Throwing out old Christmas cards.....

[poltr1]

Since I have some idle time at work, I've started going through the old Christmas and holiday cards I've received over the years. It's so much easier for me to just hold on to them and hoard them, but I need to go through them and get rid of them since I don't go through them regularly, and that I don't need to keep them.

Right now, I'm going through cards from 1997 and 1998. Part of me feels like I'm throwing away a part of a person if I'm throwing away their card, especially if they've included a message.

I'll probably snip off the stamps from the envelopes (I collect them), but I'll toss the addresses. I already have them in the database, and some of the ones on the envelopes are obsolete.

The next step is to cut the cards in half and save the fronts. celticferret knew of an organization that turns old holiday cards into puzzles.

[Updated 13:30 EST] Here's something I should ask. If you sent me a card years ago, and I threw it out today, would you feel offended or insulted?

Comments

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

If I send someone a christmas card, I'd be flattered if you kept it out on display through new years day and then threw it out when they cleared away their holiday decorations. I'd only be insulted or offended if you threw my card out unopened. I just came across my stack of 2006 cards and pitched them, feeling a little foolish for holding onto them that long.

[yourmommma.livejournal.com]

If I sent you a card and you got it yesterday, read it and threw it away I wouldn't be offended even if I wrote you a note. The sentiment is what is important and that's already been transferred.

[amazon-42.livejournal.com]

Did I send you a card? When was that? Did it say something?

And you didn't throw it out years ago? My brain has already tossed it.

The only cards I keep are the ones with kid pictures on them. (I've kept all the ones you sent me with Maria on them, cos kids grow up fast...) But otherwise? Yikes. No way.

[poltr1]

You sent us lots of cards. I came across your graduation invitation, and your wedding invitation when you married Chris back in '98. That was the one that had the wax seal on the back. (I'm holding it in my hands right now.)

[amazon-42.livejournal.com]

Augh! Burn that!

[zorya-thinks.livejournal.com]

No, not at all. Cards are meant to be transient.