It Still Matters...are you up for this challenge?

Most of you know, despite having a blog, I am not a huge fan of technology.  I am of the last generation that grew up without the internet and good Lord am I thankful for that!  In childhood, you had to call someone and leave a message and when they got it, they got it.  I still live that way.  You can leave me a message but I'm going to get it on my own time.  I have no data plan on my phone because the idea of an electronic leash does not appeal to me.  Sure, I got a little crap about it at first but that doesn't prod me into paying $50/mo for no reason.  And you know what?  People adjusted!  They know that I'll call them back when I'm home.  If I used to see a message on social media, I may or may not get to it for a few hours.  If I was working I didn't want to interrupt my flow or just not in the mood for it depending on the first line, I needed to get in the right frame of mind first.  Yep, it makes me weird.  Nope, I don't plan on changing it because it works for me.

I told you that to tell you this.

Back in September, my friend's father in law passed away.  Her husband knows how we are about cell phone usage and told his wife he thinks that's awesome that we're not electronically tied down like that.  He chooses not to be on social media and encourages his wife to live in the moment more because she's a social media maven at times.  When I heard of his father's passing, I sent him a sympathy card because I have a box of cards available for every occasion.  I didn't expect to hear anything back about it.  A week later, his wife contacted me and thanked me for the card.  She said as they were talking one night, he mentioned the card,  (She was busy working overnights and never checked the mail that week.)  He chuckled as he got the card out and said that he got so many texts and emails of condolence but ours was the only physical card he received.  He said that we were really thoughtful people.  She said he couldn't text me a thank you if he wanted to because I don't have a data plan and they laughed.  I laughed too because I know it's bizarre in this day and age but I have more people tell me they want to do that too than give me a sideways look.  I've always been a card person.  I told her there is just something about receiving a card or sending a card that gives me the warm fuzzies and I hope it does to the people who get them.  She agreed and said even though she's really bad about it, she wants to be the kind of person who sends cards like I do.  I'm a total card hoarder and I do need to take pics of some and release them into the recycle bin because the storage struggle is real.  The point is, it still matters.  Not just the receiving but the giving.

So this time of year, when people are cutting back on things that stress them out, consider sending some holiday cards.  Hear me out before you say "I'm not adding one more thing to my to-do list!"  Think of how it feels for you to receive a card.  How nice is it to know that someone took the time to write a little message (or a long one!) out of their own busy schedule to let you know they were thinking of you?  To know that even if miles, months of absent conversations you meant to have or life got in the way, they wanted you to know that you were special.  Don't we all need that in this world we're living in?  They don't have to be fancy, expensive cards.  You can find cards at the dollar store or a value pack at a discount store.  The thought of going out looking for cards make you twitch?  Can you plop your butt on the couch?  😀  Order some cardstock and envelopes from Amazon (or wherever with quick shipping) print any of these or this for free!!  (Or if you're the crafty type, these are fun!)  Don't forget to pick up stamps at the grocery store because the post office is going to be nuts.  Don't do that to yourself.

Writing holiday cards can actually be a very stress relieving activity!  Make this an end of day activity after the kids are in bed.  Whatever show you were going to watch or mindless scroll of Instagram can wait.  Make a cup of tea or hot chocolate, put on some instrumental Christmas music like Beegie Adair so there are no words to distract you from your own.  Even if you only say "Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas" and sign your name, it doesn't matter.  You don't have to be a word wizard.  I usually say "Merry Christmas and all our best for a happy, healthy new year!"  If it's people I'm closer to, I'll say more.  If you want more examples, Hallmark has some suggestions.

So here's my challenge to those of you who don't normally send holiday cards.  Pick ten people to send cards to this year.  Five to the people closest to you and five to people you rarely talk to or hear from.  Grab a value pack or start printing.  Send them no later than a week from now to make sure they get there in time to be enjoyed.  Ten cards are totally doable and I know this because I send out 42 cards every year so you've got no excuse!  HA!  (For those wondering, without fail, I get 26 back.  So that's about a 60% return rate but it's not about that.)

Will you accept the challenge?  Do you usually send out holiday cards and if so, how many?

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