Don't feel like sending Christmas cards this year
Posted By: Anybody else feel this way? on 2008-12-16
In Reply to:
Christmas is next week. Got pix of the family to put in the cards, and tons of Christmas cards from last year's Christmas sales. Every day, I say, I will do these cards. At least to grandma and grandpa on both sides. Every day, I put it off. DH got a roll of stamps and he has the cards sitting on his nightstand with pix, he has not done any either.
Thus far we got several newsletters from people, saying they did this, they did that, they celebrated this birthday, their kid did this and that. We don't plan to do a newsletter this year, b/c it seems to me these newsletters sound so self-centered! They are not even from family members, they are from DH coworkers and such.
My friends send me e-cards pretty much or we chat over the I-net. We send holiday greetings and catch up that way. My son will be getting grandma and grandpa's on both sides presents the end of the week, and I think I will just put the pictures in the packages when I send and forget about the cards.
This is really sad. Years ago, Dec 1 we'd get a bunch of cards and have ours sent out. Different colors of ink on the envelopes, red and green, holiday stamps, it would be so fun. All the cards we'd get my dad or I would put on a board in shape of a tree and we'd put it on the wall.
Now, it seems with snail mail, and so many other worries about cutting budget, finding enough work, I am not in the mood to write cards. Maybe it will become a thing of the past, and the boxes of cards will accumulate dust in the top of the closet.
Anybody else in this predicament? Thanks in advance for sharing your card stories.
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that's why i stopped sending Christmas cards
I never got any in return. That's not why I was sending them out, but why waste all that time and energy if nobody cares about it?
there is a reason and why would you consider sending an 8-year-old to a home?
nm
This is hysterical. Please read these Christmas cards. sm
CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE DISTURBED
* 1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?
* 2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are
* 3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas
* 4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
* 5. Manic - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and
Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and.....
* 6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me
* 7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
* 8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe
I'll Tell You Why
* 9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, H oly oooh look at the Froggy - can I have
a chocolate? Why is France so far away?
* 10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder --- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells,Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle,Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells , Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
I just get them gift cards. Last year got Mastercard - sm
gift cards so they could go wherever they wanted to. I have no clue what to get them so this works well, and I have been doing it for about 10 years now. Easy for me and they are happy not to get some piece of junk (of which they give me everything they don't want). In addition they get some artwork from the kids, magnets, etc. with their artwork, sometimes we get a portrait take of the kids and give them a nice framed photograph too.
I was spoiled this year! 3 gift cards - 50.00 at Carrabas, 25.00 at Cheddar's, and then sm
3 cards to Wal Mart totalling 100.00 from mom for kids to get stuff. The other gift card (or gift cert.)is that the same thing? was for 200.00 to local spa. I guess I was good this year! LOL OH! How could I forget? My hubby bought me a gift cert. for a hair cut and style at a very expensive place AND made the appointment!!!! which is for tomorrow at 2!
Now, THAT's what I want for CHRISTMAS this year! lol
:) :) :)
The year without a Christmas?
Was it that bad financially? Christmas is not supposed to be about gifts; it's about spending it with your loved ones and celebrating the religious aspect of it. Money or not, we celebrate it every year. It really saddens me that you feel this way. Please share your situation, maybe we can come up with some suggestions to help. 
Christmas this year.
My family and I have talked about this already, too. My daughter and son-in-law are expecting their first child in November and will have many added expenses. We have decided to limit our gift-giving to 1 gift per person (except for the new grandson, of course). I, for one, am much relieved. I love to celebrate the season with my family. As a Christian, I am more than thankful for the reason that we celebrate Christmas, but the shopping and the increased financial burden is very harrowing for me and, I am sure, for many others, too. My parents, sisters and me stopped swapping gifts several years ago as we all have what we need and most of the time get what we want during the year. So, this year, our Christmas will be about family.
Congratulations!!! I know that's all I want for Christmas..for my almost 20-year-old to get a job
Mom is tired of supporting her and working 2 jobs.. 
Not a good year or Christmas...
...yep, I'm feeling sorry for myself. I didn't receive a single Christmas card or gift. My only child and I decided to forego gifts for each other and just concentrate on providing gifts for my granddaughter. A friend said she would call last week and we'd go to lunch, but I never heard anything else from her. Makes me realize I really have no friends and am not worth remembering. Just a card would have made me feel better.
