I Didn't Want To Butt In So

[Barsel]

Following on from Bobbisox's Christmas card thread, do you still send Christmas cards to people you don't see anymore?
I still send a card to someone ( a distant relative) who I've never even met, and am unlikely to and someone who was married to one of my cousins who I've only ever met once, not to mention old neighbours.
Do you think it's worth keeping in touch in this way?

[davebro]

I do send cards to folks I haven't seen for more than 20 years & don't meet on the internet - just checking if they are still alive really!

[Barsel]

Dave, how does that tell you if they are still alive?
If you don't get one back, it might be that they have decided not to send you one, not necessarily that they have died.

[davebro]

not missed getting one back yet - so far so good!

[burlyshirley]

Yes, I know two people who I send cards to who I haven't seen for years and doubt will ever see again ! I wait for theirs to come first though and then I reciprocate. Mum used to do this as well with people she hadn't worked with for many, many years.

[Barsel]

Shirley, perhaps it's just me, but I do sometimes wonder what's the point.

[davebro]

//what's the point.//

It's Xmas innit! (though I do agree with you)

[burlyshirley]

Simple, each to their own Barsel.

[davebro]

maybe if I didn't send they will think I have died?

[Barsel]

Dave //It's Xmas innit! //
I know, and I know it's me just being a bit of a misery, but I'll probably keep sending them although I really don't see the point except as you say, you know that person is still on this planet.

[pat2604]

Only to my Aunt who's in a care home and in her 90s. I doubt if I will see her again but we do keep in touch by phone. I can't tackle the long journey and overnight stay. She is healthier than I am! :O)

[Barsel]

Dave //maybe if I didn't send they will think I have died?//
Ha ha, they should make cards that say,
'Sorry I haven't sent you a Christmas card, but this is to let you know I'm still alive and will inform you when I'm not!':-)

[Barsel]

Lottie, I can see the point if you keep in touch by phone, but when the only contact you have is a Christmas card and not even a birthday card I do wonder what's the point.

[Barsel]

Dave have given you BA 'cos that made me laugh.

[davebro]

Many countries (including predominantly Christian/Catholic) ones don't really celebrate Xmas as such & probably don't send cards. Maybe we fell too much under the influence of the USA after WW2 wrt how such occasions should be celebrated.

[Bobbisox1]

Guilty as charged Barsel, I send a card to a couple we met only once in Lanzarote 23 years ago,they live in Leven up there in Scotland ,we always get one back but if they stood in front of me I wouldn’t recognise them:0)))

[Cloverjo]

I still a card to my best friend from uni. We cram all our news into birthday and Christmas cards between November and February.

[Barsel]

Bobbs, as I said earlier, a distant relative I've never met so wouldn't know her if I fell over her. :-)

[Barsel]

I know of people who send something (can't remember what it's called) where they tell of what they have been doing during the year perhaps some photos as well.
Wouldn't do it myself as I wouldn't want to bore anyone in this way.
I'm not saying what they send is boring, it's what I would send that would be.

[davebro]

Kind of a news letter (photocopy) - hopelessly pretentious. Got one from an aunt. Never spoke to her again.

[ladybirder]

A very kind man was very helpful to me and my youngest son many moons ago and I have sent him a Christmas card every year since. Last year was the first year I did NOT receive one from him. I have tried phone him but get 3 blipping noises and that's all. I remember in 1995 him being chuffed as he would start getting his OAP in April. I am trying to figure out how old he is now so am I right in thinking he would have needed to reach 65 in 1995 to receive his OAP that year?
Although he didn't answer his phone it might mean he's in a Home of some sort.