Late Christmas cards and fitness

The MAtH (man about the house) and I see that Dianne Isbell is still getting Christmas questions for her Monday Etiquette column in the Belleville News-Democrat.

Me:  Looks like some people want to be reassured that procrastinating is ok.

MAtH:  It's always been fine with me.

Me:  Yes, but this is about Christmas cards.

MAtH:  I just finished going through ours.

Me:  No, I mean sending them out, not reading them.

MAtH:  Oh, well.  What's the problem?

Me:  Here's the question:  "We always have good intentions when it comes to sending Christmas cards, but it seems life gets so hectic each December that we barely get all the presents bought, wrapped, etc. 

We have lots of beautiful cards, that's for sure. We called more friends this year to wish them "Happy Holidays" but didn't get to call everyone and some may not be the best to call instead of a card anyway.

Can we still send cards the week after New Year's? Or should it be some other kind of greeting card or note? We want to stay in touch with our long-time friends even if we are a little "behind the power curve."

MAtH:  They bought beautiful cards, but didn't have time to send them.  They made phone calls and then couldn't get presents bought.  Sounds like a fun time around that house.

Me:  What I don't get is their being "behind the power curve".  What's that all about?

MAtH:  Maybe they have friends who have a Christmas card competition.  Who can send out the most.

Me:  I don't know, it just sounds strange.  It's like they don't send cards for the nice-ness of it.  Maybe you're right, they want to one up their friends or something.

MAtH:  Ah ha.  I'm right.  Makes my day.

Me:  Dianne said, "You hit the nail on the head when you said you want to stay in touch with your friends even if you are a "little behind the power curve."

MAtH:  Dianne seems to understand that power curve thing, maybe it has something to do with etiquette that we don't know about.

Me:  Now I really want to know about the power curve.  Did we succeed or are we behind too?

MAtH:  You're obsessing again.

Me:  Maybe.  Dianne also told this woman:  "By all means, get busy and send your cards and notes during the "twelve days of Christmas," and after that, add a "Happy New Year" if it is not already on the card."

MAtH:  I do agree with Dianne on that, Christmas really does not end until Epiphany which is January 6th and...the 12th day of Christmas.  The 12 days of Christmas is not just a song about golden rings and geese alaying.  It has a real history in church tradition.

Me:  We've gotten away from that.

MAtH:  We sure have and it always bothers me.  Epiphany is pushed aside and Christmas seems to end on the 26th of December.  Christmas begins on Christmas and ends on January 6th. 

Me:  I know a lot of people wonder why we keep our decorations up after New Year's Day.

MAtH:  The reason was…and still is…that Epiphany is more than a day; it’s a season designed to continue Christmas.  Through Scripture and hymns the Epiphany season plays out the ramifications of the Savior’s coming for our lives.  So I protest our culture telling me to get over the Baby.   Our tree and decorations are defiantly still up. 

Me: So Dianne is right.

MAtH:  Sort of, but she didn't really explain the reason.

Me:  But she's an etiquette person not a theologian.

MAtH:  True.  Anything else going on in Dianne world?

Me:  One more Christmas question:  "Should I be upset if my husband bought me a year's membership to a fitness gym? I've been wanting to get one but didn't think my husband would give me that as a Christmas gift. My girlfriend said it was really insulting of him to buy that for me. What do you think?"

MAtH:  Haha

Me:  I'd be more upset with a toaster.

MAtH:  I thought you wanted one.

Me:  Right.  Anyway, this is one of those problems that come up when we listen to other people.

MAtH:  The girlfriend should have stayed out of it.  Who tells someone their husband was insulting?

Me:  You don't know women, do you?

MAtH:  I do know that us guys don't go around telling our friends much about what we got for Christmas unless it was a reciprocating saw.

Me:  Which you didn't get.

MAtH:  I know.

Me:  Well, you have a birthday coming up on Saturday.

MAtH:  A memorable day.

Me:  But, maybe I should get you a fitness club membership.

MAtH:  Are you saying I need more exercise?

Me:  Do you feel insulted?

MAtH:  Not really.  I'm flattered that you want me fit.

Me:  Maybe a saw would be good.

MAtH:  Us guys may not understand the Christmas cards power curve, but we still know how to get what we want.

Comments

[Sharalyn]

So long as you keep in touch at some point in the year, it's OK. Consider a friedly "Happy Ground Hog Day" card. There is so much stress around Christmas, why add more. I gave up Christmas cards 25 years ago (way before I gave up Christianity) because I wanted to do the fun things with my kids and enjoy the season, and not be dog tired.