One of the activities I have come to really enjoy during the holiday season is the sending and receiving of holiday cards with photos. But, enjoying this activity is only a recent phenomen for me. And, yes, it has everything to do with my daughter.
When I was growing up my parents and their friends wouldn’t think of putting their children’s photos on holiday cards. It was considered egotistical and gauche. Perhaps those were the reasons why it took me so long to warm to this activity. Some families may still consider photo holiday cards inappropriate, but I have become a convert.
In fact, I have come to really love this part of the holidays. In our family we celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah, so we send cards with our daughter’s photo on them to all of our friends. And we look forward to receiving photo cards from everyone we know–with children or without. Don’t worry, I have not converted to the point where I include a year’s digest that chronicles every move my child has made–although I am sure we all know someone who sends that digest. To me it’s all about seeing all of those smiling faces. I just can’t resist any child’s smile. I also love to see the smiling faces of my friends.
Before my daughter, I swore that if I ever did have children, I would never bore my friends with annual photographic updates of my offspring. But I have made a 360 degree turn. I have joined the ranks of parents everywhere who perform the annual ritual of photographing their children (or choosing an existing photo), selecting the prized photo, producing the card, writing the message and posting the card. As a group we have empathy given the thought and effort we put into this activity. I particularly feel for those with 3 and 4 children. I can only imagine the challenge of getting everyone to smile-at the same time-for that photograph!
When I receive photo holiday cards, I always look to see how nicely everyone is growing up. Sadly, sometimes I realize I have not seen some of my friends or their children in a while. Some of the cards remind me to make the long overdue phone call to catch up. Sometimes I follow through; sometimes I don’t. But there is something reassuring about all of those smiling faces. I feel closer to everyone and those beautiful faces underscore the love, warmth and friendship this season holds for each and everyone of us. My daughter enjoys seeing her friends’ on the holiday cards, too. She understands that her parents aren’t the only ones who perform this annual ritual. It is a tradition I hope she will continue.
There are so many ways to keep in touch these days from email to facebook. But to me, there is something special about the holiday greeting. What are you doing for your holiday greeting this year? What format will you use? And will you include a photo of your child/children?
Oh, and this week, my daughter has decided to send her $5.00 donation to George Harrison Fund for Unicef. https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?idb=777838553&df_id=1980&1980.donation=form1
