If you’re anything like me, connecting with friends and family at Christmas is a treasured tradition, remembered long after the holiday season is over. It’s also a very busy time. We bake, shop, wrap, volunteer, make our “to do” lists, and cross our fingers we don’t forget anything.

One of my favorite traditions this time of year is pausing long enough to sit down and handwrite our family Christmas cards. For over 10 years, all five family members have personally signed every card that is given or sent out. It’s our way of telling the recipient they matter and that we care about them. To me, it’s an added connection that goes with the photo card we’re sending them.

Once the cards are all signed, I put on some Christmas music and sit down to handwrite the addresses on each envelope. I truly enjoy this part. As I’m writing out the names and addresses, I’m thinking about that person and their family. I wonder what they’re doing and recall favorite memories of them. I hope they’ll enjoy the family photo card we’re sending them this year as much as I love getting photo cards from them. I frame and display my favorite ones all year long!

Yes, I know, there are shortcuts to speed up this process, and maybe you’ve even tried a few over the years. But for me, this is one area where I want to give my full attention and time to thinking about each friend and family member. I don’t want my cards to be a “mass mailing” production…they deserve a personal touch that includes my gift of time while creating them. 

With your busy holiday schedule, it may seem easier to pre-print card signatures and mailing labels to mail to your family and friends. If that’s the case, that’s okay too, because Plymouth Cards can help you with this if needed. But if you think you can find an extra hour this year to put on your favorite holiday music, grab your favorite holiday drink or snack, and pause long enough to think about each person you’re sending a card to this year, I invite you to try it! I think you’ll find it puts a smile on your face while you add that special touch of a handwritten envelope and signed card.  

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and Happy New Year!

Lisa