I have a longstanding love/hate relationship with cards.

In, oh, the beginning of November, I usually hatch up a scheme to design, sew, build, etc. my own custom greetings. And it rarely happens - or at least not on the grand scale that I’ve planned.

Last year I wised up and found a few boxes at an after-Christmas sale for seventy-five percent off. Much saner.

I figure I’ll be sending about forty cards this year. To family members (yes, immediate, too), friends, and online buddies. If last year is any indication… I’ll probably receive about fifteen. That doesn’t deter me. I’m all about the love at Christmas - so bite me!

I’ve done an update letter in the past, but infrequently, and I probably won’t this year. It’s excruciating for me to compose, thanks to that whole holiday perfectionist phenomenon we discussed. Besides, people know where to find me online for reports, big events and daily minutae alike.

I plan on including a family photo. We bought two more fuzzy Santa hats yesterday just for that very purpose. I was thinking about DIYing it this year, as opposed to hemoraging money at Picture People, but DH is convinced Daniel will freak out before we can get a shot. He’s probably right - but I think we still might try it.

I handwrite my envelopes - but only because I’m too lazy to build an address database, if you can believe that. Besides, how often do I actually get to use a pen? It’s downright quaint. Hee. Return addresses are usually home-designed and printed, though. Then they’re finished off with the latest holiday stamp (which I’ve even already purchased, go me). Though this year I’m using Santa ornaments from last year; I don’t really much care for the new cookie design.

Simple, non-religious designs are my staple, with a concise greeting inside. I don’t tend to go all-out when purchasing cards, but do take considerable pleasure in finding one that suits me best, even if it’s not the cheapest.

For displaying received cards, we have a stretchy gold ribbon-type thingie that clips over the top and bottom edges of a door. The cards are attached to the ribbon with wee gold-painted clothespins. After the holidays, I keep the fronts that I think might be useful for some craft or other, and recycle the others. Photos and photo cards are stored in a special little album.

I may just get my cards in the mail by December 1st this year. That’s always been my goal, anyhow…