Text and Images by
Rodney Kemerer
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
As the digital age pours down upon us like so much acid rain we slowly begin to realize what we are losing in exchange for instant communication. Yes, we get the message, text or email, but what we don’t get is what makes us unique. The warm hand and heart of being human. If dogs could receive texts I’m sure they would say, “No thanks, I like my head patted and a ‘good boy’ .”
One of the many victims of the digital age is the long tradition of exchanging Christmas Cards with friends and family. When I was growing up Christmas Card Season started in October or November when the neighborhood “Card Lady” would drop off huge card sample books for the family to peruse, select a card and then decide how we wanted the family name to be printed inside of the card. Some families choose simply “The Smiths” while others listed every child and family pet by name. The card selection was a vital and important decision every year. It usually fell between “festive” and “religious.” Fat Jolly Santas or The Virgin Birth. The card order would be placed after a careful and hotly debated choice was made and then we waited for the cards to be delivered in early December.
I vividly recall my mother setting up a special card table in the house whose only purpose was to process the production of the family card. The actual card production consisted of hand addressing the envelopes, usually a “you-lick-it” sticker for the return address, and a hard decision as to which cards received a personal note inside. This always slowed down the card process as my mother, the English Major, choose her words carefully. Of course you sealed the envelopes with the “free with donation” Christmas Seal Stamps. Our family was definitely not a “Christmas Newsletter” family who would enclose a photocopied brag sheet about every single thing they did during the year. Some even included recent surgery details. How festive! An analog Facebook.
Once the cards were completed and mailed then the real fun began as we waited to see what cards we would receive in return. It was always exciting when the mailman handed you a thick stack of cards. During this period the photo card was the exception when the card included a glued-on glossy photo of a family standing in front of a fireplace (real or fake) with matching smiles and sweaters. These were expensive cards at the time and only my parents’ wealthy friends sent them. I witnessed many families growing up in these photos.
The card tradition has had a slow death, each year you receive fewer and fewer cards. If you stopped sending cards, your incoming count would suddenly dry up. To get you had to give. I watched my own mother reduce her card output over the years as friends and family faded away.
Below are some cards from my own card collection which has a Hollywood flavor. You can see Bing Crosby change wives and his boys grow up, or marvel at Bob Hope’s custom creations. Hard not to enjoy the Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie card as it was perhaps the last year they were together at Graceland.
I miss the friendly greetings and the handwritten notes that reached out and touched you to make your Holiday warmer and more human. Please enjoy these greetings from seasons past. (And stop texting your dog, send a card instead.)
For more of Rodney’s essays please visit: talesfromthegarage.com
Joanne Savage
I used to tape up all my Christmas cards to display them as part of my holiday decorations. Family and friends would check to see what new cards were added. Over the years my card display has shrunk to just a few lonely hangers on. Desperation has forced me to hang cards from even the air conditioning company. So sad to lose such a meaningful and thoughtful tradition.
Beautiful article Rodney. Thanks for enshrining what has become a part of Christmas history.
phil yalowitz
Hi Rodney, These are really great,. Bring back happy memories. Thank you for sending. Wishing you all the best for the holidays and the New Year.
Gail McMullen
As a contemporary of Rodney’s, his words on the topic of Christmas cards hit my nostalgic heart. When I was a child, the volume of cards for the holiday here in Los Angeles, required extra help at the Post Office to do the sorting. My father did this during the season to make extra money when my parents were first married. Opening the cards received each day and displaying them, was an event I remember fondly. There is still something special about getting a card on the mail.
Kerstin Royce
Lovely article. Sure brought back lots of memories.
Dave Laverdiere
I was never a fan of Christmas cards or any cards for that matter. Trust Rodney to make me feel like I missed out on something I never had any interest in! It must be his way with words or maybe just the fact that he kept all those cards this long! Fascinating Rodney! Thank you.
Terry Murkins
Thank you for sharing your family cards. They bring back many memories when my childhood had much more of the Xmas spirit than we do now. My have we all gone backwards it seems. Best wishes to you and all who also enjoy your great and enjoyable writings.
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Clare Wagner
Thanks so much for this article. Rodney. This is the way my family used to do it and I try to continue it even now. So sad this tradtion is leaving us.
Jennifer Cunningham
Oh how lovely this is. My heart is touched and full. Thank you for sharing your treasures.
This year I nearly didn’t send cards. My Mom passed in July and I’m grieving.
Then I found a picture of her last Christmas with her granddaughter on her lap. Together with some other great moments of the year I ordered “Holiday “ cards.
I count my blessings and look forward to sharing them. Let’s see who sends back.
Thanks again,
Jennifer Cunningham
Patti Reinstein
You touched my heart! Those old times were so filled with family and friends especially during the holidays. Even the Hood’s milkman, the Cushman’s bakery guy , the oil man, the mail carrier sent cheerful messages. And how else would we have known that our old neighbors, the Sweeney’s, had finally had a daughter after eight sons were born in a row? Wonderful memories! Sad to see another beautiful tradition fade away.
Greg R
Great stuff Rodney. Thank you for sharing!
VRG
*TEST*
Claire Cabrey
This is wonderful Rodney, and those nostalgic cards invoke such great memories of simpler times. Thanks for sharing!
Valerie Chan
Thank you for sharing your Christmas card experience! I have such fond memories of helping my mom send our family Christmas cards. She always wrote individual letters to family that lived far away sharing our year’s highlights. My mother has been gone over 20 years, but I still carry on that tradition of sending Christmas cards. One year I was really busy and thought I would just skip it, but I knew if I did, I would never restart, so I made time and got my cards out. Merry Christmas to all!