One of my favorite things to do each day is get the mail. I love pulling down the door of my mailbox to see what awaits me on the inside.
Will it be time for a monthly magazine? Is there a fun catalog to flip through?
A lot of times there is the proverbial junk mail and requisite bills, but sometimes there is a letter or greeting card, and it instantly makes my day. Here at the bakery, we love getting mail from all of you, too. It’s simply the best when you share how we helped you celebrate life deliciously.
Well, today is Christmas Card Day, a day to honor the tradition of mailing cards to friends and family as a way to spread cheer.
This tradition goes back to 1843 when Sir Henry Cole, a member of the British civil service, created the modern concept of sending Christmas cards as a means to encourage more people to use the new British postal system. The practice reached the U.S. in the 1840s, but really took off in the early 20th century when the Hall brothers opened Hallmark and mass-producing cards became more affordable.
Today, Christmas cards have become part of holiday tradition for many of us.
It’s a beautiful way to tell friends and family “Happy Holidays! We’re thinking of you!” It’s always a fun way to do a yearly catch up and check-in with friends and family, especially with friends and family who may live far away.
This past weekend, I spent Sunday afternoon with my dad, which is a usual Sunday tradition for me. We worked on his Christmas cards, and it was fun to chat and be with him, listening to Christmas music and reminiscing about holidays gone by.
Sending a card is always sure to brighten someone’s day, no matter what time of year, but that’s especially true at Christmas time. While this season is full of wonder and magic and love for many of us, this can also be a hard time for folks struggling with loss or illness or loneliness or strained family relationships. A simple card might help someone feel less alone, or simply give them a reason to smile that day. A simple card might give them a spark of hope this season.
This got me thinking of ways we can help spread that cheer to others in need this holiday. What if we extended our Christmas cards beyond our usual mailing list? Perhaps you could send cards to children sick in the hospital and let them know you’re thinking of them. Perhaps you could send cards to the elderly in a nursing home to say hello. Maybe you could send cards to American troops overseas and express your gratitude for their service and their sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. 
Here at Ashley’s, we wanted to do something simple but impactful, and we’re hoping you can help us. We’re going to collect Christmas cards for Good Neighbor House, the local nonprofit here in Dayton that is empowering healthier communities.
It’s easy – next time you stop in the bakery, bring a Christmas card or two and we’ll gather them to deliver before the holiday. We’ll also share a special treat with you as our way of saying thank you for helping us make the season bright for others in our community.
The season of Christmas is full of wonder and magic and many beautiful opportunities to share with others. We’re glad to share in all of this with you.