On top of that, I fear I'm going on such thin ice with both of my part-time jobs that I'm afraid every day I go in, I'll be called into the supervisor's office and fired. I just can't keep up with the transcription as well as the other part-time person has done. I'm in debt--really have not had a good-paying job in 2 years and things have built up on credit cards. I used to think I was pretty intelligent--but now have doubts about that, even. I'm ashamed about my predicament and have avoided people for over a year, so I'm sure that's part of my isolated feeling. What can I do?
I wish Christmas were all year long,
xxxx
sadly it doesn't feel at all like Christmas to me...
I mean on the one hand I am so thankful and blessed for all that I have and all that I am able to do, I know this..
Three weeks ago I moved from Nevada to South Carolina to be closer to my 4-month old niece (my sister's husband is stationed at Camp Lejeune) Thanks to MT, I could pick up and go... However we are so far from home and even though I adore my niece (hello i moved to be closer to her!!) It is really not the same without my parents (who are still in California where we grew up) and my older sister who lives in Nevada where I do.
I miss the dinner my dad cooks, I miss just spending time with them, even though I am happy to be in the company I am. if that makes sense. come on I miss the family fights!!!
On the other hand, I did absolutely NO shopping this year, which really puts me in a sour mood as well. I just simply didn't have the money and with the economy getting worse, it just wouldn't be smart to keep adding to my already mile high debt... So that is another reason I am not feeling Christmas this year.
Christmas is normally my favorite time of the year... the lights, the happiness, just the season for being "merry".
I am a happy person and above I said I am blessed. I know these things, but it's a sad Christmas this year. Even though that precious face below makes me light up like never before...
I miss my home and I wish they would move closer :(
That is me being selfish, I know!!!
I am hoping my spirit lifts tomorrow and I'd really like to bake some cookies. My brother in law wants snickerdoodles and I wanted to try those, never have before. any good recipes?
I know things will pick back up. This was a huge move for me, I left all the people I knew and loved and it is definitely an adventure and I'm proud of myself, don't get me wrong. The holidays ALWAYS put you in a certain kind of mood!!! :)
I wish everyone the best and can't wait for the start of a new year!! Merry Christmas
Christmas lights and decorations up after New Year's!
We always take ours down New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Our neighbors still have theirs out (lawn decorations and everything) and up until just a week ago they were still turning them on at night! Ugh! It also bugs me when people leave the Christmas lights on their houses year-round. I love the holidays and I love having my Christmas stuff out, but when the holidays are over, so are my decorations!
Last year I said same thing, Christmas is for children. SM
And I got clobbered on this board. Practically called un-Amreican.
I believe Christmas is for children. Up to age 18. After that, perhaps a check is in order, but that's about it. As far as gifts for aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, postman, WHOMEVER, forget it. Bake cookies. Have a party and invite friends and neighbors.
Say you are sending check to charity of choice and ask family and friends to do same. That is charity of their choice, since I know my family doesn't agree on anything.
But presents? Presents most of the people would not even want? Forget it.
Are you cutting back on Christmas this year?
With things being the way they are with the economy are you cutting back on what you buy for Christmas this year? I will to some extent but then I'm always pretty careful anyway.
Cutting back on Christmas spending this year
I thought it might be a good idea to post ideas for gifts that are inexpensive. I have made a few Christmas gifts in years past, but, since I've already given these particular gifts and my family members already "have one", I need new ideas!
I will start with the ideas of gifts I have given in the past:
I made family wreaths for each of my kids (grown). What I did was, buy a nice size wreath at the craft store, purchase inexpensive small frames at the dollar store (or wherever I could find them), made copies of baby pictures of my kids when they were little, family picture, pics of the grandbabies, etc. and framed each one - wired each framed photo onto the wreath, put in some berry sprays or whatever, and a 20 count string of white lights and some ribbon. Then I sprayed them with spray glue and sprinkled with the white snow stuff. Also, I put a few blank frames with Christmas card fronts so that they could add pics from the inlaws (who I did not have pics as children) and new baby pics as appropriate.
They were darling! My daughter in law actually cried when I gave them their wreath!
I also made a similar thing for my mom - I made her a Grandchildren tree - because she has too many grandchildren to get all their pics on a wreath. I just purchased a small, prelit tree from Wal - Mart, and basically, did the same thing - framed pics of all the grandchildren and children, glued ribbon to the back of the frames - hung them like ornaments, added some ribbon and some berry sprays. It was beautiful and she has used it every year since, because it is small and she can put it together herself - without much work.
