them out to as many as I would like to. I am more of a phone person, I love to pick up the phone and call friends I have not heard from in a while and catch up. It’s always a nice surprize for them and I enjoy our Christmas visit that way. I do love receiving cards so every year I vow to try to send out more. I havve totally enjoyed the last 12 days and thank you for the chance to win the Score-Pal.
I do send Christmas cards - usually many more than I receive. I love making my own cards to have them be something special to send but it does seem that we get less and less each year. I miss having the mailbox be stuffed full every day of December. I will probably keep making and sending them every year because I enjoy teh whole process.
I send out about 30 cards each year and receive much the same. Many people I don’t hear from except at Christmas, but I do enjoy the feeling that they think of us then. My cards are all home made for each person according to their personality. Thank you for the opportunity to win a Scor-Pal it would be a dream come true for me if I won. Thank you too for the last 12 days of inspirational creativity, so thoroughly enjoyable….Lilian
I just send a few handmade cards to very special people, but I do give handmade cards to all the family members at our traditional family get together. Thank you for the chance to win and Merry Christmas to you and your family. Marie-Paule
I think Christmas cards are going by the wayside, the same way handwritten letters have. These days, it’s entirely too quick and convenient to send an e-mail or an e-card. Postage is expensive, and mailing a card sometimes involves a trip to pick up postage or drop off the card at the post office. And cards are expensive!
All that said, I continue to make cards for my friends. I usually don’t mail them, though — I pass them out as I see people. I like it better that way.
Thanks for the chance to win awesome blog candy!
Vicki
Hi,
I’ll bet every one of those people on your list feel very happy and honored to get one of your beautiful cards. I hope you hear from them over the year. I think it is just a sign of tougher times that not everybody is sending cards. Lots of people are making due on smaller incomes; more moms are working.
I work, have 5 & 7 yo, and a 24 yo and SIL. I also volunteer. I have a large extended family. My DH’s pay has been cut and half of the people he worked with lost their jobs. I guess it’s time and money. The love is still there, but I can email or call personal thoughts. I still send cards to my older aunts and some widows who really like to get them. The stress of trying to get all the cards I would like to make done in the time, and not leave anyone out was getting to me.
Merry Christmas,
Terri
I make handmade cards every year for family and special friends but have to say that I get fewer every year. I don’t have a very large list, but send out about 30 each year. A few of my extended family have started sending e-cards, but I miss the real-life paper cards! As families and friends move all over the country and sometimes all over the world, I cherish even more, those holiday greetings from far-away loved ones.
I get about the same number of cards that I’ve always gotten, and I really enjoy sending out my cards and yearly Christmas letter. I just got married this year so my list has grown…how exciting!
I hand stamp around 100 cards every year! I start around Halloween and make about 5-6 different designs! It’s a ton of work, but family and friends look forward to them every year. I feel that’s my gift from the heart to them!
Like you, I send out more cards than I receive. I think people get too busy! I love to make cards, and feel it is a way for me to give a little bit of myself to my friends and family. Everyone loves my cards, and it feels good to know I’ve brought some joy to their Christmas. Happy holidays to you and yours! ~Mary
I don’t send out Christmas cards, since i don’t celebrate this holiday…but I love to send out lots of cards just to let people know they are thought of. I love to get a letter in the mail…so I always think of this when I mail a card to someone else.
Thanks for the awesome blog candy….this has been on my wish list for some time.
Have a great weekend
Gloria
I send about 25 cards, all homemade of course!!! I could send more then that if I were rich! This blog candy rocks, keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
I send out about 50 Christmas cards and get about that many back. I love getting Christmas cards and I have been told by several that they look forward to my card to see what I have made for them. Thanks for the opportunity to win some great blog candy.
Before I started making cards I sent to everyone in my phone book. Not even a fourth send cards and they are getting fewer each year. Now I make what I can and send to the special ones that enjoy handmade cards and send store bought to the ones that are sending cards to me that I feel they would get a warm fuzzy if they received a handmade card. I don’t send near what I’d like as I don’t have time being a business owner. Thanks for a chance to win some blog candy.
My Hubby & I make our Christmas cards every year (we’ve been married 9 years). It’s something we enjoy doing together. Our list has been shrinking the last several years, we’re down to sending out a little over 60 for this year. We usually get back a little less than what we send out. We especially enjoy the handmade cards we receive.
Thank you for an opportunity for some very awesome blog candy.
I am so happy you asked this quesion. I do send Christmas cards by mail and love to get them in the mail. I have always hung them on the back of my front door as part of my holiday cheer. Well in the past few years they are fewer and fewer. I am getting e-cards……… just not the same are they. I know they do make me feel good but I really love the old get the it in the mail kind.
Between family and co workers I send out roughly 70 christmas cards a year. Last year was the 1st time at making my own. Unfortunately, everyone on my list did not get a handmade card. This year I am using the stamp simply method so a few more of my close friends will receive handmade cards. Also some of my family that live out of town will receive handmade cards because I limited the layers. Thanks for the chance to win the Scor-pal. It is something I have on my christmas list.
I definitely receive less than I used to. I’m not sending out as many this year either though, but I plan to go back to normal next year with a bunch again.
I’m passionate about making cards and giving them to friends and folks I don’t know.
I’m making about 20 or so stairstep xmas cards for family, friends and a few dog lovers
(I used my chihuahuas as the main subject).
Another 30 or so 6×8 fancy readymade cards I got after xmas 2007 at 75% off.
These cards I just hand out to the anyone I come across at work.
I love the expressions on their faces, because most of them I don’t know!
I really love sending Christmas cards and receiving them. I send only hand made ones and send about 80 cards a year. Whether I get back from those I send doesn’t matter…I just enjoy the process.
