I’m a little bit of a Christmas nut and a sucker for tradition. Before I had children I wasn’t much of a Christmas card person; yes, I loved receiving cards but I never sent my own. It was kids that pushed me onto the family photo Christmas card bandwagon.
I am perfectly aware of how corny family photo cards are. I’ve heard the whining from some bah humbug scroogey mc scrooges complaining about how much they hate these holiday traditions: annual Christmas letters, carol singing, Christmas sweaters, and yes, family photo cards.
When I first started sending my Happy Holiday cards, I went as far as posing for uncomfortably staged family photos. I suffered through photo shoots, squeezing into uncomfortable clothes, and practically begging my kids to sit still long enough for just one good shot. In one photo, if you look close enough, you can see my hand hanging on firmly to my daughter’s arm, trying to prevent her from one more dash through the door. Yet I continued, feeling like this is what families do. They take family photos and put them on Christmas cards, and pop them in the mail.
After I had endured enough pre-family photo drama and stress, I realized that the real us is not staged and perfect. We are flawed and imperfect and fun. We travel together and spend afternoons skating and swimming and going to the park. We argue, cry and laugh.
We are real.
Our Christmas cards should reflect who we are.
Now my tradition involves happily sorting through our candid family photos from the year and remembering the good times we’ve had. I choose the photo that brings me the most joy. Sometimes it’s hard to choose because there are so many happy moments, and I create cards that represent us. I feel nothing but warmth when I address each card to our loved ones wishing them a Merry Christmas.
With family and friends all around the world, it’s a fantastic way to wish my loved ones a Merry Christmas and give them glimpse into how fast our kids are growing - family who otherwise might not have the chance to see my kids, get a nice photo of us bringing them Christmas cheer.
It’s corny and sappy and maybe one of those cheesy holiday traditions that annoys some. But I look forward to putting together my family photo Christmas cards every year. I also look forward to receiving photo cards from those I love.
So go ahead and send me your photo cards. I will accept them with all the holiday joy that I have.
What do you think of family photo cards? Yay or nay?
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