I Love Christmas Cards My mother used to pin Christmas cards to red ribbons she hung on the walls. I never counted them but through my child's eyes there seemed to be hundreds. I remember watching my mother writing out cards at the kitchen table and folding the envelopes in, rather than licking them to seal because it was cheaper to mail them that way. When I was a teenager I started making out my own cards, handing them to some and mailing the others to family and friends who were miles away. My Christmas spirit soared when a card came to the house addressed to only me. Once I got married I made it a point to make out my cards over Thanksgiving weekend, so I could have them in the mail by December first. I wanted anyone who might be thinking of cutting their list not to scratch us out, because all those beautiful cards with their Santas and Nativity scenes were a part of my holiday decorations. Over time, I found many creative ways of displaying them, from my mother's old-fashioned ribbons to a cardboard Santa with reindeer attached by red yarn that held the cards. In this modern day world, cards have gone out of style, and not just Christmas cards. I suppose that's partly due to how expensive cards and stamps are. The fact that the world's gone digital has had its impact too. It's a lot easier and cost effective to shout your holiday messages across social media or send digital cards. Not only saves time and money, but writer's cramp too. There are still diehards like me out there, who write out cards by hand, curse at how bad their handwriting is, and wait on lines at the post office to get those holiday stamps. Our numbers are dwindling if the cards I've received this year are any indication, but I still find joy in the process, and even more when seeing a card from a friend I haven't heard from in ages. Sometimes there's a handwritten note or a newsy letter of the happenings since last year's card arrived. I hope they find as much joy when my card lands in their mailbox. If your mailbox isn't overflowing, but your email inbox is, that's okay too. It's the thought that counts, not the mode of delivery. There's no better Christmas gift than time spent with thoughts of a friend.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, spent with those you love. Whether you’re able to be in the same room or face-to-face via your computer or phones, take joy in those precious moments. I hope Santa is good to you all and to quote Tiny Tim, God Bless Us, Everyone!

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas!
Elise Skidmore ©2021
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family too!
Your beautiful memories always remind me of the Christmas’s with my family who are mostly all gone now. The address book still has the names of family and friends that are now gone. I wish there were a way to send them Christmas wishes now.
Love and Merry Christmas to you and your Family.
Thanks so much, Lucille. I did have a Merry Christmas with family and hope you did too. And let’s all hope that 2022 will be brighter and healthier than the past two years have been.