I know that Christmas card letters have their share of detractors. But, I
love getting cards and letters from people at this time of year. Even
in this electronic communication age, I send quite a few Christmas
cards. It's been a way for me to keep in touch of childhood friends and
college buddies, along with sending greetings to landlords and family members across
the U.S. and seasoning's greetings to neighbors. It seems we get fewer in return each year. I get it: We connect via social media. And the price of stamps continues to climb. Still, I love Christmas cards.
I've been involved in Christmas photo cards for most of my life. It's a
family tradition. I starred in my very first one in 1957, as a
6-month-old baby.
By the time 1958 rolled around, I was already sharing space with my sister, Lisa, on the annual missive from Bob and Janis.
Though my brother, Kent, was born in December 1966, he didn't make the
Christmas card until 1967. This is the first photo card with all my
siblings. I would have been 10, Lisa, 9, Darci, 6 and Kent was 1.
My parents included their children on the family Christmas card until we
graduated from college. Randy and I sent our first photo card in 1981, the year we were married.
We didn't send another photo card until 1985, the year Jill was
born. It was only natural, I suppose, that we continued the tradition
with our
own children.
 |
| Christmas Card Photo - Jill - 1985 |
We sent one with the three of us in 1986, when Jill was 15 months old.
After that, I usually stayed on the other side of the camera and just
included the kids. (When you're the one doing the work, you get the most
votes.)
 |
| Christmas Card Photo - 1986 |
The first one with Brent was in 1988. Brent would have been about 7 months and Jill was 3.
 |
| Christmas Card Photo - 1988 |
Back when Jill and Brent were little, this annual attempt
was captured on film. And you weren't sure what you'd gotten until the
film was developed. I have rolls and rolls of film chronicling the
misadventures of getting two little kids to look their best in the same
frame. The move to digital photography makes the storage problem easier -
though it can't help everyone look great in every frame.
This year, we had the opportunity for several rounds of family photos, including Brent's and Susan's wedding in May and our farm machinery sale in August. Our retirement trip to National Parks also made the cut for the annual photo card with a snapshot taken by a Grand Canyon park ranger.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Peace on earth, good will toward all.
And a Merry Christmas to you all, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you. I still have a few of those cards.
ReplyDeleteI wish mine were organized. I have them in multiple plastic tubs in the basement. Maybe I'll get those tubs sorted some day!
DeleteI hadn't realised that 'photo cards' were a tradition in the US. Frank has a cousin in Boston and sends one every year. I only send cards to friends who I rarely see and add a newsy letter or brief catch up note. I'm disappointed when I get a card which just says merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would say that photo Christmas cards are a tradition with many U.S. families. I used to write a "newsletter"-style letter with more information, but have transitioned to the brief summary on the card itself. It's sure a lot easier.
DeleteI love sending and receiving Christmas cards! I enjoyed seeing yours from over the years. My son was born in 1985 and my daughter in 1988! Doesn't seem all that long ago does it?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like very similar circumstances. Time really does fly!
Delete