Every year it seems I have less and less options when it comes to Christmas cards I really want to write and send (no matter whether through snail mail or e-cards). And this despite the fact that I don’t ask for much. With regard to visuals, I seek something related to the Nativity, i.e., Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, with a slight preference toward medieval to Renaissance art. But I am also willing to do contemporary art. In terms of wording, I am willing to go with anything from “blank” to ultra-brief “holiday wishes,” with a preference for traditional Christmas greetings, at least for my Christian friends. Other than those two commitments, I look for cards made from recycled paper (unless I opt for e-cards altogether). You would think that in our contemporary overkill pre-Christmas, anything-you-want consumer culture I would have no difficulties. Think again. The possibilities for Christmas cards are incredible of course and their diversity is increasing every year (I found a cute one yesterday that was James-Bond themed, with a woman in a glittery dress and suggestive pose announcing “I like my Christmas spirit shaken, not stirred” — what great news!). That is, unless you expect to find a card that gestures in the direction of what I am looking for. By next year, I fully expect to have to create my own set of Christmas cards.
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