I love getting Christmas greetings in the mail, especially those that feature a picture of the family. I know, I know. I’ve heard the criticism of those cards. They are more proof that our culture is so self-centered that they think Christmas is all about them, as evidenced by the influx of family photos in lieu of beautifully decorated Christmas cards.
Maybe it’s because I’m not a huge fan of social media that I look forward to seeing how the kids have grown and who all has been added to the family. It’s especially nice to get a summary of the highlights of the year in each family’s life, but I know that is sometimes too much to ask!
These cards are a form of reunion (one of my “favorite things”) with those who have held a special place in our lives or who are new friends and family. The Spirit of Christmas reminds us to reach out to others with a smile and best wishes for joy and peace, which feels like a warm hug from afar.
If you’re like me, it is difficult to throw the pictures away as I’m storing all the Christmas décor and rearranging the furniture to suit the new year. What to do?
For a few years now, I’ve been saving those cards and creating mini scrapbooks. Search for 6×8 binder and you’ll come up with lots of options, as well as the mini scrapbook available on Amazon, or you can make them out of cardboard, binder rings, and scrapbook supplies. All you really need is a hole punch and a little bit of time. The decorating of the book is completely up to you and how inspired you’re feeling at the moment. Trust me, you probably won’t come back to it later, so just tackle it all at once!
After a few years, you’ll have a collection of memories. Stick them in a basket or set them out on the coffee table during December. The kids and guests will enjoy perusing them and finding their own pictures from previous years, astonished at the changes in faces and families, all easily documented in the annual Christmas cards through the years.
Great idea!