Author |
Message |
Schoolmarm
Member
02-18-2001
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 9:52 am
I really love the newsletter, and it doesn't matter what is in them. It's about the only time I get to hear about my far-flung friends. Don't care if they brag or are boring or even if they talk about potty training. Of course I haven't sent anything out for a while and not many have my new addy, so I probably won't get many cards or newsletters out unless I send some out SOON!
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 11:43 am
Again, all I'm saying is know your audience. I'm not talking about newsletters from friends.. but some people just spam a huge mailing list.. I remember before there were newsletters there was some woman who had met my mom for one season in her golf group, then she moved. She wasn't a close friend, or even an acquaintance, but for years after she moved, my parents would get these newsy Christmas letters detailing the adventures of her children, who we'd never even seen, and even the health issues of the entire family.. It simply wasn't appropriate. Making note to go interview some young moms about potty training to create a special newsletter for Marm..
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 1:34 pm
I personally don't send any cards. Years ago after spending money on the cards and the postage I decided it wasn't worth it. I started making phone calls to the people I really wanted to say hi to, and now with cell phones and free long distance it is even cheaper than cards. Is that proper etiquette, probably not, but do I care, not at all LOL
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 2:20 pm
The saying "It's the thought that counts" comes to mind about cards. I bet you can go to any corner Dollar Store and pick up a couple boxes of the cheapest cards. Remember: it's the inside that counts most. If I got a lousy penny card but inside, the person said something like I wanted to thank you again for the special help you gave me on so-and-so day when I needed it most on that busy shift, I would be pleased as punch for that individual and very personal wish. Even something like you're the best pancake flipper I have ever worked with. If you are working in a smalll place, I am sure you can think of some kind of nice line for each and every co-worker. Now the cards that are just signed with the year written in teeny numbers in one corner are wasted on me., but a folded scrap of paper with a hand drawn Xmas tree and a note to say I hope you and your cats have a great holiday will get propped up on top of my TV. Me, I just bake the guys at work a couple cakes and send my daughter money against her protests. jagger - the phone calls are a great gift, way more appreciated than a card. On the holidays, it's great to hear the voices of friends and loved ones when you don't have the opportunity to be with them in person. As for newsletters, I don't know much about them. I think, though, if someone wants to share their joys, I would just accept them graciously. It could be just their own way of giving a part of themselves in the holiday season.
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Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 2:48 pm
I have to be honest. I am very much like Jagger. For me, it's because of eyesight and hands becoming very arthritic. I call more than write. The dh does the C'mas cards that we feel 'have' to go out. Most of our close friends don't send cards either. It's been a gradual decline...does age have something to do with it?? lol I don't know.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 4:00 pm
On the subject of newsletters: I used to work with this girl, she wasn't much older than I and her and her husband sent out a newsletter about the two of them every six months or so. It was to let people know what they had been up to. I had only known her for a short time and she sent me one. I was appalled at how much the divulged into their personal lives. So were the other people we worked with. It talked about her bouts with depression, how they were trying to have a baby, how they almost split up, how he lost his job. Then at the end, it would say something like "Merry Christmas", or "have a great summer" It was so much of a sob story, I felt compelled to say something to her, but since I wouldn't have been able to say something nice, I bit my tongue, until she asked me if I had recieved it in the mail, and I said "yes". She stood there looking at me as if waiting for a comment on it. And I looked at her and said, "And I didn't really care to know that much about you and your husband, and I don't think it is very appropriate to send this kind of thing out, you shouldn't have wasted the stamps." Well, she didn't understand why, and said her life is an open book and people who know her deserve to really know her. Then I got irritated and said "honey, no one cares" It may have been harsh, but this girl was always carrying on, my husband this, my mother that, I feel depressed, I need a new car. Blah blah blah blah freakin blah. So, that really turned me off to newsletters. They are so impersonal, so "form letter". My grandmother got a Christmas "Newsletter" from my cousin on year. It was obviously one she sent out to the whole extended family. My grandma was upset because she had sent my cousin a card, with a check, and a nice note to "drop us a line" and she got a thoughtless gesture. I would never do a newsletter, I just don't think anyone is that interested in the happenings of my life, and those who are, already know what is going on in my life. So for me poo poo to Newsletters, Christmas form letters, etc. If you are going to send cards, to close friends and family, include a note inside about the "Good" things that are happening in your life, don't go into great detail, and ask them to drop you a line telling of all their happenings. Be interested and interesting. To co-workers, if you are close with people at work, send the cards to their home, so no one else not receiving a card at work feels left out. Otherwise I agree with the above post, either send one card, whole company, or send an impersonal, but a festive card, sign it Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, or whatever, sign it, send one to everyone. That way everyone is happy. Oh, and use a label if you have a lot to send out, print on the envelope with a printer if you have quite a bit, and hand write them if you only have a select few.
