Author |
Message |
Deesandy
Member
08-12-2003
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 9:46 am
I know that this is a lot of Christmas talk, but I am pressed for time and energy! Is it really so bad to use labels on Christmas cards or do they really have to all be hand addressed to be considered proper? And what about the return address, surely labels are okay for that right? Between work and personal contacts, I have to send out between 100-150 cards this year!
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 9:53 am
Do what works best for you. Personally I don't care if the envelope is hand written or a label. But I really don't like it when nothing is written on the inside...
|
Skootz
Member
07-23-2003
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 9:56 am
I always have them labeled..and if people don't like them too bad. The inside is written...I think that is what is important
|
Graceunderfyre
Member
01-21-2004
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 9:58 am
I don't think it's bad to use labels. People do it all the time with wedding invites nowadays (which is not proper) and nobody seems to care. . . if you feel bad about labels, why not print directly onto the envelopes instead of labels? It's not hard to set up. . . and I agree I at least want to see a signature on the inside
|
Deesandy
Member
08-12-2003
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 10:35 am
What about newsletters... Good idea or not really?
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 10:39 am
I LOVE newsletters! And those you don't need to handwrite! I just think they are great. They are a good way to let everyone know what your family has been up to without having to write 50 different letters. I totally enjoy getting them. They are sooo much better than "Merry Christmas from Julie, Chris and Ryan..." I especially love if they come with pictures.
|
Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 11:27 am
I received my first card yesterday. I didn't mind that the envelope was printed, but inside their "from X and Y" was preprinted on the card too! I didn't really like that, it seemed too impersonal. I love newsletters particularly if at the end they write a couple of extra lines of special stuff relevant to you.
|
Deesandy
Member
08-12-2003
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 12:06 pm
Kitt, I don't care for the pre-printed signature either. So far I have decided to hand write the addresses, use printed return address labels, do a newsletter and sign each card! I used to have my dh sign the cards along with me but this year I am writing out all the names myself and letting our three year old sign a few special cards for family. Whew, Christmas is hard work!
|
Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 12:31 pm
It's a funny thing about Christmas cards and etiquette. It seems to change with our technology. I remember my parents getting cards in the 1950's with handwriting on the outside and printed signatures inside. I remember the first time I saw the 'memo-letter,' too. It was around 1960. My take and it's strictly personal preference! I don't care how the outside is addressed...it's hearing from the person that's important to me. I do care if there is no personal signature. I prefer a note of some kind inside, but...and I know it goes back to my childhood...I hate the newsletters, especially, if the person hasn't written a personal note with it. Yes, Christmas is hard work!! Now I need to 'find' my cards!!
|
Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 12:34 pm
Why is it not proper for wedding invites, etc.? Use a nice font, the envelopes' gonna get tossed anyhow. I got so sick and tired when we were planning our wedding about proper ways to do this and that. BS. We have the technology now, so why not use it. It isn't 1950 anymore. I did it my way, I had a beautiful wedding, the envelopes were printed on by a printer, and done beautifully. Everyone complimented on the elegance thereof. Do what's easiest for you. If people to whom you are sending don't think it is "proper" then they don't deserve a card. I think people get to uppity about these kinds of things.} I am in a bad mood today.
|
Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 12:39 pm
it's not the printing by a printer, but using Labels. labels are so gauche! printing via a printer is cool cuz of the pretty pretty fonts can be done so easily. calligraphy is expensive. not to say hint hint that you shouldn't hire a good calligrapher ONCE in a while. could ya tell i'm drumming up any business i can?
