What your Christmas card says to your friends

In the spirit of Christmas I am going to do some posts on the time honored traditions of Christmas.  Today I will start with Christmas cards.

We all get them. Love some, hate others.  As you start making your list and writing out your Christmas Cards think about your card says about you.

Vacation Photo Card
This is the I took a cooler vacation than you card.

Close friends read:  That's nice. They went some where nice.  I really have to get on my spouse to get us somewhere nice next year so we can have a cool photo. Also I need to get matching outfits so we look nice.
Acquaintances read: Anything from "you show offs" to "that's nothing,  wait till you see where I went this year".
Unemployed friends read: Sucks to be me.
Do gooder friends read:  Just think what good you could have done with the money you spent or You just doubled your carbon footprint with the airplane flight.

The Generic Christmas card with just a signature
This is the "I'm busier than you so I can't write anything" card.  That or the "I had a really crappy year and didn't want to bring every one down"card.

Close Friends read : You must be really busy not to write something more personal to ME.
Acquaintences read:  I'd better send them one or else I'm off the list next year.

The year in review letter
The card of choice for the creative type.  Typically sent by empty nesters, busy bodies or Moms who have kids who are in music sports, drama, drill team so I have to tell the world that I am in carpools so much I have time write this letter while I am waiting in line to pick them up.

Close friends read: We all know your kids are wonderful. Why did you waste the stamp, I knew all this because I was sitting in the carpool line behind you at all these events.
Acquaintances read: Wow my life must really suck if I can't think up enough stuff to fill a page and send people I barely know.  That or my friends have way too much time on their hands.
Single Friends read:  Having kids can't be that hard. They still had time to get out this silly letter.

So before you start writing your cards this year. Think of your audience.

Merry Christmas