I used to send out a lot of Christmas cards the day after Thanksgiving and it seemed like I would get a card in return. Then one year I decided to wait to see who sent me a Christmas card because they wanted to and not just because I sent them a card. Needless to say that year I received very few cards. Now, I send out my hand made cards only to those who I deem card worthy. LOL
I send out about 70+ handmade cards. I love making them, but in that quantity, it’s a bit daunting! My favorite part about cards is receiving cards from other ladies. There are always ideas to “snag”! lol I have a handful of non-scrappers that can’t wait to recieved their cards from me.
I send out about 80 cards and probably receive a similar amount back which reminds me I haven’t made my yet so I better get busy!!
I don’t celebrate Christmas, so I don’t send out any cards. But I like to receive them! They are so interesting! Have a great Holiday!
I send some 20 cards. We receive fewer & fewer cards each year. I think that’s sad. I guess it could have something to do w/emails & the price of postage these days.
i send out between 10-20 cards and receive about 10. does seem like i’m getting fewer as i get older. maybe my circle has shrunk.
Merry Christmas
thanks for sharing
I send out about 70 Christmas cards. I don’t get anywhere near that many, but I do enjoy doing it. Funny - before I started stamping, I would buy Christmas cards every year, but never get any of them sent. They’re all still sitting in a drawer. At least when I go to all of the trouble to make them, I do get them sent out! What great candy you are offering! Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you Leslie for the chance to win a Scor Pal. I don’t have one and would love to take one for a spin! We do not send out cards. Tried the first few years of our 26-year marriage and it seemed too daunting along with the babies, decorating, visits/hosting, baking, church programs…it just sort of gave way. The strange thing is, once I started card making, I also made Christmas cards, knowing full-well I would probably not be sending any! Weird, huh? I include some in my cardswap group, give some to my mother-in-law (who loves handmade cards), and donate some to our city library who sells them to help with their dwindling book budget. What I really use is the seasonally decorated Thank You’s that I make as well. Use lots of those and give them as gifts as well.
You touched on an important contemporary problem everyone experiences to varying degrees, over-committment. We have become so busy, maybe feel obligated to meet expectations of others. that we have not thought about how truly peaceful it could be just to slow down and enjoy mindfully whatever is happening at that moment and in that place. Thanks again for the chance to win!
I think I’m getting old, tired and lazy. The number of Christmas cards I send out each year is now at a dismal number……12. These are to out-of-state friends and relatives who we rarely get to see. It’s the major source of communication letting all know that we’re still in existence. But I do make the time to personally make each card as detailed and beautiful as possible. It’s a time for reflection and sweet memories of times spent together. As for all our island friends and family, we have a huge Christmas luau here and they all know that that’s their Christmas card and gift from us.
Scor-pal is on my Santa-Please list. Wow. Onto your question: My card list is not huge, but it’s big for me - 30-40 some mailed, some hand delivered. And you’re right, I seem to be getting less each year. A couple years ago, there was an excuse - I’d moved a couple of months before the holidays, so people “could” have sent to the wrong address, but fewer seems to be the trend.
Iam getting more e-cards for “casual” holiday greetings. Maybe that’s the new trend? Me, I love getting the paper. I work in high tech and am all about the Web, but there’s just something VISCERAL about tearing open the envelope (like tearing open gift packaging? hmmmm) and peeking inside. And I like the warm fuzzies I get when I read what someone took the time out to send to me, so I like to return the favor. Anyone who gets your creations will definitely feel special.
Jessica
I send special handmade cards to my Speical Friends that I no longer get to see. I have moved a number of times all over the country and always leave 3 or 4 special friends behind. Those friends I see on a regular basis and with my family we might hand deliver cards. My mailing and receiving from neighbors and family have dropped every year. Not sure that is due to cost or time.
Thanks for the Scor-Pal blog candy, that is very generous of you. darlene
I find my Christmas card list is much smaller than ever. I know when I send a Christmas card, I feel compelled to do more than just a card. I feel I need to have a brief letter and picture so it becomes much more of a chore than it was years ago.
In addition, I’ve found that I only send Christmas cards (pic and letter) to those that I’m not contact with online. Those that I’m connected to via facebook, etc, have already seen the pics and have heard the news so I just wish them a Merry Christmas and call it good. I wonder if the Post Office misses me.
Oh I so want one of these. I have been eyeing them for a long time. Darn budgets anyway! I make most of my cards and send to the ones I know appreciate them. The ones that I know don’t gets a store bought one. But, this year I am so behind with taking care of my parents that I am just doing the store bought cards. I also only send to those that send to me. And so far this year it hasn’t been many. So I won’t be sending many. With my family around we just hand deliver them and save on postage for more important things like stamps and card stock. LOL
Angel hugs
Debby
I don’t send Christmas cards out anymore, but I do give cards to my co-workers and close friends. I get a few cards from distant relatives, but that’s about it. I’m hoping that I can start making more and more cards (and if I win your Scor-Pal blog candy, that would really make things easier!) and re-establish an old tradition. Thanks for the opportunity!
I send out 20-25 cards and receive about that many back. It is nice to keep in touch, even if it is only once a year.
I would love one of these.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
I usaully send 5 or less. I always have good intentions, but just don’t get it done. Have enjoyed all the projects and offers of blog candy.
I make cards and send them out to close friends and family. I always have extras on hand in case I get a card from someone else. It also seems I am getting fewer every year. I can’t bring myself to send store bought cards, plus dh would kill me. After all the money and time in stamping and creating I have invested to send store bought would be a sin. Thanks for the chance for blog candy. I love your site.
I do make cards for Christmas but usually save them for the family members and friends that appreciate them - approx. 25. It upsets me to see my cards thrown in the trash so over the years I’ve learned to cut back on what I make each year. I get back close to what I send out but sometimes they are store bought cards that have been altered in some way.
Barb S.
(FL)
I make my cards each year and send out about 30. I receive about as many as I send. I use store bought cards for the sanitation people, mail carrier, newspaper delivery couple, etc.
