A Diminishing Christmas List
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341743)
Rockingham, Australia
December 6, 2016 7:23am CST
Alfredo (@amadeo) wrote recently about sending out his Christmas cards. I have almost finished mine. On various pieces of paper I have lists going back to 1990 of people I've sent cards to each Christmas. I thought it would be interesting to check what changes have occurred since my earliest list. I know we have lost quite a few friends in the intervening years.
So in 1990 I sent out 45 cards. Most were to couples and a few to singles. Five couples have all passed on since that time and another twelve have lost spouses. We have lost touch with five couples/singles. This year I will send out 37 cards so somewhere along the way we've picked up some 'new' friends or contacts. It is sobering to find that each year another name or two drops off the list.
18 people like this
20 responses
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
7 Dec 16
@JudyEv for many years we didn't celebrate Christmas...long story....so we lost contact with a lot of people.....as a result I simply don't remember to send out cards to anyone other than close family and friends.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
Every family has its own traditions. I thought about stopping it once but with some it's the only time we touch base with each other.
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 16
@Morleyhunt I remember about your parents - or was it just your Dad? Doesn't matter. Once the practice stops I can understand it not starting up again.
@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
6 Dec 16
I think sending Christmas cards is very important part of the Christmas in your country
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
6 Dec 16
I used to send out over 50 cards but I've cut that down considerably! And no more long notes in cards, especially for those I keep up with on Face book.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
7 Dec 16
@JudyEv I have cheated the last two years..I do photo cards so not need for notes. Some of these people I've sent to and received cards from since the early 70's...we've already said enough LOL
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
I suppose once a card was possibly the only contact through the year. With FB, I guess people might be in touch constantly so a card seems unnecessary. There are 6 or 8 that I include a letter with the card. The rest might or might not get a few sentences in the card itself.
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill We took a family photo once to put in Christmas cards. We had to get the film developed so it all happened earlier in the year and we're all in lovely warm clothing - and our Christmas is usually stinking hot - not that it mattered. Just seemed strange once we actually got to send them out.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
7 Dec 16
I have one more sitting here that I need to send, but I gotta hit the post office today and get a overseas stamp.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Dec 16
I know, sort of sad, isn't it? I know my list is way down
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 16
It is a bit sad. Each year there is one or two less.
@shaggin (72183)
• United States
6 Dec 16
When my kids were little I sent out Christmas cards to my family and friends usually around 50. I would put a photo of my children in the card. I haven't done that in a few years though. I only receive about 2 cards at Christmas time now.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
We used to do this too. One year we bought cards where you could slip a photo in as the front of the card. They were nice.
@snowy22315 (181948)
• United States
6 Dec 16
I usually only send cards to those who send them to me
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
I do too but I don't wait to receive one before I send one. If someone misses two years in a row I usually stop sending at that point. Occasionally a card comes back and you lost touch, not knowing the address.
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Dec 16
I haven't been good about sending out cards in years, but I know what you mean about the list. There is an email list for the group of skaters I used to see all the time . . . but back then the group was mostly senior friends . . . and with it being nearly 20 years later now, many have passed away in recent years.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
I haven't really noticed much of a drop-off but I don't know if younger marrieds are picking up the idea.
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
6 Dec 16
The list of people we know our own age is getting smaller. Younger ones are also passing. Sad. Some of our 80 and 90 something friends are doing well...we just never know.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
And when one does go it never seems to be the one you expect. It makes you wonder who is going to be next.
@andriaperry (117130)
• Anniston, Alabama
7 Dec 16
I have to say that this year I cannot do the cards, I have to much to do with taking care of Tony.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 16
We do what we can. I'm sure people will understand.
@glenniah (1197)
• Mandurah, Australia
6 Dec 16
I find it interesting that people obviously sent cards addressed to myself and my husband Jamie. Now he is no longer with us the cards are addressed to me and my son. I think it is lovely that they are now including him since he lost his Dad.
I also notice that most people send cards online these days
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
It is nice that they include your son. Our cards are mostly to older people who haven't converted to ecards yet - and probably won't.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Dec 16
i love yer pic, those're jest so cute. but, to the soberin' side 'f this discussion... 't seems that such's occurred here'n my end's well, though i'd ne'er that many folks i sent cards to coz i jest dunno that many. most 'f those that i did make certain got one annually though 've left this earth. big hugs!
@just4him (317250)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Dec 16
Yes, it is sad. My family has diminished from six to three with my brother and parents passing since 2014. I still have a couple friends I still send cards to, but I wonder for how much longer. Both are in bad health.
This year my list expanded to some special 'Friends' and was very happy to send out all those cards.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Dec 16
That's very true. Even more would have passed on if I had a list from when we were first married.
