The below, a companion piece to my HBR post The Holiday Card Quandary, includes two examples of finding the right mix of 'efficient' and 'personal'. The images are courtesy of Macy Robison Photography.
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Menzie Family:
The photo shoot was at the Menzie's favorite camping site. It provides a glimpse into their family's summer reading challenge; they are sitting on a quilt made by Rebecca. This card harnesses technology. It's unique to the Menzie family. Add a personal note -- and it's a perfect communique.
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Sanderson Family:
Matt Sanderson, a lawyer in D.C., writes, "We enjoy sending cards and keeping in touch, but I've found it vital
to my career to send a custom card every holiday season. Maintaining
those connections with people is key. When we design the cards, we leave space to write a personal note if one is necessary. If
a note isn't necessary, having recent photos and family highlights from
the year right on the card provides a personal touch."
What about your holiday cards?
Will you share links to cards (or blogs or essays -- any type of communication) you think are the right mix of efficient and personal?
Are these ideas relevant to other aspects of our lives, including daring to dream?
I appreciate receiving annual Christmas (or holiday, if you prefer) updates, and I believe it is important to send them as well. However, I rarely manage to get them out BEFORE Christmas. It has become a running joke with our circle of friends that we will send out New Year's, Valentine's, Easter, and on occasion Independence Day cards. The point is that we care enough to communicate, even if the mode and timing are not perfect. I love pictures, but I also love information. A photo rarely tells me as much as text.
Posted by: EHD | December 17, 2009 at 08:31 AM
I love reading the annual Christmas "year in review" letters I get around this time of year. I like photos too, but if I had to choose, I would go for the text. It doesn't bother me if there is no personal note and what I am getting is a mass-produced photocopy. I just love catching up with what's going on in people's lives and the highlights of their year. I send out a letter each year too, although it usually isn't send until a little after Christmas.
Posted by: Lori Lyn | December 17, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I just emailed Rebecca Menzie this morning that her card is my favorite I've received so far! I love Christmas cards!
Posted by: Ellen Patton | December 17, 2009 at 10:55 AM
For years I sent out New Years cards. I would work on them New Years Day, when all the world stops for a minute and I can sit and write personal notes. It has been a fun tradition. I actually enjoy writing the cards because I am not rushed.We usually send a photo card to keep it personal and efficient and write a note on the back.
For business we send a Newsletter. Time is short this time of year to write a personal note and most of our clients appreciate us not using paper. (think save a tree)
We write a personal thank you note with every order we send out throughout the year to our clients.
xo
Posted by: Donna ~Blessed Nest | December 17, 2009 at 01:00 PM
I feel strongly about the tradition of communicating via the Christmas card each year. This year we're going to do a post-holiday attempt, because I can't bring myself to do it without our college son around.
Posted by: Jenny | December 17, 2009 at 10:01 PM
One Christmas card I received this year indicated that the writers would not join facebook or else their Christmas letters would become irrelevant. Friends and acquaintances would already know what they were up to. Interesting.
Posted by: Emily | December 21, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Thank heavens for Macy for making it so easy for us to get a Christmas card out this year! She took the family portrait of our family (the Menzies) in the above card. I have been busy with some personalized gifts and wouldn't have had time to design, print, and assemble cards on my own.
I love Christmas cards & the only time I wondered what a friend was thinking with their card was when in the family letter she described in way too much detail her labor and delivery story that took place that year. TMI
My absolute favorite Christmas cards are the ones that were obviously thoughtfully created; whether in choosing the photo location, the layout, the content, and/or the design. Thoughtful can be simple or more elaborate.
I hope that things like FB and family blogs don't eliminate Christmas cards....I love the tradition.
Posted by: Rebecca | December 24, 2009 at 02:24 PM
i've sent out pdf's of christmas letters occasionally when i want to reach more people or just haven't had the time. even when i've had the time i never get around to the actual cards. i have every intention too!
Posted by: Emily | December 28, 2009 at 03:43 PM
We send out a Christmas movie every year. They capture a bit of our year, and are always a bit goofy but give us a creative outlet and people always enjoy them. It is nice to stay in touch. And we never take ourselves too seriously in the movies!
Here's the latest: http://www.pixelshot.com/2009/12/25/snr-christmas-2009-change-we-can-believe-in/
Posted by: Robin | January 04, 2010 at 10:27 AM
I like getting newsy letters from people at Christmas, and I don't care if there's a personal message, but I do sort of like getting even a short one. Still, I enjoy it either way.
To make my page of family news more palatable to loved ones, I rhyme it. They seem to get a little extra kick out of that.
=)
Posted by: Sue | January 05, 2010 at 03:35 PM