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 4:25 pm
OK, this may not be well received, but at work, if someone does a great job, I think the proper venue is to write a memo to their personnel file, with CC to the boss or manager or whatever, and of course the employee. That may actually affect them positively all year and in their work. Of course a thank you personally is great but maybe more appropriate to Thanksgiving which is more universally celebrated in the US. Just me, but I'm a believer is speaking truth and in praising hard work or thanking people for being so great all year long, not just at stock "greeting card opportunities" Again, know your audience. Grandma probably would prefer to have a personal card and while I think the phone calls are a great and personal way to reach out, if grandma has trouble hearing, then, for her, probably a card is good..
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Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 4:34 pm
SEA, lets not exchange newsletters this year ok? 
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Mware
Member
09-14-2001
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 4:44 pm
I don't know, Sea. I've seen Grandma's personnel file, and she could use a boost this year. 
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 5:09 pm
ROFL!!! Believe me if any of my grandparents or parents or aunts or uncles was still in a place where they could get a letter, they'd be getting them.. Alas.. I just have to cherish the memories we shared when they WERE alive. My aunt was the last left of her generation and my brother and I each would try to send off a letter every 3 weeks or so and she loved getting them and always replied. Mware, Grandma would be fortunate to have you as a boss, I suspect. You, too, Rosie! I promise, no newsletter shall escape from my brain, fingertips, computer, etc..
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 5:20 pm
OK, for the sake of argument (and you know I love you Sea), if you say we should treat people the same all year, then why do you give Christmas cards? Getting off the Christmas card topic - I think the problem with giving praise to management is that most management that I've worked with has been like "deaf ears". Complimenting someone to management almost GUARANTEES they will not be praised. Also, in every job I've worked at, the "tell management" option is considered WEIRD. I believe in complimenting people as MUCH as possible in day-to-day life, PURELY so that when I complain, I am taken seriously . And I like to complain ALOT. So needless to say, I am actually quite generous with telling people that it was a good shift with them tonight. Regarding newsletters, Seamonkey, I think you represent the generation that still cares about anyone and everyone. It's a good thing, but becoming less practical nowadays. There are more people that DON'T care to hear about others, than people like you, who really care about how everyone is doing, and you care about even the BAD details of our lives. I don't think I'd like to have something as IN-DEPTH as a newsletter with some of my friends that I have trouble keeping in touch with. But maybe a shorter and sweeter version of what's up would be OK. I agree with Escapee about how I don't think people's "bad" things in life are for public broadcast, but should be kept on a more INTIMATE level. People really need to think through the LEVEL of their relationships with others before sharing more than necessary. As well, Christmas is supposed to be a HAPPY time; newsletters about depression and unemployment seem a bit uncouth. Next thing we know, the newsletter will be chronicling the "unfortunate episiotomy infection" that went along with the "joyous birth of our new baby girl". My favourite at Christmas is those picture cards of families. Even though they don't leave much room for a personal message, I like those, because it is a bit of a gift to remember your friends. Keep 'em on the fridge over the holidays, and then put them in an album or something come January. I still have ones my mom sent of me when I was little. Here's one for a laugh, minus the white part at the bottom with the Season's Greetings logo. I think it's nice to see my friends' kids, moreseo than seeing pics of my friends.
