31 Comments
User's avatar
Natalie's avatar

I haven't written a single Christmas card either... I think its okay if we don't?

Erin Shetron's avatar

I’m having trouble letting it go… but having trouble doing it… UGH

B.A. Lampman's avatar

I haven't sent a Christmas card in decades. I just don't do it, and therefore no-one expects it. If anyone thinks less of me for not sending out Christmas cards, then I don't want to be their friend anyway. The end.

Debbie Weil's avatar

ooo the Xmas card “should’s”!! have been feeling [b]old because I decided to send them out in Jan. instead and cleverly got “warm wishes for 2026” printed on them instead of “happy whatever whatever… “

Erin Shetron's avatar

you’re a genius!

Alison's avatar

i literally was feeling this way yesterday. i wrote a song about it and then cried while singing my OWN song, weeping for what feels like a race that's finished before I'd even started. I'm not even sure changing my brain, mindset, or lifestyle will really help anymore.

It's sunny today and my mood has significantly lifted. perhaps it was seasonal depression. who knows?

Erin Shetron's avatar

crying over your own song is suuuuch frequent criers club behavior, I love it. also for whatever it’s worth, crying over my own writing is how I know I’m onto something! I bet your song rules.

after I hit “schedule” last night I cut my bangs, showered, and today the sun’s out and I’m feeling much better. I guess sometimes creating our weird art, doing something nice for ourselves, and waiting for the sun is all it takes.

Debbie Weil's avatar

I want to wrestle with Louie and his stick… don’t care if he bites me ❤️

Priscilla Stuckey's avatar

Left off doing Christmas cards many years ago. No gift exchange between my beloved and me either, because why? But I do make the bone broth regularly with chicken feet I get from Costco (thanks to living among Asian & Hawaiian neighbors!), where, I kid you not, they label them “chicken paws.”

Jessica Weiss's avatar

The Christmas blues are so intense and somehow so surprising every year. I'm always shocked. I want to know more about the tile and alters and other joyful mess stressful traditions, don't you?

Robin Larkin's avatar

Despair: everything

Aspiration: everything

Update: all of it!

I FEEL YOU ERIN! I was agonizing over my cards and then i said fuck em. This time of year is such bullshit in so many ways. Except tea, nettles, broth, candles, and altars! Haha. I am the same with bangs, and your doggies are the cutest things I've ever seen. Thank you for the links obvs!! And your leopard prints are the best.

Cathy's avatar

I have two pairs of socks to knit before Christmas and an old dog who must go out almost hourly requiring that I gear up as if I'm about to climb Mount Everest in this winter of never ending lake effect snow. These two things are not compatible. I will buy them socks this year.

Madeline's avatar

LOUIE

I love him.

Also I love you. Also, cards can be sent whenever! Merry Fucking February cards are awesome too!

Erin Shetron's avatar

actually i would LOVE a merry fucking february card 😂 Louie and i love you and so does Hunter

Kevin Alexander's avatar

We have a friend that is always-and I mean always- the first to get her perfectly handmade cards out in the mail. This year, they came way late, and I just took it as a sign that it’s okay to let go of a lot of preconceived notions, and pressures we put on ourselves.

Separately, I’m also looking forward to the Solstice. Turns out I’m a heliophile, and the shift to increasing daylight means a lot more to me at 50 than it ever did before.

Erin Shetron's avatar

I am receiving that permission, thank you! what is a heliophile?

Kevin Alexander's avatar

It’s Someone who loves the sun. 😀

Erin Shetron's avatar

oh! right. that makes sense. same, same.

Rocio's avatar

Hi Louie!!!!! In the famous words of Dug: I have just met you and I love you! 🥰🐾

Meg's avatar

This year I bought incandescent Christmas lights for my tree and it is sooooooo much better, jeez Louise

Erin Shetron's avatar

now you tell me!

Amanda Aaron 🇨🇦's avatar

After years of failed christmas cards (one year the year in review family letter got sent for valentine’s day), I wrote in November, filled out all my cards, printed said letter beginning of December and then put those babies in the mail! It was scary - I shared my Substack with my family for the first time. Only one crazy uncle reached out, concerned that I’m a witch. I told him it wasn’t a mistake and that my soul is saved so don’t fret.

Chris N.'s avatar

I despise writing out Christmas cards. They are the epitome of disposable Christmas. I accept being a scrooge that doesn't get visited by ghosts at Christmas. Christmas horror movies are a different subject.

Mercedes O'Leary's avatar

Christmas cards are overrated. I'm not baking this year. I have no presents wrapped. I woke up very annoyed. It hasn't snowed, and it's been ridiculously cold. And yet...I think I like it better without submitting to all the pressures. IF you can find it...I highly recommend the Steve Martin holiday movie Mixed Nuts. It's my favorite anti-Hallmark movie for the season. Always love your posts.

Shindy Chen's avatar

aw babe cards are dying a slow death...just text a photo of your current situation (u + doggos etc.) and say merry xmas! that's it. if u really want to get crafty put 'merry christmas' or happy hols on it in canva or something first lol. and by the way, the recipients will be happy to hear from you at all.