The other day I received an email from a friend, well more than just an email, it was a Christmas email, sent to me and apparently ALL the contacts in her address book. Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate being remembered at this time of year but I truly found it…well for lack of a better word…tacky. I love technology, I really do but I also like the ‘old fashion’ way too. Somehow a ‘blanket’ email just doesn’t give you that warm, fuzzy feeling, especially when you have to scroll through a list of everyone it was sent to. Call me ‘low tech’ but I enjoy getting Christmas cards, real cards with a handwritten message…I even like sending cards.I know there is the argument that it’s much faster…one message, one click and voila! It’s certainly cheaper! But it’s so impersonal. I feel like it should have the usual disclaimer at the bottom, ‘To unsubscribe to this Christmas email, click here’.
Maybe I’m being too picky; what do you think? Traditional card or Email greetings?
23 comments:
I prefer the "old fashioned" way too! I guess an email in better than nothing though.
I agree Sunny, not keen on 'blanket' emails either,
I still send many cards and make special ones for my pet lover friends, of our Kashu...sometimes the computer is just not 'heart warming' enough.
I do have two couples who send out a nice personal email at Christmas, and I do the same back to them. But then again, sure isn't the same...
If you're going to send Christmas cards then I think the hand written mailed ones are best.
But this year I've decided not to sent cards out. Instead I'm just going to write to people I usually only hear from at Christmas time a letter sometime during the year.
I agree with you. I send the old fashioned kind of cards and enclose a letter to those that I'm not in close/frequent contact with. I do type/print the letter primarily because I can't even read my own handwriting very easily anymore. Hope your week is off to a great start, Sunny! Enjoy! Stay warm!
Sylvia
I like to hear what close friends did during the past year, but only when there are a FEW of them, not so many that I can't keep up. I agree that it seems odd not to have a personal card, if one is sent out.
I wouldn't like it instead of a real Christmas card from someone that usually sends one.
Over here in England, the postage has gotten so expensive, that a lot of people have given up on the traditional custom of sending individual cards by post. However, I agree with you, I love to get a card through the door. It is so much more personal than getting just an email. I can understand why people do it. There are some wonderful e-cards around nowadays and I use them myself, but as well as, not instead of.
I hope you get lots and lots of good wishes.
Blessings, Star
Sadly Christmas cards are becoming a thing of the past. Many of my friends have informed me that they are not sending any this year.
Easy and frequent contact via email is making the Christmas catch up time obsolete.I see good and bad there.
I'm with you, Sunny.. I've gotten several e-cards --and they are nice --but nothing is as good as something which comes to my mailbox...
I send a Christmas letter out every year --and have since about 1995... It's not very 'personal' --but at least it tells friends and family what we have been doing that year. I will admit that I get fewer and fewer 'snail mail' cards with each passing year. People just aren't sending them anymore. kinda sad I think!!!!
Wonder why the person who sent the email to her whole list didn't use BCC --to hide the names and addresses??? GADS!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
I'm just old-fashioned. I like snail-mail Christmas cards and letters.
The old fashioned way has my vote also, Sunny.
I enjoy all the Christmas emails but they I don't want them in place a card.
Hugs,
Pam
Sending a blanket email does seem very impersonal, especially when that greeting includes the list of everyone it went to.
I like to do both. We have a lot of friends that don't do email so I do mail out cards and enjoy getting them too. On the other hand, some of the ecards are so much fun that I send a lot of people both an ecard and a traditional card. I do enjoy hearing from friends, and I really don't care if it's a traditional card or an email greeting.
I agree with you totally.It is the time to give so a bit of giving of one's time to give a personal greeting seems in order.
yes Sonny I agree with you. It is very nice to receive a card in the letter box. I feel a bit guilty Because I did send some Christmas letters by email this year, but I sent cards too. When I sent theemail though it was an individual personal one, I though a blanket one a bit tacky. It is especially so when all the names are visible.
I agree with you, although I think mailed Christmas cards are going to be a thing of the past real soon, with the economy the way it is, the cost of stamps, cards, etc.
I like sending Christmas cards and buying little gifts. (even if it is not returned) that is just who I am.
the email does not mean anything to me. also people should clean up their emails before sending so you don't have to read down through pages of people. when I send mass email I use BBC so there is no list of names.
Happy New Year!
I love getting cards or letters, but receive so few these days...
I used to send out a newsleter with all our news for the year. Before that I sent out cards...but postage has gotten very expensive, plus I keep thinking of all the trees sacrificed to make cards...despite being retired, I feel I have less productive time.
I think some email greeting cards are tacky...but some, like Jackie Larson and American Greetings are really beautiful and touching.
I think the important thing is to be remembered.
Changing times is related to changing techonologies. I received may be only one card this christma. Earlier I used to get heaps. I do love collecting the cards I get. But now I have none to collect.
Wishing you a very happy new year!
I read this and immediately thought it was an advertisement for the postal service. Email has just about killed the POs business mail and first class mail is way, way down. You can imagine that the old holiday and birthday mail is way down too. Though we do get a basket-full of Christmas cards.
I also think it depends on what the mail is about – as to which is best. I know before we had email, that we used to send things by mail around the world and it took two to three weeks to get a reply.
When you are in the "mail order" business, this long wait for orders to arrive from a catalog mailing is almost a month. So I liked email when we could finally use it.
Oh, I am with you...even if all a person does is sign their name. I hang my cards and normally look at all of them several times. I also find it hard to throw them away.
I have just awarded you "The Stylish Blogger Award". Hope you don't mind!
http://luckebabe-reflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-blog-has-received-award.html
Hey sweetie, I hadn't dropped in for awhile and just wanted to see what you'd been up to.
God bless ya and have a fantastic day!!! :o)
Just stopping by to say Merry Christmas to you and yours. Haven't heard from you in awhile. Hope you are doing well...
I also enjoy getting 'real' cards---but for my blog friends, this will have to do.
Love,
Betsy
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