By now I suppose we should all have nearly finished the Christmas cards, with or without that round-robin letter whose purpose I have never quite fathomed. It certainly brings the clan up to date with whichever child has passed its exams and what a lovely time was had on the summer holiday, and of course with any hard news, such as change of address or job or, perhaps, partner.
But whether anyone is made happier by knowing what a super time the others have had I’m not sure; probably what would really put a smile on the recipient’s face would be a very funny account of someone falling out of a boat, getting stuck in the snow or turning up at the wrong party.
Or it could say thank you for something: I am thinking of sending a card to all sorts of people I don’t know who have brightened my life: Matt Ridley of the Times who I trust, since my book group made us read two of his excellent scientific books, for telling us why we don’t have to resist fracking. Annalisa Barbieri in the Saturday Guardian – not just for an interesting column, but for making one’s own life always seem better.
What am I saying? That if we are going to send something off in an envelope it might as well say something more than just merry Christmas, happy new year and I can remember your address.
What do you think? Have your say below