I will post more ideas in a little bit, but, I need other ideas from all of you - because, how many memory or family wreaths can you give . . .
I am feeling very depressed this Christmas season. I feel guilty because I
would rather it would be over. I have no money to shop, and things in general are bad in my life. I am trying very hard to focus on what matters this time of year and what it is about. Anyone else having difficulty now?
"Food stamps" now are paid on EBT cards - federal EBT cards which look the
have the option to have their pay on an EBT card as well.
She may well have been using her family's federal EBT card and working for the government for a living.
Or, if she is a foster parent, those children will receive state benefits and she could use an EBT card for food assistance.
Everything is not always what it appears to be. I'm sure you're a nice person, right?! See?! We wouldn't know any better if we believed the appearance you have given here! :)
Absolutely love Christmas. Start shopping every year by end of August for kids. sm
Start getting lists from rest of family by end of Sept. into Oct and usually have everything done, bought, and wrapped by Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!! By doing that I can sit back and just enjoy the beauty of the season.
I don't want to compare war stories, but I know exactly how you feel. Last year, on my way to vis
family member out of state, I was alone with my 2 children on a major US interstate. As we were leaving a big city and began accellerating, we immediately came to a stop. I almost rear-ended a trailer in front of me. I looked to my left and across the median (a grassy, hilly median) there was smoke, a tractor trailer on the side almost tipped over, and a manged Ford F-150 lying across the highway blocking all oncoming traffic. The accident had happened a minute earlier. I swear you've never seen a truck to mangled. The top was missing, it looked like a convertible, and under the tractor trailer lying face down was a young man (a teenage boy), just under the tires. IN THE TRUCK was a young boy who was apparently sitting in the back but half of his body was in the front. He was twisted like a circus acrobat. Going in and out of consciousness. And the driver of the Ford walking around bleeding in a daze trying to wake up his brother under the tractor trailer. Only 1 person had stopped, and for some reason my instincts told me to immediately pull over (I was in a large SUV with 2 kids in the back - what was I thinking?), but it was a godsend.
So, I go over to the boy in the truck and begin talking to him. He's still breathing. Barely. I lay hands on him and begin praying for him like crazy. Apparently, help had already been called. By the time I was finished the fire trucks and police had arrived.
I walked over to the boy under the trailer and he SITS UP! I thought he was already dead.
I spoke with the driver and they were all 3 high school students on break for lunch. He told me he was in BIG trouble because he took his dad's truck and wasn't supposed to. He knew his mom's work number and called her and I walked away as he began telling her what happened.
I was there for approximately 30 minutes. the police and fire dept. were so kind to me asking me for every little detail I had, which was none since I didn't witness the accident. When I arrived to my destination that night (shaking and crying almost the whole way), I looked on line for information and found NOTHING. Still to this day I have not heard anything about the accident. Not sure if the boy in the truck made it, but I did pray so hard for God to save him. I didn't care that I was bending over his body as people all around me were looking on at the accident scene. It's an experience I will never forget.
I came home and wrote about it in my journal and it took about 10 pages. I still have nightmares of seeing the boy under the trailer lying face down first. But then I think about how he sat up and I feel so much better. It will take time, but the wounds will heal.
I feel so much for you as I had a dear pet to leave me this year
She was born at my home 18 years ago, gosh I loved her. She just died on the 12th of January and I miss her terribly. I doctored, pampered, spoon fed, medicated her for various things and tried. Vet told me about 2 weeks before her demise she had organ failure. I buried her in my yard, had bought a pink receiving blanket for her the day before her death, knew her kidneys were shuting down and held her and told her ok to go. I still get misty-eyed when thinking about her a lot although at first totally not comforted in my grief. I understand your feelings and so sorry, really am.
Yup, I feel your pain, but I solved things this year.
I bought myself a pair of boots I've been wanting forever, and a new purse, and a tennis bracelet - told him they were going to be from him to me. I bought 'em, wrapped 'em, and enjoyed them big time!! I deserved them! My DH means well, too, though just is clueless as well. Rather than sit and feel like crawling back in bed, this year I was right on the floor opening gifts with the rest of the bunch! Sometimes we women have to do what we have to do!
LOL. Sending this to MY mom...nm
x
Sending You Prayers
I'm so sorry that you have to though this again if you did miscarry. My thoughts are prayers are with and your husband.
Sending you hugs - sm
I am so sorry for your loss. They are like our babies and it is so hard when we lose them. Take care of yourself and give yourself time to greive. Think about maybe a shadow box with your kittie's things in it as a memory.
