For many, handwriting Christmas cards seems outdated, time-consuming, and even wasteful. After all, we live in a digital age where it’s quicker, more convenient and economical to send one electronic message, be it via the likes of Facebook, Messenger or SMS. While the well-wishes may be shared with good intentions, I still like to handwrite Christmas cards.
Why? Because putting pen to paper, so to speak, allows for more beautiful and personalised sentiments to flow and be recorded in ink. That said, it’s not about a Christmas card becoming an essay or a life story. It’s about conveying words that are simplistic, authentic and thoughtful. It’s amazing to think how much you can touch someone in as little as one or two sentences. A handwritten Christmas card is a gesture that shows you care about the recipient.
Most of all, it’s in alignment with my belief of giving unconditionally, connecting with others and keeping Christmas simple.
Here are some more great reasons why I still like to handwrite Christmas cards:
Creates Personalised Connections
When you read a handwritten Christmas card, it instantly creates a more personalised connection. That’s because handwriting conveys the emotion exactly as intended. We savour the sentiment so that it becomes etched in our hearts and minds, unlike a digital message that has a one-size-fits-all approach, making it less meaningful and less memorable.
Encourages Free-Flowing Thoughts & Words
The beauty of handwriting words is they can simply pour on to the card without editing or amending typos as you go. It captures your thoughts better and the quality of words conveyed improves. You have more freedom of expression. In turn, handwritten words are more likely to be heartfelt and considered; they have soul. Let’s just say they are far more appealing than typed text or an emoji.
Uplifts the Giver and Recipient
Since handwriting cards is more meaningful, it can be quite touching for both the creator and the recipient. Not only does it show how much you care about someone, be it partners, family, friends, neighbours, even colleagues or clients, Christmas cards bring colour and cheer to a home or place of business. Plus, opening the letterbox to find a handwritten envelope is a rarity these days. Overall, a handwritten Christmas card becomes an uplifting experience.
With that in mind, it’s about giving, not expecting a card, nor anything else for that matter, in return.
Christmas Cards with a Conscience
If, like me, you’re conscious about the environment, there are many ways to obtain and/or create eco-friendly Christmas cards. On the pre-purchase Christmas card front, this includes using recyclable and/or tree-free cards, plus those that are dyed with vegetable ink and are printed carbon neutral. Ideally, the purchase of these cards also gives back in some way, especially to a cause that resonates.
Other alternatives include reusable cards, which means the same card design can be passed on to a new recipient, with a new insert that can be written on. And, if you’re willing to start making them from scratch, you can get creative by cutting out bits of old Christmas cards along with lettering from publications, or use dried flowers and leaves from nature. You can even use or insert old photos, potentially creating a colourful collage.
Another option is to buy Christmas postcards, which means you use less card and there’s no need for envelopes.
A Calming Ritual
What I particularly love about handwriting cards is that you literally get closer to your thoughts and the page. Even better, you become more present by capturing what’s in the moment. I also find that because it’s the end of the year, it’s a time to reflect and be grateful for what’s occurred. There’s an added appreciation in the slowness of writing by hand. It’s almost like a calming ritual.
Although handwriting Christmas cards might sound old-fashioned, overall it reminds us:
- to be present
- to connect with others
- to make it meaningful and memorable by writing words with heart.
To me, handwriting a Christmas card is a gift in its own right.
Why do you think handwriting Christmas cards is a tradition worth continuing?
By Kristin Lee
*Feature image is from a Christmas card designed by Karl James Mountford and published by La La Land.
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