|
Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 1:44 pm
Here's a question: Who does everyone give cards to? Where do you draw the line? Obviously family and friends get cards. My issue is at work. I am SUPER close to some people at work. I'm a waitress at a restaurant. I'm VERY good friends outside of work with some servers. I'm close to more servers strictly AT WORK. Some servers I just sort of say hello to, and talk only about work, and only at work. Then there's the kitchen. There are a few kitchen guys I have a great rapport with. Others I am polite to, but I'm not sure I really want to give them a card. Others, I don't even know their name and they probably don't know mine. Who do I give to? I'm not at work every day, so chances are I would have to leave a stack of cards at work, for people to pick up. But that's not cool, because I'd HATE for someone to look through a stack of cards and not have one there for them! I was thinking that I should just get all my cards done NOW, and just have them waiting in my locker for the next few weeks, and then, as I work with those people, I give them cards. But I still don't know who I should give cards to. Also, when you give cards at work, does anyone ELSE feel bad that 6 people are all getting the same card? I always feel weird about that. coughI'mneuroticcoughcough

|
Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 1:57 pm
Holiday cards in the workplace is very touchy. If you give them out at work rather than sending them, you should be prepared to give one to everyone. Otherwise, you can cause unnecessary hurt feelings and strain relationships.
|
Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 2:01 pm
the best thing for a workplace is to address it to everyone, and mail it to the company and use a more generic card. for the ones you are close to, mail the cards to their home, do not give at work.
|
Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 2:35 pm
I think I'll just have to get a staff phone list and hope for the best. I work in a restaurant, and I don't know anyone who is big on giving their address out. 
|
Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 4:15 pm
I think if you don't want any co-worker to feel left out, there is nothing to stop you from leaving a stack of sealed cards, one for each person. You can personalize the inside of each. Just a simple Merry Xmas for the 'strangers' and something more specific for your closer friends, That way, everyone is happy, and you may just end up getting to know a few of the strangers. Your card may well be the only one that one of the strangers get.
|
Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 4:35 pm
Even many years ago when I worked for a large department at the County of Orange (in the very building where the fabulous Pamy now works!).. we had many people, three shifts in some areas and actually were very close as a group.. annual picnic, potlucks and so on. But even back then in the early seventies, we thought, all that paper and all those cards, even without postage.. tsk.. so we set up a post and anyone who wanted to could post a card to everyone. Then some of us took the money we might have spent on cards and postage and donated that to our fund for the two "adopted" children we supported as a group.. then we could send extra money for the holidays to "our kids". I'm not a big consumer of holiday cards, just me. My parents used to have two sets of cards.. one was for business and the inside was pre-printed. Outside was hand addressed but that was necessary in those days. For the family and friends cards, I suspect they still had the inside printed but my mom signed each card and wrote individual notes to each person. She also got wonderful notes back from some long time friends. I know she hated it when the "newsletter" became common. And I have to agree. There will be a number of people who will love to get your newsletter, but with programs that have been available for decades, you can also use the core newsletter and then personalize each one you print out. If that is too expensive, then I'd suggest, unless you come from a truly mammoth family, you might re-evaluate the list of those receiving the newsletter. Newsletters often go to people who really don't care, or don't even know you that well, and remember that they often go to people who may not have much family, or much news and may seem like a bragging slap in the face.. I realize that isn't your intention but some newsletters really do get to sound as exaggerated as resumes, with everyone being "perfect". Shadoe.. I wonder how many "strangers" really want some anonymous card from someone who doesn't know them and hasn't taken the time to get to know them? I'd say give to those you actually know (or one for all) and then if you realize you don't know certain people, resolve to get to know them in the next year. And I agree with Landi.. if a co-worker is a good friend, hand it to them personally, or better yet, mail it or take it to their home (if that info is offered, no stalking ).
|
Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 4:54 pm
I make my cards, I have more elaborate cards for friends, and basic, but still nice cards for my coworkers. All my cards that go out of town have labels for the addresses. I keep my address book on computer and then print them out. If people think that's gauche, oh well.
|
Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 5:41 pm
ladyt, labels are not gauche for a christmas card. guess you had to read upwards. it was about labels for wedding invitations.
