Signed, sealed, delivered
The holiday season is filled with countless traditions. Some, like decorating your house with lights and putting up a Christmas tree, are observed by millions of families across the country. Other traditions are trendy, like incorporating an Elf on the Shelf or placing blow-up ornaments on your lawn. And then there are the more personal traditions like baking a signature cookie or throwing a Christmas brunch.
For 31 years I have had a personal tradition of creating a hand-drawn Christmas card to send out to family and friends. This is an act so deeply rooted in my holiday experience that I don’t believe I will ever stop.
It all started in December 1989. I had just graduated from college earlier that spring and had moved home to get an apartment and job. My girlfriend (now my wife) decided to move in with me because she was working at the ski area for the winter.
We were semi-serious at the time, but she was clear that when the season ended, she would be heading to New York City to start a career. I wasn’t a fan of this plan, so I did as much as possible to show her the validity of our relationship. I figured a Christmas card from the two of us would help foster this belief.
My mother was a big proponent of sending Christmas cards, so I grew up thinking it was rather important. At the time, I was also doodling constantly and semi-obsessed with the greeting card industry, so it seemed like a logical next step.
So, while sitting around a few weeks before Dec. 25, I got it into my head that it might be fun to draw a card, photocopy it, and then accentuate it with colored pencils. I would then stuff them in envelopes, address and stamp them, and send them out.
That first card featured a picture of me and my girlfriend standing back-to-back with our arms crossed, dressed in cool attire with Santa hats and sunglasses on. In big letters above our heads were the words, “Christmas Rappings.” When you opened the card, there was a set of lyrics to a rap song that gave everyone an insight into our lives.
Together we hand colored every card and sent them to close family members and some of our college friends. The feedback from everyone was encouraging, which made me feel great.
For the next several years we followed the same pattern of me drawing and photocopying the cards and then my wife and me coloring them together. The problem was that our list of recipients was getting bigger each year.
Finally, technology caught up and I was able to pay a print shop to produce color photocopies. This approach lasted a few more years until I discovered an online printing company that specialized in short-run greeting card projects. With this approach, I was able to produce professional level work on quality card stock.
Each year, when Halloween passes, I know it’s time to get to work. That’s when I start reviewing ideas to feature on that year’s card. Every card has highlighted something that has gone on in our lives over the course of the prior year. Obviously, when our son was born, he became the main focal point.
I have kept copies of every card I have ever produced and filed them in my home. I also have a leather-bound album that has a single clean copy of each card. This is what I place in our living room each holiday season so when people inquire, I can give them a quick review of the last 31 years.
The annual Christmas card is not an inexpensive venture. The cost of printing, envelopes, stamps and my time makes for a losing proposition financially. However, the thrill of placing another year’s card into the album fills me with such immense joy that I know it is something I will do until I am no longer capable.
I had dreamed that my son would take over the project one day and continue the tradition, but he has assured me that this won’t be happening due to his absolute disinterest and complete lack of artistic ability. Oh well, like I said: some traditions are purely personal.
This week’s film, “Knives Out,” takes on a very personal tone when the patriarch of a wealthy family dies during a large gathering. A high-profile inspector is sent to the scene to investigate who could have perpetrated such an act, as those present begin to heighten suspicion with their behavior and possible motives.
This is a modern take on the classic whodunit tale combined with a top shelf ensemble cast and a beautifully written script. Because of this, there’s a good chance you’ll see this film nominated for several awards in the coming weeks.
Check this one out if you’re looking to get out of the house over the holiday vacation and you’re in the mood for a great murder mystery.
A clandestine “B+” for “Knives Out.”
Got a question or comment for Dom? You can email him at moviediary@att.net.
