JOSHDEVINE.COM

I love preparing for Christmas.

The tree.
The lights.
The wreathes.
The presents.

But every year, part of it bothers me — big time — and I blame Hallmark.

Now, I’m man enough to admit this: I love Hallmark.  Fresh Ink cards rock, and I’ve certainly watched my fair share of ‘Hallmark Made-For-TV Movies’.

I’m talking about the Christmas card aisle.  I’ve spent several weeks now searching through piles of boxed cards for the right sentiment, the right phrase, and the right pictures to express my annual yuletide greeting.

There are cards that seem to say ‘Merry-Swirly-Font-Country-Club-Christmas’.
There are cards that seem to say ‘Have-An-Eco-Friendly-Kind-Of-New-Age-Unicefy-Holiday’.
There are cards that seem to say (nothing but) ‘Happy-Birthday-Sweet-Baby-Jesus’.
There are (way too many) cards with tons of sparkles, sprinkles, snow, sleighs and Santa.

But this year, there’s nothing that seems to say, ‘I’m-29-And-Single-And-Care-Enough-To-Send-You-A-Card-Because-I-Think-You’re-Cool-And-Just-Want-To-Wish-You-A-Merry-Christmas.’ 

Ugh.

And then, there’s the question of a picture and an update: To include or not to include?

At first thought, it seems extremely vain as a single guy.  But it’s okay for couples and pretty much standard protocol for families, right?

Should that ‘threshold’ really be my ability to share a picture and matching sweaters?

You can clearly see my conundrum.  After much thought, I turned online.  Alas, a solution.

So, watch your mailbox, dear friends.  My cards are on order and will soon be on their way.  I think I’ve struck a balance this year.  They should, for the amount of thought I’ve put into them.