|
Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 5:49 pm
Seamonkey...thank you! What you say about newsletters is exactly how I feel about them, but much better said! For me, there has been an instance where a newsletter was justified. During the riots (1960's) at SF State, my uncle was a prof there. His newsletter that year covered the riots from his viewpoint and I have never forgotten the experience of reading how terrifying it was for those 'inside' the buildings. Because I am not close to my aunt and cousins who are still living, when I do get her annual 'Aren't we perfect?' newsletter, I cringe. Half the time, I don't have a clue who's she talking about! lol
|
Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 6:09 pm
Seamonkey - any card that you give can always be personalized inside. You would be signing your name, so the card is not really anonymous. In a smaller workplace, you can easily add even one line along with your name that can act as an icebreaker, just like your mom did . Speaking from experience, one year I did receive such a card from a co-worker to whom I had never spoken. After receiving the card, I thanked the sender, after which we did get to know each other. I chalk it all up to my receiving that Xmas card. The Xmas season is a perfect opportunity for taking that first step towards getting to know your co-workers better, by giving a card.
|
Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 6:47 pm
I hate newsletters!!! And please don't tell me yours are different! LOL They are 99.9% of the time the most braggy, awful, boring, self indulgences I have ever read. It's one thing to give 'just the fact's ma'am', but please don't go on ad nasuem about little Bryan's batting skills, little Gracie's steps towards potty training and your wonderful vacation to the Grand Canyon....oh and let's not forget Uncle Howard who died this year, thank goodness cause you know, he really was drinking just a tad too much and was such a burden on Aunt Alice............ugh!!!!!!! I personally love picture Christmas cards. I want to SEE the people!! I don't care if it's prelabeled or imprinted. Just the fact that the person took the time to send it to me is enough.
|
Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Thursday, December 02, 2004 - 8:40 pm
Shadoe.. I stand (or sit) corrected.. didn't "get" that you actually were personalizing on the inside, which is a nice reaching out. (not going to bring up the issue, well there is an issue for some people who feel the need that if they get a card, they must then reciprocate, either that year, or next.. but I've concluded that isn't always necessary.. and especially if you don't provide a return address, then no need.. and there is always the issue that you must be sure which holiday, if any, that your target person celebrates..) Now, I do think newsletters can be great if they go to the proper audience.. I mean, most grandparents can't get enough of the grandkids.. and some aunts and uncles, same.. and pictures are great. I've seen cards arrive that have pictures of total strangers .. it seems odd to pitch a picture of some sweet but unknown child.. or to feel like you should hold onto it.. I really think the bottom line is to really think it through..is it sharing or showing off? Is it the correct, appreciative audience? Ladytex, I bet people really treasure getting your home made cards.. AND the labels that you took the time to create, as well. One great thing about TVCH is the "dailyness" of the caring here. 
|
Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 4:39 am
Guess what everyone? Someone in here is my MOMMY posting....hopefully she doesn't become as addicted to all of you as I am. Mom, I read your advice without looking at the name, and I thought, "Gee, what a great post!" Only later did I see it was you, and it reminded me why I like you so much!! Or maybe I am just so used to your advice, that I subconsciously recognized your vernacular. heh heh heh. I was just trying to cheap out of buying more Xmas cards for the co-workers I didn't know. But hey, speaking of Christmas cards, if I got one with money inside it from my mommy, perhaps I could better afford those extra cards for my co-workers. heh heh heh. Just kidding!!
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Friday, December 03, 2004 - 7:39 am
Well I don't agree at all about the newsletter. I don't mind getting the bragging ones. We get one every year that's a bragging one (of a friend who talks about the jet-set life she and her hubby have). We basically laugh and appreciate the down to earth life we have... I've never felt irritated (unlike most here) when I get a typical family type newsletter. There are so many friends that I don't keep in close contact thru the year and I like getting an update on them. I don't mind hearing about batting skills or potty training (although I have yet to get a newsletter with potty training information in it.) I think a newsletter is so much better than a plain card. Most of the cards we get are "cold." With just a handwritten signature of the family or person. I don't think you have to have a "perfect" family to do a newsletter. Or even a family. One single lady friend of mine does a short newsletter. It's not bragging at all. Some might even call it mundane, but it gives me a glimpse into her life. She does add a picture or two of her cats and grandchild.
|
|