Christmas Cards. Outdated? Maybe. Worth Bringing Back? Absolutely.
Let's talk about Christmas cards for a minute.
Are they a little outdated? Maybe.
Should we bring them back? ABSOLUTELY.
Now, I'm English. And if there's one thing we Brits know how to do, it's hold on to traditions. Some of them are lovely. Some of them are downright bizarre.
I've just finished watching The Crown, and let me tell you, we have some seriously questionable traditions in our history.
But Christmas cards? That's one tradition I am 100% behind.
Yes, I know. We're using actual PAPER. In 2026. The horror!
But recycled paper exists. Sustainable options exist. And quite frankly, I think we can allow ourselves a little paper-based happiness once a year.
Because let's be real about our mailboxes...
We spend approximately 11 months of the year walking to the mailbox to collect things we don't particularly want.
Bills.
Junk mail.
Circulars from stores we've never visited.
More bills.
And right now? An endless supply of election nonsense.
(Yes, I said nonsense. I'm British. I'm allowed to be a little opinionated.)
And just to top it all off, I've received ANOTHER jury duty summons.
Lucky me.
But then December rolls around.
And suddenly, going to the mailbox becomes something to look forward to.
Because maybe, just maybe, there's a Christmas card waiting in there.
And you know what the best part of that is?
Somebody was thinking about you.
Just sit with that for a second.
Somebody was thinking about YOU.
Christmas is a funny old time of year.
For some people, it's magical. For others, it's difficult. For many of us, it's a little bit of both.
There's excitement and joy, but there's also missing people, remembering people, and wishing things were a little different.
This year, like so many years before it, I won't be able to spend Christmas with my family.
And while I've built a wonderful life here, there's always that little tug at Christmas when the people you love are thousands of miles away.
Which is probably why Christmas cards mean so much to me.
I absolutely LOVE seeing my mantel filled with cards from family and friends.
Some come from England. Some come from friends here in Colorado. Some come from people I haven't seen in years.
And every single one makes me smile.
Because someone took a moment out of their busy life to think of me.
Not because Facebook reminded them it was my birthday.
Not because an algorithm decided we should reconnect.
But because they actually sat down, picked out a card, wrote my name on an envelope, and sent a little piece of Christmas my way.
And I think that's pretty special.
We don't have to see each other all the time to care about each other.
Life gets busy.
Really busy.
Sometimes months go by without seeing friends. Sometimes years.
It's not because we don't love them. It's not because we've forgotten about them.
It's just... life.
Work. Kids. School. Appointments. A million things on the to-do list.
And suddenly another year has flown by.
But what if, just once a year, we took an afternoon to sit down and think about the people who matter to us?
Our family.
Our old friends.
Our new friends.
The people who live thousands of miles away.
Or even the neighbor next door who we keep meaning to go and say hello to.
Bridget, I'm talking to you.
What if we sent them a little something that simply says:
Hey. I know we haven't seen each other in a while. But I haven't forgotten about you.
Because sometimes, that's all someone needs.
Is sending Christmas cards a bit of a hassle? Absolutely.
Do you have to buy cards? Yes.
Do stamps cost a small fortune these days? Also yes.
Is going to the post office in December my idea of a good time?
Absolutely not.
But is it worth it?
I really think it is.
Because when someone opens that mailbox and sees a handwritten envelope amongst the bills, junk mail, and election nonsense, there's this tiny moment of excitement.
A little flutter.
Ooh! Who's this from?
And for a few seconds, you've made somebody's day a little brighter.
You've reminded them that they're loved. That they're remembered. That somewhere, somebody is thinking about them.
And goodness knows, the world could use a little more of that.
Now, is this slightly self-serving?
Possibly.
Am I a photographer who happens to offer Christmas mini sessions?
Absolutely.
Would I love to photograph your family, design your Christmas cards, and help you get them sent out?
Of course I would!
I'll even help you with the stamps.
But genuinely, that's not why I'm writing this.
You don't need professional photos to send a Christmas card.
You don't need matching outfits, a perfectly behaved family, or a Pinterest-worthy Christmas scene.
Use a photo from your phone. Use that ridiculous picture from your summer vacation. Send a card with a dog wearing antlers. Or don't include a photo at all!
Just send the card.
Because I promise you, nobody is standing at their mailbox judging whether your Christmas card was professionally designed.
They're just happy you thought of them.
So here's my little Christmas challenge to you.
Let's bring Christmas cards back.
Properly.
Let's fill our mantels, refrigerators, and doorframes with pictures of the people we love.
Let's send cards to the friends we haven't seen in years.
Let's remember the family members who might be spending Christmas alone.
Let's surprise someone who isn't expecting anything in the mail.
And let's remind each other that even when life gets busy, even when we're miles apart, even when we don't talk as often as we'd like...
We're still thinking about each other.
Because at the end of the day, Christmas isn't about perfect decorations, expensive gifts, or how many things we can squeeze into December.
It's about people.
And sometimes, a little piece of paper arriving in the mailbox is all it takes to remind someone that they matter.
So go on.
Send the Christmas card.
Let's make checking the mailbox exciting again.
With love (and a slightly unreasonable attachment to British traditions),
Nickie
Nicola Jane Photography
P.S. If you'd like a little help creating your Christmas cards this year, I've got you covered! My Christmas mini sessions are November 7th and 8th, with limited weekday appointments available by request. And yes, I can help design your cards too.