What is your approach on the holiday card?
Our good friends, Ted Anthony and Melissa Rayworth, went for awkward this year on their holiday card. They put the family in matching holiday PJs and took them to the Wal-Mart photo studio to get a few shots. They wish you a happy new year even in the awkward moments.
When I was growing up, the long braggy letter was the in holiday greeting. Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook.
For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when Rose was born. When Walsh was born we started sending collage photo cards because we could never get one great photo of both kids.
Then that transformed into showing folks on the card what we had been up to or what the kids like. Now that we’ve moved out West our goal is to show people what we’re seeing out here because it is so different from the East Coast.
We have friends who I think are the masters of the holiday card (see above). Ted Anthony and Melissa Rayworth are both journalists we have known for many years, and every year they have a new and creative approach to their holiday cards – even if they are late. I asked Ted to send me a few of their last cards to share with you guys and here they are. It’s probably too late for this year but they may give you inspiration for next year.
I like this one because they had everyone in the family contribute. Also I think it's a great way to preserve how the kids saw and illustrated the tree at those ages.
This year they commissioned an artist to draw the family with their favorite superheroes over head.
This year, the card was going to be late. So they embraced their lateness!
What are your favorite types of holiday cards to give and receive? Do you have a Ted in your life who always comes up with the best cards? What have been your favorites?
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96 comments Add your comment
Penguinmom
December 20th, 2011
12:24 pm
@ngbama – I love seeing how many states we are sending to. We’ve pared it down recently because of financial constraints (the postage alone can get pricey) but I still like keeping in touch with people we’ve met through the years.
Warrior Woman
December 20th, 2011
12:36 pm
I love Christmas cards! We send handmade cards every year with personal notes inside. There may be a family photo or snapshots of the kids included, but I don’t send the photo cards. I know this takes time, but to me it’s a fun way to periodically touch base with people we don’t see every week.
new mom
December 20th, 2011
1:14 pm
We always do cards. I had major knee surgery on dec. 1 but I still ordered our cards early (found an 80% code from southern savers), got 50 photo cards for $10 (even had our return address printed on the envelope) and just got it done. It’s a gesture that I hope doesn’t completely fade away, we love thinking about our friends and family as we address each card, and we really love receiving them.
One idea I read recently: once Christmas is over, you can punch holes in all of your photo cards and put a binder clip through them. Then you can stash them in your Christmas decorations and use them the following year to have on a coffee table, and enjoy seeing how your friends’ kids have grown over the years.
LM
December 20th, 2011
3:00 pm
I have a uncle and his wife who would send the yearly letter. Always in the third person, always included how many bushels of this and that, where they went, what a wonderful time they had visiting their son. It was a obnoxious brag letter and my Mom and I always made a joke of it.
Just got his letter this year and it was so depressing. He is almost 80, in bad health and it went on about his surgery and his wife having to change his dressings. Also mention the harvest was not good, that the weather was bad. Felt terrible after reading it.
I send some cards, about 30 total. Add a few and remove a few each year. Some I just sign, some I write a line or two.
Me
December 20th, 2011
3:25 pm
Wow — Since I don’t normally give a tinker’s damn about what my family does I also feel that they care not what we do, ergo, no cards from us. You would have to know my family to understand our feelings and I know of none upon whom I wish that displeasure.
motherjanegoose
December 20th, 2011
3:34 pm
@ Me…we spoke of this yesterday while in Montreal. Our family does not come to visit for the holidays, with the exception of my sister who lives in metro Atlanta. She is here for everything.
Anyway, I do care about my family but we got tired of always going to see them. Everyone else lives out of state. Closest being 400 miles away. We made the trip for years, when our kids were small but have not done it in at least 10 years now. Yesterday, we saw a little old grandpa with a long white beard who flew back with us from Montreal. Many missed their connections, due to mechanical issues. We asked where he was going…”Mexico…to see my son!” WOW…we made sure he was heading in the right direction to get on the hotel shuttle…showed him where. My husband said, “should we just give him a ride?” I thought that would be good but then we saw him at the shuttle bus and he looked like he was good with it. HOORAH for those who travel to see their families!
Techmom
December 20th, 2011
3:48 pm
This is the first time we’ve traveled for Christmas. My grandparents are in their 80s and are no longer snowbirds as their health is beginning to fail. We’re headed to their house for Christmas since we don’t know how much longer they’ll be around. I’m not looking forward to the holiday travel but hopefully it will be a relaxing week in the boondocks of Michigan (Brrrr).
Oh and just to tie it in to the topic, I sent cards to all the family members who we are going to see as well.
Sk8ing Momma
December 20th, 2011
3:51 pm
@ Mother Jane Goose – Here’s our letter from 2009. I still have to write ours for 2011.
