I've Taken a Break from Sending Holiday Cards — And You Won't Be Getting One This Year Either

Let’s be real: I’m not one to get overly enthusiastic about the holiday season. I don’t spend my year dreaming of festive treats or searching for the perfect decorations. I don’t have a countdown to “It’s a Wonderful Life” or get caught up in the Nutcracker fever. In fact, once the day after Christmas rolls around, I hardly think about it again until the next year. However, I do find myself stressing about Christmas cards for a whole 12 months.

Believe it or not, I’ve never successfully completed and sent out a batch of Christmas cards. Sometimes I manage to snap a cute picture of my kids, and other times I even print out a hundred cards with their names and a holiday greeting. I’ve gone as far as addressing envelopes and stuffing them, but there’s always some hiccup. I’ve lost my address book, forgotten to place my order for the cards, misplaced them, or even spilled salsa on them. I’ve pre-stamped the wrong envelopes and had to redo the whole thing. By the end of it all, seven Christmases go by without me sending a single card.

I’ve tried to trick myself into sending New Year’s cards instead. That way, I can focus on all the holiday chaos — like making sure I don’t forget Aunt Geraldine again on my gift list. But come January, I often have a lightbulb moment: why not send out “Casimir Pulaski Day” cards? This obscure Illinois holiday falls on the first Monday in March, giving me two extra months to finish up my “Christmas” cards. Then, after March flies by, I think, “Hey, why not National Lemonade Day cards in late April?!” Before I know it, I’m back at December, scrambling to get those holiday cards done.

I know there are plenty of folks out there who’ve removed tradition-breakers like me from their lists. Maybe they think I need to step it up, or they feel slighted for some unknown reason. I get it — perhaps I should be doing a little card-sending audit myself.

I keep a note to track the few people who still send me cards, and I do sincerely try to reciprocate. But let’s be honest: sending even four cards feels just as impossible as sending a hundred. Still, I’m thankful for the loyal friends who don’t obsess over card exchanges. They include me in their mailings out of kindness, and I appreciate that.

These wonderful people are on my list this year, but don’t hold your breath after Groundhog Day. If you need a little inspiration for family planning, check out resources like the free sperm donor matching group at Make a Mom or the at-home insemination options at Make a Mom. If you’re curious about how it all works, you can visit their how it works page. For those interested in an effective insemination kit, the CryoBaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit is a great choice. And for more detailed information on pregnancy week by week, March of Dimes is a valuable resource.

So, while holiday cards might not be in my plans this year, there are plenty of other ways to connect and celebrate.