Postal persuasion

I used to send cards to people for every occasion, any reason. There was rarely a birthday, anniversary, engagement or birth that escaped my radar. I sent cards "just because" and for oddball reasons. I was recently reminded that I once sent a card to congratulate a friend on an eczema diagnosis (nothing says "Hallmark needs to make a card for this" like a friend getting a conclusive answer to her persistent skin issue). I would stock up on cards so I would never be without the perfect, snarky birthday card or a heartfelt sympathy card. I bought birthday and anniversary cards more than a year in advance and then would forget who they were originally purchased for almost half of the time.

But over the years, I've sent fewer cards. My stock pile fluctuates between low to non-existent, with a little bit of "lame, use-only-in-emergencies" thrown in. An e-mail, e-card or Facebook comment has often been substituted for a mailed greeting card, or I'll send a text instead of going to the post office. It's not that I'm not thinking of people on these special days, but it's often that I don't have the time to get the card, buy the stamp and stop by the mailbox. Or if I do, it's often days after the event and I feel like the gesture would somehow be diminished or less appreciated. The local Hallmark and Carlton Cards stores closed long ago, and with a child, there's not a lot of excess time to cruise the greeting card aisle and find the perfect card.

Thinking back, the stockpiles of cards reflected a lot about where my friends and I were at in life. Congratulations cards for new homes, new jobs and engagements quickly turned in to a bridal shower and wedding cards. Now I try to bulk up on the anniversary, baby shower and "congrats on your new baby/boy/girl" cards. Sadly, there have been more sympathy cards, as friends have lost grandparents, parents, even children, and "get well" cards, as there have been illnesses and surgeries. The "new job" cards have been few and far between, and I feel like the card need has been more in the "encouragement and support" realm.

In the last few months, I've made an effort to revive my greeting card fondness and send more "just because" cards. I've made more of an effort to make sure I'm prepared for the big life events. I know how much I love getting real mail - random cards among the magazines, bills and junk mail that clutter our mailbox.

And I know how much I appreciate getting cards for my birthday, half-birthday and our anniversary. I also love how happy receiving the cards makes my friends. One friend that I hadn't heard from in a while called and left me a voice mail thanking me for a "just because" card that I had sent. Another friend e-mailed a heartfelt thank you for an anniversary card I had sent her - one of only two she received from people who weren't related to her. And I am still amazed by the diversity of what is going on in my friends' lives. Just last month I sent out engagement congratulations, sympathy for the death of a friend's mother, anniversary and "just because" cards, all on the same day.

I was toying with the idea of sending Christmas e-cards this year, because when you think about it, the cost of stamps is not cheap and adds up quickly. But I love sending physical cards. I love getting the cards in the mail. Am I ready to let go of that joy for financial reasons? I don't think so. 

If I had all the time and money in the world, I would send cards to everyone for everything, year-round and all over the country. Since time and money are precious, I think I'll stick to just trying harder to do my best to be more aware of the big dates for the truly important people in my life and continue making an effort to improve on my "just because" sending.

Any one else a big fan of greeting cards, either sending or receiving? Have any methods/observations/resolutions to share?