For the last few years, we’ve seen on the Christmas card mailing list of our millennial friends and family.
We’re not the kind of parents done shopping in September or that send Christmas cards to people we hardly speak to throughout the year.
We’ve received half a dozen cards so far this year, and it’s making us feel like we dropped the proverbial Christmas ball.
Does that mean we’re bad parents?
I don’t think so, but here’s a list of things we were able to accomplish this month to help with our feelings of inadequacy:
- We got all of our shopping done before Christmas Eve
- We picked our tree and decorated it Thanksgiving weekend
- We wrapped all her presents
- We were sure to add a little present in her advent calendar each day since November 26 (haven’t missed a day!)
- I watched Mickey’s Once (and Twice) Upon a Christmas holidays specials 386 times and counting
- We decorated a small Christmas tree in her bedroom
- We drove around to see Christmas lights
- We even met Santa at an acceptable socially distance
But this is her third Christmas, and the idea of sending Christmas cards still has not crossed our minds; and we haven’t really thought about it until now.
Maybe we don’t see the point in sending a photo around to friends and family that has already made the rounds via text group chat.
If you’re in the inner circle, then you’ve already received the photo anyway.
You’re either in the group chat, or we’re friends on Instagram.
If you’re not in the inner circle, why would I send you our family photo in the first place?
Maybe it’s the digital marketer in me, but the idea (and medium) of Christmas cards needs a revamp.
If we’re going to send something in the mail, the old-fashioned part of me wants it to be unique and personalized. Something along the lines of a handwritten card, and not just a scribbled ‘Happy Holidays!’
Something legit. If you’re going to do it, do it right. We haven’t fully committed to the process, so we’ve chosen to opt-out of it.
If you’ve received Christmas cards and haven’t sent one in return, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone’s parenting style is different, and as long as you’re doing your best to try to make the season special for your little one and fill the days with wonder and magic, then you’re doing it right.
Merry Christmas!
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Originally published on A Parent is Born, a Medium Publication.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
