Cards can be a good thing, especially if someone can't make it over to see you in person. Time well spent in my book, mostly.

I love to send out cards to people, especially at Christmas time. This is one way I can let everyone know I'm thinking of them, and it's pretty affordable.

I don't send cards any more. I will give a card if I give a gift. Most of the cards I get are from businesses.

To Ben,

Thank you for recommending that 'I f*/k off, and go to hell.'  I completely agree.

Love,
Hillary Clinton

ps: I agree that Billy Zabka is a great actor, and should get more work because Karate Kid was so 'rad' as you put it.

I hate sending out cards. But it doesn't bother me because this problem has a very easy solution. Don't send out Christmas cards. I haven't sent a single Christmas card my entire life, and no one seems to care.

Cards fall into two categories: those from people you see regularly, and those from people you no longer see at all, though you have fond memories of the good old times.

As to cards from people you no longer see at all, there seems to be three kinds.

(1) A simple, short greeting, like "Merry Xmas," followed by their signature. My most favorite kind, because I get to mutter "same to you" as I quickly toss it in the trash, knowing it's one I won't respond to. I mean, why did they bother?

(2) A decent attempt to fit a year's worth of news in a handwritten note, perhaps filling up one side of the card. My second favorite kind. Would be my most favorite, but it means I'm going to have to send them one too, with some news. I do appreciate the effort, which seems to say "I care enough about you to keep in touch at least once a year and fill you in on our major details."

(3) A card with a separate photocopied newsletter summarizing their family's year. Because it's typed instead of handwritten, it can contain oh so much more information, and usually all the space is utilized. 99% of these are gawdawful. "Jennifer aced all her classes in her senior year in high school, and has been admitted to Bryn Mawr College / Smith / Vasser / Barnard, where she will major in exotic botany / quantum physics / pre-med. She was captain of the cheerleading squad, and Bob and I attended all the games to support her. She also was voted the class' 'most popular' girl." Ad nauseum. I never figured out why folks couldn't make their letters seem less boastful and more real. I got so tired of reading these "our family is so terrific" exercises in boastfulness that for a number of years I composed and sent out satirical letters mimicking them. "One of our two cats was admitted to Harvard, and we'll find a special tutor for the other one this year to bring her achievement level into line with her sister's. The wife won the Mrs. America contest for the third straight year," etc., though I did find a way to work in some real news in a humorous format. Eventually I decided to quit making the effort, probably about the same time I got divorced.

I used to save the newsletters from former friends and acquaintances, but quit doing so when I realized I never re-read them except as preparation for the next year's Xmas, so I could refresh my memory and ask "How does Jennifer like Bryn Mawr?" I needn't have bothered because sure enough, the next year's newsletter would contain all the gory details about Jennifer. Nowadays I respond to them with a category 2 card, so as not to completely sever the relationship in the unlikely event we ever reconnect.

Too bad that holiday cards often are one more reason to dread the holidays. "Damn, I'm going to have to buy some cards too while I'm out shopping for presents." Too bad we can't all vote on the custom. Maybe we could all agree to quit doing it. Not likely, I'm afraid.

i used to like sending out greeting cards. i still do not mind receiving them. it seems that sending holiday cards are not such a big thing anymore. years ago we go quite a few cards sent to us and we sent out just as many. in the last few years the holiday card seems to have dwindled. for whatever reasons sending out cards are not such a tradition anymore. we send out quite a few less now. some because, people have died, others have lost contact or interest. oh well saves me money too. I do not send anywhere near as many as i used to. seems like it is a thing of the past. shrugs.

Dear Cousin Junie, Thank you so much for the picture of your ten children all dressed to represent Bob and Doug MacKenzie's Days of Christmas..  precious little one there with the rubber nipple on the beer bottle.  Your bland, chain-letter-like drivel made me sure glad that you took the focus of my sad pathetic life and put it on you- at the rate you're popping out kids you're going to be able to own your own Toys R Us...  Sorry, but I can't afford to buy Janie teeth this year.  Talk to you next year."

I hate this.  Very much.  CS is at his desk when the lady in his life was licking the stamps for the stack of cards.  CS hates this horrible pagan ritual whereas the pretty lass enjoys it.  The lady licks the stamp and says-
"Why are you staring at me?"
"It's never boring to watch your tongue work," sayeth me. . .

Greeting Card Message:  "Hi.  I know I don't talk to you the other 364 days out of the year ( . . . technically, since there's no verbal communication here, make that 365), I feel obliged to send you a mass-produced card with shiny stuff on the outside and a generic picture of a spruce tree in the middle of the woods that's for some reason decorated and surrounded by woodland creatures wearing knitted scarves so that you won't b!@#$ when you find out I sent a card to someone else you know.  Anyhoo, Happy Holidays."

The worst. What a waste of postage. If I give a damn about you, you know it. If I don't, the card is crapola. As to receiving them....I always feel guilty when I throw them away.