Month: December 2009

When I was a kid, I would leave out cookies for Santa and milk for Rudolph every Christmas Eve before I went to bed. Having been one of those kids who was never asked to join in any reindeer – I mean, playground – games, I felt an affinity for Rudolph, one that I didn’t feel towards the other eight reindeer. So, he got the bowl of milk. I didn’t expect him to share with the others either.

I would always include a letter to Santa with the treats, written on a pretty Christmas card. Sure, I sat on his lap at the mall and told him all about the Cabbage Patch Kids or Jem dolls I wanted, but he saw so many kids during the span between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I wanted to be sure he remembered me and leaving personalized Christmas cards seemed like a good way to make an impression. It never dawned on me that a “reminder card” put out on Christmas Eve may be a little too late. Santa was magic, after all. He’d make it happen.

I usually found whatever it was I asked for under the tree when I woke up early the next morning. The cookies and milk were gone, and a brightly wrapped package or twelve rested on the tree skirt. I do remember one time, though, when Santa wrote back.

While most of the specifics are hazy, I imagine his note – written on a holiday card, just like mine to him – mentioned what a good girl I’d been and reminded me to be a good girl for my parents for the New Year. After all, he was watching, right? The one detail I do remember, though, is that his handwriting was so sloppy, it looked like he misspelled my name. In fact, he called me by a boy’s name!

I showed my mother the offending holiday card, wondering how Santa could possibly address my Christmas card to Lee, and not Dee. Somehow, she explained the “error” all away. I guess moms are good at that.

Whenever I find myself “bah-humbugging” the holidays, I think of Santa and the magic he brings to Christmas. The kid in me still remembers. And, I have to confess, I still look at the table near the tree each year and wonder if he’ll leave me Christmas cards and write me again.

I went to the post office the other day with my personalized Christmas cards in hand to purchase my stamps. Everyone else finally got around to doing their holiday cards too because the line was rather long. The woman in front of me made her way to the front desk and asked the clerk for some stamps. The clerk said “No problem, what denomination?” The woman exclaimed, “My goodness, has it really come to this?” The clerk was quite puzzled but asked again, “What denomination?” The woman said, “Well, I have 30 Catholic, 15 Baptist, 12 Jewish, and 14 Presbyterian.”

OK, so I was simply trying to tell my corny joke, but the point is some people do give a lot of thought to the recipients of their Christmas cards, as well they should. We all want to be sensitive to the fact that different people celebrate (or in some cases, don’t celebrate) different seasons and holidays. You certainly don’t mean to offend anyone but you do want spread some cheer and joy during the holidays (just don’t spread your fruitcakes, please!). Don’t worry so much about it and just send Christmas cards that suit your taste and help you spread that joy. My company has a lot to choose from including holiday cards depicting ornaments, trees, winter scenes, masterpieces, wildlife and patriotic designs. But I have to say, I am partial to the lighter side of things such as design 206CS – Merry Christmas from All of Us or 496CS – Sparkle Bear Greetings. Who could possibly be offended by this polar bear having a ball while rolling around in the snow! How fun!

Choose what greeting cards you prefer and I will try to refrain from making more bad jokes (but I won’t make any promises).