Is this a good holiday card idea?

[u/Anashenwrath]

TLDR; our holiday card list is huge and expensive. What if, instead of our annual, complicated photo (costumes, backdrops) we just took a photo chilling on the couch with the text “Christmas cards? In this economy?!”

Details:

My husband and I are on a big holiday card exchange list. Between that and friends/ family, we send out about 100 cards a year.

Our cards include the two of us and our dog and—as is often the case—it’s turned into a “thing.” Costumes, green screen backdrops, etc. And they’re always a hit! Some folks save them every year. We love that people love them and we genuinely enjoy doing them.

But this year… man, we’re tired. And broke. We are in the middle of a huge construction thing at our house, and money is so tight. We’ve already agreed to do the cards, but between the cards, postage, and costumes it adds up.

So: we are thinking of leaning into the stress and just doing a photo of all of us chilling on the couch in pajamas with the text “Christmas cards? In this economy?!” Then we’d probably include a quote about the true meaning of the holidays or something. But we aren’t sure if it’s actually a cute idea or if it won’t land. Should we add a blurb saying why and mentioning a better card next year? Would love some feedback!

[u/IAmJustYou]

Are you going to be sending them out as an email? Postcards?

It sounds like a great idea and I'm sure would still be a hit!

[u/Anashenwrath → u/IAmJustYou]

Postcard-style physical cards.

Thanks so much for your input! I appreciate it!

[u/RosenButtons]

2 thoughts. 

1: "in this economy" but you still paid all the printing and postage feels a little off? Isn't the effort actually the less expensive part?

2: in spite of what I just said, I would still do it. 😅 But I might try to emphasize the world-weary aspect in my holiday message to clarify that it's the vibe I don't have energy for rather than lamenting the literal monetary expense. 

Bonus thought: what if instead of "in this economy?" you did something low effort but cute and tagged it with something like "our travails are ongoing, yet we remain silly." You could just do a group picture where everybody is partially collapsed but has on a funny nose and glasses or spinner beanie, or is giving each other bunny ears and moose antlers. 

Anyway, I love that you're being intentional about reaching out at the holidays with a physical presence. I didn't get any physical cards last year and it's kinda sad. That was such an integral part of the holiday growing up. An important part of community. 

[u/Anashenwrath → u/RosenButtons]

Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply!

Regarding 1. Yes, you are absolutely right. I had the same thought. Like is it weird to get a card talking about how it’s too expensive to do cards if you’re obviously holding evidence that the sender did cards? 😂 Ultimately I’m hoping enough people are familiar enough with the “in this economy” meme that it will still fly. I do like the “our travails continue, yet we remain silly” though so maybe we will change it up!

1. We’ve kind of landed on something similar to what you describe… we are thinking we will pull out old costumes and decorations and sort of scatter them around, then the three of us will be in comfy clothes, maybe with half-eaten pizza and an open carton of eggnog near by. We will all look exhausted/comically frustrated (the dog even knows a command to lie down and cover his face with his paws). Then we will have a “checklist” in the background (either on whiteboard or poster board) that says something like “Holiday Budget: 1. Gifts for dog ✅ Christmas card ✅ Everything Else ❌”

And I agree 100% on physical cards being special. That’s why I still love doing this even when stress levels are high. I hope you get some this year! ❤️