Thanks for the chance to win a Score-Pal. I’ve wanted one for awhile!
I send out around 80 cards at Christmas. Last year was my first ever stamping project and I did it! On time! This year I only have 38 done so far, but I’ll finish - they just may go out late. One could say I’m spending too much time checking out the blogs, but I am so inspired by all the talent and creativity you share with us.
A lot of people have switched to email Christmas greetings - I guess that’s okay, but I really appreciate getting a card the old fashioned way. A card that is hand made is precious to me - I’ve always treasured them - even before I started crafting my own.
Thanks for the chance at winning the Scor-Pal. I would love to have one!
We are stepping back into the Christmas card arena after not taking to time to participate for a few years. Last year we sent out photo cards and they were so well received that we will send out even more this year. I love receiving cards and save them from year to year. It is so hard to throw them out!!
Leslie, I must confess I’m down to sending out just a few newsy cards about every 2 years and this year it’s just a handmade postcard. I think for myself, with the internet, I’m more in touch daily with my long distance friends and family. I do enjoy hearing from every one and really should make a bigger effort to be in contact. Thanks for always inspiring with your handmade cards. Perhaps you will rub off on me eventually..xoxoxo
I love receiving cards, whether Christmas, birthday or other. We send and receive some 80 Christmas cards, a couple of dozen of which I will have made.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Marion, UK
Leslie, this is a topic dear to my heart! I send out about 90 and receive less than 50. Two years ago, I said I was not going to send a card to anyone that had not sent me one in a few years. My youngest daughter was shocked! She reminded me that was not what Christmas was about — and she was right. As I sat down and tried to cross names off the list, I found good reasons to keep every single one on it, and added a few shut-ins who I thought would enjoy one of our handmade cards. This year, I’ve made 24 each of two designs, and have cut out the rest in another design but need to stamp and assemble them. It’s the first year I have not sent the same card to everyone, store bought or handmade. I have a backlog of ideas and stamp sets, and new ones keep coming out, so I decided to do several different cards each year — plus it’s less boring. The people on my list who don’t send cards are mostly elderly, in poor health, on tight budgets, or too busy, but I love them enough to keep sending them one. I like to personally sign each card, but I do cheat and use computer printed address labels. And as much as people joke about the pictures and letters in Christmas cards, I for one love to receive them!!! When I visit my mother in another state between Christmas and New Years, she shares hers with me, and I love those, too.
Wow I have really enjoyed reading these responses about sending out Christmas cards! It is a dying art, especially the handmade ones. I have kept my old cards and try to cut them up and reuse the images. They are too beautiful to throw away. I have only received one card so far this year. So sad as I have moved far away from home. But I am aging also and it is harder every year to keep up the tradition so I understand. I especially enjoy receiving the copied letters about old friends and their family activities over the year. It is so nice to be brought up to date on how their children have grown up and to hear about their achievements.
Thanks for this interesting question.
I love making and sending Christmas cards every year. Unfortunately many people have lost this wonderful tradition of the holidays. I usually mail about 50 cards and each one is different. I’m not the type of person that likes to mass produce cards. I try to personalize the cards to each family or person. So far this year I have received 3 cards and probably will only end up with about 15 received. It doesn’t bother me that I send to more people than I receive from because I just figure their lives are busy. In addition to mailing cards to family and friends my husband and I also give to our co-workers. So in addition to the cards mailed, there are about another 40 cards handed to our friends and co-workers. Again, all different to match their personalities and individual styles. Who knows this may be the year that people decide to return to the tradition of mailing cards instead of buying gifts. Its much more cost effective and with the economy the way it is you can still send a card to let people know you are thinking of them. Its a very inexpensive but at the same time the recipient knows that they were thought of. After all isn’t that what this time of year is for, remembering the ones we love and cherish.
This year I am sending less than I normally send. In years past, I would send around 60 but this year, I am only sending about 35. I keep a list from year to year of who I send cards to and who I receive cards from. Because my cards take so long for me to make (all my stamping stuff is at my sister’s house so that adds to the amount of time it takes me to make cards), I am getting busier and busier every year with my kids and I can’t afford to send out so many cards, if I don’t hear from someone for 2 years, I cross them off the list (there are some exceptions like my mom who has Alzheimer’s and can’t send send cards, etc.)
This year has been really slow on the receiving end. So far I have received only 1 card and that was from my dog’s groomer. I went to the post office this week to buy stamps and I noticed that it was not any where near as busy as it has been in the past.
Thanks for the chance to win blog candy!
Wow, this blog candy rocks! Thanks for the chance to win!
As far as sending out Christmas cards… no, I’m afraid I don’t send many out but I’m hoping to make and send at least a few out this year.
I send between 25-30 cards .I think I would enjoy it more if I started making my handmade cards earlier in the year ……..alas, I procrastinate every year so my cards always have to be simple. This year I did cheat by sending out digital photo cards to some and just a handful of stamped. Maybe next year will be the year I actually start early! LOL
Would love to win the blog candy. What great motivation that would be to get to work on 2009 cards. Merry Christmas.
Hi Leslie! I send out about 500 cards a year, including 100 Christmas cards. As a member of Silver Stampers (for stampaholics over 50) I receive almost as many in return. I think a lot of people have cut back because of the cost, especially for postage. All my cards are handmade. I think sending homemade cards is a wonderful way to show care and concern for others.
Hey Leslie - I love receiving and sending out Christmas cards - I send out around 25-30 but this is my first year sending out homemade cards and it has been so much fun making them and getting ready to send them out. As I get to know more wonderful card making/stamper online friends, I will be sending a lot more next year. I started making cards at the beginning of this year and it has been exciting sending cards to my family and friends and see their reactions when they receive them - it just brightens my day(s).
Thank you for the opportunity to win this wonderful blog candy. I don’t have a scor-pal yet and it is on my Christmas wishlist.
