Does anyone really like to buy and pass out Christmas cards? When people talk about Christmas over-marketing, Christmas cards are often mentioned as one of the culprits. When did it become fashionable to give people folded pieces of paper with cheesy and exaggerated phrases and images? It is difficult to say. However, the tradition of Christmas card handing is firmly ingrained and is not likely to go away anytime soon. With that being the case, one would do well to at least learn how to give the cool and interesting ones instead of the cheesy and forgettable ones that most people give.
Here are some general principles:
1) Send a real card, not an “electronic card”
In recent years it has become fashionable to send “electronic cards” by email rather than actual cards by post. This is considered cute, clever, or unique as it runs counter to the tradition of physical cards. While some e-cards are great and some people enjoy receiving them, they are often in bad taste. Indicates a lack of effort on the part of the sender. For this reason, it is good practice not to send e-cards, at least not to the people you really care about. Take the time to choose a unique and interesting physical card.
2) Don’t choose a card with unreadable cursive writing
There is nothing worse than someone who hands you a letter face to face and you have to squint to see what it means. Not because the text is too small, but because it is written in a ridiculously pretentious Old English style – it looks like it was written with a cursive pen! This is seen as sophisticated, festive and formal, but in reality, it is often boring and tacky. The phrase “already done” comes to mind. If you want to give him a card that conveys serious meaning, opt for one with easy-to-read, printed text that gets home right away. Having to squint to understand the words lessens the effect.
3) Funny cards are great, but they’re not a funny cliche.
In the world of cliché, serious and pretentious cards, funny cards are a nice breath of fresh air. But sadly, even humorous letters have been plagued by cliches, overused jokes, and stale finishers that sound like they’ve been taken from reruns of Hee-Haw. Examples of this include cards that fart when you open them, cards with generic hit-and-hit jokes, or cards with nearly naked men or women. Don’t give people cards like that. Rather, try to select a funny card that is relevant in some way, perhaps one that has to do with an inside joke you have or a shared memory.
4) Do not write something ultra sentimental if it is not justified
Everyone has one of “those relatives” who you never see or talk to during the year, but who writes Christmas cards like a friend. Maybe it’s a distant aunt who effusively says on the card how “special” you are or how much you are missed, or an out-of-state grandmother (whom you’ve met twice) who still feels compelled to write her “I can’t. wait to see you again “. Try to avoid writing things like that unless you really mean them. If you accidentally write them, and it is obvious that you do not mean them, your card will be seen as vulgar and false.