Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Ah, the right speech of holiday cards.  First, the selection:  you want sentiments that sound like you, that are all inclusive to Christmas, Eid, Hannakah, Kwanza, and Winter Solstice.  Secondly, you must remember which UNICEF cards you sent the last few years, so you don't buy identical ones:  it sends a message of leftoverness.  Thirdly, you want news, but not too detailed and without invading the privacy of your grown kids.  Fourthly, bragging is not allowed.  Pictures of you with celebrities (not that I have any of those), achievements of grandkids as if directly attributable to you, floorplans of your new house, jewelry bought in the past year, awards, even ribbons, are in BAD taste.  Say something real, and specific to the person.  Remember, nobody cares who is coming for Christmas, not really.

Best wishes is fine for most friends, love is reserved for those that warm the cockles of your heart, and much love, while limited, is the highest expression.  Forging your husband's name is forgiven, and using address labels with just your name on them because you ran out of the joint ones.  Something funny is always nice, at least in my rule book.  Long, event filled picture included mass letters are not my cup of tea, but yet, I admit I enjoy them.  As for doing one myself, I cannot visualize that happening.  And I am clairvoyant.

Pictures, ah, pictures.  I LOVE to see the grandkids, the son-in-law, the extended family none of whom I know.  I save the pictures.  They go right into albums in January.  Thus, my big contribution is not verbal:  as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Now, one of my kids has expressed ire at sending photos without legal release, so I try to be careful.  I send her card without photo enclosures, just to be safe.  Often, my friends and family receive photos of our two dogs, but as they are dark and look the same year after year, I vary things.  This year I sent the grandkids photos and one that included me, where I didn't look too decrepit and grinned ear to ear.  The subtext was:  Hah!  Still alive and having a good time!

So, though card giving is a minefield, it can be negotiated.  And in the end, right speech is a wish at the holidays, and a reminder you are thinking of them.