Don't laugh too hard!!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 5:40 pm
What's to laugh at? So cute! I am going in the column that deplores the newsletter. I have never seen a good one. We actually would be upset, though, if we didn't get some of the regulars because we read them aloud and howl with laughter over how pompous and ridiculous they sound. I should treat you all to a sampling of just one paragraph of the particularly awful, but I'll spare you! My suggestion would be to keep holiday correspondence as light and bright as possible. If there is something difficult to say, it should be said later and not in a holiday letter.
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 5:58 pm
Hmm.. no offense.. I'd hate to think that caring about anyone/everyone was passe.. but actually I'm one who doesn't want to get detailed info about everyone.. well, at least not on paper and in my snailmailbox. Vee, I agree about light and bright, but as my parents approached age 80, most of the notes from their friends did tell of the passing of this one, or hip replacement or some other ailment.. but of course they also told of family too.. hopefully on the light and bright side. And to be very honest I haven't sent more than a handful of cards for a decade. I did make a large effort, after both of my parents died in 1994, I found that of course, my mom already had bought her cards for Christmas 2004, so I did send out the cards to their good and longtime friends, and included their obituaries, a letter, some photos and included individual notes for each person. It was sort of a closure. But for me, I really don't do specific cards or gifts, I'm way more likely to ship off a present to someone "just because" and then forget some holiday or birthday. I don't necessarily think this is all good and I do try to at least email people on their birthdays.. Eeyores, that is an adorable picture!! I would never laugh at that!
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 7:09 pm
OOOPS!! I mixed you up with Schoolmarm when I was writing!! Seamonkey, I agree with you. It really is a sad statement ABOUT my generation, that we don't care to hear the bad stuff. I'm sure we could devote an entire sociology class to the need to be powerful in our day in age, and thus we recoil when we see others sharing signs of weakness. blah blah blah. I care when people hurt, and it doens't even matter how well I know them. I would care about a stranger's plight if they approached me (except for bums asking for money). But yes, I totally agree that a newsletter is NOT the place for that stuff. Creepy!! I've never gotten a "newsletter". Do I just not know enough people, or is it an American, or "southern" thing? Where is everyone getting these gut-spilling newsletters? I'm still snickering at your response to that woman's newsletter Escapee!!
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 7:21 pm
Wow. <nd> I'll see if I can find some of our old ones and have you guys give me your opinion them...
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Deesandy
Member
08-12-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 7:28 pm
Eeyores, look at that hair! That is the sweetest photo!!! I have come up with two different newsletters. One is for friends my age, and others who I know like to get the wordy newsletter. The second one is simply in a "top ten" format and I listed the top ten things that I felt were worth mentioning. I guess I don't understand why anyone would send a card to someone who didn't care enough about them to know what is going on with them. I know I wouldn't. I design our cards every year and a lot of time, work, sweat and tears go into them. I strive to make them personal, original and fun and festive! I enjoy doing it in spite of how consuming it is to do so. Here is a photo of the front of the card:
Included in each card is a poem I have written, a photo of the family and a newsletter. I hand sign the inside of each card. I have hand addressed each envelope and used labels for the return address as well as photo stickers to seal the envelope. Although this project is one I do for myself and I do enjoy doing it, if I thought anyone I sent them to would just disregard it then I would be saddened by that. Am I too sappy, or just also living in a world of hope and light?
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 7:44 pm
Deesandy, I am totally with you! I do my own. I LOVE your picture/front of your card. It is wonderful. And your dd is so cute and sweet!!! I also agree with you, why would you send a card to someone who would not want to know about you and your life...?
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 8:07 pm
Deesandy, what an enchanting picture that is!! Your child is adorable..
