The Decline of Christmas Cards
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121801995.html
Probably true. Another aspect of childhood going the way of the dinosaur. I'm not saying it's good or bad, just different, (with a new set of advantages and drawbacks). When growing up, Christmas cards were often the only significant contact my family had with friends or relatives who lived far away, (unless they visited us, or we travelled out there way for a vacation). Phone calls were expensive, (and my folks tended to be somewhat shy when it came to them, anyway). And there is something touching and personal about the care taken with cards, particularly in the past. Long, hand-written notes, sometimes pages long, accompanied them, (I don't believe I ever saw the modern printed/xeroxed newsletter until the mid or late 70's), catching you up with people's lives. Facebook has its advantages - but it can't touch that, in significance or charm.
It should also be pointed out that Christmas cards tended to also be a sort of tally of loss. Sometimes you might get a reply to your card from a friend or relative of the recipient announcing that the person had died. Other times, you'd simply not hear anything; and after a couple years of sending your own cards out you'd realize the silence wasn't temporary. It seems like every year I go through my list, and am forced to cross one or more names off.
At any rate, like I said, the decline of cards is a change, one that will probably accelerate as the Internet attracts more and more folks, (and as those who don't use it pass away).
Probably true. Another aspect of childhood going the way of the dinosaur. I'm not saying it's good or bad, just different, (with a new set of advantages and drawbacks). When growing up, Christmas cards were often the only significant contact my family had with friends or relatives who lived far away, (unless they visited us, or we travelled out there way for a vacation). Phone calls were expensive, (and my folks tended to be somewhat shy when it came to them, anyway). And there is something touching and personal about the care taken with cards, particularly in the past. Long, hand-written notes, sometimes pages long, accompanied them, (I don't believe I ever saw the modern printed/xeroxed newsletter until the mid or late 70's), catching you up with people's lives. Facebook has its advantages - but it can't touch that, in significance or charm.
It should also be pointed out that Christmas cards tended to also be a sort of tally of loss. Sometimes you might get a reply to your card from a friend or relative of the recipient announcing that the person had died. Other times, you'd simply not hear anything; and after a couple years of sending your own cards out you'd realize the silence wasn't temporary. It seems like every year I go through my list, and am forced to cross one or more names off.
At any rate, like I said, the decline of cards is a change, one that will probably accelerate as the Internet attracts more and more folks, (and as those who don't use it pass away).
posted by mendip at
6:35 AM
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