It was a year ago this month that I finally succumbed to Facebook. Several of my connections are Social Media and Blogging buddies but has also grown to include a mixture of old classmates, current friends, and even some relatives. I often log-in to find new friend requests or discover those I haven’t yet connected with.
I’ve posted my share of updates as well read others: from words of inspiration, rants and jokes to ups and downs of the week. I’ve clicked on blog links, breaking news, photos and videos from blogging pals and friends. I’ve even exchanged birthday greetings and emails to catch up with long lost friends.
Facebook has provided a low maintenance way to stay connected with friends, family, and the social media community in general. It’s suffice to say, I’ve “grown” from being anti-Facebook to active user.
Twelve months later, it’s my one year Facebook Anniversary and also happens to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” With Christmas approaching, I’ve had conversations with others over whether or not to send Christmas cards, how we are sending and receiving less cards these days and read posts on those deciding to “go-green” to save the environment by sending digital cards.
What was once shared through Christmas cards and letters or occasional gatherings are now accessible via Facebook’s real time newsfeed and status updates. Why not just make my status a “Christmas Greeting?” That would be one convenient mass Christmas wish (I will probably still do that). My friends and family would all see it and if they didn’t, I could send them a private message or an E-card through email; but according to many teens, email is “so yesterday”.
How about saving a few bucks on cards and stamps, time on stuffing cards, searching for addresses that I’ve misplaced since last Christmas and had to request via text. I could spare myself a trip to post office and standing in a line a mile long. I should mention for some, cutting back on Christmas cards and postage is necessary and I can certainly understand that.
So, why do I bother to send Christmas cards if most of my friends and relatives are on Facebook? Even in the midst the digital revolution and the love of instant access to friends and family, I love having certain traditions that even technology cannot trump and that’s sending family and friends a Christmas wish through the good old United States Postal Service. I’m sure technology and the economy has affected them as well.
Our Christmas cards may be pre-typeset with a personalized note but it will surely keep my fingers from aching after hitting a hundred cards or so. Also, part of the Christmas tradition that I love is receiving Christmas cards from good friends that I’ve known since kindergarten or high school as well as those who are scattered all around the country and seeing pictures of how beautiful their kids have all grown.
I still have a few friends that have yet to explore Facebook and would miss out on my mass Christmas Greeting if I chose Facebook’s status update route ; hence sending Christmas cards will be one tradition that I believe I’ll keep until card companies stop producing cards and then we’ll all be forced to go digital.
With that said…it’s time to go stuff those Christmas cards that arrived from Tiny Prints this week. I hope you are enjoying your Christmas season and family traditions!
Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” If you should click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. The product I’m recommending is one that I personally use.
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