grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Nov 30, 2015 18:37:11 GMT
... of my idea to make all my Christmas cards this year. I know, it's late in the game, but I know I could do it and get them out in time.
The thing is... I'm tired. Both emotionally and physically. And I think I'm at the end of my rope and just want this year to be over. Since the summer, my father passed away, I got married and just this past week, my DH's grandmother (whom he was very close to) passed away after a sudden, yet drawn out illness.
And while I really want to send out Christmas cards to everyone, I just can't get past the fact that I can just buy them instead of making them like I want to. I don't really know why I'm posting this, I guess I'm just babbling and needed to get it out.
I know it won't be the end of the world if I buy cards, but every time I go to buy them I keep thinking I'm dropping the ball. Sigh. I am so ready for this year to be over.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Nov 30, 2015 18:42:01 GMT
Sorry about all the stress. Just buy the cards and don't give a worry about it. No one is going to say "Can you believe that grinningcat didn't make her Christmas cards this year?"
ETA: I've had my design, stamps, ink, paper, twine, etc for three years now and haven't made them yet!
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 30, 2015 18:44:05 GMT
Just buy the cards and send them. If you want to, make a few to send to your BFF's. Life is too short to stress over cards.
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Post by Ryann on Nov 30, 2015 18:44:39 GMT
Are you able to make your christmas cards leisurely, and then when it's time to send them out if you don't have enough made supplement them with store-bought?
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Post by littlemama on Nov 30, 2015 18:46:55 GMT
You can only do what you can do. If you aren't up to making the cards this year, there is nothing wrong with buying them. I have done the photo cards the last few years because I hate signing them.
This year, I am not sending cards at all. I sent out around 50 cards last year, and received back about 15 - most of them a day or two before Christmas, so we couldn't even enjoy them in the weeks leading up to Christmas. They felt like an afterthought - Oh, they sent us one, I guess we should get around to sending one back. So, this year, no cards. I have enough to do leading up to Christmas, and if there is no give and take, then I'm not going to be the only dumbass giving!
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Post by Drew on Nov 30, 2015 18:49:49 GMT
I know how you feel. I just can't bring myself to buy cards of any kind. I'm going to create a simple, colorful design, using one of my sketches, and make them in an assembly line fashion. Should be quick, easy, and fun.
Whatever you decide, your recipients are sure to love receiving a card from you and Mr. Cat.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 18:33:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 18:55:03 GMT
Since you feel so emotionally drained, give yourself a break and buy the cards. People will just be happy to have Christmas wishes from you and won't fault you for not making the cards. I'm sorry for your losses.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 30, 2015 18:57:35 GMT
Just buy the cards and send them. If you want to, make a few to send to your BFF's. Life is too short to stress over cards. I've done this before. No one needs to know that only a select few people got the "good" ones, LOL. Or, if you have a favorite photo from your wedding, use that and make a digitally scrapped photo card. Design, upload, print, address, boom--DONE. I used to make elaborate handmade cards for everyone back in the day but life got way too busy for that. Once I had my kid I switched to photo cards because we're not on social media and everybody wanted pictures of her so that made the decision easy. |
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 30, 2015 19:02:48 GMT
I always buy my cards, but if you want to make them, could you make just a few for extra special recipients who would appreciate them?
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Post by gar on Nov 30, 2015 19:03:12 GMT
maybe you could decide on half a dozen 'special' people to make cards for then buy others for the rest. No harm done, no one would think badly of you I'm certain  |
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Nov 30, 2015 19:06:35 GMT
Thanks everyone. I *know* I don't have to make cards and purchased cards are just fine. I saw some lovely ones at the grocery store (of all places) and almost bought them. Then I talked myself out of it. It's like I feel I made an obligation and if I don't make those damn cards, I've failed. I know, it's the exhaustion talking. I know that I'm just being irrational, I just can't do it. Maybe if I force myself to go out with the sole intention of buying cards right now, I'll do it and get over myself.