Have a great weekend.
Janet
I must confess, even though I make ALOT of cards, I only send them to the people closest to me. I do receive cards back from these friends and family members. My husband also sends out my cards to coworkers but they don’t usually return the favor.
How ever I design and make cards with and for several of my friends as well as my Mom, and daughter, so I get a little Christmas card numb. Oh and let’s not forget I teach 3 or 4 Christmas card classes at our local samp store too.
Thank you for this opportunity to win a Christmas gift. It is much neede this year.
Debbie
What a wonderful candy prize….yummy.
I send about 70 cards….the unfortunate thing is that I don’t make mine. I commit my time before Christmas to making crafts, gifts, games with all my daycare kids. I don’t have a lot of spare time so I feel that being creative with them is the best use of my time. So many people I know are cutting back this year hence not so many cards. I still send a lot even with the price of postage in Canada just because I always felt that Christmas was a time to let your friends and family know that they are in your heart even if you don’t see them. I know how much I appreciate reading a card from one of them.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and thanks for continuing to inspire.
Karen
I used to send over 200…now I send 150. I always include a letter about what’s new in our family. We receive cards from most of the people we send to…the only ones who don’t send to us are the elderly or infirm so I would say we get about 125. Honesly, my favorites are the photos cards. Needless to say, that’s what I send so I don’t make my Christmas cards. I keep all the photocards I receive and have a special Christmas scrapbook I put them in. I always crop out the photo portion save the signature/greeting of the family to put under the photo, then note the ages of the children (if any) and where the family lives/how we know them.
It’s so fun to go back through the scrapbook and see how the children grow and the different places our friends have lived. Friends and family know I do this and so many will now include a photo in the card even if they don’t send photocards. They also us my scrapbooks as reference if there is a debate about where someone lived when or how old someone’s child is.
I too love the “form” letter…some are wordier than others but you can still glean what’s up with the family. It enables you to stay in touch with people on some level. We ARE busier than ever and you can’t always speak to everyone during the year so it’s nice to feel as though you haven’t lost touch with them.
The WORST form letter I ever received was a “fill in the blank” one. I notice the class on Big Picture Scrapbooking suggests using this to make your letter “fun”…I hope this doesn’t become popular as a result of her class. It’s too impersonal. I don’t want to “imagine” what adjective the person would have used or what sport there children play, or what country they visited on vacation…I want to KNOW~!
Hi, thanks for the chance with the candy.
I get fewer and fewer Christmas cards and lately my list began to shrink as well. From well over 50 I’m now at about 35. I reckon if one doesn’t want to send cards, he probably doesn’t mind if he doesn’t receive one as well.
(And I hope that this is not true and that people will start to send more cards and not only phone text messages or e-mails.)
Bye, Kitty
I send Christmas cards to about 41 people I enjoy making my own cards to send…I don’t usually receive as many as I send and I should cut back my list but like I said I enjoy making cards and once I take the time to make them I can’t see not sending them out….this year I also made cards for work..I work at a local hospital and we made cards for all the other departments throughout the hospital…word spread and we made them for our Director of the Heart and vascular Institute and then for the Manager of the Open Heart unit…needless to say my own cards are still waiting to be put together and mailed : ) Mary Grace
I was just thinking about this!! I’ve read that many stampers don’t make their own Christmas cards and I was a little surprised! I am in the middle of making mine and whilst making them, thought, it would be crazy for me not to make them! I love my craft and would only not make them if I didn’t have time. That said, if I didn’t have sufficient time in December, I’d try my hardest to start earlier! I enjoy it too much. I will send out about 45 cards this year, with a simple stamped image and a picture of my family. I haven’t had time to do other posts to my blog or participate in as many challenges as usual, but that’s alright. I love to share what I do with others and this is a great way to do it!
This is GREAT candy, by the way! I’ve been wanting to try one of these out. Also, I love your 2″ card. Elegant simplicity.
I still enjoy sending Christmas cards but over the last few years I have shortened my list to only those that I do not see in person to wish happy holidays. I look forward to hearing updates about friends and seeing new pictures of them and their families. Sure, it would be easy to just stop making, addressing and mailing all those cards, but think of what you would miss in return.
Interesting. I am only 24 and trying to avoid getting into the habit of sending Christmas cards. It’s not a matter of money, but to me, the people I would send cards to are people where I feel I should be seeing them at the holiday season to say it in person. I’ve seen my parents send cards with people that they pretty much only send cards to at christmas and otherwise don’t really talk anymore. I also noticed, that they often seemed so impersonal and that people would type up a general update on their life and copy it and send it to everyone instead of writing something individualized and heartfelt. So, I guess I am sounding probably bitter about it, but it just seems like a bit funny of a tradition to me - we should be giving cards randomly just because in my opinion not just because of a holiday.
Well, here were I live in the Dominican Republica, we have lost the holiday tradition of sending Christmas Cards. We send emails, e-cards or text messages. I just make holiday tags for the presents.
I send a few holiday cards and receive a few every year. I love getting them as a way to keep in touch with friends and relatives I see rarely. I think with technoligy we’re moving away from the once-a-year greeting and into more immediate communication, so people have a better idea of their friends’ lives. But I do love looking back at letters from years past.
We are receiving fewer every year for sure - and I try my best to make some to send to my closest friends and family but it is so easy to send the family photo card that this might i might just have to be lazy
Love the candy, I have SO wanted a scor-pal!
Thanks,
Alison
I wish I had the time to send out Christmas cards to more people. It seems as though I have way too many other things going on this time of year and never seem to get cards made and sent out before Christmas. I did give several to people at our church last year and will do that again this year. I will make cards for my family and maybe a few co-workers. But that is about all I will have time to do. I guess I need to start making them earlier. I don’t really receive too many either. I guess you do have to “write ‘em to get ‘em”. Your blog candy is quite generous. Have a super weekend!
