“The RoseBouquet”

You would see a mess of Christmas projects here and there and there. This is not a good time to entertain visitors at my house as I need to finish some of these projects before I can clean them up. Maybe you know all about this scenario?

My main project is getting out my Christmas card (with the new gift of a story) and my Christmas letter, and for some, I tuck in a thank you card (home-made, of course), and sometimes a wee gift. I used to have a monthly pen pal mailing list of at least 36 friends and relatives, but at Christmas that would easily double and triple. When I got serious about my online business ventures I gave that up, but some of those people still look forward to my chintzy, home-made cards and letters. Well, most of them. Then, in the last ten years or so, I’ve gained a number of internet friends all over the world.

On top of that, I have people who have become my missionary supporters. I have friends in the church I attended for 25 years, and now I am fast gaining new friends here in the city.

I really don’t know how many letters and cards to produce! Where shall I draw the line? Sure, for some of them I can send them a link to my Christmas card and letter on my website. At least where I have an email address. But some are really special and I’d like to send them something in the mail. Again, where shall I draw the line?

Well, I’ve plunged in, written the story and letter, and designed the card, and Joe at the WTM printed out about 50 + for me (that’s how much of this certain cardstock I had), and I’ve begun addressing and adding P.S. notes. Yesterday I bought more paper, so I can ask Joe to print out some more, but my dilemma is - how many more? Should I limit myself to 100? It will take some extra hours of effort, which means some sacrifices in my schedule. Hmm… Well, hopefully I can come to a conclusion later today or tomorrow.

How about you? Do you struggle over this too, or have you ditched the whole process? It is an effort, but it is also a gift of ourselves and our time that we can give to those we love. Somehow sending them each a dollar, just wouldn’t have the same touch.

Back at my place, there’s a row of jars on the table now with peppernuts and a handful of chocolate kisses. Tonight I hope to dress the tops up, and then I’ll have some gifts to give to those I see regularly. It’s not terribly expensive, but it has taken time over my supper hour for a couple of weeks to bake them, and it will give me a chance to give a small token of my love and friendship. (Last night I was asking myself if I should start another batch).

Actually, I can think of more to say about gift-making, but let’s save that for the article further down in Ruthe’s Roses.