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 8:18 pm
Oh, dear hearts, we do want to know about you! We just don't want to know every minute detail like how much money you're making, how many medical tests were done during the year, all about bouts of depression or how many awards little Jimmy won in school. Sigh... Now I just sound like an ogre! I guess my point would be that if one cares enough to send a card, care enough to individualize that card even if it is the simplest of ways. And by all means, include those photos! That's the very best part.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 8:33 pm
Oh, I took too long to key this and lost my editing privileges. Sea, I understand what you are saying about the elderly, but I have a different take on it. My grandmother, now 95, has spent the past 15 years of her life having the most difficult of Christmas seasons because folks send their bad news in their Christmas cards. While she wants to know these things, why wasn't she told when it happened rather than getting blasted with it over the holidays? Sometimes she has discovered that she has lost more than one friend and that is particularly hard on her. One daughter of a life-long friend got it exactly correct when she waited to tell about her mother's death until last February (2004). Her mother had died the previous July (2003). The daughter apologized by saying that she did not have my grandmother's address to let her know in July, but that when she received the Christmas card from my grandmother she decided not to send that news at that time. Perfect! I wish everyone could be so thoughtful. I am dreading the things that will show up in my grandmother's Christmas mail this year...it happens without fail. Wow! This thread has been great...allowed me to vent some very strong feelings I've had about all of these sorts of issues. Hope no one will hate me!
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 8:44 pm
I usually send a funny yearly letter.....something along the lines of//// what a year it has been!! I wont bore ya with the details of how fab we are, how many trips we took, and how great my kid is in school ..yada yada yada have a great Holiday!!
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Kaili
Member
08-31-2000
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 8:44 pm
I like it when people write fun family letters that tell what's been going on but kind of make a joke of it at the same time. I would never write and send one, but I do have a fascination with reading them even though I really don't care. I'm doing Christmas cards right now...err...I was doing them. I send them to my aunts (mom's sisters), grandma, my two close cousins, my parents, my uncle (cousin's dad, divorced from my aunt but still close with the family) and his mom (she's like a grandma to me), then my best friend from middle and high school and her parents. Oh, and Tim's parents too. My parents, grandma, and my aunt who is my mom's twin sister and who I see a lot get "real" cards- the rest get boxed cards. I handwrite everything. Last year I got these plastic clear cards that just has a small white area in the middle so I wouldn't feel obligated to write a lot (no room!). My problem is I don't write most of these people often and since I am, I feel like I have to write a letter in each card, I do the same thing with birthday cards. Then I think how people set them out to see and I think maybe it should be shorter and more generic cause I don't want to share my letter with everyone who looks at their cards. I do it anyway though- my best friend's card is filled with plans for hanging out- she'll get it in a day or two anyway.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 8:51 pm
I send Happy New year cards instead of christmas cards.....i figure it is fun to get one after the holiday blues and when you are not bombared with a bunch of them the plus side of this is that I seee who sends me a christmas card and they get a new yrs one from me....saves me sending to ppl that have dropped off 'the list' I always write a little something personal on the card and enclose a pic. Another plus,,,cards are half off after christmas, so I save money!!!! YOu can find many cards that dont say anything and can be used for happy new yr..they actually have happy new yr cards..they go on sale after jan 2!!!!
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 9:39 pm
Dee, I LOVE your idea. I would LOVE to get homemade cards from my friends' about their family. The cards I give out are sarcastic usually. One of my cards shows a snowman (from behind) looking into his stocking going "What's this? Two lumps of coal..?" But then you open the card up, and the snowman is now facing forward, holding his two lumps of coal up to his face and he goes "I can SEE!! I can SEE!!" I'm a pretty sarcastic and jokey person, so at least the card is representative of me. hee hee!!
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 9:43 pm
Pamy, I use your idea about Boxing day sales, but I use it for Xmas presents for people. (I know, I'm evil.) I usually make up an excuse about how busy I am just BEFORE Xmas, and then shop the day after, and then say that we should get together because I never had a chance to give them their Xmas present BEFORE Xmas due to my rough schedule.
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