Instead of attaching a Christmas letter in an email last week, casual friends mistakenly sent us their 'Christmas Card Register.' Turns out they meticulously keep a spreadsheet of who they've send out cards to (it dates all the way back to 2005) and who's responded in turn: be it via a card, email or a phone call; it's all noted in fine detail!
To be honest, at first I wasn't sure what this Register was and once opened, I wasn't sure if I was somehow expected to update it... What was glaringly obvious though, was that we haven't been very consistent throughout the years - we're definitely sitting in their Naughty category!!
I hate to be critical, but to me this type of list-keeping doesn't seem at all in keeping with the true generosity of the Season, so I couldn't resist: I sent it back and asked if they were working for Santa, hehe!
Hmmm...somebody has way too much time on their hands! I usually try to send cards out every year, but sometimes I don't. It just depends on what is going on. They won't be going out this year, that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteSo did they respond when you sent it back?
Oh, they "lol'd" and sent me their Christmas letter in it's place. I figured they'd chuckle - but who know's what they really thought... !
DeleteDear God, I barely have time to scribble the cards out never mind keep a CIA-type file on it all! As each year passes I get more resentful about having to write out scores of cards, so this year only the nearest and dearest will be receiving them. I also hate cards that are really businesses advertising their services.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Sulky - somehow I knew this would get a rise out of you. It is indeed a CIA-type file - good one! Glad you're back, you've been missed - hope your anniversary trip was a fun one :)
DeleteWow, really? That is so funny! They must have been so embarrassed when you sent that back. Maybe they’re rating people as to whether they’re worth sending greetings to. Are you on the really naughty list? Perhaps you’ll get dropped at some point! LOL…
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to tell - they are only very casual friends - they probably got the joke. If they really are rating people as to whether they're worth sending greeting to, then I'd rather they just dropped me now :)
DeleteOh my!....lol
ReplyDeleteI read your post and couldn't stop laughing, good on you for sending THE LIST back :)
We get heaps of Christmas Cards and so does my Dad, so I do ours then dads...wow, get writers cramp.
Hehe!! I couldn't resist - I guess I'm on the Naughty List for sure now :)
DeleteWow, I bet they were mortified! I feel bad about laughing but hahahahahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI hope they didn't take it too much to heart - they seemed to laugh it off. But LOL nonetheless :)
DeleteLOL, I kinda understand your friends :) Not that I would keep a list like theirs, but there were people to whom I was sending Christmas and New Years cards for ten years and almost never got one back... :)
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying the prefestive atmosphere :) I will be posting DEZZY'S CHRISTMAS MAGIC recipes on Thursday at a friend's blog, hope you will be there :)
I agree that it does get annoying sending cards year after year to people who don't respond. My aunt and uncle are like that - I send cards every year and they never respond back... go figure. I'm looking forward to Thursday with great anticipation :)
DeleteI think they have medication for that sort of behavior. I mean really, who has the time to keep up with trivial stuff like that?
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Yes, OCD can be easily managed nowadays - the solution is only a pill away!
DeleteI would totally do that! If I was together enough to send cards! LOL
ReplyDeleteWell, aren't you the naughty one yourself :)
DeleteSo agree. I used to dread Xmas card time when I was a kid. My mom used to compare lists from year to year and if someone hadn't sent us a card off her list they would go - with a lot of hurt feelings too! It caused me so much anxiety that I have never sent the damn things. (oops - where's the old Xmas spirit??) I cringe for your friends when thy realize what they've done!!
ReplyDeleteThankfully, they seemed to have a sense of humour about the whole thing - which is what I figured, or I'd never have sent it back. Keeping score though, is still pretty lame in my books.
DeleteI actually have to say, my mom did that. And there was a reason. There were a lot of business associates on the Christmas card list, tons. And if someone hadn't sent a card for x number of years, it was the way she could tell they weren't doing business with my dad any longer. Because he would never tell her who was and who wasn't. (They sent out about 500 cards.)
ReplyDeleteOnce she got a card (she'd sent) back that said take us off your list, your husband is an SOB.
So you never know why someone's doing that. It isn't necessarily about keeping score.
Yes, I can certainly see there would be some advantage, in some instances, for these types of lists - especially in the case of a business. Your parent's case is a good example. However, because I know this couple, I know this isn't business related and the names on their list are relatives or friends! Oh well, it gave me a good laugh and inspired a post :)
DeleteBizare behaviour on these people's part indeed. They need to read the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and it is all small stuff.........
ReplyDeleteGood for you Jane ~ I totally agree! Because I am a Democrat and my man was reelected we were not invited for family Christmas this year ~ I guess I'm on their naughty list!
ReplyDelete