I've whittled my list down over the years, to a smaller number for several reasons. I don't like to send cards without a personal note of some sort inside and because of my business, this is one of my busiest times of the year and there are time constraints. I don't like to put people into the position of sending cards as an obligation. It should be a joy. I feel I've likely done them a kindness by dropping them from my list. I replace a Christmas card with a note or card some other time of the year. They can respond....or not. I've lost a good many relatives and friends over the years simply through death and the list goes smaller each year. That's the hardest one. The price of postage is getting prohibitory when you can only send two cards for a dollar.....one if it is going over the pond. I do not send out cards to my customers. If they're special to me, I'll make a trip to them and give them a gift.....but I dislike getting impersonal or imprinted cards made out by somebody's secretary. It just wastes a tree. If they have a good product, a card once a year doesn't matter or make them anymore likely to get my business. That given, my list is very personal and easy to handle now. I will choose (or make) a card I think is special. I don't look at the expense, but the thought presented. I'll be more likely to pick out cards for that reason so don't look for bargains. If they're inexpensive....fine. If they're pricey.........again fine. That means cards sent to make money for charities are considered. I'd rather the profit go toward a cause I support than a stockholder.

Brad, Thanks for the lemonade recipe and tips. DGS and I have found 3 meyer lemon trees in the woods where we hike. He always wants to make lemonade when we get home so I need a Grammy worthy recipe. At Peppi's urging, I documented my grandmother's recipe for spaghetti sauce that she brought from Italy and I have been eating since---maybe birth. I'm sure it's not to everyone's liking but in my family it is THE SAUCE. Anyway on subject--in an effort to save this family treasure on something other than a recipe card and in an effort to decorate with purpose (learned that from RiverRat), I am handwriting it and having it aged, enlarged, matted, and framed or put on canvas.

I always send TY cards, even if just a note. It's the way I was brought up. I guess I didn't do a very good job with my 2 daughters. They and others in their 20's and 30's. seem to appreciate gifts and being remembered at birthdays, etc because they do verbally thank everyone but they don't send anything written.My SIL recently sent an engagement gift to our nephew but got no response. She is rather P-O'd and says she plans to boycott the wedding. My guess is she sends gifts to get thank-you notes rather than as a token of her affection for young relatives.

I just did a search and found a post Tami made last month, a reminder for others wanting to sign up. She said the cut off was sometime this month. Didn't specify.