I’ve got to admit that while card-sending seems to be on the decline, I’ve reduced the amount I send also! Tho’ stamp costs have risen I don’t think that’s the only reason for the decline. I send electronic greeting cards to many, and make sure I have hand-made cards for family. I try to return a hand-made card to those who send me one, but then it just depends on how many I’ve made as to whether others are on the receiving end of hand-made cards and that varies each year. I don’t like to mass-produce cards so just make them when the spirit moves me and set them aside ’til Christmas. I also send Jacquie Lawson cards … which reminds me … gotta do that today!
FYI, I think it’s not just Christmas cards, either - there’s been a steady reduction in the amount of folkes who volunteer in the groups I’ve been in too. It seems like people are just so busy these days. Seems we’ve all got to be reminded to “stop and smell the roses” now and then!
Sadly, I do not send many Christmas cards :(. We are busy with family and a Christmas Tree farm and something had to go! I DO send very NICE thank you cards for Christmas gifts and that helps me justify all the stamps/paper/ribbon, etc.!! Thanks for the chance for all your blog candy!
Please do not enter me in your wonderful drawing, Leslie.
I have always received less than I send, and that difference may be increasing some…but that’s ok. I’m not sure if it has to do with the cost, or how busy everyone is (probably a combination of both).
One of my greatest joys is sending handmade Christmas cards. I send around 80 each year. Since I started making my Christmas cards (about 8 years ago) I cannot see going back to buying them. It just isn’t the same. I do receive quite a bit cards in return, most of them the picture cards of their kids. It is nice to know that some traditions live on.
Even thought many have cut back or quit sending cards, I will remain faithful to my much loved tradition!
Hello. Thank you for this opportunity. I really do not send out many cards. I mostly make gifts and send those. If I do send cards they are more along the lines of having a “Super Solstice!” type. I’ll probably end up making more this year than I ever have, and production lining them (which I hate to do) because I’d like to have some done up for the guys working under my husband. Fingers crossed I can find the time. Haha maybe I should be doing that instead of surfing other’s blogs huh?
Thank you and may you have a super Solstice and a rocking New Year!
Angelique
I do still send out Christmas cards, usually around 20 that I have made. They are sent to people I will not see throughout the holidays. I receive more than I send but it has gotten less also. The people I see during Christmas receive a handmade ornament.
I find as the years have gone by, the number of cards I receive and send has decreased. For my part it is not postage (although I think it is a bit silly to increase by a penny hear and there), it is more of a time thing. With all of the modern conveniences I think we just have too much to do. How can that be? These conveniences are suppose to help us!! I long for the simple days and every year I think I will try to let go of some things, but so far I haven’t done it. The cards I will send this year will be homemade, as will some of my small gifts. Hope you have a wonderful Holiday season and a very Merry Christmas. Thabks for all that you do.
I make about 20 Christmas cards every year. I send to the people I know will appreciate them. It is alot of work, but I enjoy it. It gives me great satisfaction. Thanks for the opportunity to win your blog. I love it!
i am finishing up my cards today - we send about 40 every year, mostly to people we don’t see anymore but want to keep up with, although there are a few special people on the list who we see regularly. i love making cards to send, and we usually include a picture of the girls. and dogs. unfortunately i do think postage has a bit to do with people not sending so many cards, but the internet probably plays a part in it, too. i LOVE your snowflake card - great color
I love to make and send out Christmas cards. I must confess that a year or maybe two, I ran out of hand made cards so I had to opt for the store bought kind. I really did not have a choice, honestly. lol With that being said we probably send out between 35-50 cards. I never keep track of who sends cards in return or who sent a card before I got ours out. We send them for the love of sending cards to friends and all our family.
We are always happy to get Christmas cards, we hang them from a door opening from our living room to the dining room so we can see them everyday.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Evelyn
Christmas cards has always been a way for me to keep in contact with folks you don’t get to visit with on a regular basis. Being a Military familiy means leaving behind friends & family. Christmas cards are the best way to bring everyone up to date on the year’s events.
I still do them & still hope to get many from around the world.
God Bless & keep up the wonderful blog…..I LOVE IT!
I do send Christmas cards, and I love doing it, both making and sending them. I give everyone a chance or two, then if you don’t send me one back, I probably will drop you off my list. It’s so nice to receive happy mail any time, but to actually look forward to getting your mail every day is a treat reserved only for December. Happy Holidays!
I love to make Christmas cards and have my 67 stamped, signed, sealed, addressed - and sitting in a basket until I can afford the postage. This years cards may not go out until next year at this rate!
I do send homemade Christmas cards to relatives that I don’t get to see at holidays and as often as I would like. I also send to friends near and far away who make my life so special. I think people are watching their pennies these days, and also life being in such a fast lane, they don’t have the time to sit and make out cards. I seem to receive less every year, but it’s the giving and not receiving for me that counts.
Happy holiday to you and yours.
I love sending and receiving cards at Christmas. This year I sent out 85 cards, so it takes some time to create them all, but it’s a joy for me to be able to do it. I love receiving the beautiful comments and phone calls to express how much my cards were appreciated. I may not receive 85 in return, but I don’t mind. To know I’ve brought a smile to someone’s face by spending a little time to make them a hand-made card - is there anything better? With all the gorgeous embellishments out there, my cards often require double postage, but it’s still worth it, knowing my efforts are enjoyed. Christmas is all about giving, and sending hand-made cards is still the best little bargain out there as far as I’m concerned.
Last year I decided to make a small BindItAll book that holds all the photos I received in my Christmas cards. I’m going to make one this year too. It’s going to be so much fun through the years to get these books out and reflect on how the children have grown up or families have changed in the past year. They’ll be great coffee table items for friends who come to visit over the holidays. I also decided to start a scrapbook to hold all the hand-made cards I’ve received this past year, so that project got underway a month ago. I just love hand-made cards………making or receiving them. It brings me tremendous joy!
