Awesome Holiday Cards, Volume I

Our household gets literally hundreds of holiday cards each year, and my favorite tradition is to take a good look at them. They represent such a wide variety of people from my family's long history, it's cool to see them all. I'm trying not to make too much fun of anyone here (and believe me, I could post and comment on some really awful ones and you would die laughing). They do tend to fall into categories, though. Take a gander . . .

North Dakota Folksy

My dad is from West Fargo, North Dakota, so we get a lot of cards from the Mother Land. His friends from back-in-the-day are notable for the things they write in the cards. They are extraordinarily honest: if their crop failed this year, you are going to hear about it. Not like the cards from LA people, with their sun-tanned photos from cruises with beautiful grandkids. Nope, the ND folks are just that . . . folksy. I liked this one, which has hand-written: "We're having our first snowfall of the season. Dick is heading out to get some gas for the snowblower."

This is not some clever statement or inside joke. It's just exactly what it says, honest and straightforward. Well, thanks for letting us know! Maybe he'll pick up some milk, too?

Old People Who Know How to Live
Then there is the segment of my parents' friends who seem to be spending their golden years traveling like crazy. These couples always send a cool photo from a far-off land. This one is amazing, though!

The writing on the back of the card informs us that this is a 1 1/2 year old Cheetah who visited them on a trip to Tanzania. That is an amazing photo! And the man on the left just looks so relaxed about the whole encounter. Wow. I hope I'm that cool when I'm old.

California Awesome

This one is from my friend from growing up, who lives in LA. Can you tell she had twins?? I didn't think so. She's my idol. The card is so exuberant with the crazy feathers. Over-the-top in a really playful way. So cute. I am imagining what the folks at my old law firm in upstate New York would think if they received a card like this. It is sooooo much in keeping with people's stereotypes about Los Angeles. I love it!!