The trend is continuing this year:
The cost issue I understand a bit better than the Internet technology issue. Cards have some costs, postage has some costs, the labor of sending them has some costs. But for personal Christmas cards, those costs have value to the recipient. They say that the recipient is worth more than not sending a card, and more than relying on the Internet to send a card.
Because the Internet's prime value on Christmas cards is the reduced cost of delivery, and the speed of delivery. It's not the recipient experience, it's not the ability to easily share it at home with others who come in, whether they live there or just visit. It's not the ability to have your Christmas decor enhanced every day with the receipt of this small token from others.
The internet is what business uses to send Christmas cards to their customers and prospects. It's about cost control and message tracking.
The card industry has themselves to blame somewhat for the state of print cards. One of the positive developments has been the expansion in low-priced options for photo cards for print. It's great to see how people's families have changed over a year, and the creativity they can have for determining how they pose themselves for this annual event. It seems to be becoming more of a traditional occurrence for many of our friends and family.
But card companies need to be sensitive to cost. After all, postage is expensive, and time is money, too. So if the mailed Christmas Card is to survive, the price has to be right. It's clear that the tradition isn't strong enough for many to overcome expensive cards.
So, more low-cost options for print Christmas cards, please. Less e-cards for Christmas, please. That's my technology Christmas wish for this year.
The sour economy and Internet technology have contributed to a drop in the mailing of holidays cards so far this season, the U.S. Postal Service said.Consider me rather sad about this state of affairs.During the first two weeks of December, the agency saw an 11 percent drop in first-class cancellations compared with last year, which "is a good proxy for the number of cards and letters coming through the system," service spokesman Michael Woods said.
The cost issue I understand a bit better than the Internet technology issue. Cards have some costs, postage has some costs, the labor of sending them has some costs. But for personal Christmas cards, those costs have value to the recipient. They say that the recipient is worth more than not sending a card, and more than relying on the Internet to send a card.
Because the Internet's prime value on Christmas cards is the reduced cost of delivery, and the speed of delivery. It's not the recipient experience, it's not the ability to easily share it at home with others who come in, whether they live there or just visit. It's not the ability to have your Christmas decor enhanced every day with the receipt of this small token from others.
The internet is what business uses to send Christmas cards to their customers and prospects. It's about cost control and message tracking.
The card industry has themselves to blame somewhat for the state of print cards. One of the positive developments has been the expansion in low-priced options for photo cards for print. It's great to see how people's families have changed over a year, and the creativity they can have for determining how they pose themselves for this annual event. It seems to be becoming more of a traditional occurrence for many of our friends and family.
But card companies need to be sensitive to cost. After all, postage is expensive, and time is money, too. So if the mailed Christmas Card is to survive, the price has to be right. It's clear that the tradition isn't strong enough for many to overcome expensive cards.
So, more low-cost options for print Christmas cards, please. Less e-cards for Christmas, please. That's my technology Christmas wish for this year.
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