Sunday, January 10, 2010

Just thinking out loud.........

Saturday morning, I was doing a few bits and bobs which included doing up an Excel spreadsheet/making a list of who we got Christmas cards off and whether we received a note written on the card, a letter or photos from them.  I was quite disappointed to discover that very few people put letters in with their cards, the odd one or two did a note in the card itself and only three people popped in a photo.

When we came to Canada I was forever writing letters to people.  I suppose this was before email became popular.  I now write to only one person regularly.  Most people in Britain I "talk" to once a year when I send my Christmas letter in with my Christmas card.  Most only send a card back.  It's got me thinking as to whether or not I am wasting my time writing and including a Christmas letter?  Also why don't people send me notes/letters on how everyone is doing?  I am thinking of mentioning this in my letter next year if I do one, that I would love to hear everyone's news.

For those of you who do include Christmas letters, do you think it is worthwhile, or are you thinking of not doing it?  By the way I do the list, as there is no way I will remember who I got Christmas cards off come November!!!  Also I found it interesting to see what people wrote in their cards and letters, as I had forgotten what was what.

By the way I didn't make anything with my cards this year, as I still have enough gift tags from last years cards.  However if you want to reuse your Christmas cards I did this post last year on the subject.

Had a busy day on Saturday went shopping!!  We went to the mall as I had to change a Christmas present I got.  Also good excuse to pop into Home Sense, I can never remember what they call that store in the States; I think its HomeGoods.  Anyhow I picked up a Henkels knife to match my set, and a Laura Ashley ironing board cover.

I then went into Chapters (book store, like Barnes and Nobles, or WH Smith's) and got a book and a neat magazine, which I'll talk about tomorrow.  Its called Permaculture and its a British magazine.

Did you remember to put your money in your pot for the Daily Saving's Club today?

Here is today's money saving tip:

Utilize online bill pay with your bank. This serves two purposes. First, it keeps you in much closer contact with your money, as you can keep a very close eye on your balance and be in much less danger of overdrafting. Second, it saves you money on stamps and paper checks by allowing you to just fill in an online form, click submit, and have your bill paid. Try it out – and take advantage of it if you’re not already.

Oh and yes I'm still tired..........

14 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

I have noticed the same thing but I still intend to carry on as always, especially for my older relatives/friends because I know they really enjoy them, and I don't expect anything in return because of their age. I definitely don't expect to get anything back from many of the younger ones because they just don't think to do it. I do enjoy the round-robin letters when they arrive.

Anonymous said...

I love getting letters but had, like most eople, stopped writing them -so 2009 was the year I went back to letter writing - like when I was at school and university - I was forever writing letters until emails (and children) came along - but I didn't put any letters in with my Christmas Cards - after reading your post I have decided that next year I will!! ps - I love the money saving ideas - they are really helpful - thankyou!!!

BadPenny said...

You've been tagged over at my place ! xx

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

There are some people that I have reconnected with this past year because of "Facebook" (my biggest addiction!) and when I sent them cards, of course I didn't include a note. But like you, there are some I only hear from during the holidays and I did include a handwritten letter--Which is why I still have a few "New Years" cards left to send. I do enjoy getting the letters and didn't get as many this year either...A bit disappointing

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Do you know of ANY men who send out cards! (Right or wrong)
Happy new year.

Niki said...

This year was our very first Christmas letter, between babies being born, engagements and kids moving cross country we though a newsletter would really save alot of time, writers cramp and would be more enjoyable to read. We got a very good response! Many of our friends and relatives commented on how much they enjoyed reading it and getting caught up and more than one person mentioned that it was refreshing to read a letter that wasn't full of "braggy kids news"...anyway we will definitely be doing it again next year.

Have a restful Sunday
Niki

Karine said...

We've never done Christmas letters in our family cards, but we do usually write a little personalized note in the card. I'm looking forward to sending my first paper cards next year as so far I've always sent an online note with one of my Christmas themed photos instead in order to save on the stamps and envelopes.

Evelyn said...

I don't send out letters because, honestly, I can't think of anything positive/interesting to write.

which book did you get?

Winifred said...

I'm hopeless at writing letters and I don't like getting the typed circulars sent to everyone.
I always write inside cards I send to people I don't see regularly and make them personal. I find I'm having less to say as I get older though.

I tend to keep the cards that people have personalised and look at them during the year and then again before I write my Christmas Cards.

What I'm trying to do is get people's email addresses to keep in touch more regularly. Not that I'll have a lot to say mind!

Piece by Piece said...

I send out 30 or so Christmas cards each year, however, I do not write a letter telling everything that happened during the year, I don't particularly care for them. A short personal greeting is included though. I still write "snail mail" letters to 2 school friends, (since 1954) plus a couple of cousins. Many of the people that I did write to have since died. Several years ago I was given a "holiday Cards" address book. It lists, of course, all the addresses, with a section to note if a card was received or sent. Also a section to list any gifts sent or received. Patricia

John Going Gently said...

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE recieving letters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scrappy quilter said...

I don't even send out cards. It got to expensive for us when hubby was unemployed for 2 years a number of years ago. We seldom get a letter in any cards we receive. I think because most people have contact through e-mail, facebook or blogger, they don't see the need to send a letter. Hugs

cheshire wife said...

I usually find that I am so short of time for writing Christmas cards that I promise to write after Christmas then unintentionally forget all about it. Your post has reminded me of the letters that I need to write. In return I receive notes, letters and round robins but I definitely do not have the contact with friends that I used to have. Everybody seems to be so busy these days.

Perfectly Imperfect Eats said...

I am so bad now I don't even send Christmas cards!!!

I don't even look forward to receiving them. I hate getting all those cards because I have this guilt that I should keep them, but I have nowhere to keep them.

My husband on the other hand wants cards for every occasion and he gets mad because I don't always buy him cards. There is a long running joke between us "I don't suppose I will even get a card for my birthday...."

{{{SIGH}}}

Tuesday was a mixed bag type of day. Had the appliance repair guy come again to install another circuit board in the fridge.  When hubby got...