I feel like i'm being foolish and whiny. I'm just so tired.
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janeinbama
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Post by janeinbama on Nov 30, 2015 19:09:40 GMT
It is usually the little things that get us the worse. Any card mailed shows you care. Hope you can enjoy your First Married Christmas together cards or not.
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Nov 30, 2015 19:14:21 GMT
Last year I had too much going on to get cards out for Christmas. I did "Happy New Year" cards instead.
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Post by gar on Nov 30, 2015 19:18:59 GMT
I feel like i'm being foolish and whiny. I'm just so tired. We'll let you off Everyone's like that sometimes. |
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NoWomanNoCry
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Nov 30, 2015 19:23:48 GMT
First: I'm sorry for you and your DHs loss. I
As for the cards: I'm the kind of person when I'm making something it takes my mine off the shitty things in life so maybe just start making a few here and there and see how that works out. Buy the rest to complete your list.
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ginacivey
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Post by ginacivey on Nov 30, 2015 19:25:12 GMT
it's okay to just set the ball down. you don't have to drop it
i could sing you that 'let it go' song
seriously...if you have a hankering to be crafty - do just a couple and send one to me!!!
gina
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Post by bonserella on Nov 30, 2015 19:50:39 GMT
I *always* have photo cards printed up which include pics of my kids, myself & my SO, & my dog lol. *Until this year.* This year, I am saying SCREW IT. Less & less people send cards every Xmas - I think it is because of fb, etc. Everyone sees pics of each other constantly & gets status updates on each others' lives... So I am going to use that time & $$ to enjoy experiences with people in real life. I guess what I am saying is do whatever works for you & let go of the guilt!!!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 30, 2015 19:58:02 GMT
Any card mailed shows you care. I appreciate any kind of Christmas card from people anymore. So few of us send them. Just look at this as "a year off" from homemade cards. That'll put the guilt off for a whole 'nother year! |
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Post by anniefb on Nov 30, 2015 20:44:38 GMT
If you really want to make some Christmas cards, how about making a handful ie 1-5 for the most significant people in your life, and buying the rest.
I get what you're talking about - I love cardmaking too and feel like I should keep doing Christmas cards rather than buying them. But try and be gentle on yourself if you're feeling so exhausted. IMO you haven't 'dropped the ball' because you didn't make your cards one year; I often find that when life sucks or I'm emotionally exhausted, I can't be that creative and just have to let things go a bit until I feel more rested.
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Nov 30, 2015 20:49:41 GMT
I would buy and mail cards but start making them for next year.
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akathy
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Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Nov 30, 2015 22:13:39 GMT
Thanks everyone. I *know* I don't have to make cards and purchased cards are just fine. I saw some lovely ones at the grocery store (of all places) and almost bought them. Then I talked myself out of it. It's like I feel I made an obligation and if I don't make those damn cards, I've failed. I know, it's the exhaustion talking. I know that I'm just being irrational, I just can't do it. Maybe if I force myself to go out with the sole intention of buying cards right now, I'll do it and get over myself. I feel like i'm being foolish and whiny. I'm just so tired. Please don't look at it as a failure, look at it as Plan B. Everyone needs to have a Plan B because nothing in life is guaranteed. If your body is telling you you're tired, go with it. We get these feelings for a reason. There is only one person that is perfect and I know you're not him so give yourself permission to lower your standard on this one little thing. And then re-evaluate it next year. You may find that your feelings on the matter will change in a year and even if they don't, what do you have to lose by sitting one year out? Trust me, your friends would rather you took the time to take care of yourself than creating more stress for yourself. |
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scrappert
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Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Nov 30, 2015 22:16:54 GMT
I would usually hand make all of mine, but this year with moving, it has been very hectic!
I did buy store bought cards (went to Tuesday Morning) and got boxed sets. I added a little bit of sparkle to the cards to make me feel like I did something creative! I still have a little over 24 to do, but the rest has been sent in the mail.
