Why in the world do we waste our time sending “Holiday” cards to people?
This, along with all the money spent on Christmas gifts and similar things, seems to be one of the most wasteful and very American things we do. After reading a recent blog post on HBR, it reminded me of how my wife and I have stopped doing presents for everyone except children. As for cards…we do them if we think about it and feel like doing it.
My first problem with all the presents and cards throughout the year is simply the money spent, rather wasted, that could be going toward something more important. And don’t forget the money on stamps and shipping…wow, I would hate to know how much I’ve spent in my life.
The second issue I have with it is watching how so many people get insanely stressed out over picking out presents and making sure everyone including the milkman, get one; not to mention the stress so many feel after spending all that money.
Third, the time involved in all this nonsense. Time is our most valuable commodity…and I do not want to spend my time on this kind of thing anymore.
Look, I don’t need more crap to put on a shelf or hang on a wall. I don’t tic tacs or packs of gum in a stocking. It’s not cute or fun. All the “special” days we have on the calendar in a year are for children, under the age of 15…or whatever cap you want to put on it. I can see sending someone a birthday I suppose, so they know you’re thinking about them but I am just as happy with a Facebook or email Happy Birthday wish.
Time should be the gift we can give…spend one on one time with those you care about; and not just at Christmas, it should be any time of year. But we should also be sending random notes, emails, or cards to people at non-Holiday times…wouldn’t that show you care more than simply sending something when you are “suppose to”?
The biggest thing for me, at this point in my life…is that Holidays are about family and friends gathering, laughing, eating, and drinking. It’s about the connectedness, not the stuff! Send me an email not a card, let’s put the post office out of business.
Wow, you sound like Scrooge, but I agree. I got tired of the stress of “doing enough” of what is expected for gifts. E-card to a mailing list is a wrap.
LOL…indeed! No Scrogge here though, I absolutely LOVE Christmas and all that, but would rather spend my time laughing, eating, and drinking with cool people. Cheers Pops!