Sending healing thoughts to you - see msg
I'm so sorry for your losses. Elder care is so difficult; I believe their bodies are so fragile that a single event can take them so quickly. Hindsight is nearly always 20/20 but I honestly believe most doctors and facilities do the best they can. We nearly lost my 80-yo MIL a year ago to similar circumstances, and it made us all aware, including her, that she cannot take anything for granted and that every day is a gift.
Regarding your concerns on her salvation, please don't take that burden onto yourself or play the "what if" game, it will only torture you. Lean on Him and trust in that. (((hugs)))
In the jail they're sending her to,
inmates only get 3 pairs of underwear per week!
Which is apparently 3 pairs more than she normally has.
sending positive thoughts
Hope everything works out for you. . My brother and his daughter have barely spoken to each other for over 12 years. . He now has 2 grandchildren. . I hope he will make that same first step you are making to mend fences. . Life is short - it's time for you to enjoy your grandchildren!
What are people supposed to call Christmas Eve and Christmas Day now?? (nm)
x
Question for sending to troops in Iraq (sm)
I want to send my cousin a care package for Christmas but want to know if there is a list of things I cannot send. Can anyone help me out?
TIA!
Been there...sending you good thoughts and hugs!....
Hope the day gets better.
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. SM
I hope your son realizes we all make mistakes (including him) and that he finds it in his heart to forgive. Your grandchildren need to know you and vice versa. I truly hope it all works out for you. My dad and I were estranged even after I repeatedly attempted to reconcile and he died without ever meeting my children. So sad.
Person sending email to me has no clue
I got an email saying I never loved my brother and I should share what my father gave me with my SIL. I do not owe her 1 red cent. When my brother died in the early 70s she got a settlement then of between $350,000 and $400,000. Do you realize how much money that was then? My mother tried really hard to have the courts set up some kind of guardenship for their 2 minor children (her son's children) so they would have something to live on in later years. Being as my mother was only the grandmother, the courts would not allow this. The money gotten in the settlement was literally squandered. Just for the record, the 3 g'children she spoke of the other day included 2 of her's and 1 being mine. The really bottom line on this was the g'children would have never been able to keep the property because between the 3 of them they basically did not have 1 nickel to rub amongst them. I was paying and had paid prior to my father's death the insurance on the property and the property taxes also. The 3 g'children could not have done it. It takes a lot to keep a property up. My aunt told me is that is water under the bridge, a done deal. Before emailing you should have your facts straight.
"I told hubby would not mind picking up & sending to her"
rtq
Our Brownie troop is sending a care package (sm)
Glad I found someone to ask about this!
We wanted to have them make something...just baked cookies and made ornaments. After reading below will also add jolly ranchers and beef jerky...will the cookies ship ok? Do you have suggestions? I have to ship them today. They are in ziplocks and cushioned with tissue paper - any other suggestions? Thanks!!
Definitaly sending prayers for your daughter and family. nm
!
I remember Mexico sending aide when Katrina hit
It really surprised me, and I was very touched by it. I remember thinking at that time, all these countries we've helped and the only place that sends help our way is poor ol' Mexico.
he didn't bring back Nelli cuz he knew he was wrong for just sending those 2 in the meeting.
nm
Home Alone 1, A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays, Chevy Chase's Christmas, sm
There "The Gift of the Magi," He sells his gold watch to buy her a comb for her hair and she sells her beautiful long hair to buy him a chain for his gold watch. It used to be on "Short Stories by O'Henry" but that's long gone, long ago. Good moral to the story. I can't stand "It's a Wonderful Life" -- too depressing, especially with banks closing, too intimidating right now!!!
Bigger issue - a 16 year old living withi a 29 year old and liability
Are you still not responsible for him until he is 18, how can he tell you where he will live? Unless he emancipates himself and he does something wrong, can they go against you since you are his mother and legally responsible for him? I worry more about him living with a 29 year old sister rather than returning a house key to me that is a bigger issue.
My 14-year-old is going to be a mother-in-law (so funny) if you google it and 11-year-old daughter
x
Elf yourself e-cards (sm)
 http://www.elfyourself.com/
This is from OfficeMax - free e-cards that you put your picture and/or family/friends and they dance. It's really cute!
