I just finished cleaning out our sideboard, and I found a pile of greeting cards. I tossed out the ones from friends, but the ones we’ve given each other are just sitting there.
Should I toss them? Keep them? For how long? Do I keep just the special ones? (Isn’t every birthday/anniversary/holiday with family special?) This is the sort of thing that makes me wish really hard for that house gnome. He would know what to do.
What do you do with your cards after the party is over?
I used to save them, now I photograph the important ones, inside and out and store them on the computer. It’s not quite the same but I just don’t have the space.
Hmm, scanning them would be a good idea. Never thought of that. I usually keep the ones Rob gives me because he always draws something silly. But the rest go in the garbage, unless there is something written inside that I really want to remember.
I don’t receive too many cards, so I guess it’s not an issue!
Melissa–wait until you have kids! And birthday parties! And school parties! And grandparents! And Cards! Cards! Cards! Gahhhhhhhh!
Argh! We struggle with this too and our little guy is just 2.5 yrs. old! I just shudder to think of the many years from now where I will have a mountain of cards.
I say chuck ’em. I know, I know – what if your kids wish you had kept them from when they were little, right? I’m helping my mom clean out her house post-retirement, and I’ll tell you that the things that I’m keeping are not the cards.
Now, unless there is some special sentimental value in what someone wrote in the card (and not hallmark itself) then I would keep it. The scanning thing would work, but how often would you actually go back and read them?
Only the important ones. You won’t even miss the rest.
I try to keep the important ones with really sentimental value (usually family). Every time I do my massive cleanings, the box with cards survive. I don�t have my family around and reading those cards makes me smile ( & cry) and remember specific moments of my life.
Hey Jules,
First of all, I'm salivating over that gorge china cabinet in your post below. It's so funny that we're both on a paring down kick. I also just purged the ol' bedroom closet and came up with a heaping pile for Goodwill (some things still had tags on them – ack). It feels so good!
But back to the post at hand. I have a small blue leather box about the size of a shoe box for my favorite little keepsakes. I think I got it at West Elm ages ago, but I'm sure you can pick up something similar anywhere from Target to Michael's or Crate & Barrel. Anyway I keep it in the closet and my self imposed rule is that I can't ever let it overflow. Some of my favorite cards from John and the fam are in there along with some old letters, pictures, movie stubs, even the head of an old chew toy that Burger totally demolished.
From time to time as I add items, I'm forced to go through it and toss a few things to keep it under control, but it's never a chore because I get to look back at all my treasured little possessions. It's really a great way to store the things you love and filter out everything else that you love a little less (while appreciating each item every time you open the box). Hope that helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
http://www.thisyounghouse.com
As usual, the people who read my blog don’t disappoint. I have the smartest commenters anywhere.
Little Miss–your comment regarding your mom/cards is brilliant. Puts everything into perspective.
Valentina–I hear you. Every year (not that there have been many) I write a letter to the boys in their birthday card telling them everything they did that year, why they’re the best boys ever, etc. etc. I would never toss those out.
Sherry– #1, yes, that cabinet is the most gorgeous thing ever. #2, Brilliant idea. I’ll have to try it! :)
I always have the same dilema. I feel guilty for throwing them away, but I can’t keep a lifetime of cards either. I keep them around for about a year and then get sick of moving them around and finding places for them so I pitch them.
By the way, did you ever find those Christmas cards?
Never did find those Christmas cards!