I love picking out the Christmas cards I send each year. They bring great joy to me as the sender, and I get just as happy when there is one in my mailbox.

Many things have been cut back and cut out all together this year, but Christmas greetings will not be one of them. I have my standards, and people expect me to send cards.

No one wants to go Christmas card shopping with me because I file through almost the whole shelf before deciding on the perfect card. It has to speak to me. It may be the phrase I am looking for or a picture on the front of the card that catches my eye.

Years ago, when my son was a toddler, my relatives would look forward to an updated picture of my precious angel each year, so I started putting him on the Christmas cards. Of course, those are my favorite ones to remember. One year we had a family photo and the Christmas tree was crooked, which we didn't notice until they were mailed out.

For years I drove everyone around me nuts while I micromanaged, starting in October, to get the perfect photo. I wondered why everyone was so tense. Thankfully, I surrendered my need to see my family with all of our imperfections on photo cards, calmed down, and away I went to the Hallmark store.

My all-time-favorite Christmas card is one that my parents had made in the late fifties. It is a black-and-white photograph with me sitting on Santa's lap. The look on my face is nothing less than shock and terror. My eyes are as wide open as they could get, and I am looking at Santa like he is some sort of monster. I was brave and didn't cry, but I am willing to bet I did not waste a minute leaping off his lap. The style of coat and hat I am wearing is quite chic, and vintage. It reminds me of the commercial with Natalie Wood telling Santa she got her outfit from Macy's. It is probably the only time in my life I wore anything in style.

I look forward to cards I receive every year, especially the ones with people's family photos on the front. (Somehow they manage to get the perfect picture without freaking out, or at least it appears that way). I get to see how their children have grown, and I take the time to be thankful that we still are in each other's hearts. The price of 42 cents in postage is so little to bring such memories.

May you all have a peaceful Christmas filled with joy!

T&D Correspondent Jan Jordan can be reached by e-mail at Jor8J@aol.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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