I know there are cards that
are made for something just like this like maybe for a step-mother but don't actucally use those exact words. I know because it was so hard for me to get my "other" mother a card for Mother's day without feeling like I would be hurting my mother, even though she would have no idea. Don't know what this lady's hobbies or favs are, but anytime someone wants to take me out for a nice dinner just makes my day. Actucally hinted to my hubby this afternoon how nice that would be tonight but he said he needs to mow. Well, actucally that is a gift as well cuz he hates to mow and the yard really needs it. LOL!
Also, some people don't like this idea very much, making a donation to a fav. charity in their name to me is a wonderful gift. That is what I have always done for my kid's teachers. I have an aunt who is a teacher, and while she is greatful cuz she really loves kids, but she has talked about some of the "junk" she has gotten. I always made it to the Children's Miracle Network just assuming since they were teachers they would want to do something for children. A couple of times my children got the most wonderful thank-you notes. I absolutely love this idea.
yes, I actually have one of the cards. I have only
used it for dental work so far, though. Payments very affordable with the option to pay off in certain amount of time with no interest.
I always appreciate cards, too.
I try not to hold grudges about them, but it's hard to send one to someone who can't be bothered to send to you, so I know exactly how you feel. I think its extra tough when it's family, even if it is the in-laws. And I absolutely agree with the poster who said that cards are so inadequate in some occasions, but they are better than not sending one at all and I always add a personal message.
Won $2,000 on slot machine on New Year's Eve. What a way to start the year. nm
!
Set my budget a year in advance, save all year and
nm
You really have to stay on top of the cards
I do a lot of card flipping with balance transfers but also calling and trying to negotiate new deals. I just switched one with a balance transfer at 3.9 for the life of balance and then talked them down to a purchase rate of 8.9 (it had been up in the high teens). I also talked a card I've had a while into a 2.9 for the life of a balance transfer instead of the 12 month offer they were having because there was a delay in the electronic transfer to the other company causing me a bit of inconvenience. That transfer was actually for a loan I had at a pretty high interest rate, so some loans can be put on cards too which I never knew. I find websites that list ALL the latest offers for all or most card companies and I'm always checking. Sometimes I call my cards and tell them I am thinking about switching unless they can give me a similar/better rate or deal. Often they will so as not to lose the business. I have saved a ton of money doing this - it is sort of like consolidating on your own. I can post the site if anyone is interested, don't have it handy right now. Oh..I also have automatic electronic payment setup to pay a certain amount each month from my checking so the payment is NEVER late. You are so right about that, that's where they get you! I just thought maybe some of this info may help someone, I hope so. My credit is very good now but had been a mess in the past.
NO more credit cards
I had a credit card with a high balance. I got a second mortage to pay it off. I called the credit card and got the payoff balance and my bank sent a check to them. I kept watching on line to make sure they got it and when they did I noticed that there was a $95 credit. So, I called and said how do I get my money back. They sent me a check and when I got it, I called and closed the account. This was about two weeks ago. Today I get a statement from them with a balance due of $45! Huh??? I called and they keep telling me it is a finance charge. I got pretty steamed and finally ended up saying that I would pay it, but no more. Well, I wrote out the check and put in in the mailbox, but I'm still stewing about this. If I still owed them money, why did they send me a credit?? What is the finance charge on if I had a credit balance? I suppose I will just pay it because they will only keep tacking on even more charges, but it is really bugging me. Has anyone else had any experience with this??
I will say one thing - NO MORE CREDIT CARDS EVER EVER EVER. REALLY. I mean it this time.
How about addressing your own thank you cards!
My husband's side of the family seems to think that it's a wonderful idea to have shower guests address their own thank you cards as they arrive to the party! Well, geeeze! Why not go all the way and write your own thank you note, too! They put the little envelopes in a pretty little basket and pass it around. I don't care how they try to pretty it up, it's still tacky! I refuse to address my own thank you card, and you guessed it! I never receive thank you notes from DH's side of the family!
I hosted a wedding shower for my husband's sister, and my MIL came over with the little basket. We had such a fight, because I refused to do that at one of my parties. ugh!
telephone cards sm
It was on our morning local news that a local mom started collecting phone cards donated by various people for her son and his buddies in Iraq. She said the response has been overwhelming and her son and his buddies couldn't be happier because they love the fact that they can actually talk to someone at home rather than E-mail and snail mail. One woman wrote her a note along with her card, stating that she got to talk to her son every day as he was home, so it made her feel so good to be able to help someone else's son call home. Guess it's all up to them if they want to call, they have to pay, don't know how much it costs to call from there?? Imagine it is not cheap.
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