This hasn't been an easy year one way or another. After only eight months in a new job Stewart found himself out of work again - that was six month ago. He's now made the decision to start his own business but understandably that will take time to grow. So like many others we've had to cut back and economise. We did think that we wouldn't send Christmas cards this year.
But then they started to arrive and I realised I like gettng cards and hearing from people we may not see often. Last year, after getting a card from an old friend whom I'd not seen for ages, I was prompted to pick up the phone and we arranged to meet. We've seen each other a couple of times this year and are meeting again for some shopping on Friday. And so I decided that I would send cards after all this year... because maintaining friendships is important. I'd like to say I make all my own cards... but alas time does not permit.
Do you send cards... and do you make your own? I know I really appreciate and keep all the hand made ones that I receive and I re-use all the others... like this and this .
A difficult decision, whether or not to send Christmas cards. Perhaps it is also a reminder to pick up the phone more often and actually use them to make calls, something I know I am very guilty of. Best wishes for your husband is his own business.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for Stewart's business venture - I hope it wont take long to bear fruit. I love your use of old Christmas cards - I think I could just about manage the tags!
ReplyDeleteI used to make all of mine but have become lazy in recent years. However, I only buy charity ones.
I wish Stewart well with his new venture!
ReplyDeleteI do send cards and in fact it is time I had sent them!! I don't make my own but I do buy them from animal charities. Like you I keep the handmade and reuse or recycle!
V xxx
I think keeping up with friends is very important? I do send cards and have even managed to include a short write. update to people I don't normally see? I buy charity cards...was inspired by your gift tag maker last year and rushed out to Hobby Craft. Now I have more tags than I need!
ReplyDeleteOh dear.... I feel an icosahedron coming on! I've always wanted to make one of those but never understand how to mark the triangles as I was rubbish at geometry dear teacher. I must have a compass somewhere I hope! PS It goes without saying that I wish Stewart every success with his business. Onward and upward.
ReplyDeleteI don't send cards now at all. I used to love making and sending them, but moving made that far too expensive. There would be cards to four different countries at least if I did send them. I'm afraid that I have to send my greetings electronically in one job lot. I still take the time to design one and then post it on facebook and my blog. Sounds sad I know, but it would probably cost me well over £100 to send and we don't even spend that much on each other over Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGina - have been reading your advent blogs, oh the little cakes are lovely - they look very yummy. I like the the brighter apron it looked great. I make all my own Christmas Cards (nutty) but do enjoy doing them and each year I think about cutting my list down, but it the opportunity to keep in touch with people who have passed in and out of our lives. Fingers crossed 2014 is a good year for you and Stewart - Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to send cards at Christmas to those people that you don't see very often as it's a good way of keeping in touch. However, at the risk of sounding like a party pooper, the ritual of sending cards to everyone at work when it is easy to wish them a happy Christmas in person, seems a bit silly!
ReplyDeleteHaving made 200 cards to sell one year I hit card overload and vowed never to make any again but I found a lovely die and stamp set this year and set to work. I have thoroughly enjoyed making a few cards for friends and family who I know will appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteI posted my cards today. Some of them I never see but I want them to know I'm thinking of them:)
ReplyDeleteTwiggy
Good luck to you both with the new business venture. Exciting times ahead.
ReplyDeleteI feel very unstressed by Christmas this year - I have set the bar low enough to feel that I might do all the things that I want to do including sending a few cards to family and friends.
I make my own, but I cheated a bit this year. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see though!
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, Have just read back over your previous posts and got the giggles from Day 8. Good job the second pic is a close up I misread the wording on the first one! Which, added to the shape of the mistletoe leaves.......
ReplyDeleteMaybe that could be a whole new apron range for you????
Gina, think I might have already mentioned that each year I paint each of the Christmas cards I mail. And...I also send a "ether" version of the image via my blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the custom of Christmas cards and Christmas stamps, and staying in touch with folks that you don't get to see as much as you would like.
xo
I make my own cards, but they consist of a letter printed on an A4 sheet with family photos laid out on the other side. When I folded it into 4 I have room for a short handwritten message. My friends say they look for these each year and I certainly love receiving cards. I do hope Stewart's new venture is very successful. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI make my own cards, but they consist of a letter printed on an A4 sheet with family photos laid out on the other side. When I folded it into 4 I have room for a short handwritten message. My friends say they look for these each year and I certainly love receiving cards. I do hope Stewart's new venture is very successful. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI gave up sending Christmas cards many years ago, my excuse was that I was doing my bit to save the Rain Forest.
ReplyDeleteI shall send 2 this year to special people who have helped make the year better for us.
My DH had a blitz one year as he used to get so many cards from work that he put his beautiful photos to good use and we still have a lovely selection left.
I made gift tags too with a Cutter like yours, but last year we had very few cards, maybe that was because we didn't send any.
Good luck to Stewart with his new venture.
Add me to your list of blog readers who wish Stewart every success in his new business venture!
ReplyDeleteAt the rate I'm going I won't be sending cards this year ... I've no idea when I'll find time to write them. But you're right ... they are an important part of maintaining long distance relationships :)
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