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iluvpink
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Post by iluvpink on Nov 30, 2015 22:18:04 GMT
Buy the cards and don't look back! Seriously!
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Post by lucyg on Dec 1, 2015 7:18:15 GMT
I didn't read the whole thread (I'm trying to get to sleep at some point tonight)  so maybe it's been suggested, but why are you not sending out photo cards with a picture from your wedding?? That would be very usual, at least in the U.S. That way you could let go of the guilt about not making your own cards this year, and relax a little. Make cards next year. And I'm sorry about your losses this year. Very sad and very stressful for you both. |
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Dec 1, 2015 7:40:23 GMT
I agree with lucyg. One of the best things ever for Christmas was having a kid so I could stop slaving away at cards and send a photo card. I don't even write in them anymore, since they're from the kid, i sign then from Santa's little helper. Which reminds me I've got to take a photo with two kids this year so it might be slightly harder, but I gave up all of that guilt over perfect handmade cards with handwritten individual notes and send a photo instead. Last year i messed up and ordered 75 instead of 100 and just emailed it to my tech savvy friends and family and sent real cards to those I know who don't reality use the computer. |
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Post by bc2ca on Dec 1, 2015 7:40:24 GMT
It is usually the little things that get us the worse. Any card mailed shows you care. Hope you can enjoy your First Married Christmas together cards or not.  People have an expectation of my cards and it puts extra pressure on me. This year is very hard with a couple of unexpected deaths leaving me not feeling in the mood. Even my kids have asked this week what our card is this year because I've usually roped them into a photo by now. Card making is usually therapeutic for me, so I will probably stick to a super clean & simple design and get them in the mail this week, but right now I'm not feeling it. Whatever you do, any card is more than what most friends & family are doing and there are some fabulous cards for sale so I wouldn't hesitate to pick something up and add a personal note inside. |
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Post by Karmady on Dec 1, 2015 10:41:59 GMT
Sorry for your losses grinningcat  Give yourself a break and buy those nice cards from the grocery store. December can be such a stressful time. On top of Christmas and all the parties, we have so many appointments booked. I've been calling offices and changing appointmenst to Jan/Feb as well as declining many of the parties. I'm trying to do the events that we are really interested in with our family. If not, there is too much rushing around and too much stress. Who needs that? |
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Dec 1, 2015 12:37:24 GMT
Thanks everyone. I knew you were all right before I even posted. I'm just feeling rather, lost, in some ways. DH and I are exhausted and just not feeling things. I was supposed to scrap the wedding photos for our parents, but now we're just putting them in boring photo albums. I bought them last night at Michael's and while I was there I found two boxes of very pretty snowflake cards, which I will work on sending out by the weekend... or at least next Monday.  We've just lost any of the Christmas spirit we had two weeks ago. Thankfully we got most of our Christmas shopping done before DH's grandmother became critical, but we're just not feeling it. It's as if this has pushed us further down the well... at a time when we should be blissfully happy after getting married. Or whatever it's supposed to be. lucyg We just sent out thank you notes with wedding photos. It didn't even occur to me to make another card with a wedding photo. I did print some extra photos from the wedding to put in certain people's cards, because they are really rather nice photos of them at the wedding. I will say, however, that Costco does a great job with their photo cards... we are very happy with the thank you cards we got. And the eleventy billion photos I picked up yesterday. Thanks everyone. |
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Rainbow
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Post by Rainbow on Dec 1, 2015 12:51:29 GMT
Just buy the cards and send them. If you want to, make a few to send to your BFF's. Life is too short to stress over cards.  |
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ginacivey
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Post by ginacivey on Dec 1, 2015 14:34:31 GMT
a couple times...when i was particularly busy or stressed...i've sent out Happy New Years cards
gina
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so maybe it's been suggested, but why are you not sending out photo cards with a picture from your wedding?? That would be very usual, at least in the U.S.
Give yourself a break and buy those nice cards from the grocery store. 