I love making my own Christmas cards, and they can say what I want them to say! I still
get quite a few, but we have several charities
in our area that people give to instead of sending cards. Maybe it is a time thing, but I
enjoy sending & receiving them. Christmas is
such a special time to share with family and
friends. Thanks for sharing! Diane
I love to send out Christmas cards but because our finances are so tight I don’t send many. Over the years I’ve found less and less come through the mail. Most of the time, I think it’s because everyone’s getting so busy but also because some people don’t send cards if they don’t receive them. I’ve also learned not to beat myself up if I don’t make all my cards. It used to half kill me if I didn’t make them but I really do love to BUY cards as well! There are so many pretty ones out there!
Merry Christmas!
I too get fewer & fewer cards each year but find myself sending fewer & fewer. I only send about 10 or less as I see my family for Christmas.
I have seen the number of cards we receive dwindle over the years, although seem to be receiving several more than normal due to online friends. I do not normally send too many as my MIL sends to everyone we would send to and normally includes pics of our family too. This is really the first year I am making the cards I am sending, but I do think with current economy some people are choosing not to send cards at all. I myself ams planning on giving more handmade items this year than I ever have in past.
As I am a part of online community that makes Cards for Soldiers, I will say that 1 was able to ship 13 flat rate boxes of cards to our troops from many wonderful ladies I have met here locally and through cricut website.
I made 100 card and mailed them on Thursday. My list gets longer every year…esp since I started to make my cards (more people started to send them to us as I think they want one of my cards). We get 100% back, mail is slower this year. I had to make & send 4 more cards out today.
I make my cards every year, this year about 60 or so. I make it easier by doing labels for the addresses but take time to sign and write a note in each one. I love to send and to receive. So far this year we’ve received 13-14. It always seems that if I leave someone off the list, they are the ones I will get one from.
I made 70 cards, and need a few more. I did not have time for a letter this year, though. I made up for it by tucking our new family picture in each. I keep cards from previous years in a shoebox with their envelope so I have their address for the next year. I have only received a few cards, but think people are just running behind this year!
I usually do not get as many cards sent out as I did in past years and my reason is that I have been too busy and forgot. I do hand deliver some of them but I never get as many back as I send out. I used to send out about 50 and I would get back maybe 20 and now I send out maybe 20 and get back 10 or so. I do believe its lifestyles and being too busy. I love to make my cards I just dont have the time to address the envelopes until NOW and I dont get as many out as I’d like. I dont like to mail them out late so rather than send out late, I dont send them if they are not out by the 20th.
Thanks for the chance to win the scor-pal. I’d love to win.
Happy Holidays to Everyone.
Betty
We send about 120 cards every year and hear back from almost everybody. My husband and I have lived in several states and have friends in all of them. Sending cards every year is one way we keep in touch as we hear from some only at Christmastime. I like to make cards and make about 1/2 of them. If someone hasn’t commented on my cards after several years, we just send them a commercial card. Many of our friends now send a duplicated letter with their cards as well as a handwritten note which I like as I can keep up with their activities. I also exchange cards with other card makers I know. I intend to keep on sending Christmas cards as long as I can.
I haven’t recieved a Christmas Card yet this year, but I haven’t sent any out yet either, I usually make tins of Christmas Goodies for my friends and they get their cards then. I do agree thou that it seems Christmas Cards are a thing of the past, it is a shame becaues they are such a treat to recieve.
I used to send quite a few cards each year. I will not send one without personalizing it and usually writing a family update in each. That, too, I personalize to the recipient rather than do a form letter. The last few years, I have sent out only a few because of time restraints and now we have been dropped by many so we receive only a handful.
I am glad to read that so many of you have continued to send cards. Maybe next year I will make time.
Cry for me please…… I sent out 50 or so handmade cards that I literally have been working on since August that contained a picture of my 9 month old son in his Santa suit (his first Christmas, yay) and just was told by my husband that people are telling him that a couple of them arrived so wet and soaked that they went from the mail to the trash as we are just getting over a few days of rain here in Boston! So sad to think of my little man’s runny wet face in the trash!
Ok, so I’m dramatic, but it is SO true that the tradition of sending Christmas cards just isn’t as much of a priority for people as it used to be. So far this year I have only received 3 cards and my fridge is usually plastered by now with cute smiling faces of the children of loved ones and family.
It will be interesting to see how many I actually receive, but it does, sadly, get less and less every year.
Wow Leslie! What a question!! Me - I send over a 100 cards EVERY year and yes ~ I get back about the same amount… I don’t mind if I get them late - I JUST LOVE hearing from everyone.. I use to wait until after Christmas and go buy the clearance “nice” cards, but now I make my own.. I started making mine this year in October thinking I was “ahead” of the game, but I had 2 stamp camps, went away for 2 weeks unexpectadly for work in November, then away for days for Thanksgiving, started overtime and now I am down to the wire because I will be in Texas for my youngest sons graduation the weekend before Christmas, so it is now or never.. Hahaha I have sent out about 60 cards so far and tomorrow I need to get busy and make another 60 or so.. I do think it is expensive to send cards, but this is about the ONLY time each year I keep in touch unless they have email and then we write everyday back and forth, but some do not check their emails, so there are only a few that is weekly or daily.. So needless to say I LOVE sending and getting Christmas cards. Thanks for the chance at the Scor-pal, it is on my Christmas list, but it will be a tight Christmas.. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love reading your emails!
Hugs, Donna
Hi Leslie
Every year I intend to send about 60 Christmas cards but get busy with the other end of year stuff like end of school year here in Australia and have trouble getting my cards out. I find I am receiving less and less which is probably my foult.
It’s ironic because making Christmas cards was the thing that got me into stamping.
