Be careful what you say, because you never know when these words come back to haunt you:
And no matter what direction this may take, please don’t send me an electronic Chrustmas card…particularly one addressed to everyone on your list! December 6, 2014
This year I am sending electronic Christmas cards to many of the people on my lists. I designed the card, and I like it very much, so I probably put more effort into this year’s greeting than on previous. But the grim fact remains…I’m sending an electronic card to a list…exactly what I pledged not to do.
So, to quote someone or other, let me explain.
In my office, like many businesses, we are trying to be even more intentional about cutting costs. I had just received a memo to this effect as I looked through the catalog at cards for pastors and other superintendents. After selecting a design that I liked, I looked over at the price to find that these cards would cost fifty cents each. Adding postage and tax, sending a hundred cards would cost us over one hundred dollars. Suddenly a well-intentioned Christmas greeting had a cost, and I couldn’t justify spending it. Though in the large picture, a hundred dollars is no more than budget dust (a great expression I learned from a congressional lobbyist), it also could be a large number of digital texts for the library or many other benefits for students. I couldn’t justify it any more, and I announced, “That’s it, we’re going digital.”
No one will miss the cards that we send, as there is nothing more trivial than a business Christmas card (prior to writing this I just tossed a card from my friendly auto dealer into the recycle bin). At many of the parishes, the card is opened by an administrative assistant and thrown into a pile where the pastor may or may not see it before it is thrown out (or responsibly recycled) after the season is over. I’ll admit that there may be some who may be irritated when they do receive an e-card (particularly if I call it an e-card), but I think it is important to mark the season and the gift of Christmas, I just don’t think this is a gift we always have to pay for.
I’m not going to argue that electronic cards are “just as good.” For someone who likes a paper card, no amount of graphic brilliance or animated entertainment can compare to the feeling of a card in hand (similar to the argument for paper books). Reason can’t overcome convention, and some things are lost as the world moves forward. I will probably continue to send paper cards to my family and friends…for now.
But I can’t afford to make the same decision with company funds, especially a decision so contrary to every other decision I make on non-holiday days. I am publically insistent to the point of annoyance on the need to limit and eliminate paper and the inherent cost and waste. If I turn away handouts, agendas, and diagrams, how can I send pretty litter at an unreasonable cost?
As always, I welcome your comments.
Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mosmanlibrary/5275902450
Posted with Blogsy
I have sent out digital cards and posted them on Facebook for a couple of reasons. Most of the cards we receive have family photos on them. I feel guilty throwing them out but I as much as I love my husband and daughter I realize not every one will find them as adorable as I do. Digital allows me to show off my family and relieves the obligation my friends may have to save the photo. And yes it’s cheaper!
This might work with business. Personally, I know it’s harder to find cards not made in China. I know we are all busy. Yeah, they have a cost and postage. But sending and receiving Xmas (and thank you) cards makes us more human and holds back the ugliest a bit.