My friend posted on Facebook how this is the first time she ordered her Christmas cards before December. With Thanksgiving behind us, our thoughts turn towards sending our holiday greetings.

Families have their own traditions. There’s the three pager, the classic ones with the names imprinted inside (maybe they are too busy to sign them!), Even e-mail cards (with the price of a mail costing almost 50 cents, electronic mail may make sense.

My girlfriend uses a professional studio for her family photo. Another takes her own picture of her kids and has a do-it-yourself feel for her letters. My pastor keeps all the Christmas portraits in a file for each family. That way she can see the growth of her friends’ children each year. My mom makes beautiful collages featuring pictures from her latest travels.

I try striking a balance and having a short computer written wrap-up of the past year and adding a personal note with my signature. I told my sister how I sent one hundred Christmas cards and only received three. She said I probably made one hundred people feel guilty.

I don’t think we should see this as a competition, but a loving correspondence, even if you don’t make the deadline. A letter is a gift, one you can send any time of the year. Happy Holidays!

Marnie DelCarmen lives in Bellevue