Great blog! Love your question and what an awesome giveaway! I make all the cards I send out for Christmas. I have been getting fewer cards in the mail over the last few years and more e-cards. It’s nice to be thought of during this time of year but I may break down next year and start sending e-cards to those who send them to me.
I love to send cards and also send a yearly letter with the cards. This gives people whom we do not see often and family. I love to get picture cards from people. No I do not get back what I send out. But Christmas is about giving then receiving–Correct? Merry Christmas!
As far as cards go— Yes– I do send them but the last 2 years I have slimmed my list down a bit and then even forgot to mail some of the cards I spent hours making!!! Silly me!!! Anyway– I have noticed especially this year that I have been recieving fewer and fewer cards??? My husband was wondering what was up?? Maybe the economy??? Anyway– I do plan to send cards again this year and hopefully they’ll be out by mid week??? Have a wonderful holiday!!!
Sherri Alspach
I just recently discovered the world of stamping blogs and have enjoyed yours very much. I send out about 40-50 Christmas cards each year, half are handmade for my family and closest friends. I get about 25 cards in return most years. This year it does seem that less are coming in. I agree that our electronic lifestyle most likely has contributed to this trend. I still enjoy making my Christmas cards and baking my own Christmas sweets & treats. It’s all part of the holiday spirit in our household. I don’t have a Scor-pal and would be ever so excited to win one. Thanks for your wonderful blog full of stamping ideas.
I have good intentions each year, but didn’t get any done this year. I need to start in June and commit to making at least 10 cards a month so I will have cards to mail out in time for Christmas. I do enjoy getting cards each year. I check your blog daily and love the card you posted today! I would love the Scor-pal and I promise to put it to good use. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Leslie,
I love your blog! Thank you so much for sharing your talent.
As for Christmas cards, yes, I send them (except for this year due to unemployment-don’t have the money for the postage). I send approximately 125 cards each year. I also get fewer and fewer myself but that doesn’t deter me from sending my cards. It gives me such pleasure to share my cards with others and to keep in touch. Of course, I would love to hear from everyone I send card to but I know that is not going to happen and I just do it knowing that at least I did my part in keeping the friendship alive.
As for the Scor-Pal - it was on my ‘wish list’ and had made it almost to the top when I lost my job in July. Now, I just wish (and pray) for a job so I can support myself and stop being a burden on my retired parents!
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!
Connie
Hi Leslie - I get so many great ideas from your blog. You “teach” everything so well with your words and pictures. I love to send out handmade cards, but only do it for those people who appreciate it. I had someone ask if we were having “financial problems” since I had to handmake my Christmas cards! (they now get cards we purchase at the after-Christmas sales!) Don’t people realize it takes more love to make a card than to buy one?? Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Sandra
I don’t send out as many cards as I used to, and I’m receiving less and less every year. I know the people I do send them to truly appreciate them and look forward to them every year.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a Scor-Pal! It’s a great tool, and all the goodies that you’ve got to go with it. Wow! Merry Christmas!!
Wow, what a week +, 12 days …. I don’t know how you all do it. Leslie, I send out handmade Christmas cards. Some years I have a ton of cards and so I mail those out year after year until they are gone. So some years I don’t make any cards; actually I make some samples for the next year. My list has hills and valleys but family and close friends are alway included. My longest list was 250 and my shortest list was 75 cards. I have not purchased a card in over 15 years…I’m sure Hallmark is missing me. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Cherie - Los Angeles (cali7815@yahoo.com)
I love receiving Christmas cards and we sent cards last year and will send even more this year.
I love giving and receiving Christmas cards during the holidays. It’s always nice to know that you’re being thought of. My favorites have photos of the family! It’s amazing how fast time does fly and to see how much children have grown and changed as well as parents! I know I’m getting older- but I sure as heck don’t feel any older!
I do send out Christmas cards - about 20 to friends who really appreciate handmade cards and about 50 that are picture cards (from Costco this year - what a great bargain). We are getting less cards this year - with costs for postage and cards rising - along with the time needed address and send, I guess people find it easier to let this tradition go….but I, too, do love sitting by the fire with the day’s mail and reading the holiday notes from friends and family!
Hi Leslie! I have been sending out Christmas cards for over 30 years, making my own just since last Christmas. I send to fewer people and have received fewer each year, but I think alot of that is how much contact you keep. If my husband and I haven’t heard back from people in a few years, we generally quit sending cards. However, we do have some friends that as a practice do not send cards and I still send them cards each year! This year I made over 60 cards with half being mailed and half to my co-workers. It’s a huge tradition to me; when I was growing up and even into my adulthood, my Dad used to draw his own Christmas cards, get the printed and send them out to a huge network of friends.
Hi Leslie, I for the past few years have been sending out about 150 homemade cards. This year is going to be much different though with the recent passing of my husband. I can’t seem to get into the creative spirit of it all. I have made a few but most of the cards I will be mailing this year will be store bought. Wishing you and your family a very blessed holiday and thanks for a chance at this awesome giveaway.
Nettie
I send cards to our 9 brothers and sisters our parents, 12 Neices and Nephews who are either married or have moved out of their parents house, 7 Aunts and Uncles, and then a few select close friends. I also make cards for all my husbands work mates and he hands them out at the Christmas party, it is alot of work to make all these but I also know that they are appreciated. I don’t think I get as many as I send out, I think alot of people don’t put it at the top of thier list of things to do.
I am in the same situation as you! It is already 7 years that I started to do my own cards and my list of people who receive them is getting longer every year but I usually get just couple cards back. However I never thought to send a card who I see often. Maybe I would be surprise and next Christmas that person would send me one:)). This year I decided to send couple Christmas cards to my fiance’s boss and couple colleagues because I got engaged this summer. So, I though it would be kind to send some cards to them, especially because I know them personally. I will see what will happen:)))
Good luck with your own card receiving problem:), Merry Christmas, and thanks for the chance to win!!! Greeting from Slovakia
I still send out about 60 cards but I seem to be getting fewer back every year. Postage costs are at least part of the problem.
