Holiday Greetings
By Ken Hoyt
The first Christmas card (shown here) was sent in the mid-18th century by Sir Henry Cole. This lovely illustration celebrates the noblest of holiday traditions: caring for the needy.
Christmas cards are one of my personal favorites expressions of the season. The beautiful images along with notes from far-flung friends add to the happy sentiments of the season.
I'm aware that sending cards isn't the greenest practice. But here's my logic... the exchanging of happy missives once a year isn't anywhere near as wasteful as the catalogs that pour into my house un-invited (I'm especially offended by the ubiquitous home-style purveyor that sends the same catalog out numerous times with only a change of cover...)
When you send your Yuletide missives I have one thought to add... why not add this one address:
A Recovering American soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
I plan to send a few cards to our heroes. And despite my yearning to share my views on the war I promise to offer only my thanks and gratitude for their service. In this small way we bring the tradition full circle, back to Sir Henry Cole who looked at the holidays as a time to show compassion.
Piqued your interest? Check out this site for an overview of greeting cards... Treehugger provides some help with recycling Christmas greetings...
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My small business, Interior Advocate, provides design solutions for interiors. And I write about living...
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