Merry Christmas

Its that time of year again where people send christmas cards to friends and family all over the world. If, like me, you have family living on the other side of the world, it is also the time of year that really highlights our differences.

Like clockwork, just before christmas, the holiday cards started arriving. These are laden with family photos of the senders with a simple "Merry Christmas from the "XYZ" Family" printed at the bottom of the card.

Let me ask this question... What is the point? From the pictures on the card, I can garner the following;

1. You have had at least 2 family vacations this year where you seemingly had a great time.
2. Junior seems to have grown a good 10 cm since last year.
3. John Doe and Mary Jane are still together and have not divorced.

I know I sound like the Grinch right now but bare with me. Even if you are not religious, Christmas is about laughter, fun and family getting together. Its about reflecting and reminiscing on the year that has passed and building anticipation for the year lying ahead. 

To me the generic, impersonal postcards just highlight our differences. If you cannot be bothered to write my name on the card, should you really be sending me one? 

Here's a tip for next year; save yourself the cost and hassle of printing, posting a card and get tech savvy.... Facebook allows you to do it for free with their memories app! That way, you can choose to send out a generic greeting (like you do now) and I can choose to ignore it (like I do now) while still being environmentally friendly!  

Luckily, as far as I am aware, this trend has not caught on in Australia - and I hope it never does! Ofcourse, my husband thinks I'm being unreasonable and its 'good' to hear from family. I on the other hand would like to know at the very least, that they actually meant to send that card to me! 

Am I asking too much? 

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
From Spunky and his Porkchop ;o)