It’s that time again; time to think about Christmas cards. It’s hard to believe I’ve been making my own for almost 50 years. Who knew back then what modern conveniences would make it so easy? The first cards were truly hand made. There was no other way to do it. Thankfully, my list wasn’t so long back in the early days of our marriage. I really don’t remember what the first one looked like. I wish now I had saved one from each year. All I know for sure is that each was VERY simple and capable of being reproduced as easily as possible.
One year, I bought a package of small paper doilies, folded the heavy paper, then took all of them out to John’s shop, spread newspapers on the workbench and sprayed the first ten with gold paint. (The second ten I weighed down with a small rock in the center of each!) When all were dry they were taken back to the living room and finished off with a very short verse and signature. Another year was done on red paper with white ink. That was a challenge. They didn’t make red ‘white-out’ back then.
Later I found a little copy shop in Lafayette and, with a typewriter to help, the job got easier. Williamsport Christian Church installed a printer (I firmly believe Xerox was divinely inspired!) and in exchange for printing a few special booklets, etc. I was allowed to print my cards there.
Now, the computer has arrived with printers and special inks and graphics programs and Adobe Photoshop and Painter Classic and… And now the cards roll off an assembly line that I could not imagine 40 years ago. The craft shows on HGTV make me chuckle as they demonstrate the cute Cards you can make with stamps and ribbons and all the folderol. I’m sure those gals had a list of about five recipients.
Along the way, the card list grew. Friends and family expanded and the address book filled with names and addresses that were thought of and remembered with fondness each year. At first there were addresses marked out and new ones added. But the day came too soon that found names marked off because a friend or family member had gone home. The lines were faint that marked them off the list, for they produced a pause in the busyness of addressing envelopes; a time to remember and to reflect.
The cards have not yet been made for 2008. But I have a theme in mind and I did a search online for a photo to use. I told John I might not send cards this year because of the expense. “No, you can’t do that. I’ll buy the stamps.” he offered. Well, if I can design one that can be sent sans envelope and the post office will Ok the size, they will go out. And the address book will open again and memories will come again and the season will begin.
And that’s something to be thankful for!
