Friday, January 25, 2013

january cards :: a procrastinator's christmas card

January cards.
...aka, we-can't-seem-to-get-our-act-together-in-December-cards.

We love them around here.  We've been sending them out since 2006, I think.  I've always loved holiday greeting cards... both giving and receiving them.  I was one of those bazaar college students that sent out Christmas cards and update letters since I was probably 18... what can I say?  I love a good excuse to put something in the mail.

Our list gets more and more ridiculously out of control every year.  I keep threatening to put a cap on it, but that never happens.  It's a once-a-year mail splurge that I'm totally okay with.

I also have this problem where I want to put a ridiculous amount of stuff on the envelopes... address labels... return address stamps... washi tape... a fun stamp on the back... stickers... you get the idea.  I'm not quite sure what it is that possesses me with a desire to decorate every square inch of an envelope, but I'm working on toning it down.

This year I put sealed all of the envelopes with washi tape, then started stamping the back of the envelopes with a fun little "with love" stamp.  I got about half way through the stack before I realized that I have a serious problem, and decided the washi tape was plenty enough... put.the.stamp.down.


I get really weird about my postage stamps too.  I'm usually one of those obnoxious people at the post office... holding up the line... asking to see all of the new stamp designs... looking for something that might coordinate with this year's January card envelope selection.  Yeah.  That did not happen this year.  Our list was so out of control that I decided it was best to just ask for a roll (or 2) of stamps, rather than a billion little books of stamps.  God bless the USA, right?

It's a big endeavor every year, but one I'm happy to tackle in January... and not December.  And to me, that once-a-year communication with friends and family both near and far is totally worth it.  And of course, I can always count on Little Cat to help out with the envelopes.

You can see 2012's January cards here... and 2011's January cards here.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of a January card, and I love that you put so much detail on the envelopes. I happen to appreciate a nicely decorated envelope. :) Happy January!

mleslie43 said...

It looks to me like Little Cat is "laying down on the job" just a bit. Also, I am not sure that I got washi tape on the back of mine. Do you think that might be one that he did?? Maybe his tongue was tired from all of those stamps AND washi tape was just too much for him.

czephyr19 said...

Silly girl, you could have just dropped mine in my mailbox yourself! I loved getting it-

Jenna said...

That's such a sweet idea - I'm sure it's actually more exciting to see this in your mailbox during dreary January than amid all the Christmas cards!

Jennifer Dawn McLucas said...

Ha! I have a pile of Christmas cards that I still need to address, stamp, and mail. I'm hoping to get it done before Valentine's Day. ;)

Melissa said...

I love this idea! In fact, I may steal it one day! =)

Lauren said...

No judgement from me about overdone envelopes...
Loved the card, as always!

ThistleAshD said...

I totally am still in the process of getting my Merry Christmas cards in the mail. I mean whatever, right. It's a random surprise for people. Love that I'm not the only one! Need to just call mine a January card too though

Shari said...

I love this idea. So cute. Your card design is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I am also a believer in January cards - it also takes away that awkward "Happy Holidays" aspect with some people you're not quite close enough with to say "Merry Christmas" to (or know what holiday they actually celebrate)

Unknown said...

Such a great idea! I've not ever thought about doing something like this! thanks for sharing!! (visiting from www.enjoymyharvest.blogspot.com )