For the third day in Cathy’s New Year Countdown, I’m going to give you permission to tackle that one holiday chore you never got around to: Sending out cards. Okay, by “you” I actually mean “me.” I’ve pretty much abandoned snail-mail greetings, yet I keep buying them (“Oh, these are so cute! And they’re 75 percent off!”) and I love getting them. All through December, I keep telling myself — and anyone around who will listen — that I’m going to sit down and send out cards and I can’t go to Wal-Mart or the recycling center or to pick up the dry cleaning because I’ve got to do the cards! But then I end up doing things like reading through the back issues of the Sunday New York Times that pile up or watching reruns of “Whose Wedding is It Anyway?” — you know, important stuff like that. But here’s the thing: It’s still the holidays and you I can still send out cards. And, it’s even better to send them out now because I can answer questions people asked in their cards (“How are the kids?” “Do you like being a grandma?” “Are you still married?”) and, if I get really ambitious, even include some of our Christmas photos. (But probably not since there are still Sunday NY Times to be read. Good idea, though.) And nobody will care if they get holiday cards after Dec. 25. Look at it this way: If you got a holiday card now, would you think “This person obviously is lazy, unorganized and undisciplined and has no idea about the proper order of things” or would you think “Aw, how nice! What a lovely thing to do”??? I rest my case. Come back tomorrow for Day No. 4 in Cathy’s New Year Countdown.
Coffee with Cathy
Pour a cup & take a break
Coffee with Cathy 
I enjoy the cards which contain pictures the best. Does not matter to me if the card arrives post Dec 25. Don’t care for the long letters tho…
I always take the week between Christmas and New Years to catch up on the Christmas stuff I didn’t get too!
I have taken to delivering sparkling cider and New Years treats to neighbors instead of Christmas goodies! It gives me more time AND the neighbors get fresh goodies when all the Christmas ones are gone or stale!!
You and me, both, Ina, on the long accomplishment-filled letters. It’s like, if I care about you enough to want to know all these things, I already know them — so please save the paper.
Lorrie — Love your idea of delivering sparkling cider to everybody you missed with Christmas goodies. What a wonderful thing to do! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Cathy, I agree with you 100%….I don’t need the details if I don’t know them already and Lorie, what a fantastic idea!!!!!!! This year I invited the neighbors over for a Christmas Eve open house (neighbors and friends and co workers). I had the best time and will do it again…. now Sloowly getting the house back together but it is a pleasure. My time frame was 6-9 pm but the last person was escorted home (next door) at midnight!
Ina — that’s the best kind of party. You sound like a fun hostess!
I say send the cards but don’t answer any questions. Then maybe the recipients will think that the postal service screwed up. Plus, it leaves more time for those important things.
Oh, Michele — I like the way you think! Great idea.