by Alycia Morales

Created on: December 23, 2009

My mailbox sits virtually empty eleven out of twelve months of the year. It has become a lonely place to visit. Even my household bills no longer show up in this daily-visited place. With the emergence of online social websites like facebook and email inboxes, where mail and daily information can be sent in a matter of seconds to the recipients, snail mail has become almost null and void.

I can remember the days when I felt a tremendous joy from deep within, as I opened up my mailbox and found a hand-written letter from a loved one or a dear friend. Seeing their handwriting and reading their heartfelt words of encouragement or their life's happenings brought excitement and a feeling of closeness that I cannot find on the computer screen. Yes, I am updated more frequently on what their day was like, the amazing or hysterically funny things that their kids were doing, and who they wanted to hang for some injustice that occurred, but it still isn't the same as receiving a note in the mail.

Hence, I look forward to Christmastime, because I know that I will get a new picture of the family or the kids or the dog. I will get at least a handwritten signature of their names. I will get a gift in the mailbox, a Christmas card from my family member or a close friend.

I also look forward to sending out my own Christmas cards. I make it a point to purchase cards from the store or make my own each Christmas. This particular year, I ran out of time to make my own, so I bought them. I made certain to take a recent photo of our family (a rarity these days, as the oldest is in college and stays with his mother on break) to WalMart and the friendly Kodak machine. I turned it into a lovely Christmas-themed 4x6 to insert into our cards. For those who are close family and family friends who I haven't communicated with all year, I made certain to write a letter updating them on our adventures from the year. For those who I have been in touch with, either virtually or in person, I sent the card with the photograph.

Why do I think that it is important to send out Christmas cards? There are a few reasons for doing so.

The first is the intimate touch it puts on giving the card. I would much rather receive a card in my snail mailbox that sits empty all year long than to receive one in my inbox via email. It's the personal touch that makes it a pleasant event. And, it tells me that someone cared enough to take a little extra time to sign it and put a stamp on it.

The second reason that I have for sending out Christmas cards is the physical aspect of it. It is something that I can touch. It's not a virtual item. It's right there, in the palm of my hand. I can keep it with me as long as I wish. I can physically open and close it. I can read it. I don't have to open it on a screen. I just love being able to feel it in my grasp.

The third reason for my love of sending Christmas cards (and receiving them) is that they can be recycled as decorative ornaments for my tree, a Christmas card to send out next year, a gift tag for wrapping presents with, a piece of artwork for my wall next year, an embellishment for my child's scrapbook page. The uses are endless. Try doing any of these with a card received via email or social networking. It's nearly impossible.

The final reason for sending out Christmas cards? Why not support our postal service? The price of stamps is not so outrageous that we can't afford to send our loved ones a personal touch this holiday season. Send a little love. Help someone keep their job.

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