A Anniversary: _____ and ____ celebrated their 15th on September 3.
B Bertha: The Avalanche my father gave ____ is affectionately known as Bertha. We drove Bertha on our 3-day cross-country trek from L.A. to Atlanta stopping to visit friends in Phoenix and Houston along the way…A memorable time was had by all!
C Charlotte: We took a quick Labor Day weekend trip to Charlotte, NC for one of ______’s soccer tourneys. Note: Artificial turf is NOT a good idea in 90+ degree weather.
D Double Digits: _____ turned 10! She celebrated in L.A. with _____ and her daughter, _____, at Fashionology. (www.fashionology.com)
E Electronic Reader: ____ loves her Kindle! Who knew an electronic reader could replace her beloved books?! (Thanks for the recommendation, ____!) Her fave read this year: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
F Forty: ____ turned the Big 4-0! (She had a delayed mini celebration with ____ in Houston during her cross-country trek…It was a bonus getting to visit with Cindy and Robin, too!)
G Gatlinburg, TN: ____ and the kids joined some homeschool friends in a mountain chalet for a little R&R this summer…6 moms + 15 kids = 1 good time!
H Have books, will travel!: We’re in our ____th year of homeschooling. It remains a good fit for our family and we’re spoiled by the flexibility it affords!
I Intense! ______ completed P90X…What a workout…Whew!
J Jaunt: We took a quick 4-day trip to Orlando before we headed to L.A. If you think Shamu performs perfectly everyday, think again! We witnessed Shamu exit during the middle of his show to check out his female counterparts on the other side of the pool…Boys will be boys!
K _____’s new favorite toy! All of you scrapbookers and paper crafters will appreciate her new Cricut. Now, the only challenge is finding time to use it – sigh!
L Loaves of Love: _____’s seasonal baking business is alive and well. Pumpkin bread is her specialty. She’s quite the little baker and thoroughly enjoys it. Anyone have a good recipe you’d like to share?
M M_____’s _____: The kids continue their art, history, drama and music classes on ______ afternoons with other homeschoolers.
N New Office: _____ has new digs. He’s enjoying the nicer, larger space.
O Overnight Soccer Camp: _______ went to Rome, Georgia for her first overnight (3 nights) soccer camp. She was joined by several of her teammates. She loved it and looks forward to going again.
P Poppy!: Kendall and the kids headed to L.A. in February for an indefinite stay to care for _____’s father as he battled cancer. Poppy lost his battle on April 24. We are most grateful for the opportunity to go to L.A. and spend time with Poppy…Priceless!
Q Q – “What do I do with this Q?” …Overheard while playing Bananagrams. ______ and the kids learned to play while in L.A. If you’re looking for a new family-friendly game, check it out!
R R_____: He continues to be obsessed with all things military! He will talk your ears off regarding WWII and military hardware, particularly tanks and planes. The Military Channel is his favorite. A highlight was attending the grand opening of the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning this summer where Colin Powell was the keynote speaker. (www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com)
S Sugar Marie Watkins: Sugar, a/k/a Shug Shug, is ______’s green cheek conure. Sugar is highly social and thinks that she’s a human member of the family.
T Tricks: R_____ is full of antics! One of his latest and greatest is jump roping while riding a pogo stick. Note to self: Don’t encourage any ideas seen on Ellen.
U Unicycles: Our troops (that would be ____ and _____) are still (long story!) working on learning to ride the unicycles they received for Christmas 2008. Hopefully, our circus clowns will be up and rolling sooner rather than later!
V Vikings: R_____ ventured into the world of tackle football with the Atlanta Vikings. The Vikings is an intense and highly competitive team in the ‘hood. It was baptism by fire! He earned a starting position on the defensive line and learned lots.
W Winning Catch!: R______ played 3rd base with the Yankees during our 3 months-stay in L.A. He earned a game ball by catching the final out to win the game…Go, R____! It was his first endeavor with kid-pitch baseball.
X Xs and Os: ____ is coaching ______’s rec basketball team…So far, so good! [Mom] thinks that [Husband] is having more fun than _______!
Y Youth Sports: ______ has concluded that the true character of a man (or woman ;)) can be judged on the field – or on the sideline. She’s seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Join her in praying that she doesn’t become one of those parents…You know the type! ;)
Z Zumba! ________ still loves Zumba…Check out http://www.zumba.com and join the party!
What Is Face Book
December 20th, 2011
5:02 pm
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 20, 2011 9:11pm [...]
Jesse's Girl
December 20th, 2011
5:04 pm
Sams Club….150 photo cards for $30. Can’t beat it with a stick!
What Is Face Book
December 20th, 2011
5:57 pm
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 20, 2011 8:43pm [...]