I don’t have a Score-Pal and would LOVE one! I love what everyone does with them. Ü
My Christmas card list has gotten smaller and smaller and the relief of stress that that brings is wonderful!
I’m still trying to make cards…rapidly running out of time, but find a lot of pleasure in the process of creating and thinking about who will be getting this card I’m making..
And that, I guess, is one of the reasons for making or sending cards during this season…thinking about others… So, although fewer cards will be sent this year than last, those that do receive cards, whether hand made or not, will know they’re being thought of and wished the best during the holidays and all through the next year.
Thanks for an inspirational question that has evoked many well thought out and heart felt replies.. I plan to read them all..
All the best wishes to you and yours this Christmas!
Penny
hi,
yeah, I know what u mean about not getting cards on christmas or new year etc. I sometimes don’t get a “happy Birthday” greeting on my birthday from my friends and family. It does get a little frustrating when u think of others on a festive day and the feeling doesn’t get returned. I geuss it happens and we will just have to move on in life. i still like to experience the satisfaction of making a new card and to think about the smile it might have brought on the face of the person I sent it to and hope that they still remember me.
Love your simple and elegant cards. Thank U for the chance to win the scor pal. I neer do win but keep on trying none the less.
Great questions. I guess I am guilty of not sending cards anymore. I always felt that my cards that I created were just not up to the quality that I wanted them to be. Maybe this was a poor reason to not send any cards, but it made sense to me. And although late cards would be better than no cards I guess I have just gotten lazy and other things in life have taken over, like spending way too much time blog surfing. Maybe it’s time to change my way of thinking and start sending more cards. Thanks for the chance to win.
I do love to send christmas cards, I am like a lot of other of your readers, I don’t however get very many back. Being that I just started as a SU demo I really enjoy working with the stamps and showing my creations to friends for all occasions. I really enjoy my crafting and it’s what I do to relax and it’s a good therapy for me. I think that sometimes we forget about our friends and that is the only communication we get is our yearly christmas cards … I’m hoping to change that one person at a time!!
I send about 120 to 130 handmade cards with a wallet sized photo of my now grown kids yearly, which I enjoy (although can cause stress when I am behind). I love the reactions and love seeing my card displayed prominently on the recipients’ tables/mantles/refrigerators. I love receiving cards and news from others. There are only a few on my list that do not send cards back.
Wow, what great candy! For cards… I ususally make around 50 and hand deliver around 40 and then the rest are mailed. I like delivering them when I can because then I can get a short visit in, especially if I don’t see those peopel as often during this busy time of year! Happy Christmas Leslie!
Painfully, I hear from fewer and fewer people. What used to be 30,40, 50 cards in the last few years, has dwindled down to five or so.
When I receive cards, I love reading more than just “Happy Holidays, Love, Bill and Sue,” But December is not a time to sit down and “write” to everyone I know.
Please bear with me on this because it sounds so tacky!—-what I do now is an “electronic” christmas card. It evolved when so many people asked to see photos of things that went on during the year (my hubby is a photographer at heart) and he builds AMAZING houses at his construction job. Plus, we are finally traveling a little, so it’s fun to share a few photos of a trip taken during the year. My intention is not to bore people, but to just show them things that caught our eye.
The feedback I have received from friends is that they love the e-card. I’m sure those that don’t say anything think they’re awful! I’ve included two links below of the last two Christmas cards. Maybe it will set you off on your own ecards. I’d love to hear YOUR ideas!
I rubber stamp the card, scan it and turn it into a small webpage with LINKS that allows people to view the photos (or not.) Many relatives love to see pics of my folks, friends love to see the building projects that my husband is doing, and he-he-he, the prank I pulled on everyone with the new adorable baby sitting on my lap.
I honestly hope what I have to say in my echristmas letters doesn’t sound pretentious—–I am not a writer, but the feedback I get is phenominal and helps me to stay in touch with friends and family that, sadly, I only hear from once a year, if that!
Here’s my cards:
http://www.lauraashby.com/christmas2006
and
http://www.lauraashby.com/holiday2007
I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts too!
Write me at laura@lauraashby.com if you want! Maybe I’ll start up a biz doing this!
Thanks Leslie for letting me vent!
Laura
I send out about 40 cards. I really enjoy making them and I usually make each one different. Great candy and thanks for sharing your creations. Cynthia
Hi Leslie,
I just want to say that I admire your work, it is always beautiful!!!
Every Christmas I send about 50 cards and I receive only like 5%, LOL. Oh well, I enjoy making my cards and I hope they enjoy looking at them.
Your blog candy is awesome, I hope I win !!! keeping my fingers crossed.
God bless
Merry Christmas
Giovana
I send out around 60+ handmade cards every year. We do not receive many cards in the mail anymore, but I always get phone calls and emails from everyone thanking me for the handmade cards. So I know it’s appreciated. I think with the economy being as bad as it is right now, people will be appreciating the cards even more this year. I think a lot of people are turning to handmade gifts this year. Hopefully it’s a trend!!
I hand deliver most of my handmade cards…I just can’t stand the thought of them being ruined by Canada Post. I make about 45 of them every year…and those are for special people in our lives. I also make some “quickie” cards for coaches, music teachers, etc. I seem to get fewer and fewer in the mail. Although, there are still those “old faithfuls” which come every year, and I love them.
I am sending less Christmas cards out this year because of time constraints. I want all my cards to be spectacular, and this has limited me too. thanks for the chance! :o)
I have sent over 60 cards out this year, not all handmade but probably 30 have been. I added more handmade cards this year. I keep track of who sends us cards and who I send to, also. I try to make each card different that I make and I LOVE getting handmade cards!! Unfortunately so few of my stamping friends don’t send anymore!!