I have the inside of my house decked out and the outside too. I'll be posting some pictures next Monday when I go on The Christmas Tour of Homes with The Nester!
Also this year I did a little something different with my Christmas cards. I included a mix CD of some of my favorite Christmas songs! I mailed them out this weekend, so people started getting them yesterday and I got so many positive comments on them!
I also tried to write something personal about the person I was writing to in each and every card. I think this is the most important part. It lets the person know you weren't just a part of some kind of mass mailing. I often feel that way when I get a generic card with just a person's signature, or even worse, their TYPED NAME. I mean thanks for slapping my address on the front, but really you could have saved a tree and a stamp. Thanks for letting me know I made your "list". I feel so honored.
The picture ones kind of bother me too sometimes. It's like, lets promote our perfect little family. "Look how happy and perfect we are in our matching outfits...just wanted to let you know...no we don't care about you, but look at us and Merry Christmas anyway."
Ok, I digress...losing my Christmas spirit...anyway, back to the point.
I spent a lot of time and money on these cards. I bought songs I really liked. I burned over 50 CD's. I bought cases for each one and made a personalized cover insert. This was my gift to all the people who made a difference to me! Even though it was a lot of work and it cost $1.28 to mail each one (dang post office...I hand delivered some, so take that!) it was so worth it! I love spreading Christmas cheer!
I wish I could send you all one! But I have limited resources...
So for my Grateful Giveaway #2, you can win a copy of my Christmas Mix CD and a handwritten personal card! Some of the songs include Sugarland, Dave Matthews Band, Martina McBride, Mariah Carey and more!
If you'd like to win my Christmas Mix CD, here's how to enter:
1. Become a follower- if you're not already
2. Leave a comment on this post with YOUR favorite Christmas song!
I'll draw a winner on Friday. Good Luck!
16 comments:
Suz - I stumbled upon your blog through reading a friend's. I enjoyed reading your blog but over the past few months your entries have either been about #1 spending money or #2 how broke you are and how you need to stop spending money. Well today was the final straw, not only did you again spend a bunch of money on items that someone who was actually watching their spending wouldn't have bought but then you have the nerve to insult everyone else who mails Christmas cards. Way to pat yourself on the back and insult your friends who enjoy sending picture cards.
Wow. Happy Holidays to Anonymous. Anyways! I stumbled across your blog as well, and I have to say the cd is such a great idea! Im bummed I mailed my cards our yesterday, otherwise I would have "borrowed" the idea from you. My favorite Christmas song is definitely Christmas Canon by Trans Siberian Orchestra. Gives me chills everytime I hear it. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
My favorite Christmas song is definitely Baby It's Cold Outside...too bad it's never really that cold at Christmas in NC - oh well. I'd give anything for Winter Wonderland at Christmas this year!! :-)
Just to clarify...I don't hate all picture Christmas cards. In fact I enjoy seeing pictures especially from those friends I don't get to see that much. My fridge even has picture cards from last year still up. I'm just saying Christmas cards should be about letting those people know you are thinking about them and not just promoting yourself.
As far as the spending money thing...yes I have a problem. My name is Suz and I am addicted to Target. I probably need to join some sort of 12 step program.
I'm so sorry if I offended anyone.
Not that I feel like I need to come to your defense Suz, but I don't like the picture cards either. Even when my family members send them out to me, I'm like ok...what do I do with this, put it in my photo album? Last year I got a card, clearly as an afterthought to someone I sent a card to, well they sent me a picture card from the ____ family, but their last name was spelled wrong. How weird! I love the CD, btw. I might have to "borrow" that idea too! It is far less expensive than buying 50 people gifts, even from the dollar store, and I can tell you put some serious thought into it. :)
Oh my, no need for negativity in comments. If you don't enjoy reading someone's blog then simply stop reading them.. not post hurtful comments.
I LOVE your Christmas card idea! That is awesome that you made CDs!! And sounds like you have a lot of good artists on it, too :)
My favorite Christmas songs are All I Want for Christmas is You-Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas Darling-The Carpenters, and I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas-by I have no clue!
LOVE this idea! I definitely might have to borrow it myself as well! And most of us struggle with spending--especially around the holidays! Spreading joy and cheer is money well-spent!
I have mixed feelings about picture cards. I used to love them b/c I could get a visual update of people that lived far away, but facebook kind of takes care of that now, huh?
Favorite holiday song? That's so hard!! There are so many, but I'm always coming back to The Little Drummer Boy. It always makes me smile and gives me warm fuzzies :)
My favorite Christmas song is Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant. :)
XOX
Hi Suz!!!
My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night... especially if it's Martina McBride... so awesome!!!!!
and I love your blog :-)
Hi there :)
I have been a follower for a few months now.
I will admit, I tend to be bad about slapping my name on a Chrismas card, but I hand make them, and by the time I get to the greeting part, I'm tired ;o)
I have to agree with Laurnie about the Christmas Canon and Sam with Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas. But, I have to add "Last Christmas" by Darren Hayes (of Savage Garden fame!)
Merry Christmas :)
I have to agree - the Christmas Mix CD is a wonderful idea! :-) While I do try to write at least a small personal note to each person when I send out Christmas cards, I usually don't have time for much more than that. I may have to get started early and "steal" your idea for next year. :-D
I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but my favorite Christmas song is "Funky, Funky, Christmas" by New Kids on the Block.
The CDs are a FAB idea! Love. It.
Personally, what I don't like are the goofy Christmas Letters people send out every year.
Sometimes there might be earth-shattering, important news to share, but do we REALLY need to hear about how your "daughter's last relationship ended, but she's dating a few really nice young men"?
Ummm...the answer would be "No". :-)
That has to be the best idea I've heard yet! Nice idea!
I guess my favorite Christmas song would be Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland.
My favorite Christmas song is Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant... gets me every time.
Suz, I am not really happy with this "anonymous" poster. Whadda ya say I take 'em out back and beat the Christmas Spirit into them? HAHAHAHA! Just kidding, of course (sort of). I love my CD you gave me! It's on repeat in my car's CD player! My favorite Christmas song is Silent Night. My Grandma used to sing that to me as a child so it brings back sweet memories of her and reminds me of what Christmas is truley about!
This would go straight in the trash. Unlike my picture cards.
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