Penguinmom
December 20th, 2011
6:46 pm
@Sk8 – ABC’s are fun. I did ABC’s/numbers one year. It was fun coming up with something for each letter. Some letters can be quite challenging while others have way too many so you have to rearrange the sentence to make a different letter come first.
I know there are still people out there who appreciate Christmas cards and letters because I get comments at every family reunion from the older generation saying how much they enjoy the cards each year. As far as cost, I think of it as my gift to them each year. It doesn’t cost me a lot and it give those relatives a lot of joy.
Boring
December 20th, 2011
6:54 pm
Ska8- there is no way I could finish that letter. Way over the top IMO
jarvis
December 20th, 2011
7:42 pm
@Boring, I’m not going to call it boring. To each their own, but I think these types of sentiments are from a time in the past. With social media etc, we know what’s going on with the people we want to hear about, and we “block” those that we don’t.
For the record Ska8, I made it half way through Bertha.
motherjanegoose
December 20th, 2011
10:21 pm
@Ski8ing…loved it! We too love Bananagrams…it is a fun game. Do you play Monopoly Deal?
Now that was hard, at first, but I like it now!
There are plenty of people who are NOT on Facebook…I know this is hard to believe. Maybe it is simply more folks who are 50 or older ( my age). I love a nice photo or letter….just to know someone took the time to send it means a lot to me.
Enemas for Easter
December 20th, 2011
10:59 pm
motherjanegoose…..Do you ever shut up?
motherjanegoose
December 20th, 2011
11:11 pm
Only when I am sleeping…I do love to talk…you got that right today…hoorah for something positive in your corner!
Content
December 21st, 2011
12:13 am
I think it is sad that a person can’t share the good things that are happening without trying “to make each other feel like crap.” I like to hear about the things people go through, the good and the bad. This year, I graduated from college, and was fortunate enough to find a job that I absolutely love (teaching at a great elementary school.) I am very happy and proud, and I think that the people that I care about are happy and proud for me too. Why would it make a friend or family member feel like crap to read that (on facebook OR in a letter) I like my job and that things are going reasonably well for me right now?
homeschooler
December 21st, 2011
7:57 am
I think it’s a sad world when people bitch about sending or receiving Christmas Cards. I try to be creative with photos, poems etc. that show something about the particular year. Pics of the kids with a new puppy, poem about January thru December. I hope my cards will one day be a timeline my children’s childhoods. I love facebook for keeping up but there’s nothing quite like getting a card or a photo in the mail. I have to say I have gotten lazy the last few years and just ordered standard photo cards from Walmart. Picture taking, ordering, addressing and mailing took about 2.5 hrs total. It was 15 dollars for 30 cards. If that is too much time or money for you, so be it, but I know the people I care about appreciate it just as I look forward to getting cards from my friends and family.
Kat
December 21st, 2011
8:27 am
These people are have a great sense of humor! I love it.
My approach is simple, “Git ‘er done!”
Augusta
December 21st, 2011
8:31 am
I love that we don’t travel at the holidays. We stay home with the kids. If anyone wants to come over, that’s wonderful, but I am NOT going to disrupt my childrens’ Christmas in our home. We stay home Christmas Eve, all day Christmas, and the day after. Just the 6 of us…..Grandparents live close by and they come over Christmas morning to see the kids open all their presents. Then we all eat a huge breakfast, and just relax. We even leave the mess until the next day…..just enjoy and no stress!!!!
What Is Face Book
December 21st, 2011
8:58 am
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 20, 2011 10:02pm [...]
What Is Face Book
December 21st, 2011
10:35 am
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 20, 2011 12:47am [...]
motherjanegoose
December 21st, 2011
10:36 am
I read this on a teacher friend’s FACEBOOK…pretty much sums it up for me…glad to know him:
Writing Christmas cards is a happy chore. I find myself thinking of people I have known for years, some for my whole life. It is a blessing.
Merry Christmas to all my cyber friends on Momania. Lumps of coal to those who criticize most everything on here…haha.
What Is Face Book
December 21st, 2011
11:20 am
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 21, 2011 2:08pm [...]
Augusta
December 21st, 2011
11:39 am
OK, we’re done. New topic please!!!
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
December 21st, 2011
11:51 am
I am hosting a craft party today for my kids. I will probably post photos later. Sorry no new blog this morning.
motherjanegoose
December 21st, 2011
12:37 pm
This is the beauty of this BLOG, as far I know no one here is paying for a subscription. In kind, our expectations should match our monetary investment. Let’s give TWG some time with her family and if anyone else wants to come up with something…let’s can proceed.
motherjanegoose
December 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
oops we can proceed…sorry!
