This holiday season I’m doing something I haven’t done since 2007.  I’m sending out regular holiday cards. 

Since my son was born in 2008, our holiday cards have featured a photo.  Not those generic ones that other families mail out; those super-glossy ones that leave no space for a personal hand-written message.  Instead, I used to send out cards that had an insert for a 4×6 photo.  Most years the picture featured my son.  A few years it was a family photo.  And inside each card, I wrote a specific message to each recipient.

This year, though, is different.  I’m mailing out regular holiday cards, for several reasons.

First, I got to wondering what happened to the cards after the holidays.  I know many of the ones we’ve received wind up in the trash.  And the thought of my son’s picture in someone’s recycling bin made me really sad.

Secondly, not using a photo means I save myself several steps (and some money).  I don’t have to select a specific photo to be used in our cards.  I don’t have to order the photos from Walgreens and then go pick them up.  And, I don’t have to worry about fitting the photo inside the insert of the card.

Third, the people closest to me already know what my son looks like.  If they haven’t seen him in person, they’ve seen pictures of him (either when we meet, or through email). 

I’m still writing messages inside each card.  I’m still decorating the envelopes with holiday stickers.  And I’m still sending wishes for a happy holiday season.

And really, that’s all that matters.