christmas in november

i am becoming that woman who starts shopping for christmas presents in july.  becoming - i haven't become her yet.  maybe there's time to save myself.  but this thursday, while sitting in a long and boring meeting, i bought my christmas cards online.  i'm embarrassed to admit this out loud.

i like sending handwritten cards through the real mail.  i like receiving them, so i assume others do, too, and there's something special about buying cards and writing a note and putting a stamp on it and putting it in the mail and knowing that soon someone will go to their mailbox and there!  mixed in with the bills!  it's a piece of mail they actually want to open!  i write my grandma norma cards every week or two because i know she's lonely and needs some cheering up.  but i write birthday cards and hello cards, too.  and a couple years ago i started writing christmas cards.  it makes me happy to connect with people once a year - let them know i'm thinking of them during that season where we are supposed to think a lot (and i do) about the people we love.  two years ago i bought whatever cards barnes and noble was selling that weren't totally cheesy.  last year i made my own cards.  this year i'm planning ahead like a freaky christmas lady and buying them online well in advance.  yesterday they arrived.  AND THEY ARE SO CUTE.  get ready, everyone.  if i don't have your address, send me an email.  because the christmas cards are adorable this year and i can't WAIT to send them.

where does one get fabulous christmas cards online that aren't totally cheesy?  www.etsy.com  (in a boring meeting?  spend some time on this website.  you'll be able to happily waste hours.  i've bought t-shirts, jewelry, wind chimes, stationery, a purse....  this time around i searched "christmas cards," and after sifting through many ugly or tragic ones, found some that i was really happy about.  everything on etsy is handmade and sold directly from the craftsperson.  etsy = awesome.)