hello my name is gwyneth and i like holiday cards.

It should no longer came as any surprise to me, but I’m once again reminded of how “unhip” I am. Everyone around me is making fun of Christmas “brag letters” saying how much they despise them as being ridiculous and how they think the letters that make fun of the sincere ones are “hysterically funny”.

holiday cards - 25 dec 2011

I feel differently and I’m not ashamed to admit it. When my far-flung friends take the time to write about their joys and, sometimes, sorrows of the year, I’m honored to hear about these milestones and events and to celebrate (and perhaps mourn) with them.

Despite my moaning and groaning about the mechanics of it all, I really do like to send out a yearly letter, letting our friends know about the news in our lives — this year our news included an “epic” camping trip out west, a downsize move to a condo in Decatur and a kid starting public school after we’ve been homeschooling for a decade. The intention is “bragging rights”, but to inform and celebrate the changes in our lives.

Our family tradition is to pile up the cards and letters as they come in and to open them all on Christmas Eve. We look forward to seeing the latest photos and reading about what our friends have been doing in the last year.

So, please, keep the letters coming and don’t let the naysayers and cynics stop you from this wonderful tradition. If you’d like to be included on our holiday mailing list, please let me know.