Deanna
December 21st, 2011
1:49 pm
I send cards, but I don’t receive many these days. I hate that, but understand. There’s so much to do, I know people just don’t have the time and energy.
Becky
December 21st, 2011
2:06 pm
@Deanna..Merry Christmas and Happy New Year..
Not a card, but hope that is ok..We get just about as many sent to us as we send out..I enjoy sending them and receiving them..Since I talk to most of my family weekly, that is the reason that none of us do a letter at Christmas..
crystal
December 21st, 2011
2:25 pm
Theresa gave us a new topic: What crafts are you doing with your family this Christmas?
What Is Face Book
December 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 21, 2011 6:11pm [...]
Becky
December 21st, 2011
3:52 pm
@crystal..We painted Christmas figurines..That’s about it for us this year..
FCM
December 21st, 2011
3:54 pm
My (ex) In-laws do the photo collage from Walgreens. They upload their photos – usually the family(kids/grandkids) from summer–not the awkward beach shot, they now do an awkward Hawaiian (skirts on the men) shot–the family from last Christmas, and some others with various granchildren mixed in. I actually love seeing it, not just becuase my kids are in it, but seeing the cousins grow is so cool!
My cards did not get done this year. Last year they were they were a photo shoot one and very nice. This year I think I will do a New Year’s Card with some photos of our first vacation in 7 years (Universal Studios) and other fun moments.
The moments where Dad needed surgery, the car got crashed etc do not need to be a part of our New Year thoughts right?
FCM
December 21st, 2011
3:56 pm
MJG don’t give them coal! Some them are so hard ________ they would end up squeezing into a diamond!
What Is Face Book
December 21st, 2011
4:22 pm
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 21, 2011 7:30pm [...]
What Is Face Book
December 21st, 2011
6:51 pm
[...] What is your approach on the holiday card? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Families would try to make each other feel like crap sharing how great their year had been. I guess now people do that on Facebook. For a while the popular approach for holiday cards has been the photo card. We started sending photo cards when … Dec 21, 2011 2:26am [...]
ssidawg
December 21st, 2011
10:19 pm
These cards are great! I like to send Christmas cards as a way to keep up with friends and family that I don’t get to stay in touch with over the course of the year. Photo cards are my favorite…they are a perfect way to see how fast the kids are growing from year to year. I keep all of the cards that people send to me. They are fun to look at each year when I pull out the Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas!!
Me
December 22nd, 2011
6:50 am
@MJG – I cannot speak for everyone but, yes, I do have a subscription to both the printed AJC and the new iPad app – unless, of course, you were speaking of paying for the blog itself.
Nonetheless, @TWG is free to post as many, or as few, blogs as she wishes and as time allows!
motherjanegoose
December 22nd, 2011
8:30 am
@ Me…I am speaking of the blog. Yes, I do subscribe to the AJC myself too! Merry Christmas!
wow
December 22nd, 2011
10:08 am
Can’t believe there still isn’t a new blog up. AJC needs to hire some help it seems.
Beth Klein
December 22nd, 2011
11:03 am
I never read the long braggy letter my “friends” send about their lives, children and travels. After having an especially difficult year with two of our children, I realize it’s not OK to be honest on Christmas cards, so I won’t be sending any…..
mom to four
December 23rd, 2011
6:17 pm
I send cards every year. I used to send the family picture, years ago before it became the fashionable thing to do. Now our oldest is in medical school so it is hard to get them all together for the picture.
I still send cards but I try to make sure the cards are unique and interesting. This year I bought pop-up cards from the Museum of Modern Art. I’ve had several friends comment how much they, and their children, love them. I consider the expense part of my Christmas present.
I also love to receive cards. We get 60-75 every year. I clip the cards to a garland around the door. The kids and I love to read them and “revisit” the cards every time a new one comes in the mail.
I also save the cards I receive. It is wonderful to see the pictures and how the children (and parents) age through the years.
The card ritual is so important to me that I see the expense and time as part of my Christmas present but I can see how it can be over-whelming.
Merry Christmas!
MA
December 23rd, 2011
7:18 pm
My mother sent the Christmas card photo from the time my oldest sister was born until she went to college. It was 17 years of photos of 11 children!! I started the tradition when my son was born and it has continued to this day. We have many friends and family who tell us they love them and look forward to seeing where we have taken the photos each year. I buy mine at Sam’s: 100 for $16.75. We used to send all 100, but, only sent 84 this year. Of the 84, 40 are family. We send to 2 other countries, 18 states, and 1 U.S. territory! It only takes me about 2 hours to do them all but I do cheat a bit and use address labels. It’s the thought that counts!! Merry Christmas y’all!
Jong Louvier
December 23rd, 2011
11:34 pm
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